Women Who Thrive, Change The World!

Becoming The Art

September 5, 2011

Martha Graham

When we are in the midst of making something,
in the actual creative act,
we know we are who and what we are

because we forget our public reception for a minute.

We become the art itself instead of
the artist who makes it.

-Julia Cameron

This past week I took 3 days of being “unplugged” to work on a draft of a book that I had set aside for almost a year.  There was a relief in not connecting to internet, making or receiving phone calls, or in my case blogging or doing social networking.  There was no need to unplug from T.V. as I haven’t watched or owned  one for over 15 years.

While I was in this time period the phrase kept coming up – do you really want to spend precious life moments living virtually?  Instead how about dropping down into the spaciousness of creating from a place that cannot be found on the internet, but inside of a moment to moment sense oriented life experience.

Now mind you, there is an amazingly powerful use for the internet and other electronic media.  However the creative muse would not have been so spontaneously present I suspect if I would have been hooked in to anything other than allowing the writing to come through me, taking breaks out in nature, and making certain that I was nourished by healthy food and movement/exercise breaks.

This sustained and planned creative process is new to me.  I am used to hit and run creative ideas coming in during unsuspecting moments driving me to run for a pad of paper, or the back of a grocery store receipt, to write it down.  Invariably it is as I am driving that something blazes into my consciousness, and then just try to scribble something down while watching that light about to change….and even more trying to decipher what you wrote or sketched for that latest painting idea later on. Hand held recorders are looking better and better these days!

I suspect that room for spontaneous creativity is always there for each and every one of us, but often it is buried amongst what seems like millions of bits of stimulus input that hit us everyday.  As Julia Cameron says in the quote that was given at the beginning of this post, we become the art itself as we immerse ourselves in the creative process and await direction.  Sometimes it is immediate and at other times we are asked to take a break and change our surroundings – which then will inspire us of course to capture the next creative spark.

12,000 words later in the 3 days I set aside I am now happy to say that I have reintroduced myself to the creative muse that has so wanted to come out and play with the me that feels incredibly alive when she is in the act of creation!  We are having a great time together, and yes this book is well on its’ way to birthing itself.

It is no accident that I came across the perfect video to share with you this week.  This couple who have been married for 62 years are a beautiful example of becoming the art spontaneously.   Enjoy and take into consideration what Katharine Hepburn once said,  “I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun”!!

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

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Authenticity, Creative Expression

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Breathe Soul Into Your Life

August 22, 2011

“The breath is a love song from your Soul to you”.  Jennifer Grace King

…and I would add, the breath is a vehicle for celebrating your life!  When is it that we feel most alive?  Most probably when we are embodied in an activity where every single fiber of our being is present and accounted for.  From this state of aliveness it is clear that we are here to play, create, connect and  love in all of its myriad forms.

It is times such as this that we let go of inhibitions and enter the realm of the art of being….being present to the moment in which we are in. Just preceding this moment there may have been fear, anxiety, sadness, expectation,  or any other of the array of human emotions and physical sensations that we feel.

“The breath carries you out
of the games and drama of your mind and brings you deep
down into stillness. “                                      From:  Breathe Soul Into Your Life

Most probably it was not your mind that took you into this moment.  It was a leap of trust and a deep letting go that paved the way for an extraordinary-ordinary moment to be felt fully and embraced.  And, before that moment you most probably took a very deep breath….

RESOURCES:  There are two resources that come with this post.  One is a link to the new book Breathe Soul Into Your Life by Jennifer Grace King who lives in Australia.   Jennifer and I resonate deeply on our feelings about the importance of the breath and connected via one of my other blogs – BreathingSpaces.  This little book is just out and would be a great gift for the holidays (oh yes, they are sneaking up on us!)

LINK:
 http://www.mailermailer.com/x?function=view&c=00000f-e6d0b9bf%2a846305c-cd9c7dbe

The other resource is a video done by Sonia Choquette which I wanted to share with you.  I have unofficially titled this video Breathe Into Your Voice – Be Alive!  There is a great segment of a woman putting her heart and soul into Mary Sings A Little Lamb after the song is completed.   This happens to have been filmed in  Sidney, Australia.   Celebrating our connection with the “down under” folks today!  Enjoy!

