Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!
"When fate arrives at your door, there is no lock strong enough to hold it back. It may find you asleep, unprepared, too busy, or defiant, but these states are not a deterrent. Destiny does not wait for your mood to change. When the time is ripe, the rite of passage begins. ...
This is known as the call and it comes in many forms. It may begin as a restless dissatisfaction with your daily life, or a deep depression. It may result from a churning in your gut over the daily news, or an inspiring story told to you by a friend. It may come from a tragic loss, or an unexpected boon. But however the call finds its way into your private chambers, it changes the course of your life." ~ Anodea Judith, Awakening the Global Heart
"If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud". ~ Emile Zola
"I believe there's a calling for all of us, I know that every human being has value and purpose. The real work of our lives is to become aware. And awakened. To answer the call." ~ O[rah Winfrey
"The crowning fortune of a man is to be born to some pursuit which finds him employment and happiness, whether it be to make baskets, or broadswords, or canals, or statues, or songs." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
"If God gives you something you can do, why in God's name wouldn't you do it?" ~ Stephen King
I attended a vision meeting on yesterday for a friend who wishes to start a Spiritual Life Center. I am honored that she chose me to be a part of the planning and to be a part of the ministry. We were told by a former pastor of hers that we would work together. This pastor was one I heard on a local television broadcast many years ago as I surfed through stations. She said something that made me pay attention. I called the TV station to get her information and I gave her a call. I wanted to know where she obtained her information. Among other things, she mentioned a book called "The Holy Grail". I found it in the library. I found that scripture was quoted incorrectly and things were said that I, in my "religious" state of mind at the time, could/would not accept. I set out, for my own edification, to prove the author wrong. Along the way, like Paul on the Damascus road, the light of truth prevailed. It has been my quest since then to seek and find truth,
Anyway, my friend's vision is similar, as far as what she wishes to offer, to a vision I had, again, many years ago. The name of the center was to be named after one of my poems. I saw the vision quite plainly. It was to be a place for women. The thing that held me back was money. However, there are ways around having the upfront money; for instance, grants. I often get ideas but let them die in the thought realm. Some say if a dream doesn't come to fruition that it must not have been from the Creator. I used to believe that at one time, I don't anymore. I think many ideas are buried in the graves with the ones given the ideas and I believe they came from GOD. We don't always act on what we are given. I used to tell my children that Spirit rained down ideas and it was up to us to catch them and more importantly, do them. How many times has someone said, "Someone needs to invent thus and so," only to see the "thing" later?
One can argue that particular thing may not have been your calling and that may be true. That doesn't mean the person could not have acted upon it and sold the idea, advancing what possibly is the calling. We don't know. What I do know is that "the call" does come to each of us at some point in our lives. One may say that he or she has never received a call but as stated in the first quote, it comes in many ways and we all have felt one of those ways. Granted, we may not have recognized it as call. We may have just thought it a fleeting feeling but it is definitely a call. What have you been feeling in your heart? Are you hearing to do something that you feel is quite impossible for you? Is there something you wish to do but feel you would be persecuted or ostracized? People are still being burned at the stake or stoned for living their truths. Answer the call! Do what GOD has given you the ability to do!
Sometimes we feel as if we aren't able to do it or we aren't worthy. If Spirit gives it to us, we can do it. Whining, complaining and fighting will not change the call. Hello, Moses, Jonah and whomever else. We may not always act on ideas that we are given, but do answer what will not leave us in peace; in other words: the calling. It may not be what one has planned, or take one where one wishes to go but it will lead to a life most rewarding. A life of being true to one's self, a genuine authentic life and that in itself is the call.
"But beware of this about callings:they may not lead us where we intended to go or even where we want to go. If we choose to follow, we may have to be willing to let go of the life we already planned and accept whatever is waiting for us. And if the calling is true, though we not have gone where we intended, we will surely end up where we need to be." ~ Steve Goodier
Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be,
Gypsi Mama Michelle
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
Richmond, VA
Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!
"Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. You may not be perfect, but you are all you've got to work with. The process of becoming who you will be begins first with the total acceptance of who you are.." ~ Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Mindfulness in Plain English
"When she transformed into a butterfly, the caterpillars spoke not of her beauty, but of her weirdness. They wanted her to change back into what she had been. But she had wings." ~ Dean Jackson
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly." ~ Richard Bach
"As with the butterfly, adversity is necessary to build character in people." ~ Joseph B. Wirthlin
"In order for the butterfly to emerge, the caterpillar that it once was must completely give up its life." ~ excerpt from MoonCat @Mother Tongue Ink 2011
"I'm still like a butterfly going from one job to another job. But it's quite lovely - I hope to keep the freedom, to have fun." ~ Carrie Roitfeld
I've been contemplating more than usual this week; and for me, that's saying something. I believe I've mentioned before that my employment may soon be over with Rubicon due to a merger with RBHA. Our jobs will be phased out. I do qualify for the job that's closest to mine except in one aspect; I am not now, nor have I ever been in recovery or have two years clean because of that. I've heard all of the jobs are full time and I don't desire that. I'm not bothered by these events. I am looking forward to traveling again and creating. I believe this is the reason for my contemplative state. I've also been feeling sad, not because of the job but because I don't feel as if I'm being fully myself.
My thoughts turn to Earthaven at this time of year. I miss the idea of the place....being at one with nature, growing food, and living in community. I'm not planning to return there but maybe somewhere similar? Also, whenever I read or hear anything about Celtic lore I feel a sadness, as if I'm longing for something, someplace familiar. Sometimes it feels as if I'm losing myself but oddly enough it also feels as if I'm finding myself. The ancient calls out to me and I wonder will happiness elude me if I don't answer?
We are all in the state of becoming who we are, just like the caterpillar. The caterpillar has to be a caterpillar first and be content with that state; knowing that what it presently is, is not what it will be. Actually what it will be is already within the caterpillar; and so it is with us as well. To become a butterfly is a process that the caterpillar must endure; a process that ends with the death of the caterpillar. Does the caterpillar look forward to the death of its present self knowing what awaits? Is the caterpillar content with being a caterpillar? Does it dream of the day that it is not earth bound? Does it dream of the day it will fly? Would it rather remain in the caterpillar state only seeing the world from the ground?
It doesn't matter whether it's content or not. life and nature will run its natural course. Is it that way for us as well? Will we be what we are destined to be? Will it take more than one lifetime for it to happen, if we don't listen? Some of us dream of soaring and some of us are content with a ground view. Is that a destiny too, to be earth bound? I suppose it is, for there are chickens and there are eagles. An eagle raised with chickens will look to the heavens and feel as if it doesn't belong. One day it may spread its wings and soar. But there is always the possibility of the chickens telling the eagle that it is foolish and can not fly. The sad thing is, the eagle may listen and not find its true self/life.
Every ending is also a beginning. It may be an unknown beginning but a beginning none the less. Every ending is a death of some sort. Life is possible after death albeit a different life than one knew previously. What an adventure we creatures have awaiting us! Something must end in order for something else to emerge. We don't know what that might be but isn't that the thrilling part? Mysteries, I've always loved them and I probably always will. What awaits on the other side of the door? What's next on the agenda of my life, our lives? I don't know. What freedom and what fun!
Until next Sunday, (LOL maybe)
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be,
Gypsi Mama Michelle
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!
"Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. You may not be perfect, but you are all you've got to work with. The process of becoming who you will be begins first with the total acceptance of who you are.." ~ Bhante Henepola Gunaratana, Mindfulness in Plain English
"When she transformed into a butterfly, the caterpillars spoke not of her beauty, but of her weirdness. They wanted her to change back into what she had been. But she had wings." ~ Dean Jackson
"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly." ~ Richard Bach
"As with the butterfly, adversity is necessary to build character in people." ~ Joseph B. Wirthlin
"In order for the butterfly to emerge, the caterpillar that it once was must completely give up its life." ~ excerpt from MoonCat @Mother Tongue Ink 2011
"I'm still like a butterfly going from one job to another job. But it's quite lovely - I hope to keep the freedom, to have fun." ~ Carrie Roitfeld
I've been contemplating more than usual this week; and for me, that's saying something. I believe I've mentioned before that my employment may soon be over with Rubicon due to a merger with RBHA. Our jobs will be phased out. I do qualify for the job that's closest to mine except in one aspect; I am not now, nor have I ever been in recovery or have two years clean because of that. I've heard all of the jobs are full time and I don't desire that. I'm not bothered by these events. I am looking forward to traveling again and creating. I believe this is the reason for my contemplative state. I've also been feeling sad, not because of the job but because I don't feel as if I'm being fully myself.
