Women and Families conference
I was reading Vicki Haddock’s October 30 piece in the San Francisco Chronicle. It was about Maria Shriver’s second annual Women and Families conference at the Long Beach Convention Center. She hosts this conference as First Lady of California and some 10,000 women attended this year. They listened to speakers including Shriver, Dr. Laura, Jane Fonda, retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and many more, including a selection of male speakers.
What struck me, when reading about this conference and the varied perspectives represented and offered there, was how, at the end of the day, there was only one prevailing message that attendees could come away with, and that is this: No one has the answers for you.
Some women addressed the importance of inner beauty and expressed chagrin at the focus on external appearances in our society; meanwhile, corporate sponsors offered external beauty tips and sample cosmetic products at various tables around the conference. Pastor Rick Warren talked about how God is more interested in character over comfort and encouraged women to focus more on the “we” instead of the “I”; shortly thereafter, Suze Orman enthusiastically told participants that they could indeed have everything they wanted if they just set their intention on realizing those dreams.
Maria Shriver offered a little of her own experience as First Lady of California and as a life-long Democrat, married to a Republican Governor:
"I sat myself down and said 'OK, girl ... focus. Breathe. Channel your mother.' ... I had to look in the mirror and say, 'snap out of it, girlfriend ... You know, girlfriend, the best way to honor your family's legacy is to just keep doing the work and don't listen to what people are saying.' "
And so it goes. The point is that everyone comes from a different experience and a different life lesson, based on their individual circumstances. What might be great advice and direction for one woman, or man, for that matter, may actually prove to be inappropriate or damaging for another. The Middle Road seems to me to be the most appropriate direction to take. Listening to your intuition while taking in the wise and loving example of others. Choosing a path that is kind and compassionate, and not shying away from being true to your own self expression in the process.
That’s what Dare To Be Fabulous is all about. Finding your own path.
What that looks like, is your call.
DTBF!
Johanna
What struck me, when reading about this conference and the varied perspectives represented and offered there, was how, at the end of the day, there was only one prevailing message that attendees could come away with, and that is this: No one has the answers for you.
Some women addressed the importance of inner beauty and expressed chagrin at the focus on external appearances in our society; meanwhile, corporate sponsors offered external beauty tips and sample cosmetic products at various tables around the conference. Pastor Rick Warren talked about how God is more interested in character over comfort and encouraged women to focus more on the “we” instead of the “I”; shortly thereafter, Suze Orman enthusiastically told participants that they could indeed have everything they wanted if they just set their intention on realizing those dreams.
Maria Shriver offered a little of her own experience as First Lady of California and as a life-long Democrat, married to a Republican Governor:
"I sat myself down and said 'OK, girl ... focus. Breathe. Channel your mother.' ... I had to look in the mirror and say, 'snap out of it, girlfriend ... You know, girlfriend, the best way to honor your family's legacy is to just keep doing the work and don't listen to what people are saying.' "
And so it goes. The point is that everyone comes from a different experience and a different life lesson, based on their individual circumstances. What might be great advice and direction for one woman, or man, for that matter, may actually prove to be inappropriate or damaging for another. The Middle Road seems to me to be the most appropriate direction to take. Listening to your intuition while taking in the wise and loving example of others. Choosing a path that is kind and compassionate, and not shying away from being true to your own self expression in the process.
That’s what Dare To Be Fabulous is all about. Finding your own path.
What that looks like, is your call.
DTBF!
Johanna
Labels: johanna
posted by DTBF at
11:22 AM
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