Women in the LEAD

FOR THE NEW YEAR: 7-DAY MENTAL DIET

Maureen's post challenging us to let go of negative thinking, inspired me to share a very special "new year" tool...

In the coming weeks, the newstands and Internet will be flooded with the latest diet crazes, helping us minimize the damage of our excess over the holidays ---- encouraging us to become the best we can be.

In a favorite book I read over and over again, there is a compelling call for a much more important kind of DIETING. As we look to the NEW YEAR, perhaps another approach is worth the experiment. It reads...

The food you furnish your mind determines the character of your life. The subjects that you allow your mind to dwell upon, make your surrounding what they are. ...Everything in your life today --- the state of your body, the state of your fortune, the state of your home, the present condition of every phase of your life---is influenced by your past thinking.

...And the condition of your life next week, and next year, will be conditioned by the thoughts and feelings that you entertain from now onward. In other words, you choose your life.

7-DAY MENTAL DIET EXPERIMENT

For seven days don't allow yourself to dwell for a moment on any kind of negative thought. Watch yourself for a week and only allow yourself to dwell on positive, constructive, optimistic, kind thoughts.

Supposedly, this is the length of time to help positive thinking take root and reportedly, good things begin to happen. You will learn much about yourself ... and from experience, I can attest that positive things begin to unfold if you pay attention.

Are you willing to try it?

Do you think you can?

TRY IT!

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead

My FAVORITE BOOK referenced above:
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Around the Year with Emmet Fox
A Book of Daily Readings
by Emmet Fox, Author of Sermon on the Mount

Say No to Negativity

What you think creates the world that you live in.  IN order to live, lead or embrace a powerful and joyful life one must learn the ability to move through negativity in a way that holds grace and ease.  Negative people and thoughts drain your energy.  Where in your life do you experience the most negativity?  How in your life do you give negativity?  Make a decision this year to surround your-self with love and fulfillment.  Eliminate all negativity as of today.

It is important to be aware of the negativity you are receiving as well as the negativity that you are sending.  Both combined create a composite picture of a mirroring affect that you have attracted into your life.  What decisions do you want to make in the New Year?  You can’t afford a negative thought.

-Maureen Simon

FOR THE NEW YEAR: Journey to One's Calling

Sometime back I visited Washington, D. C. One of the highlights was an exhibit at the Smithsonian that focused on faith. I wrote down a quote displayed in one of the exhibit cabinets. I've carried it with me in the years that followed...and eventually gave it a title. Rev. Dr. Carpenter has no idea of her far-reaching impact and how many times it has helped me make sense of my own journey.

I share it with you for its message ...and as another small example of how a person unseen in the distance can leave a lasting impression that has a rippling influence on others----as we do each day in our own unique ways for one another.

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The Journey to One's Calling
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I have draped my windows with faith;

I have carpeted my floor with gratitude;

I have covered my desk with hard work;

I've filled every corner of my room with prayer;

I have laid on the bed of trust,

And I have leaned back in the recliner of self-confidence.

Rev. Dr. Dolores Carpenter, Senior Pastor
Michigan Park Christian Church
Washington, D.C.

I want to personally invite you to join us as you are "journeying to your calling". Women in the Lead is a unique resource center for women throughout the world, including our online complemntary learning podcasts and a powerful Women's Gallery with exhibits to inspire you.

To a great year of renewal and growth...

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Home of Women in the Lead ... a unique resource center

The Winter Solstice- and the New Year Approaching- A Time For Full Reflection

We have now entered the Winter Solstice.  This time of year is particularly significant in the Celtic tradition as well as with indigenous people around the globe.  The tradition carries with it a sense of honoring light.  As we reached the shortest day of the year, yesterday, we now embark upon increasingly longer days.  To ancient civilizations this increased light reflected a new hope and increased possibilities.  For many it was a practical gift that allowed for more warmth in their lives.

The Winter Solstice is also representative on newness-new beginnings.  In our own lives we can now believe that darkness will give way to the light and that the world will now become a better place in the coming year.  For all of us this is an opportunity to evaluate how this newness and light can come alive in our lives.

Happy Winter Solstice and wishes foe a prosperous peaceful New Year!!

-Maureen Simon

Believe Nothing

“Believe nothing because a wise mad said it, believe nothing because it is generally held.  Believe nothing because it is written. Believe nothing because it is said to be divine.  Believe nothing because someone else believes it.  But believe only what you yourself judge to be true.”