My thoughts turn to Earthaven at this time of year. I miss the idea of the place....being at one with nature, growing food, and living in community. I'm not planning to return there but maybe somewhere similar? Also, whenever I read or hear anything about Celtic lore I feel a sadness, as if I'm longing for something, someplace familiar. Sometimes it feels as if I'm losing myself but oddly enough it also feels as if I'm finding myself. The ancient calls out to me and I wonder will happiness elude me if I don't answer?
We are all in the state of becoming who we are, just like the caterpillar. The caterpillar has to be a caterpillar first and be content with that state; knowing that what it presently is, is not what it will be. Actually what it will be is already within the caterpillar; and so it is with us as well. To become a butterfly is a process that the caterpillar must endure; a process that ends with the death of the caterpillar. Does the caterpillar look forward to the death of its present self knowing what awaits? Is the caterpillar content with being a caterpillar? Does it dream of the day that it is not earth bound? Does it dream of the day it will fly? Would it rather remain in the caterpillar state only seeing the world from the ground?
It doesn't matter whether it's content or not. life and nature will run its natural course. Is it that way for us as well? Will we be what we are destined to be? Will it take more than one lifetime for it to happen, if we don't listen? Some of us dream of soaring and some of us are content with a ground view. Is that a destiny too, to be earth bound? I suppose it is, for there are chickens and there are eagles. An eagle raised with chickens will look to the heavens and feel as if it doesn't belong. One day it may spread its wings and soar. But there is always the possibility of the chickens telling the eagle that it is foolish and can not fly. The sad thing is, the eagle may listen and not find its true self/life.
Every ending is also a beginning. It may be an unknown beginning but a beginning none the less. Every ending is a death of some sort. Life is possible after death albeit a different life than one knew previously. What an adventure we creatures have awaiting us! Something must end in order for something else to emerge. We don't know what that might be but isn't that the thrilling part? Mysteries, I've always loved them and I probably always will. What awaits on the other side of the door? What's next on the agenda of my life, our lives? I don't know. What freedom and what fun!
Until next Sunday, (LOL maybe)
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be,
Gypsi Mama Michelle
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Richmond,VA
Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!
"Don't try to prove to everybody that the reason why you can't is that nobody could. It's no excuse. You can break the tradition by being the first person to make it happen!" ~ Israelmore Ayivor, Daily Drive 365
"It's quite a scary path to walk, when you have no one's past experience to lean on, or learn from. It's all new and uncharted. But nothing is finished unless it is started." ~ Innoceent Mwatsikesimbe, Reality Check: A Collection of Poems
"Great things often come from actions and decision taken by others, that are deemed wild, stupid or unreasonable at the time, but later prove to be very useful." ~Innocent Mwatsikesimbe, The Reason
"Don't be a prisoner of the past, become a pioneer of the future." ~ Farshad Asi
I'm still watching murder mysteries. The latest is the Murdoch Mysteries set in Victorian-era Toronto. Detective Murdoch was raised by Catholic nuns and is in a state of conflict between his religious upbringing and his scientific mind. The forensic pathologist is a woman. He admires her and is falling in love with her. Her view of life is more open minded than his. Her name is Dr. Ogden. She is from a wealthy family, has traveled extensively, is intelligent and bold. She has chosen a career that most women in that era would not have chosen. I admire that.
In one episode a doctor who has a facility for gifted people, made a statement about women. He said, "Miss Pringle possesses an extraordinary brain for a woman. Men have a brain capacity of up to 19% larger. Women's brains are not designed for complex thought, their reproductive organs sapping energy from any further development." Detective Murdoch asked if that had been proven, to which the doctor replied, there have been naysayers. I said, "You think?" Detective Murdoch doesn't buy into this theory because of Dr. Ogden.
There have always been women pioneers. Women who forged ahead with their thoughts and ideas; women who were thought to be crazy because of their ideas. Some were even burned at the stake as witches, all because they knew certain herbs and plants could heal or kill; or because they intuitively knew things. A term that was used to describe women's behavior was called "Female Hysteria" "Female hysteria was a once-common diagnosis, reserved exclusively for women, which is today no longer recognized by medical authorities as a medical disorder. It's diagnosis and treatment were routine for many hundreds of years in Western Europe." (Wikipedia) A woman having sexual thoughts, orgasms and engaging in masturbation were signs.
