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Archive for the ‘Finding Your Voice’ Category

Dare Darlin’ Dare

Image: Julie Ann Wylie along Cape Flattery Trail, Makah Indian Reservation, Washington; photographer Wayne Wylie

GUEST BLOG POST BY JULIE ANN WYLIE

Throughout years of seeking I’ve quite naturally embodied the interpretive & educational qualities of the Hierophant. Translating useful principles, methods and wisdom of others has been a necessary step for my own application and self-study. Passing along both process and outcome to querents along the way fulfills an inner drive to inspire self-healing.

I didn’t see this coming, in fact I wasn’t even sure I had it in me. Never before, best as I recall, have my own words, my unique thoughts, my inherent wisdom poured forth so bountifully.

It started innocently enough with a ‘YES’ to participate in a training for Poetry as a Tool for Wellness. The six hour course brilliantly fosters empathetic facilitators by introducing their curriculum experientially.

On the last day of training, two poems were introduced. I listened closely as they were read and as peers shared what these writings had evoked in them. Next, our trainer gave us 8-10 minutes to write about our impressions and I was ready to go! Thoughts were forming into words and words into sentences as she continued her instructions. Sensationally present within my body, I could hardly wait to get pen to paper as the head waters of this prose poured out …

Dare to share, to create, to open …

Dare I? Dare you NOT?

It’s daring darling that has landed you HERE, NOW.

Daring to start.

Daring to stop.

Daring to show up.

Daring to walk away.

Daring to say YES, oh, and NO.

Daring to care

It’s daring darling that has split the seams in the nightmares of your dreams.

It’s daring darling that keeps you returning to your pillow, almost giddy with wonder about what might be revealed this sleep.

It’s daring darling that drives you to the doors of vulnerability and daring darling that blows those doors open as you exhale or simply lifts your hand to the knob.

Dare darlin’ dare.

DARE DARLIN’ DARE by Julie Ann Wylie (Copyright 11/2020)

poeticmedicine.org julieannwylie.com

Our Wildly Free Elder global community welcomes Julie Ann Wylie into our fold. You will soon see her on our Elder Spotlight page. As an engaged and fully embodied participant within our community., she recently read this poem to a small Wildly Free Elder group who are exploring “What Does Your Life Stand For?”.

Category:

Authenticity, Finding Your Voice

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ENOUGH IS A PRECIOUS FEAST

“In a gentle way you can shake the world.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

Attending to life is a sacred act of love.

A few weeks ago I visited my home town of San Diego, California in the beach area of Ocean Beach/Point Loma where I was born, raised and brought three sons into the world – with the purpose of spending time with family still living there.

It was like living my life backwards with so many memories arising as I walked my old haunts and the hard packed sand at the waters edge. On one of these walks I reflected on my entry experience at the airport a day before.

Since it had been decades since I flew into San Diego I found the airport not only larger, but more complex in an organized way. One of the improvements being that car rentals were now in one building in back of the airport. To reach this building one needed to ride the 11-minute shuttle to get there.

As the door opened for the shuttle bus I was to ride a beautiful African American woman stepped down from the front of the bus onto the sidewalk with a huge smile on her face and greeted us all with an immense inviting and loving energy, calling us precious as she took our luggage and lifted it into the designated spots within the bus.

As another woman sat down next to me she turned and with a smile on her face said to me, “I’ve never been called precious before!” In just that one gentle way our bus driver had opened up and connected this woman to herself and to me.

It did not stop there! Once the bus was loaded and the driver had greeted everyone and stowed their luggage we were under way to the car rental building. As you know, travel can be stressful and sometimes the purpose of individual’s travel can run the gamut from vacation to attending to immense challenges they may be faced with.

The driver greeted us on the PA system, asked how all of us were doing – waiting for our responses, and then proceeded to tell us a little about San Diego and what we were passing by on our short journey.

In the silence that followed this everyone on the bus all of a sudden started hearing oldies songs, like Moon River, that were whistled over the speaker system…..by our entertaining bus drive. And she was good!