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net      Recent post:  Breathing Compassion In The Pitch Dark
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com   Recent post:  Handing Over to the Divine Design

REMINDER!  Today is the last day to register for Bring 3 Friends and Attend for FREE! for the Women’s Empowerment Workshop  September 15-18 in Vail Colorado.  This is a nature adventure retreat that empowers women to nourish mind, body and spirit by connecting to the natural world in a profoundly enriching, compelling, and transformational way.   Go to:  http://www.womensempowerment.us/

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Embodying Your Power Within Nature

August 10, 2011

The impetus for this post came about from an e-mail I wrote to Susie Kincade, co-creator of  Women’s Empowerment Workshop slated for 9/15-9/18/2011 in Vail, Colorado.  Coming on the heals of the last post on being powerful and in your feminine presence, I somehow received the link for this upcoming workshop.

My excitement about this amazing workshop lead to a request by e-mail to be involved somehow (and hopefuly attending!) , which then lead to a conversation that Susie and I had today in which I realized that nature has been an incredible ally for me throughout my life.

How many workshops, self help books, courses, retreats etc has each of us gone to (or read) in which there is an incredible experience, but that very experience stayed just that?  It did not integrate within our being….or as I like to say, it was not embodied to be tapped into purposefully over time.

This took me back to a pivotal point in my life when I was really ready to shift from being somewhat of a victim in my life to co-creating a life that would tap into my powerful and unique creative expression.  I had no idea how to do that, but my intention was strong to somehow find the pieces that went into that.

When intention is strong the vehicle for change appears.  My vehicle came in the form of a professional photographer and wilderness survival expert that invited me to go with him to Kauai, Hawaii to backpack along the Na Pali coast – the very old original Hawaiian trial which leads to an isolated beach at the end of this particular trail.

I said yes and then proceeded to prepare by reading every single thing I could get my hands on to learn more about the trail and what I might experience…..but there was no book that could prepare me for what I was to be confronted with.

Now you must understand that I wasn’t in the best of shape to go on this adventure (even though I was 30 years younger than I am today!), and I had never been backpacking before this.  But there was something larger than my mind that was guiding me to commit to this trek…and I thankfully listened.

Many things happened on this 11-mile several day journey to and from Kalalau to test me….. and to absolutely entrance me and take my breath away with the beauty, the wildness, and the wisdom of the natural world.

There were moments going in when I thought I couldn’t go any further, and staying in back of the 3 other people that I had gone with I almost stopped many times, especially after falling in the first couple of miles and injuring my hand!  Yet there was always a nature ally that presented to soothe the pain or calm the fear allowing me to move forward. In this case it was a very cold stream rushing down the mountain that took my hand in an embrace and soothed the swelling and pain until it was completely gone.

The pivotal point for me started on that very first day as we prepared our camp to rest overnight before going the rest of the way the next day.  I had read in my handy travel book that this next section of trail was a difficult one.  In fact, it scared the living daylights out of me!  After starting out on the next day we would very shortly reach a place where there was an incredibly narrow trail, with no handholds, 100’s of feet drop off to our right down onto the jagged rocks and ocean below, and a 90 degree turn with wind blowing.  (and we had heavy backpacks on!)

By the morning of the second day I had worked myself up so much that tears were flowing down my face.  I had told everyone the night before that I wasn’t certain that I would be going any further with them.  Now why was I here??

In a very pivotal moment I was guided to start ahead of everyone else sensing somehow in between the bursts of fear that I was to do this by myself -and before everyone else.  My heart must have been audible to all the wildlife as I came closer to this drop off point, yet in an instant guidance came through that very clearly said to me – take one step at a time, breathe, and be in the moment (and don’t look down).

I followed the wise guidance and when everyone else came around the end they found me huddled to a safe rock on the other side crying my eyes out…not just with relief that I made it, but with gratitude and joy that I had the courage to face a very large fear and get to the other side of it!  My steps along the trail after that experience were quite different than the day prior.

My reward once we got to the beach at the end of the trail?  Prawns in the stream, a beautiful beach with a waterfall for a shower, sunsets that were painted by an artist that definitely knew how to experiment with color, every inch of sky holding a star at night, and about 8 other people who ran the gamut from chiropractor to readjust our spines from the trek, Hawaiian mythology story tellers, and astronomy experts to point out the constellations at night….. all going through life transition.

My biggest reward?  The gift of courage to keep taking one step at a time and be reminded of my deeply interconnected vital life force – a metaphor for my entire life….provided free of charge mind you from natural elements that co-conspired to hold me captive until I got it!  I also felt so deeply aligned within my body once completing that 22 mile journey that I was never quite the same again.  I had come home!