Thank God/Goddess/All That Is, that this is no longer true! Some may still believe it but it's not a diagnosis anymore. No, what we most commonly hear now is:"It's that time of the month.". Yes, it is true that women are highly sensitive at that time and rightly so. It is a time when women receive dreams and visions if they pay attention. This is why women went into The Red Tent during biblical times. It was in order for the women to come together to nurture one another and be free of the demands of society; a practice which would do well today. Women are empathetic during their menses and can pick up on the vibrations of others. This may be a reason for the off balance women feel at this time.
We have all felt indignation about something, and some do something about it. Those people,women and men, are considered pioneers if nothing had been done in the past. I believe had I lived in what we call pioneer days, I would have gone in the covered wagon to new lands and new adventures. I may be considered a pioneer in certain things that I have done but I haven't pioneered any sort of movement. I have not acted on any indignation other than to speak to whomever would listen. I am on a soapbox about women's issues though. There have been many women activists who have inspired others to do the work they wish to do. Here are a few:
Kishida Toshiko: Japan, 1863-1901, Writer and Activist
"If it is true that men are better than women because they are stronger, why aren't our sumo wrestlers in the government?"
Carrie Chapman Catt: United Stataes, 1859-1947, President, National American Woman Suffrage Association
"To the wrongs that need resistance, To the right that needs assistance, To the future in the distance, Give yourselves."
Rosa Parks: United States, 1913-2005, "First Lady of Civil Rights"
"Each person must live their lives as a model for others."
Mother Teresa: Republic of Macedonia, 1919-1997, Missionaries of Charity
"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."
Arundhati Roy: India, 1930 - , Author and Political Activist
"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing."
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: Liberia, 1938- , Africa's "Iron Lady", first female head of state
"If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough."
Be inspired to go out and change the world, if only your world!
Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be,
Gypsi Mama Michelle
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!
"Don't try to prove to everybody that the reason why you can't is that nobody could. It's no excuse. You can break the tradition by being the first person to make it happen!" ~ Israelmore Ayivor, Daily Drive 365
"It's quite a scary path to walk, when you have no one's past experience to lean on, or learn from. It's all new and uncharted. But nothing is finished unless it is started." ~ Innoceent Mwatsikesimbe, Reality Check: A Collection of Poems
"Great things often come from actions and decision taken by others, that are deemed wild, stupid or unreasonable at the time, but later prove to be very useful." ~Innocent Mwatsikesimbe, The Reason
"Don't be a prisoner of the past, become a pioneer of the future." ~ Farshad Asi
I'm still watching murder mysteries. The latest is the Murdoch Mysteries set in Victorian-era Toronto. Detective Murdoch was raised by Catholic nuns and is in a state of conflict between his religious upbringing and his scientific mind. The forensic pathologist is a woman. He admires her and is falling in love with her. Her view of life is more open minded than his. Her name is Dr. Ogden. She is from a wealthy family, has traveled extensively, is intelligent and bold. She has chosen a career that most women in that era would not have chosen. I admire that.
In one episode a doctor who has a facility for gifted people, made a statement about women. He said, "Miss Pringle possesses an extraordinary brain for a woman. Men have a brain capacity of up to 19% larger. Women's brains are not designed for complex thought, their reproductive organs sapping energy from any further development." Detective Murdoch asked if that had been proven, to which the doctor replied, there have been naysayers. I said, "You think?" Detective Murdoch doesn't buy into this theory because of Dr. Ogden.
There have always been women pioneers. Women who forged ahead with their thoughts and ideas; women who were thought to be crazy because of their ideas. Some were even burned at the stake as witches, all because they knew certain herbs and plants could heal or kill; or because they intuitively knew things. A term that was used to describe women's behavior was called "Female Hysteria" "Female hysteria was a once-common diagnosis, reserved exclusively for women, which is today no longer recognized by medical authorities as a medical disorder. It's diagnosis and treatment were routine for many hundreds of years in Western Europe." (Wikipedia) A woman having sexual thoughts, orgasms and engaging in masturbation were signs.
Thank God/Goddess/All That Is, that this is no longer true! Some may still believe it but it's not a diagnosis anymore. No, what we most commonly hear now is:"It's that time of the month.". Yes, it is true that women are highly sensitive at that time and rightly so. It is a time when women receive dreams and visions if they pay attention. This is why women went into The Red Tent during biblical times. It was in order for the women to come together to nurture one another and be free of the demands of society; a practice which would do well today. Women are empathetic during their menses and can pick up on the vibrations of others. This may be a reason for the off balance women feel at this time.
