"Those who have entertained my life with their challenge and difficulty, those who see me through the lens of both adversary and adversity... I thank you for the profound lessons you have offered me in living my life boldly. While I will not name you, I most certainly will always remember you."

it's a funny thing. offering you validation through the opinion of others, that i'm a decent sort of soul. in a way it's as if i'm saying to you... not only do i have the audacity to tell you i have things to say in a book, but i'll ask my professional associates, husband, pals, clients, students and assorted friends...to tell YOU why they think i am okay. or more than okay.

i seriously considered (and by that i thought about it for days) asking some of my nay sayers and detractors (yes, i have them o'plenty) to say their opinion of me. then. on further thought, i decided that i'd heard enough already. and it was good enough to assure you that there are plenty of folks on the planet who do not share the good opinions expressed here.

years ago, a teacher by the name of Ray Stedman, seered this concept into me...that a person of integrity and action would either make people bitter or better. he suggested only non impacting folks would manage to squeek by, quietly, unscathed by bad reviews and low opinion.

i've taken comfort in that sentiment over the years. and in the fact that kids pick me to hang out with and dogs generally like me. two significant and confirming indicators of a basically good soul.

so. there you have it: given the choice i stick close to supportiveness and kindness. they win - hands down - every time.

maryanne radmacher has a gift for putting people at ease. when we are at ease, we can best be in the present and do our best work – whatever that work is. maryanne will tell you that all your work is your best as it is all a work in progress. she has the ability to help you truly believe this and blossom.

- Ben Merens, Speaker, Author -

In our store, Mary Anne’s work is always a “first go to” because her words resonate with so many people. Our customers look at her work and smile, nod, tear up….the words become very personal for them. “I swear she wrote this just for me” is a phrase we often hear. No one passes by the display of her work without stopping to read what is there and feel the connection.

- “The staff at The Present Moment, Libetyville, Illinois -

Mary Anne is a master linguist and an inspiration to anyone who reads her work.
Mary Anne Radmacher inspires others through the written word like few people can.
Mary Anne rocks! Where else (are you kidding?) can you find someone with such heart, wisdom, speak-to-your-soul jazz? Besides, she loves dogs!
If you have only one place to go for your writing needs to touch another person - something really important - go to the place of Mary Anne Radmacher. You will not regret it.
Words may be only words, and silence - indeed - is golden. But when words are important (as they often are) Mary Anne is the woman of words.

- Laura Handke, Author of Six Degrees to Your Dreams -

from my perspective, working with Mary Anne as well as using her products has been addictive. I discovered her work in the late 90's on the Oregon coast. Lately I bought Tuckers and have been using them for friends and family. This weekend my 10-year-old granddaughter had the lead role in her ballet studio's production of "The Snow Maiden". I hand-made an accordian pleated book for her and filled it with photos of her ballet for the past seven years. I used appropriately worded Tuckers as embellishments on several of the pages of this unique personalized gift for her. I attended the January Phrase Focus class and enjoyed it so much I enrolled to go through the same process in March. In addition, I was able to take the "Enliven your Hand" class from her and am in the process of determining my style of lettering. Being able to focus on a phrase each day, to "interpret" it my way and to send a response to Mary Anne has not only reawakened my creative writing process, it has initiated new eyes for me to look at the world.
former English teacher
using very few words to tell someone how special they are
unique, one-of-a-kind personalized gifts

- Lynelle Eck -

Mary Anne spoke on several occasions to our Women’s Beginning Walking and Running Clinic. Her style is colorful, practical and inspiring. Her positive energy, refreshingly genuine, encourages and challenges us, to use the power we have to move forward towards our goals. I never get tired of listening to Mary Anne!

- from Susan Gallagher, Gallagher Fitness Resources, Salem, OR -

She's always said the right thing. Intuitive. Insightful. Positive. These are things that have been an influence on my life since I've known Mary Anne - which has been since she was born - because she's my sister.

-Kathryn Ann -

Mary Anne is magic! In conversation, on line, or in her books--she's consistently weaving bits of wisdom with the perfect words to fit the essence of the subject. When I'm with her, I am amazed at her vision. She has the gift of observing people and their situations, then elevates the ordinary to a level that leaves me saying, "I never thought of it that way?" Mary Anne makes me feel special and brilliant and motivated to run out to the world to share my own gifts. She inspires all who allow themselves to be blessed by her work.

- Jan Roelofs, Personal JAZ -

Mary Anne gifts her readers with the stepping stones to a full and joyous life.
Mary Anne shares a world of rich dreams becoming even richer finely textured realities.
Mary Anne and the people of her world reach out to offer a smile and profound words of encouragement.
Whenever the storm clouds of my own world appear overwhelming, I turn to Mary Anne’s words for a reminder that everything good is possible in its own way and its own time.
I love the way Mary Anne tells a story – as in the Compassion chapter of Live Boldly. It drips like honey off her pen. I love the story. I love the telling. I smell the smells, feel the fear, and smile at the incoherent way life runs us in circles while inscribing the real lessons in a corner of the margin.
Mary Anne reveals the wisdom of the ages like a Wayne Dyer or a Deepak Chopra, but with the intimacy of the YaYa Sisters.
Reading Mary Anne’s warm comfortable words is even more comforting than a cup of cocoa and a warm bathrobe.

-Jonathan Huie – Facilitator of Collaborative Group Planning – www.DreamThisDay.com

"mary anne designed the only card I ever bought just for me. It was years ago. I still have it. Since then I've had the pleasure of meeting and then working with this truly inventive, creative, generous, warm and witty woman on a variety of projects including her design of my own professional stationary and cards and taking a class from her and making a small contribution to her book. As an artist, she is exceptional in her innovative clarity; as a writer, she is precise and encompassing at the same time. As a person, she's a positive force for pleasure. Lucky David to be married to her and have her wisdom running wild and bold all the time!"

- Jane Kirkpatrick, award-winning author, www.jkbooks.com -

She is the MOST ALIVE human being that I have ever had the privilege of sharing space with! She bubbles with enthusiasm, she demands respect, she breathes creativity, she sees the world through her own kaleidoscope, she has an enormous heart, she has the perfect balance of selfless and selfish, she is a perfectionist in a sporadic way, she dances through life, she likes great food, she allows others to just... be and when the universe wants her to move on to another journey, she abidingly accepts the invitation.

-Laura Prichard, Salem, Oregon -

Mary Anne's enlightened, creative spirit is infectious, before you know it her guiding hand inspires you to reach for your dreams. Whether you're a writer with lofty goals or a creative dabbler, her encouragement adds wind to your sails, taking you higher and higher.

- Caren A. -