WOMEN SPIRITUAL LEADERS, do you often feel like the many armed Hindu Goddesses, especially this time of the year?  Can you identify with…

Durga, the fierce multi-armed warrior/mother/protector goddess who rides on a tiger or a lion?

Sati, the ancient loving wife goddess?

Umar, the ancient mountain goddess?

Parvati, the loving wife/mother goddess?

And, of course, Kali, the usually naked, blood thirsty and wild haired goddess?

The point being, there exist many aspects of us, as women with many roles… so much so that we can easily relate to the “multi armed” aspect of these goddesses.  As spiritual women who need help and support and often are in need of information to effectively run our ministries, our practices, and our personal lives, we often feel like the many armed goddess, especially in this busy holiday season soon upon us.  Multi-tasking and keeping “all the balls in the air” is something that just comes naturally to us… or does it?

Is there a place within you that longs for the peace, meaning, and true celebration that this season is meant to engender?  Let’s have a look into the life of a modern, “reformed”, multi-armed goddess, our woman spiritual leader:

•    She is committed to her mission that she was inspired to support, so she carves out the time each day to “go apart”, to be present, to listen to guidance, and to study in the tradition to which she is committed
•    She is organized and in control of her life
•    She has support, emotionally and physically, in order to run her practice
•    She asks for, and plans for, help as soon as she realizes she needs it
•    She takes care of herself first because, in doing so, she can best take care of those she serves
•    She allows time during the day for laughter, fun, and breaks, even if they are brief, so that she may be effective in her work
•    She works at doing her best to stay “neutral” in environments with people who usually have great needs and often throw off negativity
•    She surrounds herself with people who are loving and supportive in order that she may minister to those who need her

• She makes decisions quickly after she has gleaned all of the information she needs
• She has the business systems and team, if necessary, that support a religious community, or a holistic or spiritual practice in place, and she has control over it/them and has a semblance of knowledge as to its health
• She prioritizes regarding her practice, and has the knowledge and the willingness to make it profitable and self sustaining
• She has few worries regarding her personal life and her finances
• She experiences abundance and prosperity through the use of spiritual and business principles
• She is aware of her thoughts and feelings, and is an effective leader

O.K., now that we have a picture of our “ideal”, it is easy to see where we need to amend our lives and the way we do business.  Well, what does this have to do with the holiday season, kicking off with the American tradition, Thanksgiving?

If we would simply adapt perhaps just one or two of the actions above, it may just make this holiday season a little easier to navigate.  In starting with the first, being committed to your mission and why you chose to serve as you do, the decisions you need to make regarding how you celebrate Thanksgiving may be easier.

I challenge you, as we consider what we are grateful for, to look seriously at the list above, and promise to put into practice at least two of the principles.  I guarantee that, if you do, you will be less like the multi armed goddess and more like the women spiritual leader who is thankful that she made the commitment to her calling.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

This article was written by Rev. Ruth Reiner, an ordained Inter Faith minister, spiritual counselor, coach, nurse, former wife, mother, grandmother and entrepreneur.

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