Women in the LEAD

WOMEN: MORE on the Law of Attraction

It seems the Law of Attraction continues to work its way across of the world in powerful ways. Since Oprah's show on THE SECRET [see short video] and Maureen post, The Law of Attraction: It is alive in our lives everyday, it has shown up in so many ways in my own life.

Each morning, I start my day with a quiet time. I spend it reading and praying in my own way. It changes the way the whole day goes. It becomes the sanctuary for attracting goodness in your life. Personally, there have been times in my life when I was traveling constantly in my work at IBM and raising my daughter that I can't imagine how would have been able to maintain this practice. So I do it with gratitude every day. However, I don't think it needs formality at all. I think it takes discipline to find a way that works in your life. Perhaps, it's just a few seconds here and there during the day when you, in gratitude, imagine the best revealing itself in your life --- envisioning it with it filled with joy; free of problems.

Here are a few messages that have come up in my reading. Perhaps, you can carry them with you...

You are weaving the pattern of your own destiny, here and now, by the way in which you allow yourself to THINK, day by day and all day long.  --- Emmet Fox

For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he... --- Proverbs 23:7

When we stay focused on a problem, we exaggerate it. The solution can't reach us when the mind isn't free to accept it. What we must do is develop the desire and the skill to release all thoughts from our mind. Then and only then can we be receptive to the spiritual solutions.  --- Women of Spirit

There is a magic in BELIEVING!
by Claude Bristol, The Magic of Believing!

This is a powerful excerpt from this old book that was written in 1947 that made its way to me 10 years ago. It was quite progressive and includes a chapter dedicated to women. It makes you realize that the Law of Attraction has been working through history. It remains a bestseller today!

"Change your thinking and you instantly commence to change conditions around you. Change the direction of a magnet and it changes the field around it, immediately, automatically. But if you go back and forth from good to bad thoughts, you lose what you have gained and produce an unsettled, unsatisfying result. You must hold your magnetization  on what you want until it has been received.

This requires an exercise of WILL, a developed determination, a resolution to follow-through, to stay with your constructive thinking, your right mental picturing for as long as necessary to enable your dream with the creative power within you and make it come true for you. God has given you dominion over your life!

I will. I will. I will. I will. I will...
Say this to yourself, again and again, and mean it!!! Look in the mirror and say it. Write it down and say it. Speak it out loud to yourself when you are going about your day's activities: I will! I will! I will! I will! Make this resolution a part of your consciousness, build up such a strength of determination within that nothing can shake it."

If a negative thought flies into your mind. Think of how God is helping you and replace it I will! I will! I will! I will! Watch it disappear."

How are you putting this powerful tool for self-realization of your heart's desire into practice in your life? Try it! Even for a few days...and watch everything change all around you!

With love and gratitude for all of you!

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

It’s All Up Hill From the Garden of Eden

“It’s been an uphill battle since the Garden of Eden. The Mother of Us All got the whole tribe kicked out of paradise (the man bears no responsibility for biting that apple, of course), leading to women’s status as morally inferior, “representing emotion over reason, body over soul, and carnality over spirit. The curse as interpreted brought down on Eve’s head in Eden for causing the fall of man was a punishment to be borne by generations of women living in ‘sorrow and travail.’”

-Choosing to Lead

Constance H. Buchanan

I have always been fascinated to look at women’s development with anthropological eyes. I have been fascinated with Helen Fisher’s work in the First Sex that shows clear scientific documentation throughout history of women’s strength and heroism. But it was even a stretch for me, and quite a moment of enlightenment, to read Constance H. Buchanan thoughts on what it all stems back to- the Garden of Eden. It is interesting to stop and think how women have been described as “the weaker sex.” Constance points out that women have been taking the wrap for the fall of man since the good old Garden of Eden. I believe she is right. But I also believe that we are at the doorstep of a new way of experiencing women’s power and contribution in the world of business, politics and leadership in general.

The first step in this awakening is our personal ownership of our gifts, talents and so needed contributions in this great world in which we live.

-Maureen Simon

WOMEN: LEAP of FAITH

Again, Maureen's post, The Great Teachings of the Unknown arrived when I seemed to be circling around again to confront FEAR and the unknown --- to take that LEAP OF FAITH, asking those penetrating and telling questions...

Do I stay the same?
Do I go back where things are comfortable? or ...
Do I take the more challenging road into the uncertain and perhaps, the unknown?

How about you? How do you respond to calls that require more of you --- more adventure, more action, more to become yourself?

