Blogging opens us up to the ease of connecting to women all around the world. Last week's comment by Amrita in India confirms the value of sharing. She relates that she was inspired by our blog to start a journal and begin blogging herself. How about you?

We hope you received our free monthly newsletter, Stepping Stones (TM), this week. If not, please visit our website, www.HerMentorCenter.com and sign up now so that you will not miss another issue. Please let us know by email if you would like to receive any past newsletters.

Try out some of the tips we suggested in the newsletter this month and let us know how they worked for you.

In response to last week's post, one comment was: "The beach and playing with grandkids sounds great. But what if you're not close to either and you're working a 9 to 5 job that you hate? Not being woken up by hot flashes during the night puts me in a zen state."

No doubt this reader echoes what a lot of women feel. It's a challenge to find the time, energy or resources to get into taking care of yourself in the ways you might want. Sometimes the support of a friend is a start. Or has to be enough for now, as another reader wrote:

"I love spending time talking with good friends, over coffee or taking a walk. Even connecting on the phone works when our busy lives have us going in different directions."

If nurturing you is hard to do - for whatever reasons - make a commitment to take some time, even if it's only ten minutes every other day this first week. Put your feet up and read a book or just close your eyes and take some deep breaths. See it as a beginning - you owe it to yourself.

Here are some thoughts from readers about when they find themselves in the moment:

"The beach at low tide does it for me - walking near the water on the hard packed sand, listening to the sound of the waves, finding half buried sand dollars."

"Being with my grandkids is a zen state - they're fascinated by the smallest wonders and that forces me to slow down and pay attention to the world around me."

"I think I truly feel 'in the moment' when I am participating in religious services. I love knowing that I have a special connection with the congregation around me singing in one voice. I am moved to reach out and bond with the other souls there. I don't look at my watch - I just enjoy being at one with the universe."

Do any of these ideas work for you? More next week.

I was running late for yoga this morning and arrived just as the class was beginning. I quickly laid down my mat and tried to get into the process. But a myriad of thoughts kept vying for space in my head. The question I wasn't able to push aside so easily was: what activity allows me to clear my mind and truly be in the moment?

I eventually focused on the instructor and my breathing, paid attention to my body and the poses - and before I knew it I was into the rhythm. Next week I'll be sure not to rush and I have no doubt that will get me off to a less cerebral start.

More importantly, how do you take care of yourself? What do you do that's so engrossing everything else pales in comparison and, at the moment, nothing matters. Let us know and we'll post your ideas next week.