Following that she invited us to sing children’s songs that she probably sang with her grandchildren, and which most everyone on the bus had sung as a child. We went the gamut from “The Wheels on the Bus Go Round & Round” to “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” and finally to “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” (with animal suggestions from her captive audience) .

Next on the agenda she challenged anyone who wanted to participate to say tongue twisters with her….and one man from New Zealand standing on the bus with a very large box took it on and succeeded with the most lovely accent!

At this point we were just about to our destination. As I looked around all of the passengers were smiling and connecting with each other. The entire energy on the bus had changed. We were connected and enjoying the few moments it took us to get to our destination, the stress of travel forgotten.

As everyone stepped down from the bus our driver handed us our luggage from where it was stowed with a huge smile. I thanked her for such an entertaining and community connected trip with a shared connected smile.

This woman had engaged us in the short moments we were all together and created something extraordinary from a job and 11 minutes together that could have been quite ordinary simply getting us where we needed to be.

Enough was indeed a feast!

When we as women question whether we are good enough, or simply enough, we are caught in the entanglement of either cultures expectations, or our very own patterns and perfectionism.

What would it be like to simply let go of those expectations, a diagnosis, labels or identities – and discover who we are as extraordinary, empowered and creative beings in our fullest expressions in any given ordinary moment?

Perhaps we shall find that in honoring our “being enough” it takes us from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

Shake the World Sistah and create a feast!

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OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

Breathing Spaces

Life At Wolf Creek

Category:

Authenticity, Empowerment, Finding Your Voice, Seizing the Moment

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Inspiration From Maya Angelou

MayaAngelouFeature2

Uplift just published a short article on this amazing woman of character, passion, transparency and strength. I am passing some of their words on to you for inspiration – and to challenge YOU to mine the depths of your heart and soul for your own unique answers to these questions.

“Born in St. Louis in 1928, Maya Angelou had an unmistakable rhythm to her soul, a deep strength that held her up and the ability to make words dance. Just like a phoenix, she faced adversity in her life, and rose, again and again, from the ashes.

Having lived her life to the fullest against all odds, Maya Angelou fought to show the world the truth of what she believed– that every life counts and “it takes each of us to make a difference for all of us.” Today, we’re sharing inspiration from the great woman herself, so that we can all rise together.

Inspiration From a Poet that Will Make Your Heart Sing

On life:
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.

On the power of perspective:
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.

On what really counts:
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

On the power of forgiveness:
It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself, to forgive. Forgive everybody.

On having your own back:
I learned a long time ago the wisest thing I can do is be on my own side, be an advocate for myself.

I’m a woman. Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

On finding the balance:
A wise woman wishes to be no one’s enemy; a wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim.

On the importance of courage:
One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.

On personal growth:
We have to confront ourselves. Do we like what we see in the mirror? And, according to our light, according to our understanding, according to our courage, we will have to say yea or nay – and rise!

On the value of each and every action:
I’m convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.

On aging your own way:
The most important thing I can tell you about aging is this: If you really feel that you want to have an off-the-shoulder blouse and some big beads and thong sandals and a dirndl skirt and a magnolia in your hair, do it. Even if you’re wrinkled.

And finally, on herself:
I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman who teaches by being.” (Taken from https://upliftconnect.com/)

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Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 2/14/19

Category:

Acceptance, Authenticity, Creative Expression, Empowerment, Feminine Presence, Finding Your Voice, Power and Leadership

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Keep The Channel Open

Miki Orihara in Martha Graham’s Embattled Garden

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.”
Martha Graham

My hand lifts to receive the pressure and direction of another’s hand. Waiting, perhaps only micro seconds, until the sensation in my body informs me of what movement is next, what action will unfold me towards the next stage of this journey.

There is no thinking here, simply deep listening and following the rhythm of the music, my partners energy, and sensations direction – unfolding effortlessly in tune with the operation of life now.

