Just a note to let you all know that we have really appreciated your support in this fantastic journey we shared. However, we have decided to dissolve IAWSL for now. Ruth will be taking a sabbatical and Patricia will be concentrating on her own business: www.TheBlissfulSoul.com.
Please feel free to stay in contact!
Peace and Blessings to you on your journey!
Ruth and Patricia
This is a title of a poem by Marge Piercy, who born in 1936 in the industrial city of Detroit, went on to become one of the earlier proponents of feminist issues and social and environmental concerns. I happened upon this poem of hers in a program hand-out for one of my grand daughter’s school productions last year which I dearly embraced, archived, and cherish still.
It is one of those poems that when you read it for the first time, is like your first kiss; it gets embedded in the inner depths. It goes like this:
I want to be with people who submerge
In the task, who go into the fields to harvest
And work in a row and pass the bags along,
Who are not parlor generals and field deserters
But move in a common rhythm.
I’ll bet my net worth on the presumption that you can identify with this powerful message! How many times in your life have you had an understanding of the task that was agreed upon, only to find when you ‘went into the fields’ you were either doing the job alone, or the people who had signed on were doing the task their way; without rhythm?
How many times have you been led to believe by the leadership of a project or an agreed-to program that you would have the support you would need?
How many times have you had to swallow the advice of ‘parlor generals’ when you knew in your heart they were like the main character in Hans Christian Anderson’s, “The Emperor’s New Clothes”?*
*For those of us who need a ‘reminder’, the Emperor in the fairy tale has little to be concerned about, as Emperors go. So, he focuses on his wardrobe (any similarity between then and now is ‘purely coincidental’) while he cultivates an invested interest in maintaining his position.
So much so, that he hires two dudes, weavers they be, who promise him the finest suit of clothes from a fabric invisible to anyone who is unfit for the Emperor’s position, or who are just hopelessly stupid.
When the crafty weavers present the ‘magnificent suit’ which is invisible to the Emperor, he, of course, cannot see it! Oh-oh, a real dilemma here… His fear of appearing unfit for his position, or worse yet, stupid, throws him into a state where his ego goes into high gear.
You likely remember the story that he parades naked in order to ‘be right’ or not thought of as stupid.
We all have had to deal with the Emperors who crossed our paths and our working lives! And what about the ‘weavers’ who have spun their craft and with whom we have engaged because of the enticement we were ready for?
Then there are the ‘field deserters’ whom Ms.Piercy refers to in the poem. How many of these people have interrupted the rhythm in your work or in your life?
They may have been “in the trenches” for a short period of time, and due to their unwillingness to stick with a difficult project, their lack of motivation, or their ‘bravado’ that they had ‘been there, done that’ they now feel ‘qualified’ to be an expert?
It is my belief that we have encountered and experienced all of the above. And, because of my age and experience, I believe that each of us has likely been, at one time or another, those who go it alone, those who do the task our own way, those who are ‘parlor generals’ and those who are ‘field deserters’.
And yet, I hold the faith that each of us may aspire to the ideal:
I want to be with people who submerge
In the task, who go into the fields to harvest
And work in a row and pass the bags along,
Who are not parlor generals and field deserters
But move in a common rhythm.
Love and Blessings in the Field,
Ruth
July 15, 2010 6 PM Eastern/5 PM Central/4 PM Mountain/3 AM Pacific
Building online relationships, getting clients and making money.
Lisa shares 7 simple steps to getting the most out of your online presence by developing relationships and creating a money engine.
During the interview Lisa reveals proven steps to:
o Determine the purpose of your website and understand the importance of messaging and strategy
o Create a symbiotic relationship between your online and offline marketing efforts so your all of your marketing, advertising and promotional efforts are working together to increase your brand and message.
o Build relationships by gifting knowledge and offering something of value for no cost.
o Continue the online relationship with marketing techniques to reinforce the know, like and trust factors.
o Leverage your expertise online to drive traffic to your website and increase credibility.
o Gain additional online exposure via news by leveraging things you’re already doing in your business to gain publicity online and offline.
o Create a sales funnel or tiered offerings to continue the relationship with your clients and show them the next logical step to doing business with you.
