Posted by Anita Bondi on May 2, 2010 under Anita Bondi | 
I think I may have been at a friend’s house when I first saw the poem, Imagine a Woman. This year it is celebrating its 15th anniversary which means I was an early “thirty-something” when I read it and was ripe for its message. I had just opened the Holistic Arts Studio (now Wellspring Holistic Center), and had been teaching and mentoring its message since my twenties. Of course, now in my late 40’s I realize how little I knew back then, how much more I understand now, and how far I still have to go I in living its inspiration! Join me on May 3rd, as Mandala Design Works launches our partnership with Patricia Lynn Reilly ( the author of the poem) and Imagine a Woman International. We are a perfect match, as we all choose empowerment through self-acceptance, passionate living, and community spirit! Join the birthday celebration and imagine all women in love with themselves! Here is the whole poem (and me 15 years ago!):
Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman.
A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories.
Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life.
Imagine a woman who trusts and respects herself.
A woman who listens to her needs and desires.
Who meets them with tenderness and grace.
Imagine a woman who acknowledges the past’s influence on the present.
A woman who has walked through her past.
Who has healed into the present.
Imagine a woman who authors her own life.
A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf.
Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and wisest voice.
Imagine a woman who names her own gods.
A woman who imagines the divine in her image and likeness.
Who designs a personal spirituality to inform her daily life.
Imagine a woman in love with her own body.
A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is.
Who celebrates its rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.
Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in her changing body.
A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom.
Who refuses to use her life-energy disguising the changes in her body and life.
Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.
A woman who sits in circles of women.
Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.
Imagine yourself as this woman.
Posted by Anita Bondi on April 10, 2010 under Anita Bondi |
Could I have been as famous as Oprah? Would it have been possible to have a big “A” in lights and everyone saying, “Oh, yes, Anita, of course!” One of my problems may be the fact that the “A” was already taken (that would be by Nathaniel Hawthorne of The Scarlet Letter fame.), or perhaps that I was born white and middle class (but we will leave these for another blog!).
I am tired and overbooked. I have given myself the task of working for 2 hours and then taking 30 minutes to do something that feels relaxing to me. Twenty-nine minutes ago it was reading the 10th anniversary edition of “O” magazine.
I have to tell you that there were some uncanny moments. My sister and I will be the kick-off keynote speakers at the Pocono Women, Power of 10 conference, next Saturday, April 17th. This simple 20 minute presentation has kept me up nights because of the simple title our talk was given: Make your life a Ten. This has caused many conversations with friends and clients and the other day, my sister. The notes finally organized themselves and I slept the whole night through: yahoo!
Now for a list of the uncanny moments (all having to do with the presentation I have just finished putting together):
1. Elizabeth Gilbert is saying the same things that I am (author of Eat, Pray, Love)
2. Martha Beck is saying the same things that I am (author and life coach)
3. Lisa Kogan is saying the same things that I am (monthly O columnist and one funny lady!)
4. Oprah is saying the same things that I am (needs no explanation)
5. And even Dr. Phil said one thing that I am going to say!
What is the message here? I think my time has come! No, seriously, I think it means that this particular message is now available for all to hear. The collective “We” is ready to change and if you want more than that, you will have to pick up the latest copy of O magazine and/or register here for the Pocono Women event next weekend!
Posted by Stan Stewart (Sawyer) on under Anita Bondi, Stan Stewart |
Something beautiful is happening between Anita and me: we’re falling in love again. Maybe it’s the seven year itch finally bearing fruit — we’ve been together for about nine years. Maybe it’s that we’ve actually managed to practice what we preach by using the tools we have learned over the years in our own day-to-day relationship. We’ve even remembered to pull a card from Anita’s own InterPlay Inspiration Deck or role Gretchen Wegner’s MuseCubes a few times recently!
Mostly, I think it’s been about each of us learning to be more playful — both individually and in the ways we relate with each other. One of our playmates is our “rescue dog,” Scout. In addition to loving to hike, run in circles (usually around Anita or me), and play games with his stuffed toys, Scout likes to sing and talk. Sometimes these vocalizations just sound like grunts and sometimes they form random melodies. However they may sound, they always draw our attention to him.
A few days ago, we were involved in this deathly serious discussion. Anita was getting focused — I could tell because of the furrow in her forehead — and I was getting sad — and showing it. Suddenly, Scout stretched and performed one of his delightful little vocalizations right between us. We both laughed. And the moment was transformed.
So — unless you have a dog or a child to shift the mood — roll the dice or draw a card and relax into your life. Join us on a Monday night to experience the tools we use.
Playful blessings!
Posted by Anita Bondi on March 21, 2010 under Anita Bondi |
I know it is spring because I feel like I have cobwebs in my eyes, nose, and brain. I asked Stan this morning if he liked Spring. I even noticed my tone was a little sour when the question came out of my mouth. I also noticed that I felt a bit lifted by his answer. Turns out his favorite season is Fall. So is mine. I feel a little bah humbug about Spring, the same way folks feel about Christmas (which by the way, I Love!). I know. I know. Things are popping out of the ground, birds are singing, trees getting ready to burst, and all that good stuff.
I am suspicious it has to do with work. The sense that it is time to get moving again, after the long winter’s nap kind of thing. The other day I practically closed my eyes while walking from the car to the back porch for fear that all the fallen branches, leaves, peeling paint, splintering wood of the deck, would somehow reach out, grab and strangle me. See, it is the work thing. I can’t enjoy the season because I think I now have to work harder, do more, accomplish something.
This accomplish something thought has had a hold of me for quite awhile. I think it relaxes a bit more in the Autumn and Winter. As I feel it waking up from its slumber it scares me. Maybe this is the year I don’t have to invite it in? Maybe this year, this new season, there can be a chance for a springing up and over the old. I can land on the other side of it and with eyes forward keep walking-not look back.
This kind of talk always sounds good and makes me feel like an athlete after a good motivational speech
from a coach. I feel focused, ready, at the top of my game. Of course it is still early in the morning and my coffee is still hot!
Posted by Anita Bondi on March 3, 2010 under Anita Bondi |
There is no title to this entry because I spent 3 whole minutes trying to come up with a catchy title and could not. What is there to say when one gets up at 6am and then, contemplates going back to bed at 8am? My dog has to go out, my bed has to get made, my clients will start arriving at 10am, my list of “to do’s” is a mile long, and all I can think about is lying around watching the rain dripping past the window.
On some level I know there is nothing wrong with that.
I have work to do though! Things to create! Things that have been created that need to get out into the world! Where is my focus? My drive? My motivation?
I used to do all of this stuff with the grace of an Olympic athlete, easily maneuvering the terrain, in excellent condition to push for hours on end. And, most importantly, I had the focus, the drive, the motivation that I am now in search of as I lay on my chaise lounge computer in my lap!
If I am complete in this very moment, why do anything? If i am loved just because I am, why bother getting up at all today? There has to be a reason to move forward.
I am waiting for a reason.
Five minutes and nothing has arrived. I guess the dog needing to go out will have to be good enough.