Is there language here? Yes. The conversations of my body. Absolutely trusting this language of biology to lead me into the next action, the next subtle or active movement.

A sensation triggers a thought which translates into motion all in a fraction of time so fast that it seems like nothing and eternity all rolled into one. Timeless.

Freedom through surrender to the flow of life. Our lives. Our expression.

This experience is one I have often on the ecstatic dance/contact improv dance floor. More often it is an experience I am having in everyday life – in relationships, livelihood/calling, collaborations, finances…..all the domains of life.

Certainly there are many places where blockage/resistance appears, yet the declaration to stay embodied, and operate from that space, supports return to a fluid passage through even the rough spots.

Having just finished a very powerful journey through the landscapes of nature in Tree Sister’s sponsored 6-week teleclass with Mary Reynolds Thompson, author of Reclaiming Your Wild Soul, I have been reminded of how precious and unique each woman’s uncensored expression is to the world…and to herself.

Unique as there is no other like it.

Precious because the world requires the gifts we have been uniquely structured to bring this lifetime.

And if we withhold, this wild untamed expression that can only be channeled through each one of us….will indeed be lost forever.

I for one have often held back and hid behind cultures background conversations that women were not supposed to show up in their “naked” expression. To even be “ashamed” of it….or worse lose their life for it.

Perhaps there were ancient lifetimes that laid down cellular memory with the innate danger of speaking out, moving to the rhythm of creative expression, or even standing tall or taking action on what is most important to us.

But now, now we are called to be midwives to the shift and transformation that is shaking this Earth we call home. Midwives to saying yes to opening the doors, windows – bodies and voices of our heart and soul.

A time to crack open the cages we have placed ourselves in. To remove the bars to our self-imposed prisons. To collaborate, connect with and support other women in doing the same.

What we do with this most precious of expressions is up to us. How we shall bring it, or not, is a choice that each of us must sit with before taking action.

In that moment of reckoning when the soft dark cave of invisibility draws you ever deeper – listen to the sensations that are embodied in that moment and follow the energy that is calling you forth.

Leading with fear of dismemberment…..or choosing nourishment

for the soul’s calling?

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Gaye Abbott, RYT

NATURAL PASSAGES CONSULTING

SERVICES OFFERED:

Coaching and Editing for Transformative and Visionary Writers

I help you reveal new possibilities in your creative work

Language is fundamental to who we are as biological beings and is the primary vehicle for taking action that produces effective results. It inherently carries within it our identity in the world and the potential for connection and collaboration.

As an advanced practitioner of Jin Shin Jyutsu I am able to see and work with the connection between the body’s energy system and that of language. Conversations actually live in our bodies. Words hold energy that stimulate our biology in various ways.

Transformative writing opens spaces, triggers possibility and stimulates your reader to take effective action.

This is Language as Energy Medicine.

Read More Here

**********

Jin Shin Jyutsu

Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient Art rather than a technique. An Art is a skilled, limitless creation whereas a technique is a mechanical application.

A session of Jin Shin can potentially harmonize, redirect, unblock and recharge the energy flows along the pathways of the body. Read More Here

**********

Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy intimately works from the inside out to assist you in discovering areas in body, mind, emotions, spirit that may be contracting the essence of your full potential in life.

A simple peeling away of layers to bring to light and life the beautiful structure of your unique being. Read More Here

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OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:
www.BreathingSpaces.net

Give Us This Day Our Daily Breath Preview, Reviews and purchase links can be found here:

http://gayeabbott.com/books/

Category:

Authenticity, Creative Expression, Finding Your Voice

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CAPTURED

Gazing out through the window that opens onto the world of Spring becoming. A wind chime moves gently in the warm breeze inviting…..beckoning….all that are inside to come breathe the air vibrating with life.

A small luminescent green creature crawls its way across the top of a fence, pausing in a moment in time to stretch it’s head up into a space of air. In another moment it is gone, out of sight, racing to who knows where.