This experience still is embodied within me even though it was over 30 years ago now.  I fully believe that it has assisted me immensely in my current leap from Oregon to Austin, Texas and into a life that holds the gift of deep trust and acting from my fullest creative expression.  This cannot be “learned” through a book or course!

I tell you this story because I would like to see every woman go to a Women’s Empowerment Workshop (or something similar) at least once in her life to embody the “way home” to the next steps she is being asked to take.

Below you will find links and information.  I will see you there!

*********************

Vail, CO – Rock climbing, rafting, hiking, photography and working with horses may sound like summer camp activities, but Women’s Empowerment Workshop in Vail, September 15-18, uses these activities to guide women to new depths of self-awareness and personal power. It’s all part of a unique four-day retreat that includes life coaching, yoga and meditation, six webinars, five women authors and two internationally-known women activists.

“There really is nothing else quite like this. Consider it a spa for the soul, and an adventure camp combined,” offered co-founder Susie Kincade. “The key is the experiential aspect. We’ll take women outward into nature to guide them deeply inward. The natural world connects us to everything and to our own wisdom, creativity and power. We’ll teach skills to access that wisdom and power, and anchor them solidly in the body experience; then women can use them anytime, anywhere, from the family room to the boardroom.”

Women’s Empowerment Workshop delivers this empowering experience with a cadre of world-class outdoor guides from Colorado, along with wilderness therapists, authors and teachers of women’s inner wisdom, including life coach Dr. Joan King and nationally-known equine Gestalt specialist Melisa Pearce. And to top it all off, the workshop presents two inspiring, global visionary speakers.

Keynote speaker, Lynne Twist, author of Soul of Money, founder of Pachamama Alliance and Four Years Go, will help women ignite their inner fire and bring their highest self to the world. Shannon Galpin, founder of Mountain2Mountain, will inspire women with her story as a single mother who overcame her own challenges to create opportunities for girls and women in war-torn parts of the world.

The workshop is designed for women of all ages and physical abilities. It is for women who are in transition, or maybe questioning how to meet their full potential in life. And women who are nurturers and want to be rejuvenated; or who are in a position of authority and want to learn how to wield that power for best results. Women who seek to raise their own self-awareness, cultivate creativity and communicate emotional authenticity. Women who want to engage in nature and learn from it. In short, Women’s Empowerment Workshop is a retreat for any woman who wants to be her absolute best — for herself, her family, community and world.

The outdoor explorations will meet each woman where she is in her life, and then nudge her to look deeper and push her edges. For instance, women will learn river skills and how to apply them to life, such as when and how to “eddy out,” and how to scout rapids and navigate turbulent waters. Rock climbing will teach skills for overcoming obstacles in life, how to problem solve, teamwork and communication. Healing through horses helps participants discover how to trust their authentic emotions, and nature photography will teach perspective, patience and how to listen to oneself.

“These activities have plenty to teach, both metaphorically and practically, but a person can’t really get the full benefit of it without getting out there and embodying the experience,” Kincade said.

The workshop also includes Women’s Inner Wisdom seminars that offer valuable self-nurturing and emotional discernment techniques. Daily meditation and yoga, healthy, organic meals, and networking with other amazing women in the spectacular autumn setting of the Vail Racquet Club will round out the retreat.

To register or learn more, visit www.womenempower.us, or call toll-free, 877-595-8622.

SPECIAL OFFER!:  Bring 3 And Attend FREE!  4 friends can share a 2 bdr/2 bath condo for 47.50/night/person! Nice rates.  This also means that you have 3 other women to share with and to support each other once you return home.  It keeps the process moving that was embodied in the workshop!

FREE Webinar! :  Journeying to the Soul of Nature:
How are we deeply connected to nature and what does this reveal to us as we explore the outdoors?  August 11th, 7-8:30p.m.

Susie Kincade, co-founder of Women’s Empowerment Workshop, Holly Bryson, Wilderness Therapist with Healing Quest, and Melisa Pearce of Touched by a Horse talk about nature as both medium and metaphor for exploring our life’s journey. Listening to nature as opposed to “conquering” it offers some surprising insights into our most

"Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world." ~John Muir

authentic self. Learn tools that help you integrate the peace and freedom of the outdoors into your daily life to feel rejuvenated and grounded. Understand the actual physical processes that occur within the body when nature does its healing and revealing work within you. Discover horses as healing agents who reflect our emotions in a most authentic way.

