Ok, it’s a new year and I have been reflecting on what I have to contribute to Circle Connections to expand its meaning and relevance in the sea of women’s communities. Ann, my dear partner, is the outer-activist, and I tend to be more of the inner-activist. The composite of our gifts offers an exciting balance, and playing together inspires a sum bigger than its parts. Our tenacity and committed intention swirls together to reveal the power and define the purpose of women as leaders. We attempt through Circle Connections to inspire, bump into action, and provide a community container to question as we evolve.

An many of you know, for now my life is devoted to the healing journey of my grandson from autism. His inability to connect in the ways we have valued as important have sparked my curiosity. Somehow there is a key gift hidden here in the unexpected world about the power of redefining our ability to listen, tolerate, celebrate, and imagine. Autism isn’t easy to befriend and leaves very little room for the writing that I love, so most of my meditation is done on my feet. Occasionally, and usually when I have no energy left, I am able to grab my computer and blog. When I can, I capture and post an insight or two that tugs at me or touches me as being of value to our journey as the conscious women of the Circle Connections community. I intend to do this more for your benefit and my sanity. Admitting my dreams and intentions in the presence of a creative and talented loving community is an act of holding myself accountable. Read more about my Womanifesto…

Even though it seems I have none, thank God Einstein shows us that there is really no such thing as the limits of time and space. Brody, my grandson, teaches me that love exists on that crack in ‘time’ where our past memories no longer are and the anticipation of an unknown future not yet lived reside. When I am present there, life is always good and hopeful. So, it is my intention to up my authenticity a notch, sharing my curiosity whenever my heart calls me to, rather than when ‘time’ allows. The recovery from autism is not only Brody’s healing, but my own.

Whether in our families, our communities, or our global efforts, we as women leaders don’t really have answers. We lose sleep trying to ‘figure out’ all the world’s problems’. Life is a messy process, and though the wheels in our minds can spin out of control from time to time, we know it is our real work to become more comfortable with the questions and effort-less.

The questions, at least for me, become scary if left unacknowledged. They just ping around in my head. So, inspired by my grandkids, I will ask all my questions and wonder out loud about why life is the way it seems to be, committed to imagining what it will become..

This year I commit more fully to Circle Connections to nurture our ability to Act-In and Act-Up while Ann focuses on our need to Act-Out and Act-Together. I will more fully expose my real self with all my rough edges, hoping that it inspired you to do the same. We are a reflection of one another, after all, and I know I am in good company.

I am a dyslexic and known to be a loquacious woman who most of the time knows when to show up, listen deeply and BE fully accepting, so forgive what falls through the cracks and imperfections. I lean towards excellence and insight, rather than perfection, so I invite you to expand your tolerance with my sometimes mis-spelled  yet well-intentioned process of discovery.

This is my Womanifesto. I will show up and shine wherever I am. I will redefine my relationship with money and accept my sufficiency as an amazing woman. I will open further to truly caring for myself, forgiving short-comings, and enjoy the journey if it is messy. I will post what touches me as I have ‘time’, and honor myself (as guilt-free as possible) when I don’t.

Join me in the conversation. Let’s inspire and nudge one another.

What is your Womanifesto?

We want Circle Connections to be a community where women (and those who love them) experience a container of love, encouragement, shared wisdom and a pool of willing collaboration. Please share with us the easy gift of spreading the word. Invite those you love to become a member of our community (It’s free and easy!). After all, leadership and love are not a ladder, but a lattice, and holding hands we are innately stronger to do what we are called to d, being who we truly already are.

Read this and other blog posts on our Circle Connections Blog:

http://www.circleconnections.com

Your comments are welcome.

Joy-fuly,
Rhonda
rhonda@circleconnections.com

http://www.circleconnections.com

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