Great women know how to laugh from the belly

Our meeting Monday was lovely. Thanks to Iryna for sharing her home, her garden and wonderful treats. Iryna also gave us copies of a book called Permission to Play.

Play is one of the more serious parts of my own work and thinking about it today led me to the title of this blog post. Women often hold back their laughter. We giggle or smile or laugh politely. Even in the 21st century, we hear voices that remind us to be ladylike. Sometimes now, they cover it up by using words like "professional."

All the great women I have ever known have known how to laugh big - right from the belly, preferably until their eyes start to water and it gets hard to breathe. They laugh with passion and warmth and an overwhelming sense that laughter puts back into the world something that we need.

So. . . go off into the day in search of reasons to really let go and practice laughter.

Could we add a links list to this blog?

I'd love to be able to visit everyone's home on the web. Do enough of us have sites or blogs that we could connect by adding a list of links?

Our Next meeting - Monday May 11th

Hello Great Women,

Our next meeting with be on Monday May 11th, same location, Neilson Park Creative Centre from 7 to 9.

See you then,

Iryna

Baby steps

As I write this, I find myself wondering about the post on naming our group. I didn't think my title was a response, but perhaps it is exactly what this group might want.

Do you remember baby steps? Tiny, uncertain, and powered by unimagined potential and hope.

It is sometimes hard to predict where very small things will lead.

I am not going to be able to attend the next meeting; it's time for a brief holiday. I will have a computer, and I will check the blog for updates.

In the meantime, I wonder what each of us has done this month to stand up for hope. I think often of that phrase. In my own life and work, it quite often means remembering that tension (at least in stringed instruments) can be a way of finding our voices.

Linda

Hi everyone,

Wow, thank you for your emails and enthusiasm. Wanted to share some of the ideas I've recieved for names. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I've also received suggestions for other blogs (see Carollyne's below) websites, books, Linked in groups etc. Am compiling and will share with everyone at our next meeting.

Torchbearers, Beacons of Hope from Kate.

From Libby, I was once involved with a group of women in the US - we called ourselves 'cirque de Sophia'. Sophia means wisdom and life (if I recall correctly) so we were a circle of wisdom and life.

I found this to be inspiring, from Carollyn Conlin, see the Tiara Circle blog. http://tiaracircle.blogspot.com/

Iryna

Great Women can make things happen

Hello Iryna and all: The meeting of April 6th still has me thinking of a focus. I have come to the conclusion that great things don't happen in the initial meeting. Time must be spent building the relationship and also discussing how we can use this group to make a difference in our lives and also the lives of others.

I am still awed by all the talent that we had in the room and the potential to create something/act as a catalyst for change. I feel fortunate to have met all of you. Dianne

Posting to the blog

Hi everyone,

I think I have this figured out. You should be getting an email invitation identifying you as an 'author' for this blog. Once you accept and enter your information, select SIGN IN at the top right of the blog page - once you've signed in, a page will appear that has the blog info as well as an area for posting.

Looking forward to your posts.

Iryna