What could be riskier than diving out of an airplane or climbing a glacier-covered peak or accelerating a race car into a curve at the Indy 500?

For one person it might be quitting a secure, well-paying job to go back to school. For another, it could be deciding to leave a marriage after 18 years or reporting that the company they work for is endangering the environment or people’s lives.

For me it was quitting a well-paying job to work for myself at something I loved and had a passion for. It certainly wasn’t easy – but, there came a point when I knew I had to take that leap of faith to else continue down the path of drudgery I was feeling.

Though it may not appear so at first glance, psychological risks that summon us to put our personal values and beliefs on the line may ultimately feel more dangerous than those of physical derring-do. Yet these are the challenges that we are asked to face time and again if we are to continue to grow as individuals. Each time we take a risk that contributes to our personal growth or enhances our self-esteem or enriches our lives, we make the choice to stretch ourselves, knowing there are no guarantees and chancing possible failure.

I knew that even if I failed, I would have felt better for trying – I would have continually regretted not at least going after my dream. That alone made it all worth it!

Growth-producing risks generally fall into three categories.

Self-Improvement Risks
These are the risks you take when you want to get ahead, learn something new or make a distant dream a reality. You take on the venture with hopes of enriching your life. Maybe you want to change careers, or take singing lessons, or learn to speak French. On one side of the risk is the person you are and, on the other, the person you want to become.

Commitment Risks
All commitment risks have emotional stakes whether you pledge yourself to a person or a relationship or to a cause, a career, or a value. According to Joseph Ilardo, author of Risk-Taking for Personal Growth, if you avoid making emotional commitments, you all but guarantee that your emotional growth will be stunted.

Self-Disclosure Risks
Communication risks fall into the category of self-disclosure. Anytime you tell someone how you really feel you’re taking the chance of self-disclosure. When you open up to others and reveal who you really are, how you feel and what you want and need, you make yourself vulnerable. It is impossible to be assertive without doing so.

All risks carry with them the possibility of failure. Often significant sacrifices must be made before any real benefits are realized. Routines may have to change; the familiar may have to be released. You may be rejected or humiliated. In the case of commitment to a value, personal safety may be in danger. Consider those who stand up for what they believe in or put their own health and well-being on the line in the name of a cause. Challenging yourself is often the key to personal growth and development.

Are you a risk-taker? Ask yourself the following questions:

• Does every decision involve endless debates with yourself?

• Do you accept less than what you should because you’re afraid to speak up?

• Do you have difficulty making emotional commitments to others?

• Do you make up excuses that stop you from taking advantage of opportunities for self-improvement?

• Does fear of disapproval keep you from doing what you’d really like to do?

A “yes” answer to these questions indicates a reluctance to take risks, which may mean you tend to play it safe and reject change.

Consider this: to fulfill your potential, to discover your real self and live an authentic life, you must take risks. And while security may appear to be the absence of change, the only genuine security lies in taking risks.

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an ordained Interfaith Minister, certified life coach, spiritual healer, teacher and guide. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com.

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

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Join us as we interview Diane Musho Hamilton

July 9, 2010 3 PM Eastern/2 PM Central/1 PM Mountain/12 PM Pacific

Diane Musho Hamilton is a gifted facilitator, mediator, and spiritual teacher. She is a core founder of iEvolve: Global Practice Community and a co-director of Integral Life Spiritual Center. Diane is a fully ordained Zen priest and teacher. She has studied Buddhism since 1984, and was given dharma transmission by her Zen master, Genpo Roshi, in 2006. She is well known as an innovator in facilitating group dialogues, especially controversial conversations about culture, religion, race and gender relations.

For her, Zen practice is a fundamental commitment to experiencing reality as it is – beautiful, ungraspable and seamless, nothing other than your own life. It is also a practice in fearlessness, in compassion, and in seeing the wisdom in all situations and greeting them with a joyous mind.

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Before I was ordained as an interfaith minister and co-founded ‘The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders, I spent a good part of my career as a registered nurse.  So what does this have to do with you as a woman and leader of your business or a ‘spiritual’ practice?

At some time in most of our lives, we will encounter the health care system either through our own illness or injury or that of a family member or friend.  As you are aware from the articles we have written, we are very much into ‘self care’.  In my opinion a major part of taking care of ourselves is having the knowledge about how to do that.    

