Skip to main content

Wisdom from Gloria Steinem

I am a big fan of Super Soul conversations. This morning I listened to Oprah's conversation with Gloria and there were so many little gems that resonated with me that I need to capture them here for my future self (or you, my audience, if you're out there reading this).

"You don't ask small questions."
I can't begin to explain how deeply I relate to this. I am not interested in small talk, I am not good at it, and it leaves me feeling empty. I will ask you something big that we could potentially connect over, or you will slowly disappear from my life, because if we can't do that, you bring no added value.

"I'm a hopeaholic... with skepticism, because that helps inform where to spend your energies."
If this isn't the biggest truth discovery of my 30s, I don't know what is. I see the world as a friendly place. I see possibilities and I have hope for the future. But I am not an idiot, and I am not blind to the defects. I just choose to have hope and get creative about how to overcome them. I am not so skeptical that I cannot find joy. I am not so hopeful that I have no agency.

"Religion is politics in the sky. I am a paga, pagans believe there is godliness in every living thing." Well that pretty much sums it up. I see and feel the presence of spirit in every day, every person, every moment. This does not mean I need a regimented church service, a restricted life, or a set of "dos and don'ts" in order to love, and live a spiritual life.

"Everyone needs a home to settle down in, and a road to lead them out into the world." My hopeful romantic soul truly believes this. When you find someone who is both home and adventure, that is the magic we are looking for. In the same way a career must do the same. A friendship must be both a secure base and a playground. Every element of our life must retain this balance. Love and desire, passion and peace, inspiration and rest.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

When you get stuck

Sometimes you can get stuck in a relationship: You're in a constant state of trigger (fight/ flight/ freeze) instead of feeling intimately connected You've become two old stories instead of two open hearts You're scared or angry most of the time instead of feeling free and authentic It's heavy and complicated instead of light and playful  There is more effort placed on control and strategy than growth and gratitude You are there because of a commitment, because you feel you “should”, not because you want to be.  What can you do? You basically have 3 options: 1. Stay . Continue the slow, painful process of losing yourself in order to keep the relationship. 2. Let it go . Sacrifice your relationship to save your soul. 3. Change . You both have to be willing and capable of growing together. The goal here is to see if you can get back to love without sacrificing your authentic selves in the process. To do this, you must remove the idea of promises, attachment...

Courage is not the absence of fear

"Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear." -George Addair Wholeheartedly believe this. We have two choices in life: be led by fear, or lead with love and courage, trusting that things will unfold and work out just as they should. Maybe not how you planned, but always for the best. Fears will never disappear. But when you make peace with your fears, possibilities will appear. The next time you feel fear, just take the superhero stance! (And do some yoga to quiet the mind.)

Dream

Would you mind dreaming with me a little while longer Because I'm not finished with you yet You tell me not to remember But I don't want to forget It may not be perfect, nor am I, neither are you But you bring me something I can hold on to It helps me surrender It helps me advance And most of all, you already know, It makes my soul dance.