Strong Woman

"So often in our world we tend to think of strength as a quality that arises from a place of firm determination and a will to succeed no matter the cost. What really makes a woman confident is her capacity for listening to her true self and being able to call upon her feminine wisdom to any situation that may arise; to get in touch with her insight and sense of compassion to truly demonstrate the depth of her strength. Our capacity to tap into our intuition and listen to our inner guides, to take into account the needs of those around us, and to view a situation with compassion and love are ways that we can show the world the true power that is part of our feminine nature. "

- excerpted from Daily Om, Empowering Feminine Energy, 10/22/07

As I was pondering these words and letting them sink in deep to resonate with my heart, I thought about the times that I listen within for that small voice which vibrates her message to me when I slow down long enough to hear it. And how when that happens, everything around me flows. You know, one little synchronicity after another.

Kind of like my life ever since I made the decision to do things different. Quitting my job and leaving the corporate world and trusting that I would find my way eventually. Having faith in the universe that whatever I need will be provided to me. Listening to my heart when our society tells me something different. Being gentle and loving and choosing to be HAPPY.

Yes, I am a powerful FLFT (Fearless Leader of Feminine Truth) Goddess. I am ready to share HER-STORY so that we may bring Peace to our Planet.

SPC - What I Wear - WEEK 4 - Wearing Gratitude

Thanksgiving at Soul Mama's house. Found myself a quiet moment away from the eating and action. Me and BABY GIRL (Goddess in Real Life) Riley and Ellie Mae. All joined together. I felt so humbled by this little PEEP in my lap with her little legs draped over mine and Ellie Mae's paws draped over hers.

A love fest of the Thanksgiving kind.

SPC - What I Wear {week 3}

As I was sitting here, at the end of my day, filling my heart with gratitude at all the wonderful things I have in my life - my vision shifted to the clothes I had hung up to dry.


I studied the colors and and I thought to myself - what a wonderful life I have. These are the clothes that I wear on a daily basis as I set out into the world.

I wear a lotus flower on me bum and a tag inside from the manufacturer, BE PRESENT. The material is lightweight and dries fast and has a slit on the backside from the knee down. Great pants for yoga or just around town.

The Green Tea Fiona bra with no underwire (I prefer not to put metal anywhere around my breasts) amply supports me for all my physical endeavors. I own it in Moonstone, Petal, Fuschia, Black and White. On bra washing day, my bra rainbow display is quite beautiful. Now, this is one of the best bras I have ever had. Moving Comfort was created by two women who make high-performance athletic wear for women exclusively. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!

I have taken to wearing hats as another way to express my individuality or when I have to face the elements (our hot Florida sun). The picture here with my niece Alexandra, has me sporting a lovely reversible beach hat from Hanna Andersson. I bought identical ones for each of my nieces in orange and green.

The blue T-shirt I wear is from Amnesty International. It quotes the late great John Lennon and his prophetic message of IMAGINE. And yes, that is the wonderful & sexy WSM Noah by my side.

The necklace, the healing art that I wear for protection and strength is lovingly intuited and created by Goddess Bliss of Tennessee, a Glory sister and WildChild Diva. It is a nugget of Rose Quartz symbolizing my unconditional love for all that I meet.

This is the world I have created for myself. These are the colors I am using to paint my daily canvas. My heart overflow with great-full-ness for the great job that I have on this Earth - expressing life - just being ME.

Seeds sprouting

Two and a half years ago, I followed my intuition and went to Austin, Texas to attend a chanting workshop with Deva Premal and Miten. I met a whole bunch of new friends, all powerful singers and healers. After the workshop, I kept in touch with as many participants who were willing. We kept up email correspondence and got to know each other slowly through the things we chose to share. Recently, one of these seeds sprouted.

On Thursday, WSM Rodney arrived from Dallas. We went and had dinner and he met WSM Noah and then we had the opportunity to laugh together at my weekly Laughter Yoga circle . He came to attend a Deva Premal/Miten concert that was held in Miami on Friday.



