Some Thoughts For Thanksgiving Week

Our world seems overwhelmed by chaos.  The problems we face are monumental and interconnected to the rest of the world and we don’t seem to be able to hide our heads under the blankets any longer and have them all go away.  In fact, the only solutions seem to be ones in which we take collaborative action; actions requiring us to put aside our inner fears, our negative approach and to move into unfamiliar waters.

Collaborative action is based in putting aside personal interests and needs for the benefit of a larger goal.  It takes inclusiveness, seeing oneself as part of a larger whole, walking in someone else’s shoes.  These qualities are especially strong in women.  By their very nature they are peace makers, interested in building strong relationships, looking for common bonds and shared interests.  These are just some of the feminine attributes that women possess which we need to rely on to overcome the chaos.

Many women are taking a more powerful stance today.  If you haven’t viewed “Women, War and Peace” yet, be sure to see this amazing documentary showing what women in war torn areas of our world have been doing to change not only their lives but all our lives.  These women are using their attributes in a positive way.  Now is the time for us to realize that these natural attributes, too long overlooked and/or negated, are crucial for positive change today and in the future.  We need to encourage ourselves and our young women to value our feminine perspective.  It is only through the addition of the feminine perspective that we will achieve balance and peace in our world.

Judie Fouchaux

Guest Blogger

http://crosseeyes.blogspot.com/

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Formula For Change: Urgency – Diagnosis – Steps To Take

In a recent blog posted by Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the IMF in response to the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), she wrote that:

“I feel strongly that the global community is beginning to respond.

Why? Three reasons: a shared sense of urgency, a shared diagnosis of the problems,

and a shared sense that the steps needed in the period ahead are now coming into

focus.”

These three reasons promote change.  If we in ourselves have a sense of urgency concerning a problem, clearly understand what the problem is and the steps needed for change – change can happen.

In our world today, the economic crisis is only one of the chaotic situations that we face.  All around us we are beset by problems in international relations, education, health care, and unemployment – a seemingly overwhelming array.  It’s enough to make you want to get in bed, pull the covers over your head and hide.  That won’t get us through this.

However, all around us there is something else stirring; a force, a movement that like young seedlings making their way into the light is happening.  Women are waking up to their possibilities.

There is definitely an urgency to make change now.  The diagnosis appears to be a great imbalance in the world from years of living from a masculine perspective.  (Aggression, hierarchy in business, etc.)   The steps needed to create that change rely on developing a greater feminine perspective in our lives.  The steps for this to happen, for women to take the lead and to begin to influence now, include discovering who they truly are beneath all the socialization, claiming those attributes and bringing them forth into our world.

Do you feel the urgency?  Share the diagnosis? Are you willing to take the steps, claim your birthright and make a difference?

Judie Fouchaux

Guest Blogger, The Essential Feminine

P.S. For more information on your feminine attributes, see Maureen Simon’s book, “Awakening The Essential Feminine: Claiming Your Influential Power”

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Isn’t It Time To Ratify CEDAW?

A recent statement, which was directed to the United Nations by a “selection of major female world leaders including Hilary Clinton, called upon “all States to ratify and fulfill their obligations under the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and to implement fully Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women and Peace and Security and other relevant UN resolutions.”

If you are assuming that the United States is firmly behind this treaty as would be fitting given its ideologies, you would be mistaken.  Thirty years ago President Carter sent this treaty to the Senate for ratification.  It still has not happened.  Why? Because special exemptions  have been added to all versions of the treaty.  The result is that “in a recent Newsweek list of the best countries in the world for women, the United States ranked eighth overall, but it joined countries near the bottom of the list – Iran (125^th), Sudan (156^th) – in not being a signatory to CEDAW.”

There are numerous documents, reports and anecdotal information pointing out that in communities (whether it be rural, suburban, city or corporation) in which women have an equal and active role society improves.  Women, as Maureen Simon points out in her book, “Awakening The Essential Feminine: Claiming Your Influential Power”, have natural gifts for building relationships, verbal ability and communication that creates connection and harmony.   Consider this: “The feminine is highly relational and is interested in points of contact that connect people, allowing for deep exchanges, strong relationship building and communication.”   Can the world benefit from these skills?

It is time for us to join with forward thinking and acting governments and to ratify CEDAW.  We must reclaim our belief in ourselves.

Judie Fouchaux

Guest Blogger — The Essential Feminine Company

www.TheEssentialFeminine.com

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Creating Democracy For Women

Last June the “Democracy That Delivers For Women” conference was held in Washington, D.C. In reading through some of the conference resources I came across several points well worth noting.

