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In their recent response to The Atlantic cover story “The End Of Men”, by Hanna Rosin, Marie Wilson and Linda Basch state that what is happening today is not the demise of men “but rather, the beginning of a transformation of traditional roles that will benefit men, women, families, communities – everyone.”  They point out that “women and men bring complementary and equally important approaches to risk-taking and decision-making and studies show a correlation between management diversity and economic returns.”

It is in the complementary and equally important approaches where change and growth must be made.  All too often in the past society has devalued our best qualities, those that are natural to women.  Our feminine gifts are attributes such as: relationship building, peacemaking, language, creative thinking, and more.  

In their recent response to The Atlantic cover story “The End Of Men”, by Hanna Rosin, Marie Wilson and Linda Basch state that what is happening today is not the demise of men “but rather, the beginning of a transformation of traditional roles that will benefit men, women, families, communities – everyone.”  They point out that “women and men bring complementary and equally important approaches to risk-taking and decision-making and studies show a correlation between management diversity and economic returns.”

It is in the complementary and equally important approaches where change and growth must be made.  All too often in the past society has devalued our best qualities, those that are natural to women.  Our feminine gifts are attributes such as: relationship building, peacemaking, language, creative thinking, and more. 

By exploring these gifts and applying them to your day-to-day life, you will see positive changes in your own life and the world around you.  You will be able to adapt to the innovations and changes that are necessary for the future.  As women are equally valued for their contributions, we will be able to overcome the limitations and inequalities imposed on us by a masculine dominated economic, political and cultural society.

As a start, let yourself have the freedom to imagine new possibilities in the areas of career, finances, fitness, well-being, friendship and love.  Say “yes” to an opportunity that arises.  And practice being utterly fascinated with your own answers to these questions:

• What innate talents do I possess?
• What are my greatest gifts?
• What do I enjoy doing so much that I lose track of time while I’m doing it?
• What are the guiding principles of my life—what is my polestar?

Join us in The Essential Feminine Living Room the fourth Wednesday of every month at noon for an hour long complimentary chat with women world-wide.  Our topic this month will be Feminine Abundance.  Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/896207192

Abundance is a state of mind that we create or don’t create. It is truly a choice. We complicate matters by allowing our mind to travel down roads of past scarcity, fear or concern as we forget to see the full abundance in all aspects of our daily life. We just need to look around to notice those areas where there is fullness and choose to expand on them.

If abundance is a choice, why do we so frequently forget? Patterns of the past resurrect when days feel grey, hormones bounce around in unsettled ways and life feels challenging. It is in these very times that we need to regroup and decide what we have that makes us feel good, full and that for which we are truly grateful. We can never move towards pure abundance when we are feeling down and scarce.

The first essential element in moving from scarcity to abundance is to do what I said above…Move into gratitude for what you have.

The next element is to regroup. By regroup, I mean notice what it is that will make you feel good and abundant in this specific moment. Stay in the moment and out of the past or future.

Finally move towards your dream. Make a few small notes about what it will take for you to move towards the abundance you are craving or desiring. This could look like an intention, a small plan or a big dream. Remember abundance is not purely financial but a state of mind. Remember to include in your vision, supports, guidance and things you are currently grateful for as they will be a part of moving you forward into the next level of abundance.

Good luck on your journey. Life is full of opportunities…you choose.

Please join us for further discussion and discovery on Feminine Abundance on J July 28th from 12:00 – 1:00 pm PDST https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/896207192

Maureen Simon
415-381-5115
maureen@theessentialfeminine.com
www.theessentialfeminine.com
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
www.facebook.com/maureensimon

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 This blog was originally posted four years ago and I believe it’s worth posting again. Time spent in the “stillness of your heart” will help you discover your heart’s desire.  Then create a blueprint to achieve your dream.  Here it is:

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As the holidays closely approach, we have an opportunity to understand where our home actually is.  Creating beautiful spaces and sharing intimate moments with family and friends are all an important part of this special holiday season.  However, our physical world and how we live in it is only one aspect of our actual home.

[Once again,] during this holiday season, I have renewed a very special commitment to myself, and that is to remember that my true home lies in the stillness of my heart.  My true home lies in a deep connection with that which is much greater than me.  In the rush and quickness of these times, it is very important to remember that if we quiet our busy mind and go inward and connect with that which is greater than our selves, we will truly come home for the holidays.

