OK, this has little if anything to do with circles, but I simply had to share it! It is inspirational in its brilliance and creativity. If you haven’t seen it, enjoy!
Click here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/472cd2 - or - view below…
We often avoid change, resist change, even fear it. In the complex inner workings f our mind fed by our ego’s protective chatter, we believe that something horrible is leerking out there to get us. But where we place our focus determines what we get. So, what if we looked at change for what it is, new possibilities.
When something changes, is not there, or is no longer the same it creates a void. Not knowing makes us uncomfortable, and yet that seems to be what women are called to do… expand our comfort level with not knowing, and then listen and more consciously allow the void to fill and be shaped by our intentions and vision. Where we place our focus is essential in the new creation of what we do not yet know.
We, as Circle Connections, acknowledge the change that is in the air. We seem to be in a - void - dance… ready, willing, wondering and allowing the next clarifying step to reveal itself. We are ready to dance and co-create what form she is to take, what services she will offer, and what purpose she will fill.
In listening to and honoring the winds of change, Ann, myself, and several Circle Connection members in the Los Angeles Area began exploring the possibility of offering a Circle Connections event in Southern California. We have shared some spirited and what feels like important conversations that have further revealed the direction Circle Connections is being coaxed.
Circle Connections belongs to all of us.
AARP has their own form of networking circle for aging women. The AARP Foundation Women’s Leadership Circle (WLC) is a diverse group of women from across the country whose varied backgrounds, insights and experiences have created a network of trust to help women navigate their lives as they age. The group seeks to leverage the philanthropic power and passion of women to improve and enhance women’s lives as they grow older.
Through the AARP Foundation the Women’s Leadership Circle works to raise national awareness of issues faced by women as they age and to provide resources (both private and corporate) to support initiatives that result in empowerment, protection and security for all women.
The WLC is working to leverage the economic power and passion of women to:
1. Support and strengthen the AARP Foundation’s long-standing commitment to improving the lives of women as they age by supporting and expanding programs and service.
2. Identify and inform the issues that affect women as they age and solidify AARP Foundation’s role as an expert source of information on these issues.
3. Collaborate through partnering with other organizations that are focused on the empowerment, security and protection of women as they age.
Although not implementing specific Circle Principles, the women called together in these groups share a common desire to grow older with dignity and enjoy financial independence while maintaining a connection to family, friends and community. Through Foundation programs AARP members, volunteers and donors leverage AARP’s national reputation to enhance the quality of life for all people as they age.
Whenever women come together and ideas are shared to form a commin ground, we all benefit.To learn more about the WLC send an email to wlc@aarp.org - be sure to include your name, email and mailing address. Also, click here to learn more.
FIJI - May 6, 2008
FIJI - WOMEN TO BE REPRESENTED IN NATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY MATTERS
This is great news and I encourage all to read the whole article. Click on http://www.fiji.gov.fj/publish/page_11775.
The Fiji Cabinet has agreed that the Minister responsible for women, gender and development, be part of the National Security Council. Cabinet also agreed to the inclusion of the Permanent Secretary responsible for women, gender and development and the Head of Department at divisional and district level in the ‘Officials’ committee.
Cabinet based its decision on a submission by the Minister for Health, Women and Social Welfare, Dr Jiko Luveni. Dr Luveni said that women in Fiji have not been a visible part of the ‘official’ or Government’s peace building and conflict management and therefore it is important to have a female representation in the National Security Council of Fiji which plays a pivotal role as the highest body in the land tasked with decision making for security matters for the nation. She also said that the inclusion of gender mainstreaming in all security discourse including the training of Peacekeepers and the participation of women in the security discussion will result in peace building at all levels of society.
“The UN Security Council Resolution 1325 adopted in October 2000 specifically addresses and commits UN State parties and the UN machinery to incorporating gender concerns.” Dr Jiko said that women are mothers, teachers, doctors and nurses, police officers, soldiers and peacekeepers, lawyers and legislators, and they have the capacity to contribute to peace and security concerns. She said that peace and security are basic requirements of nation building and the representation on merit, of women who constitute 50% of the population in its power structure is vital for the wholesome development of the nation.
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At the heart of Circle Connections lives the natural and certain power of Circle.
Wednesday, May 7th, we experienced an incredible membership call. It was an Idea Party where dreams were offered, resources shared, possibilities percolated, and acknowledgment given and received.
Our monthly call was a tender and fertile sharing time. These calls are available to all members. They are rich in content, and FREE (except for the cost of your phone call).
Time can get away from us so fast. I invite everyone to become a member of Circle Connections now if you are not already (and invite all your friends), and mark your calendar now. Please join us next month for our next Idea Party by calling:
June 4th, 2008
712-775-7100 Pin: 1012804#
9:00AM Pacific Time, 12:00 PM Eastern Time
And, no worries, we’ll send out a reminder.
When you sign up as a member of Circle Connections (which is free! Just go to http://www.circleconnections.com) you will gain access to LightPages, a new forum which provides us all a way to stay connected, shareideas in a trustworthy circle of friends, and grow our dreams with encouragement and vision.
Together with the love and encouragement offered within a circle of amazing and extraordinary women who share the common ground of passion for expanding their consciousness and serving the world in a positive way we can fully step into our most authentic conscious selves, both as human BEings, and with a refreshed quality as human DOings.
BEING GREEN
In the past it was unpopular to Being Green as Kermit the frog sings. Now we know that it is a worldwide trend to recycle, reuse, reduce, buy green, grow organic vegetables and herbs ( Peace Gardens), and live in simple elegance. Circle Connections will soon start Being Green classes, a 12-step like program that makes Being Green fun, rewarding and easy. It will be taught in a sacred circle no-guilt setting where everyone is respected, listened to without judgment and best practices and information will be shared. We will encourage one another to take on green practices that work for us one day at a time. We will explore our addictions and other harmful behaviors. We will transform them into a healthy and sustainable life style.