1. Social change requires vision and leadership..

Women who are deeply connected with their natural feminine gifts; their intuition, their nurturing, their communication skills, are women who have these qualities of vision and leadership so necessary now. Developing these gifts is a priority today

2. Women are at the core of strengthening democratic processes and market institutions.

Because of women’s innate attributes of cooperation, empathy, building connections rather than hierarchies, they are especially suited to bring about the social change that will create a new and more balanced world.

To often women have undervalued their natural gifts, accepting them as normal. It is time now to cultivate these attributes and rely on them. They are what is needed in the world.  As women we must take responsibility for creating our own democracy.  We can be helped but without our own belief in ourselves and our natural attributes it will not happen.  Democracy will be created on from the inside out.  It will be based on our understanding our gifts and using them to build the best in ourselves, our communities and then in our world.

Written By: Judie Fouchaux, of The Essential Feminine Company®

 Thanks, Judie

Find out more about your feminine attributes at www.theessentialfeminine.com.  Sign up for our newsletter, read “Awakening The Essential Feminine: Claiming Your Influential Power”, sign up for a teleseminar, join us at our Complimentary Living Room sessions.

Maureen J. Simon

Founder and Creative Director

The Essential Feminine™ Company

Author

“Awakening The Essential Feminine: Claiming Your Influential Power”

maureen@theessentialfeminine.com

http://theessentialfeminine.com/shop#living

www.theessentialfeminine.com

 

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Awakening To Powerful Feminine Confidence

Writing to you on the topic of Confidence during this very special week of the 100^th Anniversary of International Women’s Day has made me think of how the meaning of the work confidence has changed over the years for women.  When we go back to what confidence would have meant to our sisters (the Suffragettes) who were paving the way for our vote and freedom of voice – they had little confidence in their ability to be heard or taken seriously in a system that saw them as invisible. 

Today we are not invisible.  Today we have 85% of the purchasing power in the US and we make up over 52% of the small businesses and are heads of household in 51% of the American households.  Today in Egypt and One Million Women March is scheduled to take place.  Reem Shahin, a member of the Million Woman March movement says, “We are not convinced by the amendments of the constitution as they don’t give women the right to run for presidential elections, and there are still no equal rights”.  This quote amazes me as we are now beginning to see many issues that our women faced in the 1920’s become prevalent issues to our sisters in the Middle East.  I wish them well.

Tomorrow we will be celebrating International Women’s Day with our friends at the Global Dialogue Center.  We at The Essential Feminine™ Company strongly believe that it is when we ourselves and our sisters allow confidence to develop in all areas of our lives, we will reach freedom.  Confidence is a birthright built on our ability to voice what we feel and our ability to express  our inner wisdom and  knowledge.  Please join Debbe Kennedy and me along with other wonderful hosts and facilitators in conversation with Frances Hesselbein as we discuss “LEADERSHIP by Example 2011 | WOMEN in the Lead: Our Significant Roles as WOMEN in a Global Economy” https://www.livemeeting.com/lrs/0000011799/Registration.aspx?pageName=pb23p9cvqs97g2lh  or go to http://tinyurl.com/2a99638 |

Also join us at The Essential Feminine Living Room, March 23^rd 12 – 1:15 PM PDST for our complimentary webinar/teleseminar exploring “ Awakening To Powerful Feminine Confidence:  Designing A Life of Optimum Success”.  The Living Room is a conversation and networking opportunity that brings women together world-wide.  REGISTER NOW…https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/411759432

Maureen Simon

 

 

Maureen J. Simon

Founder and Creative Director

The Essential Feminine Company™

maureen@theessentialfeminine.com

http://womeninfluencingnow.wordpress.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com

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Our Natural Feminine Gifts And The Transformation of Traditional Roles

In their recent response to The Atlantic cover story “The End Of Men”, by Hanna Rosin, Marie Wilson and Linda Basch state that what is happening today is not the demise of men “but rather, the beginning of a transformation of traditional roles that will benefit men, women, families, communities – everyone.”  They point out that “women and men bring complementary and equally important approaches to risk-taking and decision-making and studies show a correlation between management diversity and economic returns.”

It is in the complementary and equally important approaches where change and growth must be made.  All too often in the past society has devalued our best qualities, those that are natural to women.  Our feminine gifts are attributes such as: relationship building, peacemaking, language, creative thinking, and more.  

In their recent response to The Atlantic cover story “The End Of Men”, by Hanna Rosin, Marie Wilson and Linda Basch state that what is happening today is not the demise of men “but rather, the beginning of a transformation of traditional roles that will benefit men, women, families, communities – everyone.”  They point out that “women and men bring complementary and equally important approaches to risk-taking and decision-making and studies show a correlation between management diversity and economic returns.”