WSM Noah and I were so blessed to be his guests for this concert. And what an evening it was. We flowed through traffic on our way to downtown Miami and then found a wonderful parking spot right outside the Unity Church. WSM Rodney went to WillCall to pick up the tickets and found out that we had been invited to sit in the first four rows.

We sat amongst a group of people from Bimini who spend their days playing and learning from the dolphins. Their energy was so peaceful and happy and tanned. And then, Deva and Miten and Manose appeared on the stage. I was so close, I could see her close her eyes and allow spirit to fill her before she opened her mouth and released her beautiful and powerful voice. She also sings and performs with her eyes closed.

We were in a large room filled to capacity (800 people). I was seated between WSM Noah and WSM Rodney and they were both chanting. Powerful men expressing their softer side.

When we were led into "There is so Much Magnificence" and Miten (pronounced Me-Ten) asked the men to sing for the Goddesses in the room and for the Goddesses within, it was magical. The mens' voices rose in one accord . And then Deva led the women in a Hallelujah as the men kept on singing their lyrics. It's so hard to explain. I include this clip so you can get a glimpse of what this was all about:

We sang and chanted, almost in kirtan style (call and response) and we co-labor-rated to create a sweet and poweful harmony. And we ended in shared silence.

And at the end of the evening when we OM'd three times, 800+ voices vibrating together created a resonance and heat and peaceful energy that left me floating for three days.

Thank you WSM Rodney.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

WRITING

This is similar to what my cats look when I make a good decision. As I was thinking of what I was going to write, Ruby was smiling and purring, encouraging me on.

Writing it here - in black and white - putting it out there for the world to see - has greater implications then the act itself.

Writing holds your soul accountable.

Accountable: required or expected to justify actions or decisions.

It's not just a thought that I can push away or ignore. It's an action I take that makes it real.

With my imprinted pattern of fear of commitment, writing has been an issue for me. How much to write? how much to reveal? what do I want to be responsible for?

After much meditation and soul wandering, what comes up for me is ALL OF IT. I am ready to step up to the plate and DEAL. For whatever it's worth. And I can do it too.

I have done some amazing things in the last few years in the transformation of ME and I am ready to share and honor myself and WRITE - so that something will not be left unsaid.

BODY MAINTENANCE

A few days ago, sweet blessings brought me to an online chat with Goddess Smartgirl - a veritable Meeting of Minds (MOM). Thank you Goddess SmartGirl for inspiring this post.

MOMs are awesome because of the synergy created when two or more people share the intention to communicate and be present. It is so awesome what comes up and what gems of wisdom are shared.

For me, this MOM helped me realize my PRIORITY when setting BOUNDARIES. I know, big words. Time to define and create meaning

PRIORITY - facts/conditions that are treated as most important

BOUNDARY - a dividing line that marks off an area

Okay, so there are certain conditions that are important that mark off the area of my "personal space" - the area surrounding me which is considered my domain/territory.

What came up for me was MAINTENANCE.

MAINTENANCE - process of keeping something in good condition - for years, I would equate maintenance with getting an oil change in my car.

It took time to apply this word to my body. What does it mean - maintenance - in my life? It used to be 3 square meals a day, roof over my head, clothes on my body, couch under my butt and TV to get lost in for hours after a stress filled work day. That was in SURVIVAL mode.

After leaving my job and getting rid of the TV and learning that I need 5 mini-meals/snacks a day rather than 3 squares and lots of exercise to keep my heart happy and my cells rejuvenated - I have redefined what MAINTENANCE of body means to me.


1. STRETCHING - do you know how complex the human body is? I went to see BODIES. What an amazing educational experience about the sacred vessel my soul resides in. By stretching, I give my joints and cells a chance to receive oxygen and flush out whatever toxins are stuck, static or stale. YOGA which is the connection between breath and body has been a wonderful addition to my maintenance program in helping me stretch and grow.

2. WALKING - Maintenance of my body requires at least 1/2 hour of revving my motor up. I create this opportunity for myself by walking every day. It helps me get my body temperature up and brings good clean oxygen in and I get to check out my neighborhood and talk to the birds and trees. I get up early so I can commune with the stars and stay away from the cars.