We have all felt indignation about something, and some do something about it. Those people,women and men, are considered pioneers if nothing had been done in the past. I believe had I lived in what we call pioneer days, I would have gone in the covered wagon to new lands and new adventures. I may be considered a pioneer in certain things that I have done but I haven't pioneered any sort of movement. I have not acted on any indignation other than to speak to whomever would listen. I am on a soapbox about women's issues though. There have been many women activists who have inspired others to do the work they wish to do. Here are a few:
Kishida Toshiko: Japan, 1863-1901, Writer and Activist
"If it is true that men are better than women because they are stronger, why aren't our sumo wrestlers in the government?"
Carrie Chapman Catt: United Stataes, 1859-1947, President, National American Woman Suffrage Association
"To the wrongs that need resistance, To the right that needs assistance, To the future in the distance, Give yourselves."
Rosa Parks: United States, 1913-2005, "First Lady of Civil Rights"
"Each person must live their lives as a model for others."
Mother Teresa: Republic of Macedonia, 1919-1997, Missionaries of Charity
"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."
Arundhati Roy: India, 1930 - , Author and Political Activist
"Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing."
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: Liberia, 1938- , Africa's "Iron Lady", first female head of state
"If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough."
Be inspired to go out and change the world, if only your world!
Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be,
Gypsi Mama Michelle
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Richmond, VA
Merry meet Friends!
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!
"If you have never been called a defiant, incorrigible, impossible woman....have faith...there is yet time." ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes
"A vibrant and independent woman is much more beautiful than a woman who waits for people to validate her existence." ~ Kelly McNelis Senegor
"Women are made to be loved, not understood." ~ Oscar Wilde
"Women are like tricks by sleight of hand, which to admire, we should not understand." ~ William Congreve
I am fascinated by the mind and how it works. I believe this is one of the reasons I like mysteries. I like solving them. As a child I read Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, then my Aunt Pat started my sister and me on Agatha Christie mysteries; Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. As I aged I read other authors and watched mysteries on film and television. Recently I've been watching murder mysteries on Netflix: Midsomer Murders, Agatha Christie's Poirot, and Ms. Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Midsomer Murders began in the 90's and runs through the present; Poirot is set in the 30's and Ms. Fisher is set in the late 20's. and revolves around the personal and professional life of Phryne Fisher.
I usually know "who done it". I'm not sure if the reason I know with Poirot is because I've read most if not all of Christie's books and it's in my conscious, even though it's been years. At any rate I do have excellent deductive skills, if I do say so myself. I started watching Ms. Fisher because it's a mystery but was soon fixated on the fashion and her personality. Ms. Fisher is considered a "modern" woman of the 20's. She is independently wealthy, a lady detective with a pearl handled gun worn in her garter, and has a mind of her own. Phryne is one of the first feminists, even having birth control pills. She chooses not to get married which was the goal for most women of that time. She is aware of her sexuality and has many lovers yet she maintains her style and class.
Phryne is intelligent, adventurous (she can drive an airplane), and a champion for the people. I am sure she is considered incorrigible. Incorrigible means (of a person or their tendencies) not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed. I admire women who know themselves and are not afraid to be themselves. I believe there were many Phryne Fisher's of that time. I wonder if I had lived during that time if I would have been one? I think I may have been but I am also thinking with the mindset of today. In the same way that people with the mind of today, will say had they lived during slavery, they would have fought back or said this or that.
As I looked back over the decades of my life: the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's,90's 00's and 10's and recalled some of my escapades, I do indeed feel as if I would have been the "woman incorrigible". I would change the definition from "not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed to choosing not to be corrected, improved, or reformed". There is always room for improvement, reformation and correction, if needed, and I am in favor of such. I think we are not to take the definition so literally. No, incorrigible to me, means living in an authentic way; being true to one's self, and living and speaking one's truth.
Women defined in this way are usually not understood, even by other women, which saddens me. I find that the majority of women who come to this state of incorrigible mind, do so in their later years. It's as if they say, "Enough is enough!, I will be who I am!". Nothing is more beautiful than a woman knowing herself and standing in all that she is. This is definitely my goal. I've always spoken my mind but there have been times when I haven't always spoken my truth. I don't wish to hurt anyone's feelings but going against the grain of my being to please others is not an option for me any longer. I will live and speak my truth in love and I wish others to do the same. I believe we know we have reached that stage when we say the things to our children that we don't sugarcoat.