It is in the complementary and equally important approaches where change and growth must be made.  All too often in the past society has devalued our best qualities, those that are natural to women.  Our feminine gifts are attributes such as: relationship building, peacemaking, language, creative thinking, and more. 

By exploring these gifts and applying them to your day-to-day life, you will see positive changes in your own life and the world around you.  You will be able to adapt to the innovations and changes that are necessary for the future.  As women are equally valued for their contributions, we will be able to overcome the limitations and inequalities imposed on us by a masculine dominated economic, political and cultural society.

As a start, let yourself have the freedom to imagine new possibilities in the areas of career, finances, fitness, well-being, friendship and love.  Say “yes” to an opportunity that arises.  And practice being utterly fascinated with your own answers to these questions:

• What innate talents do I possess?
• What are my greatest gifts?
• What do I enjoy doing so much that I lose track of time while I’m doing it?
• What are the guiding principles of my life—what is my polestar?

Join us in The Essential Feminine Living Room the fourth Wednesday of every month at noon for an hour long complimentary chat with women world-wide.  Our topic this month will be Feminine Abundance.  Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/896207192

Maureen Simon
415-381-5115
maureen@theessentialfeminine.com
www.theessentialfeminine.com
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
www.facebook.com/maureensimon
Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”
twitter@maureensimon

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Conscious Choices – The Golden Key to Success

We are all working to achieve a life well lived.  Be it in the work we do, the contribution we make, or the legacy we leave behind.  We are all at different stages of life, many, with different objectives.   Consciousness begins by developing our ability to clearly hear the messages that come to us from within.  Some messages give us information like a basic hunch, some like a lightning bolt some like an epiphany or a wake-up call.  Our ability to listen to these messages and to integrate them into our actions provides us with a basis for conscious living.  If we could entertain the thought that our “self” has a higher place where it operates we could begin to experience a greater flow in our lives.  It is my belief that my higher self is consistently sending me suggestions and ideas that link me to the greater purpose of my life.  Sometimes these suggestions are very subtle but when I listen and follow this guidance I notice that fascinating changes occur that inform me how to use my skills resources and capabilities.  It is in the quiet moments when I move away from busyness that this, critical information is revealed to me.

“At any moment, I could start being a better person, but which moment should I choose?”  Ashleigh Brilliant

So how does all of this relate to Conscious Choices?  Try this.   Start today by noticing the guidance that may be coming through daily that maybe you didn’t notice yesterday.  Clearly listen to any messages that come from within.  Notice if you sense a driving power or informing sense guiding you.  If so, be sure to listen and use the information that you are given.  Allow yourself to screen things that may be imposed by the busy mind.  This stage requi res discretion.  Make choices that incorporate both your inner sense of knowing and you rational mind. 

In the upcoming June Essential Feminine Living Room we will be discussing Conscious Choices – The Golden Key to Success.  Join us Wed, Jun 23, 2010 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM PDT. Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/1619800817     

Maureen Simon
415-381-5115
maureen@theessentialfeminine.com
www.theessentialfeminine.com
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/
www.facebook.com/maureensimon
Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”
twitter@maureensimon

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The Essential Feminine “Living Room” Opens March 24th

Among the natural attributes of women are collaboration and team building.  (And, we hold many more.)  Our ability to use these gifs has been recognized by such groups as CARE, Heifer International and The Hunger Project.  (See notes below.)  These groups have invested their resources and total faith in women to rebuild their communities as they know that women will use their opportunities to feed their families and strengthen their communities.

Relationship building, networking and community building are some of women’s finest gifts.  Therefore, The Essential Feminine Company™ is opening its “Living Room” as a place for women to get together once a month to share ideas and suggestions about various topics.  This is a free event happening at noon (Pacific Time) on March 24 and continuing on the fourth Wednesday of the months following.  You will need to register for the event at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/448858688

We will begin our Living Room discussion with the topic, “Inviting The New, The Different and The Good Into Our Lives”.  After the initial theme has been presented we will be opening the lines for announcements, wishes, desires, and general networking. Please contact us at info@theessentialfeminine.com if you have something you would like to share during the second half hour.  We need at least forty-eight hours prior to each Living Room event for your comment or need to be considered.

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to join women from around the globe and help us create a community of women who want to create their lives from their true selves and thus make a difference.

Maureen Simon

Note: Yesterday (March 8) “was International Women’s Day celebrating the progress women have made in their struggles for equality and development and also focusing on what remains to be done to ensure there is equality for all. The theme this year is “Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All.””