I cannot write any longer. The ecstatic movement of luscious life pulls me to join in the free serpentine movement that unlocks spine, frees undulating hips, and insists that arms rise up captured by the heart of senses.

Sensual movement of life moving through the Soul of Being.

Where are we as we sit in traffic on the endless roads of man made surfaces, gazing out of a tinted window that brings us an encapsulated framework of sameness. Where are the senses here?

The breath locked within the ribcage prison of our own doing.

Breaking free of the illusional walls that have locked us into a life that is not of our calling. Allowing the emergence of a vibrant breath to capture us within the possibilities that hide….

until we say yes,

to taking one more conscious step towards Home.

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Spring has taken me, as you can feel through the journey above. Every sense begs to be opened this time of year. An invitation is extended to each of you, my community of Wildly Free Woman blog readers, to take the leap forward, just as we do with extending the light.

What is it that calls us so deeply? Arising from deep inner recesses. Sourced from a space that nourishes the creative and limitless Being that is housed beneath our skin.

Come and explore with me…..

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http://www.GayeAbbott.com

SERVICES OFFERED:

Coaching and Editing for Transformative and Visionary Writers

I help you reveal new possibilities in your creative work

Transformative writing opens spaces, triggers possibility and stimulates your reader to take effective action.

This is Language as Energy Medicine.

Read More Here

**********

Jin Shin Jyutsu

Jin Shin Jyutsu is an ancient Art rather than a technique. An Art is a skilled, limitless creation whereas a technique is a mechanical application.

A session of Jin Shin can potentially harmonize, redirect, unblock and recharge the energy flows along the pathways of the body. Read More Here

**********

Yoga Therapy

Yoga therapy intimately works from the inside out to assist you in discovering areas in body, mind, emotions, spirit that may be contracting the essence of your full potential in life.

A simple peeling away of layers to bring to light and life the beautiful structure of your unique being. Read More Here

__________________________________

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:
www.BreathingSpaces.net

Give Us This Day Our Daily Breath Preview, Reviews and purchase links can be found here:

http://gayeabbott.com/books/

Category:

Authenticity, Creative Expression, Finding Your Voice

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Soul Musings/Day 31: Reflections on Listening to Soul

Gaye in Bali, Indonesia/Global Healing Conference

Those who don’t feel this Love
pulling them like a river,
those who don’t drink dawn
like a cup of spring water
or take in sunset like supper,
those who don’t want to change,

let them sleep.

This Love is beyond the study of theology,
that old trickery and hypocrisy.
If you want to improve your mind that way,

sleep on.

I’ve given up on my brain.
I’ve torn the cloth to shreds
and thrown it away.

If you’re not completely naked,
wrap your beautiful robe of words
around you,

and sleep.

– Rumi

For those of you that may have been following these Soul Musings for the past 31 days I express my gratitude. In total there have been 93 posts including today’s which is rather unbelievable to me as I was ready to quit it all on Day 5!

True to form there will only be 8 sentences here (though the one following is indeed a very long one!) with the last two being specific to this particular blog. I have experienced many things as I have committed to this practice and among them have been the fickleness of the creative muse; the release in simply writing something and then letting it go; observing the critic that wanted to take main stage but whom I banished to the netherlands (where is that anyway?); the groundedness of a regular writing practice; at times the self-imposed pressure of hitting that “Publish” button every single day on 3 blogs; allowing for the polarity of “good writing” and “bad writing” to vanish from my vocabulary; that there would be “something to write about” every single day, but more, trusting that I would listen to what was coming through and simply act as the translator on behalf of full uncensored expression.

When I was urged from the depths of my Soul – from Source – to commit to this practice I was at first certain of it and then wanted to flee from the implications of it. The months of going without writing anything prior to this practice have now fled into oblivion (would love to know where that is too!) and I am washed clean of any hesitation to simply write from the deepest parts of my being.

