When waking women gather....

There's an old Chinese Proverb that I love: "When sleeping women wake, mountains move.” Red, Hot & Holy author Sera Beak ponders: “I wonder what happens when awake women gather…”

Lucky me! I know what happens when awake women gather - they connect, reflect and become more of who they came to be. They make the world a better place by sharing their energy and insights. Watching women wake up is wonder-ful!

Many moons ago as I was waking up, I found myself writing lots of “wake up!” poems. The more I slept, the more I woke up. How I survived 4 hours of sleep a night during law school, working full time, I do not know. I cherish double that now. Ironically, my own waking up came just after my third baby (and I) began sleeping through the night. For four years, I hadn’t slept through the night once. I was exhausted. I couldn’t recall having any dreams. I was running on empty, sleepwalking through my days. Scientists are concluding that our sleep-deprived culture is leading to all kinds of disorders and diseases. We are less healthy as a result.

Here’s a wild thought - we need to get more sleep to wake up! Given the sleep stats, it’s really not surprising that 60% of us are unhappy and 30% of us are depressed. These are fascinating figures in a world that has, and knows, more than ever before. How can we be fully away when we aren’t getting enough sleep? We are busier, have more distractions, and are more tired, than ever before.

What I see in Circle is wonderful! Women making it their top priority to slow down and take deep dives, to discover and become more of who they came to be. Together, we dream and create a way of being where we drop our masks, open to our vulnerabilities, live more mindfully and spend ME time in order to thrive in the WE space. Five years after creating 2big4words, I still grasp at imperfect words, unable to describe this perfect experience. Here are the critical pieces that you, too, can do at home. We sit and slow down. We turn off all distractions including most importantly, the voices of our inner critics. We listen and reflect. Connecting at the speed of the soul, we share stories and feel inspired to become more of who we are.

Not surprising, waking women are eager for their children and spouses to enjoy the same experiences. Many times in the past two weeks, I have discussed with my gal pals and women in circle how we can create safe spaces for them, too. I love being with wonderful women who are changing the conversation not only in my living room, but also at their kitchen tables, in their front yards, and even in their bedrooms. I absolutely love what I do and want to do more of it!

“In case you wonder if it matters, it does,” my friend Ann reminded me this week. Each small kindness we put out into the world - beginning with self compassion - ripples out far wider than we will ever know. Inching up on my 400th Circle, I feel like we are creating big change, together. It makes me so darn happy, waking up with wonderful women.

Are you awake? When’s the last time you had a good night’s sleep? Here’s a key: can you recall your dreams? My waking up is fueled by my sleeping and dreaming.

One of the hazards to sleep and happiness is BUSYness. I often wonder if the chief benefits of Circle time are pausing and powering down. Test it. Be less busy. