Take a Pause to Ponder

In a recent teleconference, Women on the Edge of Evolution, futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard invited us to think of women's life cycles and journeys in an entirely new way. She's got me thinking ...

To paraphrase, here is part of what she said:

In the early stages of our lives, women are usually focused on procreation—the continuation of the species—being a mother, giving birth.

In her fifties, a woman stops producing eggs.

That is when she becomes the egg. 

That is when she becomes the egg.  

Ever since I heard this,  I've been mesmerized by this thought, and pondering ...

I'm in my mid-fifties. The eggs have stopped.  

How am I now the egg? 

How about you?  Are you an egg, too?



I welcome your thoughts about this and am eager to share mine with you this weekend ...  

(Here's the direct link to the Hubbard talk, if you want to listen.)

What Stage of Life Are You In?

I was visiting some of my fave blogs yesterday and was delighted to re-discover something I'd pretty much forgotten.

At Twila's (Twi Chi—Book Floozy—a fabulous blog for women seekers), she reminded me about Joan Anderson's books (which I loved!) and her list of the "10 Phases of a Woman's Life."  This was wonderful to read again.

Now,  I'd read something similar years ago in Joan Borysenko's landmark book, The Woman's Book of Life. Though, Dr. Joan claims that women develop and thrive in 7-year cycles. You may recall that Joan is one of the 12 Holy Women in Your Truest Self. She represents the tenth Transformational Truth: "I Trust the Divine Timing of My Own Unfolding.

With Twila's permission, I am re-posting the list she shared. Consider this:

* 0-7 childlike wonder

* 7-14 the beginning of hormonal activity

* 14-21 unfurling sexuality

* 21-28 being affirmed by a man-the desire to procreate

* 28-35 birthing, mothering, caretaking, putting others first

* 35-42 leaving self out but occasionally looking beyond

* 42-49 menopause approaching – is this all? a desire for self-love

* 49-56 birthing of a mature psyche – a desire to go away, live without rules and become more instinctive

* 56-63 choosing one’s true purpose, work, vocation, finding one’s individual reason for being beyond the roles

* 63-70 reflection – becoming the watchwoman, recasting all that one has learned, being whatever one has become

Truly, I had to laugh out loud when I read this because this list fits me to a T! All the phases fit, including the most recent ...

At exactly age 49, everything shifted in me and I found myself going inward, becoming hermitlike, wanting only to nurture myself body, mind and spirit (and to create from that place.)

This past summer I turned 56, and there was another big shift. I settled into my true vocation (spiritual mentoring), let go of the roles I'd previously aligned myself with  (especially those that felt inauthentic), and felt more fire and passion come into my life than ever before.

How about you? Does this list bear out your experience?

If so, where do you find yourself? If not, why, and where are you?

~~0~~

Just a note: The "Women on the Edge of Evolution" —a free online teleconference series with visionary women—continues and I must say this. If you are a woman who cares deeply about the planet and our future as human beings you absolutely MUST take a listen. They are now being archived, so you can listen to them any time you want. (Click here.) I just listened to Barbara Marx Hubbard (who is 80 and so very wise!), and am still reeling with excitement about what I learned. Wow! I hope to post on this soon.

There's still time to sign up or learn more. Go here. 

And guess what?! This has become the largest gathering women EVER on the planet. More than over 25,000 women are engaged in this. I hope you will join us!

~~0~~

P.S. I just learned my book, Your Truest Self, is now available on Kindle for $9.99. Just in time for the approaching holidays. Hooray!

(Image courtesy of http://www.women.qld.gov.au)

Are You Ready to Make Another Leap?

 I love the web and the world of blogging. I love how it connects us with what matters, don't you?

A dear friend just sent me the most marvelous invitation and I've accepted. It caught my attention immediately because it opened with a recent announcement from my guy, HH. Dalai Lama:

"The world will be saved by the western woman."

Gulp. Oh, yeah....

I loved this invitation so much that I wanted to share it with you. Why? Because it supports my belief that when we join together as women—heart to heart, soul to soul—miracles happen, personally and globally. It's also in alignment with why I created this site and blog: By changing ourselves, we (as women) remake and repair the world—Tikkun Olam.

And, best of all, it's free! I'm enrolled, and I thought it might be fun if some of you would enroll along with me. We can talk about what we learn right here, hash it out, hold the vision, and leap together! I know I am evolving even more rapidly these days. How about you? What is up with THAT?! It feels as if my skin is bursting at the seams!

It's a FREE online 14 week "Women on the Edge of Evolution" tele-series hosted by the Feminine Power Global Community. Here's the scoop:

"Over the next several months you are invited to participate live on the phone and over the internet in weekly dialogues that will explore our creative potential as women to become active and empowered agents of cultural evolution.


The weekly dialogues are a space for us to gather, and engage a conversation about how we might come into the fullness of our power, self-expression and active participation to co-create a better future for ourselves, for our children, and for all beings. And, of course, we'll be shining a light on the inspiring lives and visionary messages of the 14 women leaders who are presenting in the series.


This series, our list of extraordinary presenters includes: Barbara Marx Hubbard, Jean Houston, Elizabeth Debold, Lynne McTaggart, Marilyn Schlitz, Mary Manin Morrissey, Diane Musho Hamilton, Sally Kempton, Sofia Diaz, Rickie Byars Beckwith, Elza Maalouf, Katherine Woodward Thomas and Claire Zammit.


The dialogues will be held on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Each week, you will receive an email containing the access codes, and a description of that week's dialogue. You will have the option of participating in the dialogue by dialing into our conference line, or by listening to the webcast live via the internet. At the end of each dialogue, there will be a 30-minute period where we will take your questions and comments. Questions will be taken live on the phone, or via instant message if you are listening in via the internet. If you are unable to make it live to the dialogue, or if you wish to listen to it again, you will be able to easily access the recording online, or download it onto your computer and/or your audio player.


The next presentation in our series is next Saturday, October 24th featuring founding figure of the Human Potential Movement and renowned visionary thinker, Jean Houston, in a discussion we've titled, "Jump Time: Navigating the Shift Towards a New Future."


...Join us live as we weave a field of collective power and intention to transform our lives and our world."

If you are interested, just click here. I'll be on the phone line with you. :-)

The Pointer Sisters are dancing around in my head right now:
"I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it...."

~~~~~

Image: "Stream of Compassion" by Mara Friedman, from her marvelous website: http://www.newmoonvisions.com

There's still time to register for this weekend's mini-retreat. 

Please join me!

What: The Seasons of My Soul: Fall Themes

When: Sunday, October 25; 1-4 p.m.

Where: Inn at the Rustic Gate, Big Rapids, MI

Cost: $35, includes treats

RSVP: Call (231) 796-2328 or visit www.innattherusticgate.com

What we'll be doing: Just like the changing seasons, there are seasons to our soul life. There are spiritual Springs, Summers, Autumns and Winters, each rich with unique lessons and opportunities for journeying deeper into the Sacred. As we enter into Fall, let us gather together to explore the invitations of the season: harvest, gratitude, change, letting go, and turning inward. Enjoy an insightful afternoon connecting with kindred spirits through interactive exercises, reflection, quiet time, and journaling. Wear comfortable clothing, bring a journal to write in and a mat/blanket for meditation/relaxation.