This was my favorite blog to post on though I probably shouldn’t divulge that! I will forever be an advocate on behalf of embodiment as an untamed woman, free to fully express safely, creatively and passionately, in this sacred life we have been given.

NAMASTE

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NATURAL PASSAGES CONSULTING

Inspiring New Possibilities, Living From the Heart of Life While Co-creating Well Being of Body, Being, Heart and Planet….One Breath At A Time

http://www.GayeAbbott.com

Gaye Abbott, RYT assists individuals to dissolve the layers that cover the natural innate blueprint we came in with and reveal, through a combination of the energy medicine of Jin Shin Jyutsu, yoga therapy and breath re-patterning, and as spiritual mentor/guide/coach, the larger purpose and co-creative expression that we are here for.

For those interested in receiving private sessions please contact Gaye at: JoyfulGaye@NaturalPassages.com. Travel to your location in the U.S. or globally is available as is Skype mentoring/coaching. Please inquire.

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:
www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

Give Us This Day Our Daily Breath Preview, Reviews and purchase links can be found here:

http://gayeabbott.com/books/

Category:

Acceptance, Authenticity, Creative Expression, Divine Inspiration, Finding Your Voice

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Soul Musings/Day 15: Express Love Now

This video touched me deeply. Every mother might wonder what kind of decision their children would make if it was a life or death choice.

In the few seconds that this young man had to make that decision it was a death and rebirth experience as his entire life passed before him and he realized how much his mother had given.

That he was able to lay next to his mother and speak these words of love and appreciation was the most important gift he could have given not only her, but himself, in those last few moments of her life.

As we enter fully into the final days of this year let us remember that the greatest gift we can give to each other is exactly this.

Paying attention to what we are receiving from others on a constant basis brings us opportunity to express our gratitude and love.

Paying attention to what the mother Earth is giving to us – our LIFE – on a daily basis and taking actions to enhance this living systems thriving is more than an opportunity.

It is a promise ….

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NATURAL PASSAGES CONSULTING

Inspiring New Possibilities, Living From the Soul of Life While Co-creating Well Being of Body, Being, Heart and Planet….One Breath At A Time

Soul Musings is a 31-day practice for the month of December immersed in deep listening to what is emerging and unfolding day by day. Eight sentences with occasional resources to explore more deeply.

Each post, invited by Soul, allows the words to emerge unscathed from prior planning, editing, or censorship. Dwelling in uncertainty and dipping a toe into mystery this union of words is an attempt to resonate within an innate way of Being…. returning “home”.

To receive daily posts simply sign up for this blog and you will be notified through e-mail. In addition there will be daily posts on the blogs below. Thank you for being part of this practice with me!

Gaye Abbott – http://www.GayeAbbott.com

OTHER BLOGS:

BreathingSpaces

NaturalWealthJournal

Give Us This Day Our Daily Breath Preview, Reviews and purchase links can be found here:

http://gayeabbott.com/books/

Category:

Authenticity, Awareness, Finding Your Voice

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Making A Difference As An Elder

Jane Goodall is one of my favorite and inspirational women elders of this day and age. She just turned 80 years old and is still traveling the world as a very powerful agent for positive change in the world. In this last year I have had the honor of connecting with some very powerful women who are not only older than me, but in some cases decades older.

As I near the age of 66 in July there are moments when I wonder if I have the stamina, energy and yes courage to not walk in the footsteps of these amazing women, but instead create my own path, and as Jane says above “decide what difference I want to make”! This question is most probably in many of your minds and hearts these days as our planet demands that we shift our consciousness and take actions from that place of deep listening and opening to new and authentic places within ourselves.

A couple of weeks ago now I was privileged to listen to Gladys McGarey, MD, MD(H) give an hour long talk here in Austin, Texas filled with stories from her life and demonstrating to me that age only inspires a greater longing to be taking action and serving from that higher purpose that we came in with. Dr. Gladys as she likes to be called was brought up in the Himalayas by American parents and climbed up 1000 feet everyday (from 6,000 to 7,000 feet) after school to be embraced by her amah and taken into her shawl where she was comforted after a challenging day at school (she was severely dyslexic).