Dream with me and Kermit about bringing this program everywhere. Click on and listen to Kermit sing It Is Not Easy Being Green. Namaste!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpiIWMWWVco
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If the Circle Model ruled, women working from home would be encouraged and financially rewarded. Women’s leadership in governments and at all levels of society is needed to transform hierarchy to circle. Namaste!!! Ann
Bahrain Government Rejects Proposal to Allow Women to Work from Home
5 May 2008 - By Suad Hamada
The government of Bahrain has rejected a parliamentary proposal to allow women to work from home on grounds of gender bias.
According to the government, the proposal is biased as it doesn’t include men.
The only woman MP, Latifa Al Quad, had moved the proposal seeking to allow women with family obligations to work from home.
She defended her decision by highlighting the importance of giving women the chance to raise their children and be financially independent.
The Social Development Ministry has been promoting women, especially the needy, to work from home by setting up small businesses. The women are promoting their home-made products at exhibitions inside and outside Bahrain, but they are not covered under any pension scheme.
The government defended its decision by stating that implementing the proposal could affect the kingdom’s intellectual properties achievements as well as disturb peace in residential areas.
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Ann and I shared a Circle Connections telecall this morning with a wonderful trio (one could not make the call) of powerful women exploring the possibility of creating some kind of parallel event in Los Angeles in support of the Journey to Sophia, Bulgaria 2010.
During this call it came to our attention that some are not familiar with a few valuable resources that exist in the wide and widening web of women and concepts that serve us all as we make friends with change. In case they may be of interest to you, here are a couple of resources for your exploration
Meg Wheatley is a writer and management consultant who studies organizational behavior. Her approach includes systems thinking, theories of change, chaos theory, leadership and the learning organization: particularly its capacity to self-organize. She is presently president of The Berkana Institute, a global charitable leadership foundation and a powerhouse nudging change in social justice. To learn more about Meg Wheatley, her many valuable books, The Berkana Institute and the Women’s Revival Tour visit: http://www.margaretwheatley.com/.
Open Space Technology (OST) is a way to convene people for a conference, retreat or meeting. “Technology” in this case means ‘tool’ - a process; a method. Attendees are asked to generate the meeting agenda as well as participate by leading small group break-out sessions during the meeting time. There is usually a facilitator, but no official meeting leader who demands compliance. Open Space Technology enables groups of any size to address complex, important issues and achieve meaningful results quickly. It lends itself and is complimented by Circle.
While the mechanics of Open Space provide a simple means to self-organize, it is the underlying 
principles that make it effective both for meetings and as a guidepost for individual and collective effectiveness. The Law of Two Feet (also known as the Law of Mobility in settings where participants don’t necessarily have the use of both feet) — a foot of passion and a foot of responsibility — expresses the core idea of taking responsibility for what you love. In practical terms, the law says that if you’re neither contributing nor getting value where you are, use your two feet (or available form of mobility) and go somewhere where you can. It is also a reminder to stand up for your passion. From the law flow four principles:
* Whoever comes are the right people
* Whatever happens is the only thing that could have
* Whenever it starts is the right time
* When it’s over, it’s over
For a brief User’s Guide, visit: http://www.openspaceworld.com/users_guide.htm.
For more infomation about Open Space Technology, visit: http://www.openspaceworld.org/news/join-us/
Please share your resources with us, too. That is the power of the web and Circle Connections. We weave together, expand our knowledge, strength, passion, power, and resources by standing in circle on common ground.
This past Friday, Circle Connections arranged for Ms Hazviperi Betty Makoni, Director and Founder of Girl Child Network in Zimbabwe, to be on a conference call for the Sophia Women’s World Conference planners. Hazviperi means the name that has no end, and her life work indeed is without ending. Her Girl Child Network is one of the best models and practices I have ever heard of in developing girls and women’s leadership, transforming victims to leaders, stopping violence against girls and women and AIDS prevention. Her network is made up of 30,000 girls and women.
I met Betty at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) workshop on the Girl Child two years ago in New York. Betty arrived in the US two weeks ago to receive an award from Amnesty International for her work in stopping violence against women. My personal connection to Betty was extended to all who were on the call and now to you in reading this blog. I was hoping she could stay to be on our Wednesday membership call but she leaves today. Click on her website and learn all about her and the amazing girls and young women who are the true leaders in Zimbabwe. gcn.org.zw.
As you have read in the news papers, the government of Zimbabwe is in turmoil. She would love our prayers and support and encourages us to petition our government officials so that they will support Zimbabwe in conducting a fair election.
Namaste!!!
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I have never felt like I truly fit. I have felt this way probably from the time I was born. Early on we begin to believe in and focus on our weakness rather than lean into our strengths. Our judgments detour us, casting a shadow on and hindering possibilities and distracting us from truly knowing our authentic self.
I have a strong right-brained way of living life and from this perspective I seem to be in a world where everyone else operates more predominantly from their left brain. I have strong intuitive abilities that I have squelched in order to belong. I feel I am a little bit good at a whole lot of things, but not really good at anything. I have dyslexia and can’t read or do math well, and from here I so want to get excited about reading a novel or easily balancing a budget. Instead it is effort-full and demeaning.
I have compensated well, but am allergic to numbers and feel anxiety reading even to my own grandchildren. I can’t read sub-titles fast enough to follow a movie. It seems embarrassment if always just around the corner.
That may not bee what other people see, but these are the feelings that grip me and cause me at times to resist labeling myself as an impostor.
Sound familiar?