3. DANCING - I spend another 1/2 hour for body maintenance by DANCING - putting on a good beat and letting my body pick up the rhythm and the rhyme.

4. LAUGHING - Maintenance of my body requires me to LAUGH. Deep and from my belly and releasing all the muscles in my face and jaw as I allow my heart to tell my body to smile. And it feels so good. I get flushed and oxygen rushes in and the feel good chemicals my body produces course through my cells. At least five times a day, I LOL!!!

5. EATING - Maintenance of my body requires me to nurture my cells with food that is full of life and energy - once a week, we go to Josh's Organic Garden on Hollywood Beach and fill our box with greens (chard, lettuce, spinach and zucchini) and reds (beets, tomatoes and apples), yellows (bananas, lemons) and oranges (sweet potatoes, peppers, papaya).


6. NATURE - Maintenance of my body requires me to BE outdoors - BE in NATURE - watch the clouds go by and marvel at the cosmic patterns as I relax my mind and connect to the natural world. Listen to the birds, smell the flowers, hug a tree, dance with the butterflies. So many possibilities.


7. PLAY - Maintenance of my body requires me to CREATE each and every day. I find that I create best when I have an atmosphere where I can play. My mind rests and I connect to the Divine within and co-LABOR-rate to manifest a vision, a feeling, a vibe. This was my latest creation:


8. SLEEP - Maintenance of my body requires me to sleep early and get 6 hours of snuggles with my pillow. I am noticing that when the sun goes down to bed, I too am ready to call it a day. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise said Benjamin Franklin. It definitely seems to work for a Goddess too.

9. CHOICES - I choose what goes in my body. What I see, what I hear, what I read, where I am. I choose not to be in toxic environments - second hand smoke, loud noises, violent media (TV & Movies), environments with alcohol and angry people. These toxins get under my skin and tense up my spine. Body maintenance requires awareness to what goes in and what gets absorbed.

When my physical needs of maintenance are met - my motor revs and PURRS. My body is then so grateful, it fine tunes with my soul to create a SWEET HARMONY. The feelings of bliss and peace achieved in this state are what keep me coming back for more.

THE WONDER OF YOU

Seeds of Gratitude

Two years ago, I bought my first plant at the RFCV Exotic Plant Sale.

I planted Mrs. Passiflora along the fence dividing me from my neighbors. The first year it sprouted a little and covered a few inches of the fence. When Mrs. P and I had a heart to heart , she told me that I was not paying enough attention to her and the sacred ground in which I had created her home. I understood that without intimate connection to Earth Mother there could not be any meaningful growth.

Over the last year, Zeko and I play by Mrs. PassiFlora. He led me out one day and began to roll around and play near her leaves. And now we sing to her and commune with the Earth. And how she has grown!!! Her leafy tendrils reach for the sky and spread onto the metal mesh as she expands and grows.

This year, I was truly open to hearing her and learning her language. I lay my body on the ground next to her and allowed my heart beat to flow with her rhythm.



Mrs. Passiflora rewarded me amply. Beautiful purple and white flowers, with hairy tendrils that tickle the nose and give just a hint of aroma. What sweet nectar!!! Her flowers blossomed all over the vine. And then, her flowers closed up after a few days of exquisite beauty. A week later, they reopened to emerge swollen with green fruit.


In my many travels in the Carribean, I have had the pleasure of drinking her juice and tasting her fruit - however, I knew of her as Maracudja and she was purple.

When this fruit ripens, it becomes a reddish/purple color and all wrinkly and old looking. And that is when Mrs. Passiflora's seed is ready to yield her fruit and sweet juice. We were blessed this summer with an abundant crop. We scooped her seeds and yummy juice on top of vanilla frozen yogurt for an ultimate taste treat.

My seed of gratitude to Eric LaBrum, unofficial caretaker of the Gardens, who showed me his way of taking care of Mother Earth. I am so grateful. I am so blessed.