In a recent article, Patricia used the analogy of our intuition acting as a ‘GPS’ as guidance when making decisions.  I would like to take that analogy and employ it for this article.

As we know, a ‘GPS’ (global positioning system), or any navigational system uses ‘waypoints’.  A waypoint is a point of reference in physical space and essential to navigation.  In my experience, it is essential for us to have ‘waypoints’ should we ever have to encounter and navigate the health care system.
It is a given that our health care system is complex, and when entering it, it can be overwhelming if you don’t have the knowledge necessary to make your way through what can be confusing, at the least and life threatening, at the worst.
In order to be successful with the use of your ‘waypoints’, you cannot be passive, expecting that the health care system is patient centered.  It is not.  Most medical providers would agree that the system is designed, “for efficiency” to revolve around the providers of care.  And that doesn’t consider the impact the third party payers have on the system!
Accepting that it is essential to be assertive if and when you or a loved one enters the health care system, the following waypoints may be invaluable:

Waypoint #1:  Have a competent primary care physician, and establish and maintain a relationship.  Reputation and word of mouth will assist you in making your choice should you not have a primary physician.  That physician may be your advocate, and conduit to the medical care you may need.  It also helps to befriend a member of the staff.  When a report or other information is needed in a hurry, knowing someone can often expedite the process.
Waypoint #2:  Acquire and systematize your medical records.  Considering that a universal electronic record keeping system is in the future, you have to be the “gatekeeper” of your medical information, including lab reports, radiology tests, surgical procedures, etc.  That includes records generated by specialists you may have seen.  And what about medications and supplements you are taking?  Each physician you consult should know about these.
Waypoint #3:  Ask questions!  If you are not sure you were heard or understood, re-state your concern.  It is better to err on the side of caution than to have a misunderstanding result in a mistake, or worse.  Communication in our society is challenging anyway.  Compound that with the anxiety you feel and sense of the health care provider “being in a hurry” and communication becomes ineffective.  Make sure you are heard and understood!
Waypoint #4:  Research the internet and other sources for information regarding your medical challenge, but don’t rely totally on what you learn.  So often diagnoses are missed because someone thought their symptoms “belonged” to another disease or injury.  In this age of information, sometime too much is worse than too little.  Remember, even physicians and other health care providers seek the advice of the experts when they need it!
Waypoint #5:  Arrange today, or as soon as scheduling allows, for someone to be your advocate should you ever encounter a serious illness or injury.  This person can be a trusted friend, family member, or nurse case manager.  It is beneficial to you if they know how to be assertive.  They will be the asker of the questions, the helper in problem solving, and the communicator to you as to what is occurring.  When you are dealing with symptoms, and not at your best, your advocate is your stand-in.

I trust this information has been helpful, and that you will follow the waypoints, if you don’t already have a system in place for dealing with those unexpected illnesses and injuries.
Love and Blessings for Robust Health!

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

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Woman Spiritual Leader – the term sounds very impressive and well, somehow, larger than life. Many women would look at that phrase and say, “that’s not me!” Mother Theresa is a Woman Spiritual Leader, not me. Marianne Williamson is a Woman Spiritual Leader, not me!

But, I would beg to differ. I think that most women are spiritual leaders. Hear me out for a minute. Let’s delve into the individual definitions of each of the words that make up this term. First of all, what is meant by the word “leader”?

A leader is someone with a vision, who sees a direction and pursues it. A leader wants to create change in the world or in the community or even just in their home. A leader sees an opportunity for improvement and takes steps towards achieving that change no matter how small; and people who resonate with that change, follow.

Most spiritual leaders don’t have specialized training in spiritual leadership. They could, but it’s not a requirement.

Many times names like Eleanor Roosevelt, Margaret Thatcher and Indira Ghandi come up as names of Leaders. But a leader doesn’t have to be known all over the world or even in their own country. A leader is known to the people they have influence on. For most of us, that is our family, friends and community, and clients or customers if we have them.

Who do you have influence on? Who do you connect with on a daily or even just monthly basis? What areas of influence to you desire to improve? Your home? Your business? Your client’s lives? Your community?

If you named even one area you have influence on, and a “vision” for how you would like that area to be, you have the makings of a leader!