May all the blessings of the Season be yours!

 Maureen Simon

What kinds of risks can you to take that will bring you closer to the life you were meant for? What is the conversation about your life that you most often return to that no longer serves you? What would you like to be, do or have that you keep relegating to the domain of “someday”? What wakes you up in the wee hours of the morning, seeking your undivided attention? Is there a dream that you’ve given up on or a joy you’ve forgotten?

Remembering your destiny is so much more than simply recalling some ephemeral past memories. It is actually a returning to, a rediscovery of your whole self and a full realization of your extraordinary place in the tapestry of life.

In order to live a fully expressed and alive life, it is absolutely essential on a daily basis to stretch beyond your normal comfort zone. Try something you’ve never done before. Let yourself have the freedom to imagine new possibilities in the areas of career, finances, fitness, well-being, friendship and love. Say “yes” to an opportunity that arises. And practice being utterly fascinated with your own answers to these questions:

• What innate talents do I possess?
• What are my greatest gifts?
• What do I enjoy doing so much that I lose track of time while I’m doing it?
• What are the guiding principles of my life—what is my polestar?
• What do I love the most about life?
• How can I have powerful and on-going support for taking risks and living fully?

Several years ago in a blog entitled “Are Women In The US Really Leading?”, I commented on a global survey ranking women in the area of gender equality that was compiled by “The White House Project”.  The survey stated that “The United States ranks 22nd out of 115 countries.”  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. 

I wondered about our progress since that time and went looking for an updated report.  I discovered a thought provoking and heart touching blog written by Mary C. Wilson for “The White House Project Blog”, entitled A False Divide Between Head and Heart: What I Learned From Robert McNamara.  It is well worth reading in its entirety.

As for the report, she states in her blog, “Women are still vastly underrepresented in the halls of power. As the soon-to-be-released “White House Project Report: Benchmarking Women’s Leadership” has found, women are far from parity in every sector, from business and politics to sports and religion. Projections show that it will take decades to reach even a critical mass in many of these arenas; and the women who do make it into positions of power often do so at great sacrifice.”

 Do we have decades?

 Becoming leaders takes courage and determination and most of all a willingness to step forward.  It can not and will not be done for us.  Though, each of us must take that step for ourselves, we need not do it alone.

 

 

There is a great joy, lightness and a sense of knowing which prevails when we understand the purpose of our lives. The road to this destination can sometimes feel long and winding. People often speak of confusion, fear and a lack of clarity setting in. They are all part of the journey, the journey of knowing. They are actually some very clear indicators that can guide us along the way when we take note of them and use them to understand ourselves. As we come to know ourselves, we learn our purpose. It is only when we fully know the reason that we are here can we live in a fully inspired way. Our world is busy, so filled with things that need to be done. We often believe that we should ignore our feelings in order to achieve, push, drive or reach a given result. I am no longer convinced that this is true. I have found that taking time for listening in silence, observing signs, patterns and repeated feelings moves me closer to my purpose as well as allowing me to get more done. As John O’Donohue says in his book “Anam Cara” “It is in the depths of your life that you will discover the invisible necessity that has brought you here. When you begin to decipher this, your gift and giftedness come alive. Your heart quickens and the urgency of living rekindles your creativity.” We need creativity today for the world faces change at every side. It is only by our creativity that we can break the patterns of the past and bring a fresh new world into being. Dare to bring forth your gifts.

Maureen Simon

www.maureensimon.com

http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women

www.theessentialfeminine.com

“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is; nor how valuable it is; nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate *you*. Keep the channel open . . . No artist is pleased . . . There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.” Martha Graham

These words of Martha Graham are especially appropriate now when a multitude of forces are attempting to make us smaller, more closed in, more fearful. Now is the time when we should be vigilant, keeping open to our inner knowledge and the creativity it can bring forth. Let’s all keep our channels open and not allow our own uniqueness to be lost.

Maureen Simon

Maureen J. Simon Consulting

(415) 381-5115

www.maureensimon.com

http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/ http://www.facebook.com/maureensimon