Ruth Fishel is a prolific author and a national retreat and workshop leader. Her books are inspirational and spiritual, helping people find more joy, peace, healing, growth, and purpose in their lives. The title of this collection of meditations for each day of the year — Wrinkles Don't Hurt — perfectly matches its up-tempo, entertaining, and authentic approach to the subject of aging, which still sends some people running for EXIT doors.

We commend Fishel for the impressive mix of spiritual quotations on each page; for the essays on everything under the sun that has to do with elders; and, last but not least, for her skillful use of affirmations as a vehicle for positive thought and inspiration.

Here are some of the affirmations, prayers and promises which pepper the proceedings:

• "Today I am focusing on my internal treasures, the positive qualities I have accumulated over the years."

• "It is so freeing to accept myself completely, without shame and with love and compassion for all of me, exactly as I am. I pray that I may have the willingness to move toward complete acceptance."

• "Today I am choosing to think about the positive aspects of aging."

• "It is exciting to know that how I think about aging will be how I experience aging. I choose to have a positive attitude and look forward to experiencing joy as I grow older."

There are so many meditations that we liked that it is impossible to list them all: be sure to check out the excerpts with everyday spirituality gems on taking a shower and brushing one's teeth; and pieces on worry, dreams, "senior moments," imagining new neural pathways forming in your brain, slowing down, times when one feels lighter and younger, taking stock, and being grateful.

One last accolade: Hats off to Bonny Van de Kamp's delightful illustrations!