-The Buddha

What you hold true is clear within yourself; the art is to listen to your own truth.  What you hold true forms your values and creates a basis for your living, but you must first believe that your truth is valid and real.  Become clear about what is important to you and what you deeply value.  Listen deeply to the quiet still voice within, the answers will become clear.  Trust this voice, notice what you desire, notice how you feel, and from this place create a meaningful and compelling life.

-Maureen Simon

Learning, Gratitude and Appreciation as Guides to Manifestation

Moving into a New Year allows us the opportunity to take inventory and look closely at what our life holds and what is special. As we turn the calendar to enter 2007 take a moment to look back.  What have been the greatest gifts, wins, joys or successes of this year?  What has brought your heart great joy?  Take a moment and experience these gifts. 

These gifts surround us daily.  It is when we open our minds and hearts to them that we enter a place to fully receive them.  Count your joys.

-Maureen Simon

The Attributes of the Feminine Come Alive During the Holidays.

As we develop and evolve more deeply it will become essential for us to integrate and embody the feminine attributes and gifts more and more in business, in politics and in life in general.  Among the most prominent attributes of the feminine is the ability to care, give and nurture.  The Holidays, in theory, reflect a time of support, giving and unity.  As we look at masculine and feminine energy we need not relate our thinking to men and women. As men and women both hold masculine and feminine attributes and energies. 

So this Holiday Season notice where the feminine is coming alive. 

• Where are you seeing care and compassion?
• Where are you seeing support?
• Are you witnessing unity and peace?
• Are you noticing nurturing?

It is time to acknowledge the feminine in many ways into our lives.  The Holidays is a great time to notice the special offerings of the feminine.

-Maureen Simon

Ideals Are Like Stars

" Ideals are like stars. You will not succeed in touching them with your hands; but like the seafarer, you choose them as your guides and, following them, you will reach your destiny”.

                                                                                                Carl Schurz

It is only when we truly know our ideals – that our life fully comes alive. What do you truly value? Does each day of your life support this vale to come alive in you day--- life –year?

We often wash up to the shore at the discretion of the wave-in toe of where our busy life takes us. This is not a necessary way to live. The fact that we consciously do not choose to make clear choices is a choice with in itself. Simply stated-we come alive in our lives when we know our ideals and values and align our each and every day with them.

Some questions to ponder in preparation for the New Year:

• What do you most value in your life at this time?
• Does each day that you live include a connection with these values?
• What do you want to change next year—that would bring you in closer alignment with your ideals and values?
• What support do you need?
• What are you ready and willing to commit to?

We now have an opportunity to begin 2007 with clear choices that support our values. What better way could we possibly turn the colander and begin anew?

                                                                                    Maureen Simon

Are Women in the US Really Leading in Gender Equality?

The White House Project recently sent around the results of a survey ranking women in the area of gender equality globally.  Below is a direct quote from the White House Project on a new survey distributed by the World Economic Forum.  The results are as follows:

“The United States ranks 22nd out of 115 countries.  The winners?  Sweden.  Norway. Finland. Iceland. Germany. United Kingdom.  We’re behind them.  And Latvia.  Lithuania. New Zealand. 

The report utilized 4 measurement standards: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.  We came in first for Health and Survival, and third for Economic Opportunity.  But, we received our lowest score for Political Empowerment, coming in 66th. 

The United States is considered the greatest and oldest democracy in the world.  We should set a shining example for countries around the globe.  Instead, we’re trying to move forward using half of our resources.”

It is essential for women now to step forward and lead in politics and business.  The attributes, gifts and talents that women naturally hold are needed now more than ever.

~Where could your leadership shine?

~What impact could one small action that you make have?

~What one small step are you willing to make today?

The choice is ours. 

-Maureen Simon 

Attraction: Our Natural State of Manifesting

Why make life more difficult than it needs to be. In reality all great things are available to us if we can perceive them. So what do we need to do to create the next year to be all that we desire?

• First we must allow ourselves the opportunity to BELIEVE that all things are possible—set aside any negative thoughts and allow you to dream, to create, and to imagine!
• Question what is it that I truly desire? Be clear and answer with details and as much clarity as you have.
• Commit to taking a few key actions that will support you in moving from the imagined to the real. (Again, be clear and detailed so that you can actually begin to attract this new set of possibilities).
• Release the intention.
• Stay awake to new possibilities that will come your way.

Go for it! Play around. You have nothing to loose. All is available to you!

                                                                                               

Maureen Simon