Note from The Hunger Project:  “(THP) firmly believes that empowering women to be key change agents is an essential element to achieving the end of hunger and poverty. Wherever we work, our programs aim to support women, build their capacity and ensure their voice is heard and influence felt, both in their own communities and more widely.”  To read more: http://www.thp.org/learn_more/publications/newsletters/february_2010

Note from Heifer International:  Women Working Wonders; Since they received goats from Heifer, the members of Zambia’s Evergreen Women’s Club have been able to provide life-saving milk for their children, grow valuable crops to support their families and help their neighbors support themselves.  To read more: http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.201594/?msource=kwg538

Maureen Simon

415-381-5115

maureen@theessentialfeminine.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com

http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/

www.facebook.com/maureensimon

Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”

twitter@maureensimon

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Women in Business — Today’s Needed Leaders

An article in the Sydney Morning Herald by Rachel Ball (a lawyer at the Human Rights Law Resource Centre (www.hrlrc.org.au) where seventy percent of the centre’s board are women) caught my attention recently.  It was reporting on a recent action by the French National Assembly approving a bill requiring listed companies to ensure that by 2015 50% of their board positions would be filled by women.  Her statistics for Australia state that women hold 8.3 percent of board director positions of ASX 200 companies and chair just 2 percent of boards.”  She goes on to say that, “Anyone who thinks that prevailing practice in board recruitment is merit based is kidding themselves.  Women make up more than 50 percent of the population, 45 percent of the workforce and are more highly educated than men.  There is no good reason why they should be so vastly under-represented in leadership positions.

Far from being merit-based, the status quo is discrimination dressed up as impartiality.  The elusiveness of meaningful equality can be partly attributed to the more insidious forms of discrimination that are entrenched in our institutions and social structures…”

She points out that “…Quotas are not the operational and financial burdens that they are often made out to be.  In fact, the opposite is more likely to be true.  Numerous studies have shown that companies with a higher proportion of women on their boards out perform their more male-dominated competitors.  Greater gender equality in the workforce also improves national productivity.  Equality and efficiency are mutually reinforcing.”

These findings are not surprising to me as they match with the research I have been doing into feminine attributes.  As women, we are predisposed towards qualities of leadership that are different from the usual masculine oriented leadership so predominant in business and politics today.  These qualities include collaboration, team building, creative thinking, intuition and peacemaking.  Because of the cultural environment we grew up in, these attributes have been devalued in our lives and often go unappreciated and undeveloped.  This is a disservice to ourselves and to the world we live in. 

We are now living in a world that is unbalanced and needs the qualities and gifts we, as women, can bring to it.  Not only will developing our attributes help us to live more satisfying lives but these attributes will help the world get into balance as well. 

Maureen Simon

415-381-5115

maureen@theessentialfeminine.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com

http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/

www.facebook.com/maureensimon

Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”

twitter@maureensimon

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Women World-Wide Are Making Change – Are You?

Around the world, more stories are being written about change.  As Ghandi said, “We must be the change we want to see in the world.” For me this has always meant that I must look at the things within myself that need to change to improve in order for me to make a meaningful impact on the world.  

In 1994, Rwanda once again made the news with the genocide that killed more than 800,000 people, most of whom were men and boys, leaving Rwanda’s population at 70% female.

Fast-forwarding to 2008: “The economy has revived and is holding steady. Major road arteries between cities and outlying villages, which were destroyed, have been rebuilt. Today, the Rwandan lower house of Parliament is nearly half female, the highest percentage of women in any parliament worldwide. Girls are attending school in record numbers.

The women of Rwanda are behind one of the most inspiring comeback stories of national transformation in recent history. And while their story is dramatic, it’s not unique. Indeed, in the field of international development, women have emerged as the not-so-secret secret to changing the world.

As former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said, “If there is one lesson we in the United Nations have learned over the years, it is that investing in women is the most productive strategy a country can pursue”–to raise economic productivity, improve nutrition and health, and educate the next generation.””

  How Women Will Change The World Huffington Post  Update 6/2/08 Filed by Anya Strzemien  

When women begin to understand the natural gifts and talents we hold, claim them and use them we will gain a strength and contribution that will bring the feminine forward in the world in a way that has never been seen.  The time is now.

Maureen Simon

415-381-5115

maureen@theessentialfeminine.com

www.theessentialfeminine.com

http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/women/

www.facebook.com/maureensimon

Join our Facebook Group ” Women Influencing Now”

twitter@maureensimon

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