Next, let’s take a look at the word “Spiritual”. Now we can go a lot of different directions with this one. Some people would think this implies only very religious people. Others would think the opposite, that it is a “New-agey” term implying no religion, but some other metaphysical concept. I would like to propose that it encompasses both of these terms and many things in between.

For this discussion, I am proposing that “spiritual” means – anything that describes the desire for humans to connect to a force greater than themselves.

Do you believe in something larger than yourself? God? Allah?

Your Higher Self? The Force? The Universe?

Do you have a desire to connect with this Source in the manner best suited to you?

Would you like to add more meaning to your business and personal life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions and determined a sphere of influence you have “vision” of improving in some way – or making a difference in some way, then YOU are a SPIRITUAL LEADER!!! And, of course, it goes without saying that if you are a spiritual leader AND a woman, then you are a WOMAN SPIRITUAL LEADER!

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, spiritual healer, teacher and guide. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com.

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

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June 15, 2010    6 PM Eastern/5 PM Central/4 PM Mountain/3 PM Pacific

Karen Lamark Wilson is the CEO of Just Energy Enterprises, Inc. and the president and founder of the International Association of Intuitive Entrepreneurs.

Karen will be discussing the emergence of the feminine in the world today and how important this energy is in your business and your life. She will also be offering a very generous *free* gift at the end of the call.

Under the same corporate umbrella she is also the owner of a high-level education/consulting company, Heart of Courage Coaching. Karen is fully engaged in the new Conceptual Age as a business woman, educator, author, poet, and dynamic speaker. She is also an internationally known spiritual teacher and energy healer.

She founded IAIE to help the outer world reclaim and cultivate direct inner knowing and expanded consciousness as the vibrant inheritance of balanced wisdom that’s ready to flow into leadership today. Karen has two grown children and lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona with her wonder dog, Koko, a furry white American Eskimo.

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Painting by Marica S. Lauck & Deborah Koff-Chapin

How often have you been in the middle of a dilemma – unable to decide which direction to go in, which step to take next? How to choose?  Every day we are confronted with decisions to make – some big, some small. How do you decide? You could make a list of pros and cons, you could ask your neighbor what you should do, or you can follow a Higher Power that has your best interests at heart.

There is a perfect GPS for guiding you through your life and you have access to it at all times. It goes by many names – intuition, gut feeling, higher self. It can also be “externally” directed such as – God, Allah, guardian angel, or spirit guide.

It really doesn’t matter which if these you relate to and choose to you, the methods and techniques for hearing it are the same. Below are several techniques for gaining access to this important tool in your business toolbox.

Technique #1: Get quiet
Sit quietly in meditation or just silently a few minutes each day. Just taking the time to do this, can open up the sensitivity needed to “hear” the guidance you are seeking.

Technique #2: Clear clutter
This can mean physical clutter, such as in your home or office space, but it can also mean mental clutter or time wasters. Get rid of any menial jobs or tasks that can be done by someone else, or perhaps don’t need to be done at all. Guidance needs space to work; and you need space to hear it.

Technique #3: Journal
Keep a daily journal of concerns and questions. Ask questions of your intuition in Q&A format and see what comes to you.

Technique #4: Play
Do something fun that you don’t normally do – plant a flower, go for a hike, play tag with your kids. Doing fun, playful things can disengage the mental chatter that goes on and again, create the space required for the messages to come through.

Once you have received some information, it is very important to validate it. You need to be sure it is coming from this all-knowing source and not from your own mind or ego with all of its wishes, wants, and desires. Here are a few guidelines to help you determine if this is a valid message:

1.    It is not fear-based – If you get a feeling of fear from the message, it most likely is NOT valid; if you feel peaceful about the message (even though it might provoke some anxiety), it most likely is valid.

2.    “I” versus “You” language – The message came across in the second person. For example, “You need to take the job offer.” versus “I want to take the job offer.”

3.    Declarative language – The message came in declarative, strong language – not in weak, unsure language. For example, “You need to take the job offer” versus “Maybe you should take the job.”

4.    Surprising – this was not the message you “expected” to hear. If you went into the process expecting to hear a particular message and that’s not the one you heard, it is a good indicator that this is a valid message.

