Women in the LEAD

WOMEN: The Power of BELIEVING

We started a meaningful conversation about the roles of inspiration and movitation in our lives. In response, Susan Reid offered a new level thinking Alkamae blog in her message The Yin and Yang of Inspiration and Motivation

Our conversation made me also want to highlight the essential element of BELIEF and its power over all that makes us fearful. Sometimes it is hard to get to that place of truly putting your heart into believing...

This is particularly true when are surrounded with so much negative, glass-half-full, and sometimes stark realities to deal with in our own lives that it is hard at times to step out of the self-defeating, overwhelming space to see the possibilities. In recent weeks, I humbly admit that a giant wave seemed to catch me by surprise. I do know better and I always find myself longing for the positive, long-view that has always lifted me up.

I feel blessed to have been given a generous gift of an optimistic nature. In my darkness hours, I've always been able to see Light, to pull myself up, moving on to a better tomorrow. Only in recent years have I realized how this inner, in-born faith shaped my life and work for which I am most grateful. During years of great struggles, I was too busy trying to survive to even recognize this quality existed in me.

Life has drawn me to optimistic role models ---- many I've never met, but I soaked up their insights and worked to apply what I learned from watching them and listening to them. One book that truly cast an enduring influence is the Magic of Believing by Claude Bristol. This tiny book (and audio CD) written in 1948, long before I would find it's message, remains a bestseller today. Everyone I've shared it with that has applied Mr. Bristol's techniques of positive thinking and believing has also enjoy amazing successes in their lives and work.

"...All great things in this world, have been done by men and women who were dreamers and believers in their dreams coming true. It's the belief and the following through that makes things possible."

--- Claude Bristol

What great things are you dreaming?
What action are you taking to work toward them coming true for you?

Remember, there is a magic in believing!

Debbe

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

The Right Time to Move

If it is to your advantage to make a move,

Then, by all means, move.

If it is not, stay put.

Sun TZU (12.19)

AncAncient wisdom teaches us many things. In the world that we live in it is normal to move; to be active. Activity is important but so is staying still. Stillness is a value worth obtaining. Learn to be still -–to listen, learn to be still-- when it is not the right time to move. Claim your inner wisdom.

                                                                        Maureen Simon

WOMEN: Leadership is About How to BE

As we continue to look out at a troubled world, the challenges for leaders have never been greater. This time in history is calling out for the most human qualities of leadership to solve our deepest problems in our troubled organizations and in the despair we see in so many parts of our world. As women, this kind of leadership is our strength, don't you think?

Frances Hesselbein a long time role model and mentor in my leadership career has some timely advice for us. Frances is Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Leader to Leader Institute, an organization with its roots in the social sector and its predecessor, the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management. She is a leader notably hailed by Fortune, Business Week and the New York Times and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the USA's highest civilian honor. I've been learning from her since she was profiled for her exemplary leadership as CEO of the Girl Scouts throughout the world in Warren Bennis' classic film, The Leader Within . In her bestselling book, Hesselbein on Leadership, she writes about the needs for leadership in the 21st Century.

Frances identified three challenges for leaders that have little to do with managing the enterprise's tangible assets and everything to do with monitoring the quality of :

• Leadership
• The workforce
• Relationships

She writes, "In the tenuous years that lie ahead, the familiar benchmarks, guideposts, and milestones will change as rapidly and explosively as the times, but the one constant at the center will be the leader. The leader will not be the leader who has learned the lessons of how to do it... The The leader for today and the future will be focused on how to BE---how to develop quality, character, mind-set, values, principles and courage."

She points out that the how to be leader knows that people are the organization's greatest asset and in word, behavior, and relationships she or he demonstrates this powerful philosophy. Frances also lives this philosophy. She long ago banned the traditional hierarchy, involving everybody. She leads with in a way that has always taken people out of the boxes of the old traditional organization chart and moved them into a more circular, flexible, and fluid management system that releases the energy and spirit of the people.

These are refreshing leadership qualities and concepts in the times when cuts are deep and layoffs massive ---- and people considerations more often last on the list, if considered at all.

The call-to-action for women is that we are here to use our strengths and gifts as leaders in a way that heals our marketplaces, workplaces, communities---and our homes, while bringing new levels of success at all levels. We can do this by being exemplary leaders----role models of character, mind-set, values, principles, sound judgment and courage, demonstrating through our word, behavior and actions the qualities we are working to develop for others.

Are you ready for this leadership calling?
How can you be a role model for others today?