Lisa Manyon is the President of Write On ~ Creative Writing Services, LLC., Professional Copywriter, Marketing Strategist and Published Author specializing in POWERFULLY communicating your marketing message to increase results. She is a master of matching your message to market in your authentic voice. Plus, Manyon has a passion for helping people reach their individual goals. She helps transform dreams into manageable action steps with tangible results. Her passion for authentically sharing newsworthy messages has earned her recognition for press release and publicity results.
She continually invests in professional growth to offer the best service possible. She’s completed Ali Brown’s Marketing Mastery 12 month online marketing & mentorship course and the Millionaire Protégé Club Platinum Program (serving as a mastermind leader within the program). Manyon developed a series of marketing trainings for the Idaho Small Business Development Center to help businesses avoid costly start-up mistakes. She is the first professional copywriter in the state of Idaho to achieve Glazer – Kennedy Creating Copy that Sells certification. Manyon has worked as Managing Director of Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero’s National Copywriting Mentorship Program, is the featured press release case study in Lorrie’s She Factor Marketing System and serves as a Copy Coach in the She Factor Copywriting Bootcamp program. Manyon has studied John Carlton’s work and survived his infamous Marketing Rebel Hot Seats. She is the Copywriting Expert for Wendy Y Bailey’s Group Mastery, a Faculty Member for Affiliate Wealth Partners and more.
She’s a published author and is a featured in the Official AWE Guide to Emerging Trends Every Online Entrepreneur Must Know and has written promotional, advertising and marketing copy for internet marketers and a wide variety of brick and mortar businesses.
Lisa Manyon has spent well over 20 years in the marketing trenches of advertising agencies, radio stations and non profit organizations. Manyon has successfully operated Write On ~ Creative Writing Services since 2003. She created a mobile business model that allows her to work and play anywhere she chooses. She LOVES what she does and is particularly passionate about helping you share your gifts with the world. In addition to providing exceptional copywriting services, she accepts a limited number of one on one consulting clients to help you create your marketing and messaging strategy.
Manyon accepts a limited number of copywriting, coaching and consulting clients and prefers a long-term client relationship approach to working. She publishes a monthly ezine Manyon’s Musings and offers a free Copywriting Action Plan. Her work has been featured in various publications. She’s participated in numerous speaking engagements, teleseminars and interviews. To learn more about working with Write On ~ Creative Writing Services, to grab your free stuff or schedule an interview visit www.WriteOnCreative.com.
I know this has gone “around” the internet for a while, but I saw it again today and couldn’t resist sharing. There are some key nuggets of information “gold” in this short video:
So, are you a leader or a first follower? Or one of the other followers?
Blessings,
Patricia
While contemplating what I would write about this week, I was reminded about how often I seem to ‘run out of time’. As any true
blooded entrepreneur and a woman in service, I often ‘bite off more than I can chew’ which I have heard my mother remind me of since I was a child.
Like many women, I have numerous obligations, fill multiple roles, and have projects with deadlines… all of which require the use of time… which I never seem to have enough of.
Many spiritual traditions do not believe in “time” as we know it; linear and able to be calculated, and that is a subject for a whole other article (or book!). Rather than waxing philosophical, I will inject a lighter note:
I love this story to which I believe we all might be able to relate (at least at some point in our lives).
A woodcutter, who is constantly exhausted by his frantic chopping all through the day, is afraid to stop knowing he has many obligations to fulfill. A friend comes by one day to talk with him about his exhausting work and to ask the woodcutter if he could inspect his ax.