Sign up  for the webinar today at:  http://www.instantpresenter.com/AccountManager/RegEv.aspx?PIID=E957DB82864B

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

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Courage, Empowerment, Vital Health & Well Being

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Powerful With Feminine Presence

August 4, 2011

Just this last week I finished a very powerful and important book for women.   Rachael Jayne Groover, Founder of The Yin Project has just launched Powerful and Feminine: How to Increase Your Magnetic Presence & Attract the Attention You Want.  In my second reading of it I decided that it should be a handbook for all women at this particular time on our planet.

On the back of this book there is a sentence that struck me as something that “independent” women should consider.  Yes, it has taken us a long time to prove to the world that we can “do it all”, but – do we really want to??  Do it all in a masculine energy sort of way that is.

The sentence reads, “A forced sense of masculine power is nothing compared to the ecstasy, empowerment, and effortless magnetism that are released when a woman activates her feminine essence“.

What is feminine essence?  It essentially is a state of being that we already have inside of us.  Rachael Jayne states that “The feminine essence is the power of unity, connection and relationship, which weaves all of creation together rather than just focusing on the individual.”  We as women essentially wish to connect with others in a deep and soulful way.

In the past, I have learned along the way to protect myself – those sensual, fluid, feminine, gentle and expansive parts – from the world, especially with men.  Wearing my masculine set of energies clothed in “I can do it and don’t need your help” I unconsciously pushed men and women away.  Yielding was something that I did not trust. I had no idea how to be powerful in a feminine essence sort of way with two exceptions – on the dance floor, and in teaching  fluid, breath filled, exploratory yoga classes.

In essence what I really wanted was to surrender into all of me and bring that out into the world and in relationship.  It is my belief that we as women can assist and support each other to do this inner work, birthing into being a much more balanced and empowered woman – and subsequently releasing our men to embody their deep masculine in healthy and loving relationship with us.

Recently I was introduced to the art of another one of the artists that I had lunch with a week ago here in Austin.  I bring Debra’s art work, for I believe that it represents what this post is discussing.   Below is a brief statement from her (a revealing in depth bio is available on her website) and a few of her art expressions, which to me embody the Powerful and Feminine path that Rachael speaks of.

“My life has been a pursuit to learn, develop and explore as though on a quest to discover my authentic self.  The major life changes I have been willing to make to be true to what I feel has been a calling within my soul. I graduated in 2008, at age 50, with a BFA in studio art and painting from TCU.  Being relatively new to my creative endeavors I daily questioned – what is it I am trying to say with my work and what is my style?

How did this form of expression unfold?  I journal, collage, write and have been blessed with a number of wonderful teachers that have been instrumental in my growth.  Today, I finally feel I am right where I am supposed to be in my journey.

Today my canvases are filled with past experiences and interests, resulting in an exploration and exclamation much like my personal journey, all infused with a strong sense of whimsy. Explore my work and see the result of undying tenacity and perseverance, all culminating…to quench the thirst in and of my soul!”

Debra Benditz
beemuse1@gmail.com
www.debrabenditz.com

Mariposa
Butterflies have been used throughout time and cultures to represent transition, resurrection, celebration, grace and airy lightness.  The Japanese make the butterfly an emblem of womanhood.  Just as a pupae evolves into the butterfly, a woman experiences endless shifts, turns and conditions as she evolves.  This continuous process of maturity allows us to reach full bloom.  Do you see the small eye that is looking back at you wondering where you are in your journey?

Beemuse
All names have meaning and Debra is bee.  In the ancient world bees were seen as harbingers of order and the muses, goddesses of creativity, referred to them as birds.  Roses are ancient symbols of love and beauty.  The ancient Greeks and Romans identified the rose with their goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus.  The ultimate symbol of romantic love and enduring passion, the red rose also conveys respect and the romantic notion of love.  The title is a play on words of my name and the muses from whom I seek inspiration.

A woman’s lips are also a visible expression of her fertility.  Collage is used in developing many of the images I paint.  Here a set of lips from a make-up ad were turned vertically and a garden statue was placed in the parting of the lips.  This was then placed within the folds of the rose petals to resemble the center of creativity and pleasure shared by women.  In many cultures of the world, a woman’s mouth and lips are veiled because of their association with the vulva, and because of their role as a woman’s secondary sexual organ.

AEola
I believe it is the women in the family that pass on traditions.
Named after my paternal grandmother, the name A’Eola is the feminine form of the ancient Greek god of the winds.  Fluid graceful lines are used to show the forms of the two women embraced.  The older on the left looks down simultaneously while the younger on the right with the red head scarf looks up, her life ahead of her.  As women we share a similar journey. This notion is captured in the painting as a symbolic configuration of elements so unified as a whole that its properties can not be derived from a simple summation of its parts.