Please note that some of these indicators may or may not be present. The more of them you have, the more likely the message is valid. However, the most important one is the first one – if this one is not present, the odds of the message being valid are pretty slim. God or intuition does not operate using fear-based principles. You will be guided through a feeling of peace – not through fear.

Remember to take advantage of this readily-accessible system for guiding your business and your life through anything that comes your way.

This article was written by Patricia Selmo, an Interfaith seminarian, certified life coach, spiritual healer, teacher and guide. She is the co-founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders: www.iawsl.com.

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

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With the kick-off to the Memorial Day Weekend a few days away, I am prompted to write about the importance of remembering all of the Mothers, Fathers, Sisters, Brothers, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends who, for whatever reason, died in service to the USA and its freedoms.  And to their families and friends who endured the loss and grief.  Bless them all!

However, while I am in deference to the reason for the holiday, I will suggest Memorial Day is the “official start” of the summer season.  Of kicking back, of somnolent days, of frolicking in the surf or a favorite swimming hole, lake, back-yard pool, lawn sprinkler or fire hydrant (do cities turn those on anymore?), a game of stick ball, or whatever the latest neighborhood game is. 
Of long lines of traffic snaking to resorts with the kids or pets in joyous anticipation; their enthusiasm spilling over into the car, and the driver, if they’re like me, usually frustrated with ‘how long it’s going to take us to get there’.  

The summer season, for most people, evokes memories of childhood play.  The freedom that accompanied the end of the school year was what many of us anticipated as we counted down to the last day of school.  That was our time to let loose and PLAY!

Now that I am a seasoned adult, it takes effort (even the word speaks of work) for me to play.  Playing just isn’t as ‘natural’ as it was before I ‘grew up’ and assumed the responsibilities of the adult world.

What’s with this picture?  If we are creative beings in the “likeness of our Creator”, isn’t joyous freedom our inheritance?  If that be the case, why is play difficult for many of us women who are bent on achieving the goals we have established for ourselves?

I don’t have to remind you of the ton of responsibilities, real and imagined, you deal with in your life.  However, “the more I do, the more it seems there is to do” often keeps us in the mindset of “I have to keep up the pace”.  And before we know it, another year has flashed by (including the summer), and we have forgotten how to play.

I had an opportunity to play recently on a sailing adventure with seven friends in the British Virgin Islands.  Each day was filled with swimming, snorkeling, sailing, dropping anchor or picking up a mooring on a different island.  Although this was relaxing, and most would consider this ‘big time’ play, it was not until the last afternoon that I captured the essence of what play means to me.

The sailboat carried a small inflatable rubber dingy, as most do.  It is used to navigate to and from the shore for dinner, reprovisioning, etc. and for tying up to great snorkeling sites.

Two of my friends said, “Let’s go snorkeling over by the rock” which required us to get in the dingy and tie up to the moorings there.  Due to my 5 foot 10 ½ inch, amply endowed body, I was reluctant to go in the dingy due to the fear that I would not be able to climb back in with its very high freeboard once I was in the water.  I agreed to go, but to stay in the dingy… after all it was our last time to frolic.

And frolic I did.  Of course, when we motored over to the site, I could not stay out of the water, enticed by what I would experience under the surface.  I didn’t have a care as to how I would get back in… my friends could always tow me back to the sailboat, if necessary!

After  memorable experiences being with and among a large variety of tropical fish, one of my friends, who happens to be the swim coach of the Masters Team I swim with, decided she would climb in the dingy.  We had a make-shift ladder which we hung over the side.  As she placed her foot on one of the rungs, the ladder went under the boat, she fell backwards into the water, and we ‘lost it’.

Gales of laughter ensued, and we could not get control of ourselves to get her in the dingy.  My ‘M.O.’ was to help her in so that I could get in as well.  Somehow with my holding the ladder in place for her (I, in the water), she was able to get half-way in.  Again, uncontrollable laughter and abandon seized us.  At that point I didn’t care whether or not I got in the dingy… I was having such easy, unplanned, unbounded FUN!

With a gentle push from me, she landed in the dingy.  Now it was my turn.  I was able to negotiate my right foot somehow to the top rung of the ladder, and flung myself across the width of the dingy; howling with laughter with every clumsy move.  Our laughter can still be heard in my memory.