Gladys McGarey, MD, MD(H), age 93

From this start Dr. Gladys became the “Mother of Holistic Medicine” here in the United States and now has The Foundation for Living Medicine. The new Living Medicine model recognizes the wholeness of life rather than the absence of disease. Dr. Gladys states that life and love are the aspects that really do the healing. She is still seeing patients and is the director of The Foundation for Living Medicine. Dr. Gladys is 93 years old!!

As I watched her that evening speak of the concerns that she is most passionate about I saw a vital, alive, vibrant, intelligent, beautiful woman standing erect in her flowing clothing from India and not once taking a break in an entire hour of speaking. The inspiration for me came not from her words, which were very wise indeed, but from her presence!

It is women like Dr. Gladys, Jane Goodall, Jean Houston, Barbara Marx Hubbard (whom I was privileged to study with for 6 months last year), Lynn Twist, elder women in political, economic, creative and social change roles and the thousands of global “grandmothers” that are doing such important service in the world – who have found what making a difference is in their own unique ways.

There is an inquiry that I use in my breathing workshops often. It asks, “if you were to live your life as you breathed, how would you want to be breathing?” My answer of course is fully, naturally and authentically….which can be the foundation for every thought, word, movement, choice and action we take impacting the world around us.

What kind of difference do you want to make?

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Gaye Abbott, RYT assists individuals to drop the layers that cover the natural innate blueprint we came in with and reveal, through a combination of evolutionary energy work, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Reiki and breath re-patterning, the larger purpose and co-creative expression that we are here for.

For those interested in receiving private sessions please contact Gaye at: JoyfulGaye@NaturalPassages.com. Travel to your location in the U.S. or globally is available. Please inquire. Skype: gaye.abbott

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:
www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

Give Us This Day Our Daily Breath Preview, Reviews and purchase links can be found here:

http://gayeabbott.com/books/

Category:

Authenticity, Be The Change, Finding Your Voice

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Fierce Feminine

“There is a tremendous power that lives deep inside you. It’s fierce – showing a heartfelt and powerful intensity that is brave and untamed – full of preciousness, gentleness, kindness and vulnerability.” Alisa Starkweather

It is when we are truly transparent as a leader and as individuals, to ourselves and those around us, that we provide a container for those that “follow” or “connect” to wake up to themselves and step into their own unique leadership and soul path. It is as if we have given them permission to be themselves – fully and completely – by being ourselves – fully and completely.

This is a style of fierce feminine leadership and being that allows and anoints women to step fully into their power in a

Yantra. The symbol of Feminine energy-strength, power and clarity.

cooperative and collaborative way leading from grace and trust. It is a type of being that lets go of and explores the shadow and sense of survival and internal oppression which has been wired in for eons…and steps out and into what we fear most.

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.”
― Georgia O’Keeffe

No hiding is present here. We have hidden for way too long. It has taken so much energy to keep under cover the magnificent light, power,courage, creativity, wildness, love, wisdom, intelligence, and compassion that each of us carries.

“Within you, and in nature, is the potent, instinctual, untamable
and nourishing force of Wild Wisdom.
You need it. I need it.
Our world needs us to bring forth our Wild Wisdom “

Lea Bayles, Body and Soul Coach
http://leabayles.com/wildwisdom.html
(click on this link for a wild, evocative and seductive narrative spoken by Wildly Wise Woman, Lea Bayles!)

A short time ago I had the opportunity to share the story of a wildly wise and fiercely feminine woman. I facilitated a film afternoon co-sponsored along with Sierra Club and TreeSisters (Clare Dakin, Founder – forming a global network of women with a mission of reforesting the rain forests within 10 years). The film was Taking Root, a story of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Wangari Mathaai and the Green Belt Movement in Kenya, Africa. There were many things that struck me about this recent history of Kenya and her resources – and even more powerfully the life story of this woman who was bold and committed enough to step into her purpose with clarity and courage even in the midst of an entire government’s ridicule and violent actions taken against her.