Throughout time the peacock has been used for healing.  In ancient  Greece, the peacock was the patron bird of the goddess Hera.  According to myth, she placed “eyes” on its feathers, symbolizing all-seeing knowledge and the wisdom of the heavens.    It is shown on the elders skirt to represent not only the nurturing nature of women but also the wisdom gained through life experiences.

Deep gratitude to both Rachael Jayne and Debra for being wonderful examples of bringing powerful feminine presence out into the world….  may we be inspired to do the same!

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

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Creative Expression, Empowerment, Feminine Presence

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Live Your Life Wide Open!

July 29, 2011

How many of us as women are bold enough to trust our expression and put out to the world  with passion our “body of work” as artistic (whatever form that takes for you), creative beings with immense potential?

I don’t just mean those of you among us who call themselves “artists” and make it their livelihood, or are seriously committed to artistic expression.  I mean all of us!

A week ago now I was blessed to have lunch with 5 “livelihood artists” who are each uniquely expressing out into the world what it is that comes through them.  They have consciously chosen to share themselves embodied in the artistic expression of how they see and experience the world.

It was a blessing for me to be around them for many reasons.   As I gazed around the table at the expressions on their faces, the clothes and jewelry that they wore, and heard the lively conversations I realized once again that the opportunity for expression of “art” is interwoven in every moment of our lives.

In Bali, Indonesia there is no word for art because it simply  is innately a part of living for the Balinese.  They grow up singing, dancing, painting, carving, writing stories, drawing, weaving, and so many other forms of expressing.  After being with the Balinese for a couple of weeks a few years ago it struck me that expressing ourselves in unique and artistic ways is truly a necessary part of embodying ourselves as a whole and evolving human being.

On that note please take some moments to view this video that was sent to me by one of those beautiful artists.  Thank you to Patricia Lyle in my new home of Austin, Texas for you inspiration and your new friendship! http://www.PatriciaLyle.com  (she is the woman  sitting next to me on the right)

Take time to produce a body of work that says, “this is how I saw the world”.  Live with your life wide open!!

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www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

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Love The Journey Now

July 19, 2011

OK, I am back after a rather long – for me – hiatus from writing.  There are good reasons for this little pause as I was gathering material for creating an entirely new life, as well as juicy experiences to write about….and as you can see by the picture to the left, watching out for snakes in rest stops on the vast landscape of Texas.

Having quit a “job with benefits” on 7/1/11 – hooray! – the car was packed and ready to go forth from Oregon on 7/5/11  traveling through California to visit family and friends on the way to my final destination of Austin, Texas where I am writing from now!

I most probably will be writing about this journey for many months to come as there were, and are, so many experiences that speak to what it is for a woman when she finally says a big YES to herself, leaps on the next train going directly to her particular passions, and slides right into the the wildly free life that has yet to reveal the many, varied, and often mysterious pieces that will go into forming the whole.

Soaking in hot spring pools just as naked as I came into the world – on my birthday; sliding/playing tag/pushing swings/building sand castles/running wildly/laughing until tears streamed down my face with granddaughter Sorenna; touching the belly where my grandson resides; connecting with all 3 adult sons and holding the space to find out who they are becoming; celebrating and rekindling women friendships, some that had not been in person for some 40 years; revisiting San Diego, the place of birth and vast memories; running into the warm Pacific ocean waves with arms outspread and delight coming out in little (OK BIG!) shrieks of pleasure; deeply listening and sharing with brother Ron who over the past 2 years has been living and learning with prostate cancer; eating outrageously healthy and beautiful food wherever I landed; spending an amazing 24 hours at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico for FREE with a beloved woman friend; driving mile after mile by myself entertained by the terrain of my past, the ground of my future, and a journey from Cairo to South Africa that kept me spell bound as the book on tape unfolded itself.

Still in awe of the many blessings, love and gifts that I experienced on this journey to my new home I sit with re-inventing what my life is to become now at the tender age of 63.  So many of us seem to be doing this now.  What is it that starts taking hold of our attention and won’t let go until we finally surrender and say OK, what is it that I am to be next? …and when this is clear to us it often is quickly followed by  – but how?

Well, you see the journey has already been put in motion once you have seriously listened to this inner voice that has your best interests “at heart”.   The practice of checking out every single “lead” that comes into your life no matter what the mind says has begun.  Ready or not….her your life comes!!