After running his fingers up and down the blade, he advises his friend to take a few minutes to sharpen his ax; “your work will be easier and go more quickly.” To which the woodcutter replied, “I can’t… I just don’t have the time…”
How many of us have been where the woodcutter is? I have to admit that this is often a familiar scenario for me. The mind-set of the woodcutter is such that he cannot see the forest for the tree (pardon the pun). I can get so dug in to what I am doing and to what still remains to be accomplished within given time frames that I often fail to see that I have a “dull ax”… even when people point it out to me!
In order to ‘sharpen the ax’ what can I do to have more time to accomplish what I have committed to?
1. When awakening, while in that state before full consciousness, I can begin with connecting to my Deity and surrendering my day and all of its activities to Divine guidance
2. Although challenging for me who has “done so much on my own” (or so I think), I can exercise my trust muscle. Surrendering to Divine guidance requires trust.
3. Sometime before I start my work, I can engage in a spiritual practice; studying in the faith of my choosing, reading inspirational material, journaling, engaging in yoga, (or others), meditation, contemplation, prayer…
4. Throughout the day (especially when I feel stressed and under pressure), I can take a few minutes to leave my desk (or the place of my work) and intentionally return to a state of peace. Five to ten minutes outside in nature, relaxing with a favorite cup of brew, or playing my favorite music (how ‘bout a little dancing?)
5. And let me not forget the importance of preparing for sleep… A review of the day’s accomplishments, and not what I didn’t do or that still remains to be done, in a state of gratitude for those accomplishments will develop my trust muscle. After all, this is a process!
I am sure you can think of ways that you personally might ‘sharpen your ax’.
Love and Blessings,
Ruth
Ruth Reiner is an ordained minister in the Interfaith tradition, spiritual counselor, professional nurse, certified life coach, and successful entrepreneur. She is president and co-founder of ‘The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders’. Ruth has two adult daughters with families/four grandchildren.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leave all of the links active, do not edit the article in any way, and include the following byline: The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download-as our GIFT to you-the 5 Secrets to Creating Abundance Through Your Calling. You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of information and tips for supporting you in your calling. Just click here: www.iawsl.com
This is a beautiful article from a wonderful friend about the importance of nurturing yourself…
It’s in the quiet that we hear the answers. It’s in the moment of silence that we feel the knowing.
Are you able to sit down, quiet your mind and listen to your truth?
Today I turned off the stereo, ignored the phone. I sat down to find the stillness. A project needing to be finished, grabbed my attention. Another excuse not to silence my mind. Yet, the lack of outside noise did allow me to focus, to concentrate, to make serious progress toward the completion of a task at hand.
But, the truth is, I need to find time to listen to the quiet. I know I do. What about you?
Apparently, the Universe will find a way to get you to listen, even when you say you will, but don’t. In my life it always shows up the same way. I usually have to end up in the hospital, attached to tubes, plugs, machines…none of which are connected to my computer or my iPhone. I have no choice but to stay still. I even have to ask for a nurse or someone to help me go to the bathroom. Wow! Can you believe I’d manifest all of this to make room for quiet in my life?
This past week, I found a lump under my arm. It was 3:50 in the morning on February 3rd. I looked at the clock, and said out loud, “Are you kidding me?” My life shifted in an instant. In the stillness of the early morning, I stood, alone, in my kitchen and knew why this was happening. It was time for me to slow down and reflect.
What is most important to me? What is my soul’s purpose? What really matters? What am I doing with my life?
I’ve been hearing whispers for months, but keep choosing to ignore them. I tell myself, “I’ll start painting and writing as soon as I finish this next project, the next event, the next, the next, the next.” But, I haven’t.
My heart has been telling me to focus on my writing, my art, enjoy my time with my husband and kids, but I refuse to listen. I’m afraid to give up everything I’ve been creating and the business I’ve been building. I don’t want to look like I’m quitting. I find work harder, push more, in hopes that the more time I put in, the faster I’ll reach the finish line. And, then, I will have time for my writing, my art, my family.
