Humans are given many gifts in this life: our bodies perform miraculous, innumerable tasks without any help from us; our minds conjure up symphonies, novels, and solutions to everyday problems. Our hearts love in powerful ways that make us cry rivers of tears from our joys and from our sorrows. Our spirits can dance in the light of a silver moon and join with another in prayer.
One immutable gift, that of free will, may be what separates us from other species in our world. When free will comes from the highest part within us, sometimes thought of as the soul, or Divine Self, we live as "the better angels of our natures" and elevate our own lives and the lives of those we hold dear.
Using our free will to create good in the world can go well beyond affecting the lives of those we hold dear, beyond our kin and those we personally know—it may transform the lives of people we may never meet. Others may sit in the shade under tall trees grown by seeds we plant.
Because of our free will, we have many choices and directions before us. Many women, some for the very first time, are using their free will in new ways: they are choosing public service as a path for change, they are stepping up into leadership where they had not before, and they are speaking out against injustice.
We are seeing with fresh eyes that leadership can and in many cases, should, look different than it has in the past. In a feminine-principled paradigm, attributes of inclusion, collaboration, love, and compassion are the beacons of a new form of leadership and power. We are called to embrace power within and power with one another, not power over others.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Andrea Jenkins, Sandra McKinney, Jill Christopherson, and Kate Bentley are just a few examples of women being bold, saying yes, and doing big things.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said yes to running for office for the first time and defeated a ten-term congressman in her district’s primary.
One immutable gift, that of free will, may be what separates us from other species in our world. When free will comes from the highest part within us, sometimes thought of as the soul, or Divine Self, we live as "the better angels of our natures" and elevate our own lives and the lives of those we hold dear.
Using our free will to create good in the world can go well beyond affecting the lives of those we hold dear, beyond our kin and those we personally know—it may transform the lives of people we may never meet. Others may sit in the shade under tall trees grown by seeds we plant.
Because of our free will, we have many choices and directions before us. Many women, some for the very first time, are using their free will in new ways: they are choosing public service as a path for change, they are stepping up into leadership where they had not before, and they are speaking out against injustice.
We are seeing with fresh eyes that leadership can and in many cases, should, look different than it has in the past. In a feminine-principled paradigm, attributes of inclusion, collaboration, love, and compassion are the beacons of a new form of leadership and power. We are called to embrace power within and power with one another, not power over others.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Andrea Jenkins, Sandra McKinney, Jill Christopherson, and Kate Bentley are just a few examples of women being bold, saying yes, and doing big things.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said yes to running for office for the first time and defeated a ten-term congressman in her district’s primary.
Andrea Jenkins said yes to running for office and is now the first openly transgender black woman to be elected to public office in the United States of America.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin County Board Supervisor Sandra McKinney said yes to mentoring eighteen women running for public office.
Photographer Kate Bentley said yes to donating her time and talent to take headshots for women candidates running for office, many for the first time.
After retiring from her career, Jill Christopherson said yes, ran for, and won a seat on her City Council.
What happens when we ask ourselves, as Alexandria, Andrea, Sandra, Jill, and Kate did, "What am I being called to say, create, or cause in the world? What support do I need? When will I begin?"
How do you answer Mary Oliver’s question, "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
And I ask, "How is your free will calling you to lead?"
Join me for Women Leading With Heart Seminar (phone or online)
There will be a guided meditation, a transformation tool, a 21 day follow-up, and powerful teaching. August 27th, 7:00 PM CST (replay available). Register here.
- Tap into your highest self
- Look at where you’re already leading
- Find new ways to create a path of transformation for yourself and others
There will be a guided meditation, a transformation tool, a 21 day follow-up, and powerful teaching. August 27th, 7:00 PM CST (replay available). Register here.
Love and blessings,
Dawn Morningstar
PS Our Vennie Connect free call is this Tuesday, July 17th, 7 PM CST. Details below.
Join from your computer:
https://zoom.us/j/287261495
Telephone:
US: +1 669 900 6833 or
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID:
287 261 495
International numbers available:
https://zoom.us/u/bEMm85yt0
All previous Vennie Connects are available in our Vennie Connect Library.
Dawn Morningstar
PS Our Vennie Connect free call is this Tuesday, July 17th, 7 PM CST. Details below.
Join from your computer:
https://zoom.us/j/287261495
Telephone:
US: +1 669 900 6833 or
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID:
287 261 495
International numbers available:
https://zoom.us/u/bEMm85yt0
All previous Vennie Connects are available in our Vennie Connect Library.