…and then you are lead along a path that looks and feels like nothing that you have ever experienced before, and if it does feel familiar, then your mind has gotten the upper hand.  Coming back to the heart….that intuitive and wise presence within you that has just made itself the Director Of Life As It Is To Be Now…. breath deepens and then there is space for the listening….and the courage for the following.

Now, there will be surprises along the way, and challenges that test your resolve, but just remember that someone or some force that has no name – has your back.  This is a learning for women that I know for me is taking time to settle in.  We are so used to being on the giving end of that partnership that it may take some time to embody the receiving end….and it comes in the form of trust and faith disguised in many different and varied forms.

Traveling journey to get here is complete.  I am here now.  The journey continues.  I am sick with a bronchitis that started on day 7 of my trip, unsure about how money will flow into me, haven’t lived in a big city for 23 years, and don’t have a place of my own to call home.

Yet, I am housed by a most generous and loving friend, am learning the benefits of deep rest, filling my body with healing foods and juices, requesting understanding and supportive friends to be on-call when I fall into the doubt and frantic mind scares that old patterns of thinking produce, exploring an amazing new city,  taking restorative and gentle yoga classes, walking in awe within natural settings with brand new sights, smells and sounds; and joined the local natural food co-op, everywhere striking up conversations with the incredible friendly people in these parts….y’all.

We can practice loving the journey in the moment no matter what it brings and see where it takes us.  What makes it even richer is if we connect with other women – “wild sisters” if you will – along the way (see RESOURCE below!), enriching our passage and enlivening our journeys.

“We are not held back by the love we didn’t receive in the past, but by the love we’re not extending in the present.” ~ Marianne Williamson

So ask the questions that will stimulate the heart to answer you…and then listen my sisters.  Love the journey now……

RESOURCE: 

https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=158090&c=ib&aff=177407

This new magazine launched last week.  The first issue is filled with color, women’s art and some very “real” writing, along with a full dose of inspiration and creativity.  Young and old will appreciate what our “wild sisters” have to say…and what they have created!!  Take a peak!

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com 

Most recent post: Someone Has Your Back

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Looking Past Limits

June 23, 2011

I turn 63 years old in just a matter of a couple of weeks.  Two days before this day of my birth celebration I am taking flight by heading off down the road to visit family, friends, and new places all on the way to my new home in Austin, Texas.

Unhooking from a “conventional job” with all the trimmings, leaving my little cottage in the Oregon countryside, saying farewell to friends, and generally being aware of letting go of perceived limitations there is an excitement that is building inside.

There is no “job” to greet me on the other side, home to put my belongings in,  man to greet me with open arms, family to be closer to, or known territory to feel “safe” in….yet there is possibility, mystery, and new territory to open to and explore.  Is this what looking past limits is made of?

Mary Oliver said it in her poem, A Summer Day, with the line – “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”  I love this line!  Do you know?  Well, it is never too late to breathe wildness into that precious life and find out!  We may not know how, but believing in the innate gifts we hold inside is essential.

“Whether a woman knows it or not, she is a vessel of great magnitude born capable of reshaping humanities destiny if she only knew the true depths of her innate gifts. Be prepared now to see the fierce face of the feminine rock as her inner geographies of volcanic strength erupt from a love she has held in her belly for life all of her days. This is not a gasp of her last breath. It is her birthing cry into her wise leadership on our planet.” ~ Alisa Starkweather

Each of us as women need to hear of others that are doing this same thing as we leap off into the passionate expression of our deepest longings.  Below is a very powerful TED video with Caroline Casey which is well worth the time spent to listen to it in its entirety.

How will you spend the next days/months/years of this one wild and precious life?

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

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Authenticity, Awareness, Courage, Creative Expression, Empowerment, Manifesting Your Dreams

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ROAR!!! Shaking The Trees

June 11, 2011

Some of you might recognize this Tarot card which was given to me as a symbol for this last year of my life.  Everyone will see something different within the image and the symbols.  In fact, everyone will see and feel exactly what they need to at this juncture of their life within the depths of the images.

This card has been on my altar as a guiding light for finding trusting, and surrendering to my  authentic “voice” – amongst the many competing ones all around –  in an emboldened, passionate, sensual and expansive way.

In that vein, I would like to share with you a piece called ROAR!!! by Cinda Stevens Lonsway.  As I read this story energy raced through my body.  It was exactly the words that I needed to read right in this moment to inspire me to courageously continue bringing my voice and connecting with the likes of YOU – the Wildly Free Woman!

