You Can Do It!

The other day, when I was trying to come up with a name for this blog, I Googled "You Can Do It." I half expected to get a bunch of hits for Rosie the Riveter/"We Can Do It!" images, but instead was led to the book "You Can Do It: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-up Girls" by Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas. I've never read this book... I've never even held it in my hands... but I love the book's concept, and I love the cover - the design, the title, and the sub-sub-title: "Dare to Dream, Learn Something New, Do Something Just for You!"

Sadly, Lauren was killed on United Flight 93, on 9/11. Her book was published posthumously. In life, she clearly had a can-do spirit, and wanted to inspire that spirit in others. It's wonderful that she's still able to do so, even in death.

I'm going to try and find this book in my local library - I'm eager to give it a look (it's bringing back memories of my Brownie/Girl Scout days, too!). If I find it, I'll be sure to let you know...

UPDATE (8/15/08): I just picked up a copy of "You Can Do It!" from my local library, and I'm happy to report that I think it's a great book. It's certainly a very motivating book - with a lot of practical suggestions for how get started in making your dreams and goals come true - even tips/exercises to help you figure out what your big dream is. The book is broken down into sections, and chapters/badges within those sections. Each chapter is then broken down into tips for getting started, getting motivated, advice from a mentor, "badge steps," and a list of additional resources (books, organizations, web sites). There are also 60 badge stickers in the back of the book. All in all it's a book that makes it very hard to say "I can't" when it comes to something you really want to do. A very can-do book indeed!