And all she wanted to do was plant trees……while empowering Kenyan women and promoting peace and ecological sustainability in her country.

There is no surprise that this dynamic woman came back into my life again for as It turns out I had some unfinished business with her. Seven years ago now when I was in Bali, Indonesia at the Global Healing Conference with Desmond Tutu and others from across the world, Wangari was supposed to have been one of the guests to present. At the last minute she had to cancel. I was very saddened by that as I had learned of what she had done in Kenya and was very excited about meeting her.

Wangari then came back into my life recently through TreeSisters as they were recommending the Taking Root film to show and discuss. As I am active with them in a volunteer capacity I committed to purchasing the film and facilitating an after film discussion.

About a month prior to this film showing I was visiting with a friend and we talked a little about Wangari. She knew about her and loaned me her memoir Unbowed which I finished reading on 9/25/13. That night I had vivid dreams in which Wangari was encouraging me to “continue my work by telling this story” and “step up into your power and expression as a woman”. among other things.

The next morning I became curious about what she had died of (ovarian cancer) and when. When I saw the date I realized why I had been so strongly connected with her that day/night. She transitioned on 9/25/2011…

I remain committed to telling her and Kenya’s story and the relevance to shifting the scarcity/lack and separateness meta-coding that have contributed so greatly to the global challenges we face today – environmental, social justice, health and spiritual well being.

Her story and that of the women of Kenya is relevant to inspiring and empowering women to express from their fullest potential and to support each other in doing so. It can start with one simple act.

Wangari and so many other women today exemplify the fierce feminine which I am speaking to here. The earth and nature based feminine that is arising with a voice that cannot be ignored. The “wild wisdom” feminine that is finally honoring what we have to bring….and bringing it within collaboration and heart based connectivity shifting what Anodea Judith calls the “static masculine” (The Global Heart Awakens: Humanities Rite of Passage from the Love of Power to the Power of Love) foundation upon which so much has been built and co-creating a new myth from awakened hearts into systems based on the power of love and the deep interconnection that sustains all.

Root yourself down dear sisters and explore the stories that you are telling yourself. Are they true? If not, then change them, make friends with your saboteur and become very curious about what would provide the solid foundation for a fully expressed fiercely feminine YOU!

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WEBSITE: http://www.GayeAbbott.com

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

Give Us This Day Our Daily Breath Preview, Reviews and purchase links can be found here:
http://resonancewithlife.com/daily-breath-book/

How you breathe is the way in which you live your life. If this statement is true, then how would you like to breathe? Shallow and restricted or full bodied and naturally?

Use a focus each week for the entire year to promote the vibrant aliveness that is your natural birth right!

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Category:

Courage, Finding Your Voice, Power and Leadership

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Assumptions About Women – Taking A Stand

A few days ago I was kept awake off and on all night after reading the memoir – Unbowed – of Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and mother creator of The Green Belt Movement in Kenya, Africa. Every time I awoke her persistence, commitment and passion for what she stood for was infiltrating into my being.

About six years ago now I missed seeing Wangari at a Global Healing Conference in Bali, Indonesia. I remember clearly that I had been so excited that she was going to be with us as well as Desmond Tutu, Lynn Twist and other Nobel laureates. Unfortunately, at the last minute she could not travel to Bali. I felt a great loss.

I knew that she had passed on in 2011 but did not know why, so the day after this wakefulness happened I found out the cause of her death and the date. She died on 9/25/2011 – the same day/evening that she visited me so intensely!!

She has re-entered my life through a global organization called TreeSisters – birthed into this world by Clare Dakin. Clare follows in Wangari’s footsteps as she passionately upholds the importance of reforesting our planet – and by women!! Part of membership in being a part of this planet Earth is to take a stand as Wangari, Clare, Lynn Twist (Pachamama Alliance), Jane Goodall , Barbara Marx Hubbard and so many other women are doing now as we experience environmental, social justice, economic and deep spiritual crises.

