A friend of mine sent me the article (that I've somehow managed to bury at the end of this post) on Womens' Gatherings. This article inspired me to think about what being a woman means & how very grateful I am to have some wonderful women in my life as both friends & as role models.
Then I started thinking about how difficult being a woman can be & how alone many of us feel because we can not turn to other women for guidance, friendship or support. For example, how can you possibly trust another woman when many think nothing of blatently flirting with your man?
I used to have 'problems' like that. Then I realized that this wasn't really MY problem. Flash of insight.....it was more
important for his ego to be stroked, then were any feelings I may have.
Wish I'd had that realization when I was in the thick of that particular moment!
Some of the posters in this post provide inspiration. But do women really take the time to think about themselves as often & as much as other loved members of their tribe? I think not. And this is a real shame. Even Loreal commercials used to tell us that we're "worth it". When will we ever believe this?
I am of the opinion that women have a tendency to put everyone in front of them on their "to do list", then never...quite....get around to actually treating themselves as they do other important people in their lives. Why is this? Do we think so little of ourselves?
Many women seem influenced by a variety of societal forces to think that if we give ourselves equal consideration that we are somehow being selfish
& self-centered bitches.
As the song goes, ...."We all need somebody to lean on", but
wouldn't it be great
to be
"equally yoked"
to someone?
Equally yoked is a term one of my gal pals came up with & this is quite clever. Wouldn't such a companion be great? Someone that wasn't threatened by your accomplishments? That would support you like a close friend? Someone that wouldn't bring their own insecurities to the table-like you don't have enough of your own & would want to deal with theirs also? Someone that wasn't so full of insecurities that they needed to be with someone they considered 'less' than themselves? UNequally yoked?
But I digress....this isn't about men bashing or relationship issues, for I'm sure somewhere out there, there are men who share my same thoughts, but about women. Here's to these open minded men & to the others, well.....
The point is, more women (& men) would benefit from having women as friends & my hope is to inspire someone. Opening myself up to other women was something I've only recently done. Cuz you have to have the RIGHT kind of women friends!
So here's to finding, thriving in & appreciating a great circle of gals-wherever one may find them-that supports & nurtures each other! Ones that are genuinely happy for each other when the great things come our way & are also there for each other when the not so great things kick our asses!
****************************************************************************
Inspiration From a Women's Gathering
By Crystal Stevens (website link below)
Women have gathered
since the dawn of humanity. For thousands and thousands of years, women have
gathered throughout civilizations, ethnic groups and cultures around the world.
Women gather for
specific purposes; women gather to share in the responsibility of the children
of the village; women gather to sow seeds, women gather to harvest; women
gather to cook and preserve food for their tribes; women gather to sing and
dance and pray; women gather to make baskets, haul water, and to create
beautiful functional art. Women today are busier than ever before. Villages
have become sparse and women have become isolated in this modern world.
Women tend to lose sight of self care because we are the caregivers. When women
gather, we renew the inner fire in our hearts, we brainstorm solutions to
global problems, we connect to the earth in a profound and beautiful way. When
women gather, they offer their hearts to the world. Women in my community have
been gathering with the changing seasons, with the new moon, and with the
equinox and solstice.
Women's circles hold the
space for releasing and renewing, for broadening perspectives and for dreaming
big. They offer a safe, gentle and nurturing space to grow and evolve through
personal struggles. Women's circles honor Mother Earth, the elements, all life
and the magnificence within all living things.
When women gather,
boundaries are erased and vulnerabilities surface in order for growth to occur.
Honoring the potential within all women, following our hearts throughout the
journey and tapping into our innate intuition and ability to love and nurture
are just fragments of the magic that occurs when women gather.
I began a Luna Circle in
our town a few years back as a sacred support circle for a dear friend who was
diagnosed with cancer. The healing space allowed her to release anger,
frustration, anxiety, fears, and isolation associated with the battle with
cancer. She fought hard. She was a warrior; she was still shining light on the
world even with just months to live. Our friendship with her was one of
gratitude and reverence. Our dear friend passed away in the spring of this year
and she is sorely missed. She gave us a gift of clarity... to see the world
through grateful eyes and to live every second as if it were your last. She has
been an inspiration to everyone she has ever known. Read Legacy of Jaimie Hines to
learn more about her.
Women's Circles are
especially helpful for women working toward positive change for the environment
within their communities. Most of the women in the circles I have attended work
for Sierra Club, grow gardens or farm, teach children, create art or are in the
field of nurturing modalities. Women who dedicate their lives to making the
world a better place need each other to uplift, inspire and encourage one
another through the process. Women thrive when they are given the opportunity
to express their creativity.
In honor of every woman
who has ever inspired you along the journey of life, hold a women's gathering
to facilitate growth, to be uplifted and inspired and to cultivate lasting
friendships within your community.
No comments:
Post a Comment