I give you this story because I think it speaks to the essence of play… unplanned, spontaneous, and being in the moment.  Yes, I know that it helped that I was in an environment and away from my responsibilities that was conducive to having this wonderful experience, and I believe that we can create these moments in our daily lives.

I propose that we each make this Memorial Day week-end the start of a season filled with more moments of play.  Our culture certainly gives us ‘permission’ via the summer season to do that.

Love and Blessings,

Ruth

Ruth Reiner is an ordained minister in the Interfaith tradition, Spiritual Counselor, Certified Coach, Nurse, and successful entrepreneur.  She has two adult daughters with families/four grandchildren.

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.

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I am frustratingly late getting this article written this week due to a knock-down, drag-out fight with my body’s needs…  Guess who won?

My recent sailing trip to the British Virgin Islands, though beautiful and thoroughly enjoyable, was fraught with emotional and physical challenges.  When I arrived home, my physicality went into dive mode, but true to form, my ego went into overdrive.  You know what it’s like to come home from being away for eleven days; a million emails, tons of voice mail messages, clients needing attention… yesterday.  And what about the empty refrigerator and the full laundry hamper?!  Not the least, family and friends who want to hear about the trip and get “caught up”.

Well, it took about one week of meeting the demands that I and others had put on me; then somebody pulled the plug.  I couldn’t even talk this week due to a “cold” that crash landed into laryngitis and rasping bronchi.  And have I been sleeping?  You bet!       

So what does all of this have to do with this week’s article?  I posted a note on ‘Facebook’ this morning that one of my favorite expressions is, “We teach what we need to learn”, and I obviously need to learn much more about self care, ergo the subject of this article.

The subject is a timely one in that we are interviewing Jennifer Louden who is the “Comfort Queen”.  In preparation for the interview, I navigated her web site and read some of her material posted there.  Did it hit home!!

Jennifer states in a recent blog; “Women at my retreats who have these amazing lives, filled with family and love and good work and creativity, but they are too often chewing away at what they haven’t done, looking at what isn’t satisfied… What breaks my heart the most is that life is spilling away while we look elsewhere”.

And in the quest for excellence, for fulfilling our purpose (whatever we think that is), or starting/growing a business, a spiritual practice, for writing the book, for serving more clients, and for romancing the dream; we often forget about the here and now, what we have accomplished, and to take care of ourselves.  Just what does that mean?

Well, we know it can mean different things to different women.  To me it means:

•    Resting when I am tired, and sleeping at least seven hours a night
•    Eating food that I know is healthy for me, hydrating, and being aware of how much alcohol I consume
•    Swimming with the team at practice, working out, and fast walking for exercise
•    Making time early in the morning and during the day for my spiritual practice
•    Managing my time, delegating when I can, and saying “no” when I already have too much on the agenda
•    Spending quality time with my families and friends
•    Precious time for reading

One thing I have forgotten somewhere on the journey to adulthood is how to play.  Anyone out there who remembers how to do that?  I sure could use some help!
You may have noticed, it is missing from my “self care” list…

If you were to care for yourself… just for yourself (never mind all of the others who depend on you) what would that look like?  I know you are immersed in all of the important items that need your attention, but would you take just 20 minutes to get quiet, be alone, and let your imagination run wild with what you need to do to nurture yourself?

I would be interested to hear about some of your self nurturing “cannot do withouts”.
Please respond on our blog or Facebook, and let’s see if we can get some dialogue going around our “favorites for self care”.

Love and Blessings!

Rev. Ruth

Ruth Reiner is an ordained minister in the Interfaith tradition, Spiritual Counselor, Certified Coach, Nurse, and successful entrepreneur.  She has two adult daughters with families/four grandchildren.

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.

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Carole Hart will be discussing her ground-breaking film,
“For the Next 7 Generations”

May 7, 2010    2:30 PM Eastern/1:30 PM Central/12:30 PM Mountain/11:30 PM Pacific

For the Next 7 Generations documents the momentous journey of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers, as they travel around the globe to promote world peace and share their indigenous ways of healing.  Originating from all four corners, these 13 wise women elders, shamans and medicine women, first came together in 2004 at a historic gathering in Upstate New York.  Motivated by their concern for our planet, they decided to form an alliance: The International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers. The film begins at their first gathering follows them to the Amazon rainforest, the mountains of Mexico, throughout North America, and to Dharamsala, India, for a private meeting with the Dalai Lama.  Facing a world in crisis, the Grandmothers share with us their visions of healing and a call for change now, before it’s too late. Through their teachings, they are lighting a way to a peaceful, sustainable planet.

