Passing it on

"A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult." ~Melinda Gates

There have been, and continues to be, a lot of strong women in my life. The one with the most impact on my life was my mother and I know that she has made an impact on the lives of others as well. I consider myself lucky that she was able to share herself with me and that her friends now do the same. I'm taking that into my own life and passing it on. 

I have my own groups of girl people. Women who are each amazing in their own right and who are growing from strength to strength each day. We are trying, individually and collectively, to be the best that we can be. It's a process... parts of everyday life that makes up a whole.

Today I had lunch with one of my cousins. She turned 16 this year... I do not know how she's gotten so old so quickly. I've been trying to remember what my thoughts and feelings were at that age. Trying to place myself in her shoes so that I can pass on what I have learnt. How do I let her know that she can be whoever she wants to be? That she will have as much support as she needs? That she is free to make her own choices whether for good or ill and someone will be there always? That she can do much more than she thinks she can.

I'm trying to lead by example. Letting myself be who I want to be. Trusting that all will be well and that there is support whether I need it or not. These are things I've learnt and am continuing to learn. I'm passing it on.

peace,

Ren

Interesting Reads/Stuff I've been reading:

"Innovation is fostered by information gathered from new connections; from insights gained by journeys into other disciplines or places; from active, collegial networks and fluid, open boundaries. Innovation arises form ongoing circles of exchange, where information is not just accumulated or stored, but created. Knowledge is generated anew from connections that weren’t there before." ~Margaret J. Wheatley

One thing people should know about me is that I like reading any and everything. Another thing people should know? I'm online a lot... and there's just so much stuff to read online. I figured I'd share some of what I've been reading... feel free to share your thoughts. 

• The Neuroscience of Effort -  'At any given moment there's a tug of war unfolding in our head, determining whether or not we're willing to put in the effort' - work? play? I do think it's much easier to do what we want to do... it's something I've been thinking about recently... doing what we want to do versus doing what we have to do. What makes us do what we have to? This doesn't explain it but helps to understand how one chooses to do or not do. 
• A Message To Girls About Religious Men Who Fear You - This is one of the most powerful messages I've read recently. Perhaps because I'm female? The links contained within are heartbreaking... the message itself? Empowering. 'If you were not powerful, they would not take you so seriously and they take you very, very seriously. You should, too. You can set the world on fire'. Yes. That is all. 
• The Mysteries of Love and How to Decode Them - When people talk about 'love' - what are they referring to? I think I manage well with love between friends (they are my people)... and family (blood... blood is thicker than water? my family is extremely important to me) and I generally have good vibes towards the world at large. There's now the cute guy though... I've been thinking thoughts I haven't thought before and rereading stuff I've written before (this, and this, and even this) and somewhat freaking myself out in the process. Um. Heh.
• The Oatmeal's Tesla comic, the criticism of the Oatmeal's Tesla comic and the response to that criticism - I found it educational... and amusing... and I'm a bit of a Tesla fan myself.  Lol...
• Recent sky changes - 'Work with your imagination and your creative muse. Explore new things. Take on an artistic and creative project. Simply put apply creativity to anything you are working to get into form'. The sun has moved into Gemini. There's a new moon in Gemini. There was a solar eclipse. It's a time for opening up oneself to one's creativity and whatever ideas the mind comes up with. Breathe. Have fun.

Share some stuff with me? 

:)

peace,

Ren

A pill a day...

"To keep the body in good health is a duty – otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." ~Buddha

I have a headache - I've had it since Sunday so today is Day 5 of me-with-a-headache. Constant  pounding pain in my head though today it's down to a dull roar. I fear it still makes me think that I'm dying. I don't do well with headaches... I'd rather any other body part ache but really? my head? OW. ow. ow. ow. I'm also somewhat nauseous... and I admit that the world tilts sometimes when I stand up. By Tuesday (day 3 of me-with-a-headache) I started wondering if something was seriously wrong with me. Pain-nauseau-dizziness sorta indicates non-healthiness.

