Welcome to the Hearth

Welcome to the Hearth

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Women as Heart of our World

Special Thanks to Rev. Shiloh Sophia McCloud for the use of this beautiful art!

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Sophia Center. Today it is estimated that 9 out of 10 people are less interested in religion and more into spirituality, seeking out and living towards the deeper meaning in life. What was true twenty years ago was that many, many women were seeking a safe place to explore their lives and its deeper meaning. They wanted to think for themselves and explore how to live lives in more conscious ways. This is even truer today than it was 20 years ago. In the twenty years I have walked with these women and responded to their stories and to mine by creating sacred art that could capture what has heart and meaning in life, the journey of feminine consciousness has become an ever increasing passion of mine. One thing that has always been the real power of our species is the heart of a woman. This is the fire that continues to burn a bright light of hope in our homes and neighborhoods. It is the civilizing energy in our world. It also has amazing magical powers.

Two stories illustrate this: At about age 15 months I chanced to swallow a fish bone from a salmon pattie my mother carefully thought she had inspected before I ate a tiny piece of it. It lodged in one of my bronchi, apparently. A Doctor reassured my mother when I was taken to see him that it would be okay and not to worry. But, within a day of this proclamation by "Dr. God" mom knew something was wrong. When no one from the hospital would take her seriously, she called the Red Cross and got some action.
At last I was admitted in a very grave condition to the ICU. My father, who was on a special assignment with the military in Alaska was brought home in an emergency transport because by this time I was not expected to live through the night. A priest was brought in to give the last rites. My mother kept an anxious vigil for 3 long days. Each day the medical staff was sure I would succumb but my mother just willed me to live and I did! Later, when I was a teenager, I saw this wondrous power myself. We had a little lamb that had been rejected by its mother. A sheep farmer up the road from us came to assess the situation and he advised putting the lamb down because he had never seen them recover from such a sickly state. "It was why its mother rejected it in the first place," was his wisdom on the subject. My mother refuse to believe this and said to the little lamb, "your name is Angel, and you will live, if it's the last thing I do!" Little Angel did live and went on to bring forth twins each spring.

I know many of you out there know what I am talking about. Either you are, or you know an amazing woman whose heart was or is strong enough to heal the whole wide world. I believe that at this time it is the collective heart of women who have kept our world from imploding. As the spring continues to unfold for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere and begin to wane in the Southern Hemisphere, let us do what ever we can to join our heart power together as we wind down women's History month. It is a month every year where we remember and celebrate the heart of women through time who have been the gathering place, the fermentation in the dough that gives sustenance to the soul of our world and culture. Praise and celebrate a woman somewhere in your life today! Light a candle on an altar somewhere for the awesome expression of the Sacred Heart that you are as well, for no matter our gender, we all are under the influence of this Heart of which I speak.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello!
A 'meaning of life' Google Search landed me on your site. And since I believe in 'connecting the dots' of my life, I just had to take the time to thank you for the wonderfully inspiring post.

At the tender age of 49 1/2, I am happy to report that I now live empowered by the wisdom to choose to live by following Spirit (a combination of both big "S" and little "s"). And it's an exciting time in our life where more women are embracing their wisdom years. (Now we just have to help those young gals get a clue :-)

As my simple way of giving back, I'd like to offer your (and all who read this) a free gift copy (pdf) of my book, No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You! No strings attached...really!

Just e-mail your request from www.noexpertsneeded.com and a file will be sent within 24 hours.

Yes, it's just that easy. And, yes, you can trust the 'no strings attached' promise. (Don't believe me? Just ask your Spirit!)

Thanks again for the great post!

take care,
Louise Lewis, Author
No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You!
www.noexpertsneeded.com
Always Follow Spirit

Searching For My Willoughby said...

Again you've given me much to think on. I'm working on this idea of the feminine or feminine power. I've always felt there is this tremendous spiritual strength in women, but that it's never been recognized - even intentionally put down - by the church. You have given such a gift of your time and talent in helping women who are struggling - like me.

Thanks for your comments and recommending some authors. I was familiar with a couple of them and picked up some books during my last library trip.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Sister K. This was exactly the heart medicine I needed today!

Monique Kleinhans said...

I have been witness to this power as well...my mother has one of the most powerful hearts in the world when it comes to love and healing other living beings, even if her physical heart is weak and struggles to keep beating.

What a beautiful image of gathering in all this power and focus to heal our world. And to begin to see and realize that each of us has the ability to choose to nourish and use this power ourselves.

Blessings
(and I'm working out some ideas for that quilt!)

Miss Robyn said...

I do believe that miracles happen... but most times, I am too afraid of believing that they happen to me... like I am not worthy enough. I can pray and pray for things but all the time in the back of my mind, I am thinking.. it won't happen to me, other people yes, but not me.. even when I was 'cured' of cancer.. I had the excuse to myself that my cancer was only in early stages... very, very sad that I am like this but I am trying to change..

Seeing my grandson being born made me realize that conception & birth is a miracle beyond description..

Today, I breathe, today, I light a candle for the women I have met through blogging, who have helped me in various ways....

AND I am so glad that your mum was so strong willed... and that she willed you into staying here... what would the world be without Sr.K ??? XOXO

The Dream said...

As my friends and I say often: "It's good to be a girl!"

I agree wholeheartedly on the spirituality/religion deal. I am grateful to be on the path I am, with a desire to learn and experience, to seek, to discuss, to feel deeply. Granted, my religious beliefs have been a good starting point, providing me with a structured foundation ... as I launch out into the infinite waters of spirituality. What goodness and freedom!

Again, I love the stones I ordered from the Sophia Center ... and have been giving them as gifts to dear ones.

Anonymous said...

Lately I've been getting a feeling that there is a huge amount of power available to me if I just accept it as mine to use. It's a little scary, but I think once I start...watch out, Universe!

Ruth said...

Lovely strong words - I shall certainly light a candle.

Brandi Reynolds said...

thank you for sharing these amazing stories and that beautiful amazing picture.