Since the film’s completion in September of 2009 it has been selected for eight festivals, including The Santa Fe Film Festival, where it was nominated for Best Indigenous Documentary. It also won awards for Best of the Festival and Best Documentary at the First Annual Big Island Talking Circle Film Festival in Hilo Hawaii. After working together for five years, the Grandmothers have established a worldwide presence. In 2006 a book about them titled, “Grandmothers Council the World” was published, and has been translated into nine languages.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear about the making
and the message of this film from the filmmaker herself.

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How often do I use the word “lead” or “leadership” without really thinking about its meaning?  It’s a valid question considering that the organization which I represent, “The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders” deals with leadership on many levels.
When I initially thought about the subject for this article, it was the word leadership upon which I would focus.  Well, I didn’t get much help from ‘Merriam’, ‘Random’, or ‘Google’ relative to the ‘true meaning’ of the word.  I was ‘led’ to the phrase, ‘to lead’ which has a plethora of meanings:

• To show the way to by going in advance
• To guide or direct in a course
• To serve as a route for; to take
• To be a channel or conduit for
• To guide the behavior or opinion of: induce
• To direct the performance or activities of
• To inspire the conduct of
• To play a principal or guiding role in
• To go or be at the head of; to be ahead of
• To be foremost in or among; to be first
• To act as a commander, director, or guide (leader)

We all know women who spring to mind immediately, as we scan the above list.  I thought of Joan of Arc, Theresa of Avila, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Rabi’a, Eleanor Roosevelt, Aung San Suu Kyi, Indira Ghandi, Golda Meir, and women I have known and worked with, to name a few.  I am curious to know who came to mind for you as you read the above meanings.

Native American Artwork by Susan Seddon Boulet "The Shaman"

Seth Godin, in his book, Tribe, describes Meghan McDonald, whom he calls the world’s best coach… “ hardly awe-inspiring.  Mostly, she just talks quietly, one on one, to someone who needs to hear from her.  Over the course of a few hours, Meghan will have dozens of conversations like that.  She occasionally talks to the entire team, but she never raises her voice.  No one cries, no one is belittled, no one is bullied.

After a few weeks, amazing things start to happen.  The members of the team start coaching each other.  A ten-year-old novice offers a pointer to a veteran recently back from the national competition.  Meghan leaves the building, and practice continues.

Sports analogies rarely work for me.  They’re too unrealistic, too testosterone filled for the real world.  Meghan, however, isn’t just a coach.  She’s someone who understands authentic leadership, and she realizes what it means to create a tribe.

She doesn’t lead the way other people lead.  And that’s fine, because there isn’t a right technique, a proven tactic, a right way and a wrong way.  Deciding to lead, not manage is the critical choice.  Meghan connects and inspires.  She doesn’t manage.” (italics, mine).

I so agree with Seth’s last few sentences.  There are many ways to lead; many methods, techniques, and tactics are employed by good leaders.  The common threads, in my opinion, that are evident in them all are humility, the ability to inspire, an authentic connection with their followers (or “tribe”, as Seth calls them), generosity, willingness to serve, and a thorn in their side re: the status quo.

His Holiness, The Dali Lama, during sessions at the Vancouver Peace Summit in 2009 was quoted as saying, “The world will be saved by the Western women”.  He was also quoted during the same conference:

“Some people may call me a feminist… but we need more effort to promote basic human values–human compassion, human affection.  And in that respect females have more sensitivity to others’ pain and suffering.”

In my opinion, the time has come for women to assume the role of leader with all of the attributes described.  The world, our countries, our communities, our institutions, our families, and, yes, our “tribes” are counting on us!

Love and Blessings!

Ruth

This article was written by Rev. Ruth Reiner, an ordained Interfaith minister, spiritual counselor, certified life and relationship coach, registered professional nurse, and successful entrepreneur.

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