"Women are not men's equals in anything except responsibility. We are not their inferiors, either, or even their superiors. We are quite simply different races."

-- Phyllis McGinley

Hi, everyone.

Years ago, I experienced an important shift in perspective when I realized that I wasn't boring; I was bored. With that single flash of insight, I dropped my negative judgment of myself (at least around that issue).

I experienced a parallel eye opener lately when I got frustrated with a software challenge and started blaming myself for being inept. It struck me that this task wasn't a good fit with who I am. My business environment is a left brained, masculine world. No wonder I don't fit into it easily!

So how do we as women live happily on a planet dominated by masculine energy?

What is the feminine way? I feel the joy that is supposedly my essence every time I watch the birds and squirrels in our feeder and pet my rabbits. When I pause to appreciate photos of my kids. When I immerse myself in dancing to music I love. At the end of a 9 day Buddhist meditation retreat.

What's in common with these experiences? Being fully present and open-hearted. The power of now. This is living in soul. I’m also learning this is the essence of feminine energy.

I invite each of you to ponder: What comes naturally when we put aside the 'should's' of our lifestyle that's dominated by masculine energy? What works for us? What doesn't? We can let experience be our guide. We can ask our higher feminine to guide us. The answers are within.

Please gather answers to share with the 'women at heart' community. All going well, the forum will be running next week and we can chat about this.

I'm not naïve enough to think that I'll never again have to resolve a software challenge but I do believe I'll be more capable of doing so when I more fully nourish my feminine side and bring more balanced energy to my life.

~ Patrice

"Such is the dance of the Feminine force, the dance of love with no goal, the bodily celebration of life."

-- David Deida

P.S. I have just learned that I've been importing messages into my distribution software in a way that means some of you don't see punctuation. As a perfectionist, I'm horrified! I'm so sorry -- thanks for hanging in there with me despite the glitches. And please let me know if your messages look weird!