Chickee - Conversations with the Goddess

Gloria Vanderbilt inherited a fortune. Her last name is famous because her ancestor Cornelius Vanderbilt was an entrepreneur who amassed wealth in America's nineteenth century shipping and railroad industry.

Among all the treasures in Gloria's life guess what she said is The Best:

"...that is the best -- to laugh with someone because you both think the same things are funny."


Chickee

©2011 by Chickee Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

As a Zulu leader exhorted his listeners to look with eyes that see the relatedness of all life, he made an amazing observation about how Zulu people believe women think :

"It is said by our Zulu people that women think with their pelvic area where children grow. We must think that way. We must no longer look at a tree, but I must see a living entity like me in that thing. I must no longer look at a stone, but I must see the future lying dormant in that stone…. We must think like grandmothers.” ~~Credo Mutwa, Zulu leader

Do you agree that women think viscerally? Do you think this quote describes "women's intuition?"


(Ellie, this is for you and all the women I met at Release.)

Chickee Atalla, author of Conversations with the Goddess: Encounter at Petra, Place of Power
©2011
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of Universal Man is famous. Leonardo envisaged his great picture chart of the human body as a cosmography of the microcosm within the macrocosm. In other words, he believed the workings of the human body to be an analogy for the workings of the universe.

The macrocosm/microcosm schema is an ancient Greek Neo-Platonic way of seeing the same patterns reproduced in all levels of the cosmos, from the largest scale (macrocosm or universe-level) all the way down to the smallest scale (microcosm or small organism/atomic-level). In this schema the midpoint is Man. Only the male body, not the female body, was considered the proper template.

We women aren’t used to envisioning ourselves as a midpoint in the cosmic scheme of things like the Universal Woman pictured above. If the thought of woman as a midpoint in the cosmic scheme of things seems grandiose, then try this one on: women are containers of yin.

Our bodies and psyches hold the space for the primal feminine energy of yin and its generative power. So in this new schema it would follow that our feminine embodiment (microcosm) is a touchstone, a key to redesigning space and ways of being that enhance the flourishing of life on our Earth (macrocosm). Think about it!

And consider this passage from my book, Conversations with the Goddess, in which the prediction is made that:


"Women will be given visions for building the new world. Certain women who become leaders will attain stature as visionaries equal to that of a Leonardo da Vinci. These women will be enabled to see the outlines, and even the details, of what the new collective will be. Yes, the picture of the new society will be perceived through visionary powers, just as the outlines of new societies arising throughout the history of the planet have always been perceived, though usually not described as such."

©2011 by Chickee Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

When I was raising two young sons, I wanted them to enjoy a stimulating environment. I knew no caretaker would feel passionate about my children’s development, as I certainly did. It would be up to me to make a home environment that was as beautiful, nourishing, and stimulating as I could make it. Our home was filled with children’s books, musical instruments, art supplies, and toys. To my sons, learning new things was fun, and I loved their wildly original ways of seeing the world.

It was my job to help my sons develop into the persons they were meant to be, people who could joyously thrive in the world. I wanted them to know that their worth was not dependent on anything they did or how well they did it. Yet I realized there was a tension between what I wished for my sons’ development and what the culture expected them to become, persons with a sober “work ethic.” In their school environment, joyful living was not in the curriculum.

I myself felt inner conflict between pressure for my children to become responsible adults, so as to “make a living,” and desire for them to develop into vibrant, joyful human beings. Joyful living seemed to be something people occasionally allowed themselves outside the work environment, when they went on vacation, or partied on weekends.

Today I’ve come to the conclusion that the nervous concern parents feel about teaching children a good work ethic is not as important as we’ve made it out to be. In fact, we long ago learned how to teach this so well that we do it on automatic pilot. Now it’s time to look at the unexamined assumption that learning a good work ethic is of the highest value in our culture. I propose that it’s high time to turn our attention to learning to teach our children a joy ethic -- for that is what we don’t seem to know how to do.

We might then discover that our highly touted productivity in the workplace is overvalued, at the expense of infusing all of life with the spirit of joy.


©2011, Chickee Dorothy Atalla, author of
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

Comments from BHW panelists about the importance of nourishing food got me thinking.

When I was in Rome about fifteen years ago, my sister-in-law took me, my husband and son to local restaurants I noticed how much the people there eat well in a leisurely way, enjoying their food and each other's company before they go back to their offices. Afterwards we went to a pick-up food store to gather up something for the evening meal in my sister-in-law's apartment. Even the pick-up stores offered fresh marinated vegies that were delicious. Food preparation was clearly highly valued.

I was struck by the difference between how we in the US eat fast to get on with the next important thing to do, while the Italians take all the time they want to enjoy life over food and socializing.

I think the Italian way of reverencing food pays the respect to Mother Earth's bounty she deserves, in a way that we often forget. Why is this so? I wonder.

©Chickee Dorothy Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

George Eliot
19th Century Woman Writer
from an etching by E. A. Fowle



A difference of taste in jokes is a strain on the affections. ~~George Eliot

©Chickee Dorothy Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

Do you remember actress Sophia Loren? She once said something very wise:.


"Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life."


Chickee Atalla, author of Conversations with the Goddess: Encounter at Petra, Place of Power

Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

I don't pretend to have all the answers. But the questions are sure worth thinking about..

~~Authur C. Clarke

©Chickee Dorothy Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

How do we begin to place appropriate value on feminine traits when they don’t create marketable products, only environments (wombs) out of which success is birthed? ~~Eileen Workman, economist

©Chickee Dorothy Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

Chickee Atalla will present a teleseminar in which she and Sharon Riegie Maynard will hold a conversation about “Women Redesigning Space,” on Saturday, May 14th, at 2 p.m. EST. Dial-in number: (414) 944-0004 Pin Code: 638057# .