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

Knowledge Is Always Available

“Pleasure is a shadow,

Wealth is vanity,

And power a pageant;

But knowledge

Is ecstatic in enjoyment,

Perennial in frame,

Unlimited in space and

Indefinite in duration.”

               DeWitt Clinton

The art of true knowledge lies in our ability to utilize –in our lives—our internal and external knowledge. When we live too much from our head we loose connection with our heart – the source of our inner wisdom. This time in our societies history has been referred to as the “information society”.  As world cultures, we often rely often on quantifiable-empirical with. In times of question-begin by asking your inner wisdom for clarity. Where do you go to access your perennial, unlimited, ecstatic knowledge? Remember to visit there often!

                                                                                    Maureen Simon

WOMEN: How do INSPIRATION and MOTIVATION enrich our lives?

Yesterday, I received message from the Alkamae blog that came from a TrackBack on my previous post WOMEN: The Way to Fearlessness. It was a thought-provoking message written by Susan Reid, asking us to consider Motivation or Inspiration: What's the Difference? It inspired me and I left motivated to explore these two concepts in my own life and what lessons they taught me that I might share with you.

What I realized immediately in contemplating this powerful question is that inspiration and motivation have been hallmarks of all I've accomplished, all I survived, all I shared with others. How about YOU? Each with their distinctions are like ribbons woven into and through my life, often showing up in different colors. I am imagining that if we could talk that many of you could probably tell stories from your lives that would say we shared this same experience----but what is the difference?

INSPIRATION and MOTIVATION
Which comes first?
How do these energies enrich our lives?

When I retrace my steps from almost any life experience, the happy ones and some sad ones, it seems inspiration always came first. Inspiration generates the stirrings that Susan Reid referred to in her message.

For me, inspiration always seems to come from some force outside me that sparks a stirring within me. The inspiration comes from beauty, tragedy, belief, achievement, wisdom of great thought-leaders, living examples, spiritual readings, just to name a few. It is the inspiration that lights the fire within.

Movitation, on the other hand, is the energy that moves---propels---lifts us into action to achieve, to overcome, to help others, to become more ourselves. As I think about these to powerful enablers, what comes to mind is that inspiration is the yin --- a force touching the heart --- and motivation the yang ---a force mobilizing us to respond. Yin and yang, stemming from the Book of Change (I-Ching), a book of wisdom, seem fitting as they represent two fundamental forces that create and harmonize the Universe by their interaction. 

Interestingly, I've always found that the motivation --- the move into action --- always fosters more inspiration and then more motivation, creating a contant perpetual cycle of spark and movement that creates an meaningful life.

Two favorite inspiration and motivational books:
These aren't new titles, but they are both timeless, wonderful books!!!
Mine are filled with post-its and yellow highlighter lines.
Everyday Sacred: A Women's Journey Home
Stretching Lessons: The Daring that Starts from Within

So, how do you put these forces to work in your life?
Search for what inspires you --- and motivation will follow.

Debbe

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

One has just to be one self

One has just to be oneself.

That’s my basic message.

The moment you accept yourself as you are,

All burdens, all mountainous burdens simply disappear.

Then life is a sheer joy, a festival of lights.

                                                                        Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh

                                                                        The Sound of One Hand Clapping

We wear so many hats each day of our lives. It takes quiet moments of contemplation to familiarize our selves with our true selves. What does being ones self really mean?  What does it take for us to accept ourselves as we are? Many of the worlds great teaches remind us that unless we know ourselves we can be of no use to others. This self-knowledge has been at the root of humankind. I believe that it is our job to take personal responsibility to understand who we are and why we are here. Notice what is important to you, what you value and are willing to take a stand for. Observe what gives you joy and where you make a difference in the world. Self-awareness is a key to –being ones self.

                                                                                                Maureen Simon

WOMEN: The Way to Fearlessness

I love coming across small treasures that have been tucked away or put on one of my bookshelves, inadvertently hiding for a perfect moment. This happened to me this week. It has been one of those times I've had to call upon both capacity to get what seemed an overwhelming stack of things to do DONE and a deep sense of faith to make it through. I did it!