In one of my favorite books, I've mentioned before, it leaves this powerful message that has been my guide many times:

"Never look back. Always go right ahead. Even if you are quaking in your boots, go right ahead....No mater how unattractive or how dangerous the road ahead may be, it is better than the road back. The road may be veiled from sight---but you must teach yourself to regard the unknown as friendly. Remember God is always on the road ahead." --- Emmet Fox 

There is something about ACTION --- about our boldness in moving ahead into that unknown that mobilizes that wonder within us. We find the know-how, courage, resources, support and belief that we need. Our faith is rewarded. "With the faith the size of a mustard seed, all things are possible."

What step --- or perhaps LEAP --- of faith will you take into the unknown in your own life?

Are you ready? Let's clutch arms in the distance and say, "YES!"

Debbe

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

The Great Teachings of the Unknown

“I learned to master the trembling of my limbs, to control my heartbeat and my breathing, to wipe way the swear that burned my eyes…I was intoxicated by the satisfaction of having overcome my fear of the unknown.”

-Dochan Gersi

It is in the depths of the unknown that we discover the true strength of our soul. The unknown is one of our greatest teachers. In different stages of life the unknown feels closer than at other times. Surety and peace of mind have their gifts and advantages, but create great comfort in which we can settle into. Notice where in your life, at this time, that uncertainty is the strongest. Ask yourself: How is this uncertainty a friend and a teacher?

-Maureen Simon

The Art of Listening to a Woman

“The art of listening to a woman does not entail solving problems or offering advice. Conversely, a male listener’s goal should be helping his partner regain her feminine/masculine balance…

…To develop skill in listening, a man needs to recognize that when a woman is upset and seems to be demanding solutions to her problems, it is only because she is still operating primarily from her male side. By not responding with solutions he assists her in finding her female side; she will then eventually feel better. Men are easily ticked into thinking that if they can give solutions women will then feel better.”

-Mars and Venus In Touch

John Gray

It is amazing to think that we all live on the same planet. The more research that I do on feminine attributes and the differences between masculine and feminine communication the more I realize that it is a miracle that the planet holds as much peace as it does. In her recently released book The Female Brain Louann Brizendine cites very specific chemical and hormonal differences between men and women that specifically affect language and communication. This great academic wisdom aside, the fact remains that there are many differences in the way that men and women speak and receive communication.

• Notice how you speak to the men in your life.

• Observe when you feel listened to and when you don’t.

• Speak up; be clear and work towards clear communication and speaking your needs.

Become more aware of the role that you play in the communication in your life. It all contributes to the  development of a harmonious world.

-Maureen Simon

Freedom- From Within

" The outward freedom that we shall attain will only be in exact proportion to the inward freedom to which we may have grown at a given moment. And if this is a correct view of freedom, our chief energy must be concentrated on achieving reform from withi"

-Mahatma Gandhi

True freedom comes from within. Once we release ourselves from past issues and beliefs we can confidently move freely into our future. Freedom also comes from developing a sense of stillness. From stillness confidence and knowing is born. Outward freedom is essential and necessary in our world, but it all begins from our inner inquiry.

-Maureen Simon

WOMEN: Just Enough

This has been one of those weeks on overload. No actually, it seems the past few months I've been on overload!!! Can you relate? It brought to mind one of my favorite books, Everyday Sacred: A Women's Journey Home by Sue Bender. This morning, I opened the book to a place I had marked. Of course, it had the perfect messages for a day like this. Here is the excerpt that spoke to me.

Sue Bender meets up with a Zen priest at her neighborhood market and asks for his help. "...the image of my new project is a begging bowl. Can you tell me anything about begging bowls?" "Oryoki," he said (the Japanese name for a begging bowl), "means 'just enough'."

JUST ENOUGH. Two words. Somewhere between the image of an empty bowl that made me feel peaceful and the too much that was driving me crazy, was a moderate, balanced space of JUST ENOUGH. What is the path from Too much to Just enough? I began to wonder."

Me too!
What are you doing to bring your life into balance?

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

The Law of Attraction- It Is Alive in Our Lives Every Day

"…As you pay attention to the way you feel and continue to choose good-feeling thoughts regarding your newly born preference, you stay aligned with it, and now it gently and easily appears in your experience—and you have now created your desire. But, along with this newly achieved physical manifestation of your desire comes an evolved perspective. And so, the vibrational characteristics of you and everything about you have shifted somewhat, and you have moved into a new set of contrasting circumstances that will again inspire new preferences within you—and now, new rockets of desire emanate from you.