I want everyone to be empowered to live the fullest life imagined but my calling is to women. Sometimes we have to walk in something before we can help others to overcome. As a survivor of rape, domestic violence and breast cancer which did not but could have killed me, I am an overcomer. I did not survive any of those things for myself only. I have an obligation to help other women to survive as well. As an elder in my crone years, I feel as if I have some wisdom. The Bible, one of many wisdom books, says that the older women are to teach the younger. We are teaching ourselves as well, for as the saying goes: "We teach what we most need to learn." I will continue this journey of coming home to myself and I wish for others the same.
Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be!,
Gypsi Mama Michelle
Michelle here, bringing lots of love and light!
"If you have never been called a defiant, incorrigible, impossible woman....have faith...there is yet time." ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes
"A vibrant and independent woman is much more beautiful than a woman who waits for people to validate her existence." ~ Kelly McNelis Senegor
"Women are made to be loved, not understood." ~ Oscar Wilde
"Women are like tricks by sleight of hand, which to admire, we should not understand." ~ William Congreve
I am fascinated by the mind and how it works. I believe this is one of the reasons I like mysteries. I like solving them. As a child I read Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, then my Aunt Pat started my sister and me on Agatha Christie mysteries; Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marple. As I aged I read other authors and watched mysteries on film and television. Recently I've been watching murder mysteries on Netflix: Midsomer Murders, Agatha Christie's Poirot, and Ms. Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Midsomer Murders began in the 90's and runs through the present; Poirot is set in the 30's and Ms. Fisher is set in the late 20's. and revolves around the personal and professional life of Phryne Fisher.
I usually know "who done it". I'm not sure if the reason I know with Poirot is because I've read most if not all of Christie's books and it's in my conscious, even though it's been years. At any rate I do have excellent deductive skills, if I do say so myself. I started watching Ms. Fisher because it's a mystery but was soon fixated on the fashion and her personality. Ms. Fisher is considered a "modern" woman of the 20's. She is independently wealthy, a lady detective with a pearl handled gun worn in her garter, and has a mind of her own. Phryne is one of the first feminists, even having birth control pills. She chooses not to get married which was the goal for most women of that time. She is aware of her sexuality and has many lovers yet she maintains her style and class.
Phryne is intelligent, adventurous (she can drive an airplane), and a champion for the people. I am sure she is considered incorrigible. Incorrigible means (of a person or their tendencies) not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed. I admire women who know themselves and are not afraid to be themselves. I believe there were many Phryne Fisher's of that time. I wonder if I had lived during that time if I would have been one? I think I may have been but I am also thinking with the mindset of today. In the same way that people with the mind of today, will say had they lived during slavery, they would have fought back or said this or that.
As I looked back over the decades of my life: the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's,90's 00's and 10's and recalled some of my escapades, I do indeed feel as if I would have been the "woman incorrigible". I would change the definition from "not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed to choosing not to be corrected, improved, or reformed". There is always room for improvement, reformation and correction, if needed, and I am in favor of such. I think we are not to take the definition so literally. No, incorrigible to me, means living in an authentic way; being true to one's self, and living and speaking one's truth.
Women defined in this way are usually not understood, even by other women, which saddens me. I find that the majority of women who come to this state of incorrigible mind, do so in their later years. It's as if they say, "Enough is enough!, I will be who I am!". Nothing is more beautiful than a woman knowing herself and standing in all that she is. This is definitely my goal. I've always spoken my mind but there have been times when I haven't always spoken my truth. I don't wish to hurt anyone's feelings but going against the grain of my being to please others is not an option for me any longer. I will live and speak my truth in love and I wish others to do the same. I believe we know we have reached that stage when we say the things to our children that we don't sugarcoat.
I want everyone to be empowered to live the fullest life imagined but my calling is to women. Sometimes we have to walk in something before we can help others to overcome. As a survivor of rape, domestic violence and breast cancer which did not but could have killed me, I am an overcomer. I did not survive any of those things for myself only. I have an obligation to help other women to survive as well. As an elder in my crone years, I feel as if I have some wisdom. The Bible, one of many wisdom books, says that the older women are to teach the younger. We are teaching ourselves as well, for as the saying goes: "We teach what we most need to learn." I will continue this journey of coming home to myself and I wish for others the same.
Until next Sunday,
Merry part and merry meet again,
Blessed be!,
Gypsi Mama Michelle
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