Be a Woman

By Kim MacGregor and Arline Malakian

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0973130156
• ISBN13: 9780973130157
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Beautiful Beginnings Youth Inc.
• Length: 88 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

I found beauty.

I am glad to be a beautiful woman. I may not have said that yesterday, but I am saying it today. I may not feel it everyday, but I am feeling it today. And when I don't feel it, I know that there are two other women in the world that know I am beautiful. Kim MacGregor and Arline Malakian know it and through their beautiful book Be...a Woman, they are helping others to realize their own beauty. This book has one ribbon bookmark. It needs more. As I looked through its beautiful photography and read the enlightening words on its pages, I realized I needed some of those little sticky post-it notes. Seven to be exact. The words and images made me think about my own ideas of beauty and how traditional they were. Attributes that one would not relate to "beauty" were realized as a strong characteristic of it. Words like reflective, courageous, exuberant, vibrant and gentle. I wanted to go look at myself in the mirror and see if I could find these qualities in my stare, my stance and my smile. I wanted to find something beautiful, ignoring the traditional definition of beauty. And I did. I found courage. "Life acknowledges courage to be its strongest ally." I found exhuberance. "...with spirit, heart, and a wicked sense of humor, I can laugh in the face of adversity, knowing I can summon the power from 'with-in,' so I will never be left 'with-out.' " I found forgiveness. "Neither perfection nor imperfection alone bring me joy; it is acceptance of both that make me whole." I found beauty in three things today: this book, myself and my life.

A New Awareness and a Delightful Gift for Any Woman and For Those Who Care for Her

This book is not my usual fare, but I had the pleasure of meeting the authors last year, and received it as a gift. So I could easily have missed a delightful experience. The authors are a professional photographer and a woman who has been a model since childhood. Having both worked in a world where superficial beauty is often over-valued, they set out to find the inner essence, the core of a group of women from all walks of life. Not all have conventional "good looks," but the authors uncovered the inner radiance of each of them. The book is sepia-toned collection of photographs, poignant poetic sketches and journal entries. As they say in the introduction, "We discovered how we rarely take the time to truly find out about someone else, and in so doing, discover things about ourselves. As women, perhaps we need to draw more from our shared experiences than from the desire to be "better than," "thinner than, " or "more successful than." They go on to say that by casting aside our internalized limitations and inadequacies, we can discover that we are more than what we think we are. We can let go of self-criticism and feel the abundant flow of energy and beauty that is all around us. That is a message that both men and women need to hear. Some books are to be enjoyed in an evening, but others linger with you long after you have reached the end. This is definitely in the latter group: the book is an inspiration that may radically alter the way that you look at both women and men. Highly recommended. Richard G. Petty, MD, author of Healing, Meaning and Purpose: The Magical Power of the Emerging Laws of Life

Inspirational Journey

Be...a Woman is a beautiful and inspirational journey that will be a source of encouragement to all women who take the opportunity to explore its spirit. The book reaches out in so many different ways and makes a woman want to be all that she can be. The photographs are captivating in the way that the essence of each individual shines through. Kim's words are poetic and speak to the hearts, souls and minds of women everywhere. I was moved by her enchanting references to 'hands' and the power that their gentle touch can have. Be...a woman conveys the fortitude of women and the eternal link. It is brilliant in its sheer authenticity.

Be a Woman

What a simple and comforting book... The photography and poetry compliment each other as they highlight each woman's unique quality. "Be...a Woman - expressions of life" gently directs us, the reader, to realize the beauty and strength in ourselves and in the women in our everyday lives. This book could be read in one sitting, but I found that by reading just one page at a time, the words and photos triggered thoughts and memories of my life and encouraged reflection. Each woman will relate to something within this book whether it be, an expression, an attribute, or a story.

thoughtful and engaging

This is a beautiful book that makes me proud to be a woman - the strengh, character, and wisdom portrayed in the book is an inspiration. The photograhy captures the spirit of these very different women, each beautiful in her own way. Standards of beauty should be limitless, and that is the essence of the book. It would make a great gift for any wonderful woman in your life - mother, sister, friend...