And in the moment that this new desire exists, it too begins to vibrationally draw unto itself, and it too expands. So now, as you continue to pay attention to the way you feel, and you choose good-feeling thoughts regarding this newly born preference, you remain vibrationally aligned with it. Therefore, it gently and easily appears in your experience. And again, you have created your desire. And again, you have achieved a powerful place of clarity where another new set of contrasting factors surround you—which again will cause a new rocket of desire to be born…”

-The Teachings of Abraham

Ester and Jerry Hicks

I have been reading about the Law of Attraction quite a lot these days. So many people are writing about attraction from an energetic perspective- one which includes forces beyond our own daily lives. In the teachings of Abraham it is clear that new desires exist daily but we must first believe that these desires are entirely possible to achieve in our lives.

Some Questions to ponder....

• What      is your greatest desire?
• Do      you fully believe that this desire is achievable?
• If      so, how can you enliven this desire in your life today?

-Maureen Simon

WOMEN: Connecting Through a GRATITUDE HEART

RELATED WRITING FOR YOU...

The GRATEFUL HEART   (click on link for downloadable PDF)
the home of love, faith, hope and other blessings
by Debbe Kennedy

I wrote the piece above a while back, but its meaning endures. I hope you will enjoy it. It holds the wisdom of a number of powerful women sharing their individual messages about what it means to have a grateful heart.

For many years I have been collecting bits of wisdom on cards. I keep them in stacks tied with ribbons or tucked in journals. I grab a stack often that I've not seen for while. Most often, this random seeking brings just what I need.

With a world with so much loss and destruction all around us, I've found great peace in moments of gratitude. Our GRATITUDE may be the great catalyst for lasting peace. It has a way of changing us and therefore, it changes everything that surrounds us. Imagine the spirit of our grateful hearts passing from one person to the next around the world --- can you feel the power in that one small act?

A bit of wisdom on Connecting through a Grateful Heart showed up in a stack of card I picked up today. I have rewritten the essence of the wisdom to share with you. I don't know its original origin, but I know it holds timeless wisdom of the sages that can be applied to our lives and work at this new time.

1. Spend five minutes at the beginning of your day remembering all the qualities of life that every person across the world wants to have. Let thoughts of love, happiness, nourishment, shelter, meaningful work, safety and peace. Imagine us all connected bringing out these qualities in each our lives, sending blessings to others as we hope for blessings in our own lives.

2. Spend five minutes, breathing in cherishing yourself; breathing out cherishing others. Imagine reaching out to those you may have difficulties with; imagine connecting with them in forgiveness with your grateful heart.

3. During the day extend these same qualities of love and care to everyone you meet; let your grateful attitude shine on others, remembering the most meaningful actions may be quietly offered. All you need to do is BE your renewed self.

4. Stay true to this simple practice no matter what happens or what others may do to you. As Mother Teresa often said, "Love anyway." There is great power in loving conditionally. It asks more of us, but it heals us.

Over the years, I have found that many difficulties disappear in gratitude and forgiveness. A grateful heart heals relationships. It connects us one to another. A forgiving heart opens the way for the best in each of us to emerge.

What stories of gratitude come up in your mind?

With love and gratitude for you and our connection right here...

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center
Women in the Lead

It is Amazing That We All Live on the Same Planet: Understanding Communication Between the Sexes

“The art of listening to a woman does not entail solving problems or offering advice. Conversely, a male listener’s goal should be helping his partner regain her feminine/masculine balance…

…To develop skill in listening, a man needs to recognize that when a woman is upset and seems to be demanding solutions to her problems, it is only because she is still operating primarily from her male side. By not responding with solutions he assists her in finding her female side; she will then eventually feel better. Men are easily ticked into thinking that if they can give solutions women will then feel better.”

-Mars and Venus In Touch

John Gray

It is amazing to think that we all live on the same planet. The more research that I do on feminine attributes and the differences between masculine and feminine communication the more I realize that it is a miracle that the planet holds as much peace as it does. In her recently released book The Female Brain Louann Brizendine cites very specific chemical and hormonal differences between men and women that specifically affect language and communication. This great academic wisdom aside, the fact remains that there are many differences in the way that men and women speak and receive communication.

• Notice      how you speak to the men in your life.

• Observe      when you feel listened to and when you don’t.

• Speak      up; be clear and work towards clear communication and speaking your needs.

Become more aware of the role that you play in the communication in your life. It all contributes to the  to the development of a harmonious world.

-Maureen Simon