Although we women have created and designed environments for the flourishing of life over centuries, our contributions were often undervalued, even though they have been fundamental in sustaining human life on our planet. We have also done this on a small scale, and within a larger system that we did not design -- even as we have nurtured, loved and served. Many of us struggle with too little time for ourselves, foods that are harmful, careers that leave family needs unmet, and lack of recognition of our own voice.

Now it's time for us to consciously take back and redesign spaces within the world at large, to extend to that larger world our feminine gift for creating environments that sustain and nourish life. This is essential for the family of humankind and for the sake of the planet.

Chickee and Sharon will talk about what is meant by woman's capacity to "hold space", and why it's important in these times. Women Redesigning Space

Chickee Atalla, author of Conversations with the Goddess

©Chickee Dorothy Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of Universal Man is famous. Leonardo envisaged his great picture chart of the human body as a cosmography of the microcosm within the macrocosm. In other words, he believed the workings of the human body to be an analogy for the workings of the universe.
The macrocosm/microcosm schema is an ancient Greek Neo-Platonic way of seeing the same patterns reproduced in all levels of the cosmos, from the largest scale (macrocosm or universe-level) all the way down to the smallest scale (microcosm or small organism/atomic-level). In this schema the midpoint is Man. Only the male body, not the female body, was considered the proper template.

We women aren’t used to envisioning ourselves as a midpoint in the cosmic scheme of things like the Universal Woman pictured above. If the thought of woman as a midpoint in the cosmic scheme of things seems grandiose, then try this one on: women are containers of yin. Our bodies and psyches hold the space for the primal feminine energy of yin and its generative power. So in this new schema it would follow that our feminine embodiment (microcosm) is a touchstone, a key to redesigning space and ways of being that enhance the flourishing of life on our Earth (macrocosm). Think about it! And consider this passage from my book, Conversations with the Goddess: Encounter at Petra, Place of Power, in which the prediction is made that:

"Women will be given visions for building the new world. Certain women who become leaders will attain stature as visionaries equal to that of a Leonardo da Vinci. These women will be enabled to see the outlines, and even the details, of what the new collective will be. Yes, the picture of the new society will be perceived through visionary powers, just as the outlines of new societies arising throughout the history of the planet have always been perceived, though usually not described as such. "


Chickee Atalla, author of Conversations with the Goddess

©Chickee Dorothy Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

I think Radha Conrad deserves kudos for her quotable clarity snaps. I commented on Radha's featured blog post for this week, saying that change in negative habits of mind takes so much effort. Her response is worthy of being framed for one's desk:

"Everything worth while takes effort...I find it takes less effort to be my best friend than to be my worst enemy."

Chickee

This poem I'm posting below is both soulful and sensory, a great combination in poetry. Often writing that is intended to be uplifting is too airy-fairy. This poem has roots. Its images flow through your body as well as your mind. Enjoy....


It Is Possible

it is possible
to become so one
with Earth
that every flower
perfumes the soul,
every snowflake
sends icy softness
dancing through veins,
every drop of rain
trickles down vessels
of the heart,
every cloud in the sky
sails along
songlines of the spirit,
every earthquake
rumbles in the gut,
every tide of the sea
moves in and out of self,
it is possible
to become one
with Earth
just as it is possible
to become one
with all people,
their pain, my pain,
their joy, my joy,
their struggle and delight
an echo of my own.
it is possible to become one.
it is possible.

~~ Joyce Rupp

In ancient times purple was worn by royal persons. Why not decide to be royal and wear purple?

After reading the lines from Jenny Joseph's poem, "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple," I decided to wear purple and become a royal elder woman. This poem has become world famous, probably because an outrageous older woman lives in each of us.

~~~

Warning

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick the flowers in other peoples' gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickles for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

by Jenny Joseph

You might like to know that this poem helped to start a social phenomenon, the Red Hat Society.

The Red Hat Society (RHS) is a social organization, founded in 1998, for women approaching the age of 50 and beyond. As of January 2011, there are over 70,000 registered members and almost 24,000 chapters in the United States and 25 other countries. The Red Hat Society is the largest women’s social group in the world.

The founder of the Red Hat Society is artist Sue Ellen Cooper, who lives in Fullerton, California. In 1997, Cooper gave a friend a 55th birthday gift consisting of a red fedora purchased a year earlier at a thrift store along with a copy of Jenny Joseph's poem "Warning."

Cooper repeated the gift on request several times, and eventually several of the women bought purple outfits and held a tea party.

Cooper never set out to ignite an international phenomenon. However, after spreading by word of mouth, the Society first received national publicity in 2000 through the magazine Romantic Homes and a feature in The Orange County Register. Cooper then established a "Hatquarters" to field the hundreds of e-mail requests for help starting chapters. She now serves as "Exalted Queen Mother", and has written two best-selling books about the Society.

©Chickee Dorothy Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

When interviewed by the press, Miss Piggy gave this distinguished advice: "Never eat more than you can lift."

I so admire her! Is she a sage for our time, or what?! Now I know exactly when to cease gluttonous behaviors, especially when eating yummy chocolate-covered marshmallow eggs this Easter.

Maybe I should eat chocolate-covered carrots instead -- but then too many of them might become heavier than I can lift. Most certainly they're heavier than chocolate- covered marshmallow eggs. Don't you agree?

Chickee

©Chickee Dorothy Atalla, author
Conversations with the Goddess
Facebook Conversations
GoddessSpeaks on Twitter

A match made in heaven...this video of a cat & deer playing in the woods will make your day.