To read the story please go to:

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=107393986006468%22

You can find Cinda on Facebook at : ROAR!-Empowering Women to Give Voice to Their Truth     https://www.facebook.com/roarwithcinda

….and now for the Shaking The Trees part!  Eight years ago now there was a song that was created by Peter Gabriel called “Shaking The Trees”.  I had forgotten about it until today when I came across it once again on a Facebook post.

I gift you this video to go along with ROARING for I do believe that the two combined will have you not only up and dancing, but making sounds that only you can make.  Don’t be shy now!!

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

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Authenticity, Courage, Creative Expression, Empowerment, Power and Leadership

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Finding-Voice

June 5, 2011

There was a circle of women sitting together having come to join each other in sharing what it was to walk a sacred, creatively authentic path as a woman in this world.  The small island on which this retreat was located held us within the energy of her natural beauty.  There was a leader of this group who stood before us in her power and with her unique voice.  She vibrated with confidence and a wisdom that was palatable to everyone in the room.

The present assignment was simple, or so it seemed.  Each woman was asked to share what brought her, and whether she had any expectations of the week that we would share together.  I immediately felt the fear of being transparent within this circle of women.  It was a full body charge running from the top of my head all the way to my toes….and it wasn’t particularly comfortable.   I felt like a deer in the headlights as my turn quickly approached.

As each woman shared eloquently (or so I judged) her journey to get here, and what she hoped to uncover for herself, I felt like I was the lone ranger with all of this fear of not being able to speak within the circle.  As long as I was the facilitator or leader of a group I seemed to be quite fine thank you very much, but when put in the position of being a participant where I felt not in control of what would come out of my mouth – well it was pure terror!

Most of my life had been spent in a man’s world, literally!  Motherless since 14 with 4 brothers, a father to take care of me, 2 husbands and another long term partner, 3 sons and many years in the conventional medical world, I wasn’t really certain of how to be in the company of women let alone bring my authentic powerful voice to the forefront.  I had been too busy anticipating the needs of men and everyone else around me to trust what my own voice had to say.

Well here was my chance, in this circle of women bound together out of a desire to mine the depths of our individual and collective hearts, souls, and minds – and dance together with our bodies in uninhibited movement.

It was then my turn in the circle to share, and do you know what I did?  I passed!  Oh, yes a lesson learned a 1,000 times over that when you pass on bringing your voice, no matter what the circumstances, you not only miss out on finding out more about yourself,  but you also hold back your unique thoughts, feelings, and ideas that could empower or break open the woman sitting next to you, the woman across the circle from you, or the woman on the other side of the world!

Yes, I finally did dismantle the fear that was keeping me silent, and shared a couple of days later in my own timing. That seemed to part of my lesson as well these many years ago now.  Honoring when I was ready to bring my voice by loving myself in the moment of absolute terror, and then committing within myself to bring my voice before the week was out.  It was what happened between the terror and the bringing that was truly the heart of the healing for me.  I let go of being perfect and committed to bring the whole of me – no matter what.

The “no matter what” was important for me in this safe circle of women, for so like many women we seem to hold a deep cellular memory of having been somehow “punished” for bringing our voice, our talents, and our opinions to the table of the world at large.  I say, let’s create another cellular memory for the girls that follow behind us and for the women of today and yesterday.

What does happen between finding our voice and bringing it out into the world in all of our relationships and endeavors??

There is a video below that is powerfully short and to the point.  Chills swept my body as I realized that although I have brought my voice out into the community, in relationship, and out into the world I have reached a point in age when there is not as much time to bring that unique voice of mine as there was when I was 20, 30, 40 or even 50.

What is it that will encourage, support, and sometimes give us a little lovin push or shove, as the case may be, to find and bring our voice?  I say – each other!

We need all of us to break any silence we have kept for reasons only we know deep in our hearts…tell your story and impact the world, reclaim your voice when you have lost it, be fearless, listen to your inner voice and act accordingly, let go of being perfect, talk about what is important to you with other women and ask for help when needed, live your life in integrity and on your own terms, let go of trying to be everything to everybody….Be completely, transparently, and powerfully YOU!

 

 

 

 

P.S.  Couldn’t help but include this little video as a post script.  Just watched it and still have a smile on my face.  Talk about finding your voice.  It comes in many ways of expression!!  Enjoy!

