Editor’s Note: Dr. Susan Meyer shares advice from some of the women featured in her new book, Champagne Ladies, Effervesant at Every Age (published by The Three Tomatoes Publishing.)

I asked all thirty-eight of the women I interviewed for a little advice they had for other women. Since they’re all wise, vibrant women, I’ve decided to share some of their thoughts on an effervescent life.

“Every morning, I write down three things I’m grateful for. It changes your energy. You start to look for the good.” ~ Donna Karlin

“My oncologist said it (lowering her estrogen level without drugs) wasn’t possible. I said, ‘Just watch me.’ And he did. I’ve been given this life—so I’ll do something with it. I want to live a meaningful, joyful life. One with purpose.” ~ Minx Boren

“It’s about staying in the game of life. Never, ever giving up.” ~Beatty Cohan

“It’s very important to wake up with a smile on your face and a sense of purpose. I feel we must have passion, compassion and enthusiasm for living and be grateful for every day that we remain healthy on this planet!” ~ Randie Levine Miller

“I came out of a self-taught way of looking at anything as possible.” ~Miriam Novalle

“Be true to yourself. I know it sounds like a cliché, but it’s hard to do, especially in this culture. You can get caught up in stuff that’s not really you. So, take care of yourself—your body, your mind, your spirit. Stay away from stress when you can. And if you’re with a man, make sure he’s got your back. Without that, it’s nothing.” ~ Greer St. John

“Stay curious, stay engaged. Every challenge is an opportunity to learn something new.” ~ Pam Ramsden

“Your girlfriends are the ones who keep you going. It’s important to have good friends—and to be one.” ~ Pat Addiss

“A lot of things were a challenge. A friend said to me, ‘I don’t know how you do it,” and the only answer is that you don’t have a choice. Many things are a challenge, but you just work through them; you have to overcome them or find a way to get around them. There’s no choice; you can’t give up.” ~ Lynn Meyer

Here’s a longer list from Anne Akers:

• Protect your health and be proactive about it.
• Have a financial plan and prepare for a rainy day.
• Get your personal affairs in order: healthcare proxy, medical directives, power of attorney, wills, and trusts.
• Maintain and develop friendships. Take a friend to lunch, make that phone call, remember birthdays, and honor the power of connections. Make others feel seen, heard, and valued.
• Find a cause you believe in and engage.
• Step out of your comfort zone: learn something new about yourself “once a year.”
• Be social, be generous, be kind, be curious, be fair, and be fearless.
• Meditate. Believe. Trust.
• And don’t always say “no” to dessert.

And I’ll end with a few words from me:

Smile, laugh, enjoy your friends and family and eat dark chocolate.