I’m not trusting myself and my inner knowing of what is right for me. I’m letting other people’s whispers influence me, when I know, with all my heart and soul, their way is right for them, but not my authentic way. I honor their space, but must trust my intuition and my journey.
I love talking makeup, hair, and style. It’s what I’ve done for 25 years. But I know, none of it matters in the long run. It’s not just about the makeup, it never has been. It’s always been about so much more. Of course, there is a time and place for lip gloss, hairspray and shoes. But, they are not what make a beautiful life.
I’ve been gone too long….headed in the wrong direction. Or, maybe, the right direction, wrong road. It’s time for me to get back to what’s real. It’s time for me to get back to the core, to my authenticity. The woman who cries when she’s scared, the woman who knows she’s meant to paint and write, the woman who adores her children and is watching them grow up too quickly. The woman, who dearly loves and appreciates having a wonderful friend for more than 24 years and has been blessed to be able to call him “my husband” for 20 of those years.
I realized that I needed to listen to what I know I am meant to do. I see the potential in others, with or without makeup. I inspire others to follow their dreams, in high heels or sneakers. There is so much talk today about authenticity, personal branding, and personal style. I’ve created an entire business which helps women see their real beauty, so that they can reach their dreams. But, in the midst of creating what I knew I could, a business about image and style, I set my dreams on the bookcase next to my desk.
Dozens of books on writing, art, creativity, inspiration, beauty and style stacked just inches away from me everyday. Thirty plus, years of journals, filled with writings, musings, sketches, quotes, images I want to paint. It seems like it would be easier to do what you’re comfortable doing. Just stick to what you know and all will be okay. Not so! In fact, it’s harder, and more difficult not follow your heart.
The Universe wants to get my attention. Tomorrow, I will head to the hospital at 5:30 in the morning. I know that no matter what happens, I will do what I must. I will do only what matters. I will listen to my heart. I am done pushing. I AM WRITING. And, I’m letting go of the outcome. I’m letting go of whether it will be good, or whether it will matter, or whether it will make me money.
Clarity. Reality. Authenticity.
This is my new direction. We can create whatever we want or need in this lifetime. It’s up to us to make up our mind to listen and follow the whispers of intuition guiding us forth.
Living a beautiful life means taking care of yourself. Being true to what you believe. Living a beautiful life means trusting yourself and listening to your body. Living a beautiful life means following your heart.
Have you been setting a part of you on a shelf? What are you rescheduling, setting aside, deferring, or putting on the back burner?
I will do whatever I need to do to bring congruency into my life. I know I will march forth into the fear of the unknown, the uncertain, and embrace every moment, every smile, every whisper, every tear, every hug. And every little bit of laughter.
I hope you’ll do the same.
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to keep you feeling and looking your best…in all areas of your life and your business.
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A beautiful video created by five interfaith/interspiritual ministers from two seminaries:
Please share!
Patricia
When Patricia told me the topic of her article this week (click here to read), I couldn’t believe the synchronicity! I had just received an email from our reunion coordinator of my graduating class from the Leonia, NJ High School. What is relevant about that is that she included a link to www.PalisadesPark.com which was the amusement park, at least in the eastern U.S, for many years, shutting its doors in 1979. It was located on the “palisades”, the cliffs of NJ overlooking the Hudson River to New York City.
I immediately went to the link, and memories of wonderful times spent with family and friends when I was growing up, came flooding in. So what does this all have to do with “letting go”, Patricia’s topic for this week?
Perhaps you can join me in recalling those ‘rides’ that seemed like an enormous challenge when you were a kid. I had two of those in Palisades Amusement Park that scared the devil out of me, and yet I was somehow attracted to them. The first was a very tall (it seemed like it then) circular swing whose chairs almost went horizontal when it reached its top speed. This ride was located right at the edge of the cliff, so that when it was at its full arc, it felt as if I were out over the cliff!!