There were many fingerprints on this week. Gandhi said once, "When you are after a righteous cause, people pop out of the pavement to help you." I do think his wisdom is so right. However, I think there is much more help there for us if we can think beyond the limiting beliefs of individuals showing up at our doorsteps. This was the case of finding my small treasured book written by Paramahansa Yogananda called LIVING FEARLESSLY: Bringing Out Your Inner Soul Strength. When I found the book, I was tired and trying to pull from within myself to keep going, reaching to do what seemed impossible at times. I wasn't really even looking for a book. I just happened to look up and my eyes settled on the title as I passed a small shelf of books in my bedroom --- the title seemed to light up my room, carrying something I wanted badly as I approached the goals of this week. I opened it. The message was for me...

"Meet every body and every circumstance on the battle field of life with the courage of a hero and the smile of a conqueror. ...We must have faith in our ability, and hope in the triumph of a righteous cause. If we do not possess these qualities, we must create them in our own minds through concentration... Do you ever think that you have been completely unsettled by circumstances----ruffled, shattered, whipped, lacking power? Banish such thoughts! You have power; you do not use it. You have all the power you need. There is nothing greater than the power of the mind."

--- Paramahansa Yogananda

These words became a most meaningful reminder for which I am most grateful. It helped me unleash my belief in possibilities, casting fear thoughts from my day. Working fear-free ---- living fear-free, changes everything. I am still practicing. :-)

How about you?
What is standing in your way of achieving what you want so deeply inside?

Debbe

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

Emotions will Almost Always Win

When the subconscious mind must choose

Between deeply rooted emotions and logic,

Emotions will almost always win.

                                                                        Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

                                                                        T. Harv Eker

Emotions carry so much weight and significance in our lives, yet, the interesting thing is that we have far more control over them then we allow ourselves to believe.  Notice how you feel in the early part of the day and then check in later on.  It’s important to get to know our natural rhythms.  Emotions serve as a measurement tool for how our life is going.  If you notice that you are living with disharmonious emotions on a frequent basis—take note, your life holds many choices.

                                                                        Maureen Simon

                                                                        

WOMEN: The JOY of TOGETHERNESS

Helen Fisher, Anthropologist  and author of The First Sex: The Natural Talents of Women and How They are Changing the World, wrote: "Women are, on average, more interested in cooperation, harmony and connections---a network of support. Women cast themselves in a web of friendships; they make contacts...and form cliques. Then they work to keep these ties intact."

We find the JOY of TOGETHERNESS easily, value it and can make it a productive experience too! A dear friend of mine told me a story some years ago that perfectly illustrates these qualities. She had read about how a group of women in Africa worked together. Each day they would meet near the river to make baskets. Each morning they would start with talking, sharing --- maybe even singing. Sometimes this wonderful joy of their togetherness would last a good part of the day; sometimes it would be shorter. Eventually, after this very special sharing, whether it was long or short, they would all go to work and produce all the baskets they needed to make. Productivity was always just right ---- and sometimes quite remarkable with more getting done in less time!

We've often used this story as a metaphor to guide our own meetings. We spend whatever time we need catching up, sharing stories, supporting each other with ideas and perspectives ----- then we go to work to make the baskets we need to make. It works every time!

I still remember receiving a message from my friend, BETH, who lives in Puerto Rico. She wrote that she was off to a "crafting day." I asked her what this meant. She wrote back with still another version of JOY OF TOGETHERNESS. Reading it made me feel good...

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"The CRAFTING DAY is simply this --- a small group of us get together every Wednesday. We rotate meeting at each other's houses, after we drop of the children off at school.  We stay until we have to pick them up. We bring our own lunch and drink, so the hostess only has to provide the house. We bring whatever we want to work on. I'm in the process of organizing pictures - photos from as far back as 1995. Next, I'll label them and put them into photo albums. Maybe one of these days I'll get into scrapbooking, but not yet."

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Wouldn't it be great if we all had the chance to support each other in similar ways regularly??? How different the world would be.

What wonderful things do you do with your women friends to support one another?

Debbe

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

We invite you to visit  Women in the LEAD ... it is a unique resource center for women around the world that is there to support YOU!

Only In Relationships

“Only in relationship can you know yourself, not in abstraction and certainly not in isolation.

The movement of behavior is the sure guide to yourself.  It’s the mirror of your consciousness; this mirror will reveal its content, the images, the attachments, the fears, the loneliness, the joy and sorrow. Poverty lies in running away from this, either in its sublimations or its identities.”

                                                                        J. Krishnamurti

In relationship we meet our greatest demons and our greatest joy.

Take an inventory of who is in your life. Notice how you relate to each other. What might this person be here to teach you? What lessons have you already learned? How have these lessons contributed to the person that you are today?

                                                                                                Maureen Simon