These imbalances have been co-created by splitting off from our true nature – the Earth. We have forgotten our roles as stewards of the Earth and have become dis-eased in the process. The rampant incidence of depression, anxiety, panic and other disease processes mirrors the very split from that which has given us life. Natures cycles are women’s cycles!

We all know the assumptions that have been held in regards to women for so many centuries and now seems the time to upset the apple cart in regards to these very assumptions. The one that has hurt us the most – and one which we have bought into – is “As a woman I am powerless”. There were good reasons to think so down through the ages, but not now, not ever again.

Why do I say that? Because not only are women waking up and coming out in our full embodied expressions, but we are standing with each other to facilitate the changes that so many of us are committed to on behalf of the well being of all life here. We don’t have to step forward without fear, we simply need to be persistent and form alliances with others that are willing to bring their expression to the creative solutions and innovations.

As Wangari says in Unbowed: “What people see as fearlessness is really persistence. Because I am focused on the solution, I don’t see danger. Because I don’t see danger, I don’t allow the mind to imagine what might happen to me, which is my definition of fear. If you don’t foresee the danger and see only the solution, then you can defy anyone and appear strong and fearless.”

I love this quote as in her life she faced injury, life threats, imprisonment, gender discrimination, and great opposition from the political powers that were present as she was growing The Green Belt Movement. Today this very movement has been responsible for 51 million trees being planted in Kenya and thousands of women finding their own power and purpose in life thus affecting the quality of life in her country.

She says about those that have walked by her side: “Throughout my life, I have never stopped to strategize about my next steps. I often just keep walking along, through whichever door opens. I have been on a journey and this journey has never stopped. When the journey is acknowledged and sustained by those I work with, they are a source of inspiration, energy, and encouragement. They are the reasons I kept walking, and will keep walking, as long as my knees hold out.”

Now take some time to think about women that inspire you, whether they are present day or from the past. I have chosen those that are working on behalf of our environment and sustainable living and thriving, however yours may be from any walk of life or focus. What qualities did/do they possess? They may have been or are called “heretics” and if they are, take a very careful look at who is naming them. Assumptions are dangerous and at the core are what got us to the place we are today tipping over into imbalances that will and are seriously affecting us all.

I say to each of you – take a stand! At our core we all have the “stuff” that is needed to “take a stand” even if that is simply being absolutely true to our own unique expression and unfailingly trusting it. We are all healers and creators. Let us trust our soul, honor our spirit, open our heart, transform our mind and heal our bodies. ( Heart of the Healer by Don Oscar Miro-Quesada, Peruvian curandero).

Come into ritual space with each other and co-create Earth centered living from the heart ignited by soul and spirit….We can have a gentle birth to the next stage of evolution by accepting, trusting, and stepping into the innate power that we have been given by simply being born a woman. You are both the midwives and the ones that are giving birth!!

I Am

We Are

Here Now

One Within

The story of the hummingbird by Wangari Maathai:

Taking Root trailer – The story of Wangari Maathai and The Green Belt Movement

http://www.takingrootfilm.com/trailer.htme

…AND ONE MORE TASTY GIFT! GET UP AND DANCE!! DON’T FORGET THE PASSION!!

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**NOTE: If you live in Austin, Texas or near by please join us for a showing of the film Taking Root on 10/27/13 co-sponsored by the local Sierra Club, global TreeSisters, and me – Natural Passages Consulting. A representative from Pachamama Alliance will also be with us!! Go to htt://www.GayeAbbott.com and click on the EVENTS tab.

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WEBSITE: http://www.GayeAbbott.com

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

Give Us This Day Our Daily Breath Preview, Reviews and purchase links can be found here:

www.GayeAbbott.com/books/

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Category:

Be The Change, Empowerment, Finding Your Voice

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Women Who Thrive, Change The World!

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Dare darlin’ dare.

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