The second ride was the roller coaster, of course constructed of wood and painted white with its peaks and valleys and undulations; the largest in the world at the time.
I approached each ride in a state of fear; thinking it would be easier to stay on the safe terra firma. We all have been there… we want to rise to the challenge, yet the taught throat and the weak knees seem to get the best of us. Then somehow, we get the courage to get on the ride.
With white knuckles, clenched teeth, cramped muscles from holding on tight, the ride slowly starts. Then, at some point, something within me “lets go”. The motion of the swing circling around, even if it felt like it was out over the cliff, is calming to my fear.
The “click, click” of the gears as the cars of the roller coaster make their ascent to the first and highest hill accentuate my state of being frozen with fear. As we approach the apex and slip over the top, I “let go”, screaming with delight as we speed toward the next dip.
We all have had many experiences of letting go. The terra firma always feels safer, but if we remain there, we don’t experience the joy that comes with “letting go”…
Love and Blessings!
Ruth
When contemplating the topic for my article this week, I had difficulty tapping into the source of my creativity. Then I heard the words of one of my business mentors, echoing in my ears… “I want you to rest and take a bubble bath as your assignment this week.” “Yea, right”, I responded in my thoughts… “Not with what I have to do!”
How often, as women and spiritual leaders do we run out of gas? A common reaction when we feel overwhelmed with responsibilities is to “gear up”; to do whatever it takes to complete what we have to accomplish.
As we have experienced, what usually happens is the “springs pop out”, the project is done to less than our standards, and we often wind up pulling our hair out!! We all know there is a better way. Perhaps simple, yet not easy to follow, if we are entrenched in the automatic, often unconscious patterns that we employ to deal with demands.
Every spiritual tradition of which I am aware is replete with stories around rest and retreat. The Jews honor the Sabbath, the peoples of the indigenous religions engage in vision quests and other rituals which facilitate their “coming apart” from their day-to-day responsibilities. Muslims and the sages of the ‘Eastern’ spiritual traditions, too, had their times of retreat.
“Come unto me all you who are weary and of heavy burden, and I will give you rest”…
What an irresistible invitation!!! Come, weary ones, heavy with the responsibilities of serving a congregation, of ministering to the people who come to you for guidance and healing, of juggling the demands of running a home and nurturing a family, and I will give you rest…
How can we respond to the invitation to rest?
1. Practicing awareness of our energy levels. What are your individual warning signals that you may be getting low on ‘fuel’?
2. Practicing saying ‘no’ more than you say ‘yes’. So often our ‘yes’ responses to a request are automatic. Once we regularly employ examining what we have been asked to do in light of what we’ve already committed to, it will become clear that a ‘no’ isn’t a bad word.
3. Observing our thoughts. Are they accelerating? Are they into the future with ‘all that you have to do’? If so, it’s a good sign that you are already approaching ‘circuit overload’.
4. Take 10 minutes to sit with a notebook and identify a number of places (a quiet place in your home or yard), people (a trusted friend, your toddler), things (music, art, a pet, inspirational writings) that give you a sense of rest; of being ‘apart’, and commit to engaging with those when you feel yourself getting to that state of ‘overwhelment’.
5. Identify a support system, flesh it out, and commit to calling on it when you experience your stress levels rising.
6. Practice being in the present moment… moment to moment.
7. How about your bed for a good night’s sleep?
This article was written by Ruth Reiner, Interfaith Minister, Spiritual Counselor, Coach and Co-founder of www.IAWSL.com
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, PUBLICATION, OR ON YOUR WEB-SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leaving the entire article intact, do not alter it in any way, and include the following: “THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN SPIRITUAL LEADERS” was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download – as a gift to you- THE 5 SECRETS TO CREATING ABUNDANCE THROUGH YOUR CALLING.
You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of tips and information for supporting you in your mission or quest.