 

 

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
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Celebrating Our Natural Beauty

May 26, 2011

More than 5 years ago now I attended a Global Healing conference in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.  The keynote speaker was Desmond Tutu (who made himself very available to us!) and there were 800 people attending from all over the world.  It was an incredibly powerful experience that transported me into a global citizen and expanded my awareness about life and my own contributions to the world.

After the conference I had created an additional 10 days to just be on my own and explore the amazing country and people of Bali.  There were many things about this culture and these people that captivated my heart and soul.  One of them was the natural beauty of the people, the country, and the way of life…and I am not talking external beauty only here.  There was an essence that was felt, a light reflection of what is real substance within each living thing….. A sacredness of whole being if you will.

It was here that I was able to find and celebrate my natural beauty,  throw away my self consciousness around how I looked on the outside, and luxuriate in all that is beautiful.  It was here that I fell in love with myself and had it reflected back to me over and over again…and yes, I did find myself in a tub with flower petals floating in the water just as in the picture above!

As I stepped into this new found natural being of beauty others were attracted and I found love shining back at me from every possible source.  The Balinese people know when a person is being authentic, and as I let go of inner constraint I was welcomed into families and villages, held Balinese children, sat with heads of villages to talk about meditation and the finer points of drinking milk straight from the coconut (oh, did I make a mess of things much to their enjoyment!), had intimate dinners with embraces and kisses in the moonlight by a lotus pond with an Australian participant of the conference, and was even invited onto the backs of motor scooters by locals to tour the island.

I found that natural beauty is something each and every one of us as women hold within, and that when we open to the giving and receiving of love with full and authentic expression and acceptance there is a radiance in our being that draws others in.

Below are 2 resources that I feel you will enjoy and appreciate.  Pass this on to women you know and let’s collaborate with each other to accept, express, and celebrate our natural beauty and full potential!

The NEW Beauty
“She said, “Jules, If I didn’t know you, I would hate you.”   This message was delivered to me, 24 years ago, at a critical and tender time in my life.  It reverberated endlessly, from my fragile ego, to the depths of my soul, and back around my hear…t.  This was a painful and difficult message for an approval-seeking young adult, who worked tirelessly to move beyond the “ugly and imperfect” obstacles from childhood adversities.  I replied, “Seriously?  You would HATE me?”   “Yes.  You are beautiful and successful.  You’re perfect!  You have it all.  If I didn’t know you, I would hate you!,” she repeated.  

Sadly, she really did not know me and all my insecurities.  Her words pierced my people-pleasing persona and shattered everything I believed to be true.  Beauty and success epitomized the cultural contract we were “supposed” to fulfill as super-women.  But nobody told me about the part that if, or when, you fulfill the contract, people would hate you. 

This was a bewildering, sick game: be beautiful, successful and hated, or imperfect, ordinary and never measure up.  The pathetic irony in the entire paradigm was I NEVER felt beautiful or successful to begin with and most of us NEVER did.  

In spite of the invasive and prominent media-defined images of beauty, women are waking up.  No longer will we sit by and watch our daughters be put in powerless, anorexic, heroin chic boxes, destined for plastic surgery.  Traditional notions of beauty are being shattered.  Women no longer want to have our appearance prescribed, nor do we believe it defines who we are.  We will not wear a mask that hides our identity and buy the right labels to make us feel worthy and complete. 

We are re-defining beauty and wearing it proudly as it emanates deep from within our true knowing.  As we discover the radiant light of elegance and grace that flows from our core, authentic self-expression is the new glamour.  We are birthing a fresh allure.  Our NEW beauty is raw, organic and deep.  It isn’t something that pleases the eye, but rather an essence that stirs and quickens the soul.  Have you re-defined beauty and embraced your mystique?  

Macduff Everton said, “There is a difference between pretty and beautiful.  Beauty can astonish us. Inspire us.  Make us dance.  Make us weep.  Beauty can be magical.  Beauty can transform us.  Beauty lets our soul sing.  Beauty can have such depth that you don’t even notice at first, or ever.”  Live your beauty!  Let it shine.  BE YOU, beautiful, and help usher in the NEW beauty. ”  Dr. Julie

See More
By: Dr. Julie on Your Beautiful Mindful Life

Take a look at the Beautiful Woman Project by Cheryl-Ann Webster

http://www.cawebster.com/art/bwp/

OTHER BLOGS BY GAYE ABBOTT:

www.BreathingSpaces.net
www.NaturalWealthJournal.com

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Acceptance, Authenticity, Empowerment, Self Love

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