By yesterday though (day 4!) I figured out what it was. In fact I had an epiphany... what was wrong with me? I came off the pill. Ta da! I'm having withdrawal symptoms I guess. I must say they suck extremely... and it's kinda unfair that it was easy to go on (no side-effects [that I'm aware of] apart from clearer skin - which admittedly is a great side-effect) and now that I've decided to give my body a break and let it get back to regulating itself I'm having issues. Aargh.

I was put on the pill by my doctor... and I'm going to lay the blame for this bit of drama squarely at the feet of this MBA (I'm still not convinced it's worth it). Apparently I was so stressed (and you can probably read about that stress in earlier posts) that my hormones and therefore my cycle went out of whack. What was needed? Pills. Or just one pill a day really. I started in October and now that it's the beginning of April I thought I'd stop... or take a break... or something so. Because the truth of it is that I hate pills / tablets  / syrups / medication. I'm near completion with the MBA... I'm not having sex... it's my birth month... all good reasons in my mind for coming off the birth control pill - cuz that's what this pill is. Yes, there are benefits to the pill... I'm just not sure that the side-effects (listed [by the pill's maker] and non-listed [has there been enough study on the effects of the pill? each woman has a different reaction from what I've heard]) are worth the benefits. Especially not now that my head feels as though it's splitting open. Am going to try to figure out how to manage my hormones, my body, myself without the aid of pills.. patches.. shots.. any other thing that the medical community may come up with. It's not that I don't think medications and the like aren't useful (lord knows right now I can use some painkillers)... just that in this case - this area of taking care of my own health - I'd like to go as natural as possible.

It's World Health Day today - this year's theme focuses on 'Combat Drug Resistance…..No Action Today, No Cure Tomorrow’. So much is happening in the world ... I think that if we focus first on our health then we can focus on the health of our families and communities. I need to remind myself of this at times. This year's theme for the Blue Star's Forty Days is 'Secrets to True Well-Being - Tap into the Transforming Power of Consciousness'. It's something I'm following and speaks to the development of ourselves through development of our consciousness - our spiritual self - of healing from within. Thinking a lot about my health today.  

peace,

Ren

The Power of the Group...

"We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history." ~Sonia Johnson 

I've been thinking about people coming together... it seems that now more than ever it's easy to form groups according to our likes, dislikes, principles, beliefs, choice of entertainment, choice of food... anything really. It's so easy to become a part of something or to speak up about something without actively getting out and about. I'm an on-line activist - I sign petitions with Avaaz.org, Greenpeace, WWF and miscellaneous Care2 petitions that I take an interest in. It makes me feel like a part of something - gives me the assurance that even in my everyday life I can make a difference through my signature and contributions. 

One organised event struck me this week: SlutWalk Toronto - which took place yesterday (April 3rd). This event was organised in response to an officer of the Toronto Police Force suggesting that 'women can avoid sexual assault by not dressing like a “slut.”' I'm in full support of any event like this - it should not matter in any way how a woman is dressed and in fact this reminds me a bit of my short skirt post... What struck me from the event page? These paragraphs below - clearly a call to action and clearly showing what is needed:

"We are a movement demanding that our voices be heard. We are here to call foul on our Police Force and demand change. We want Toronto Police Services to take serious steps to regain our trust. We want to feel that we will be respected and protected should we ever need them, but more importantly be certain that those charged with our safety have a true understanding of what it is to be a survivor of sexual assault — slut or otherwise.

We are tired of speeches filled with lip service and the apologies that accompany them. What we want is meaningful dialogue and we are doing something about it: WE ARE COMING TOGETHER. As people from all gender expressions and orientations, all walks of life, levels of employment and education, all races, ages, abilities, and backgrounds, from all points of this city and elsewhere."

I guess it struck home for me. People (men and women) need to know where they stand on issues such as this and then it can follow that further issues can be discussed and developed. 

peace,

Ren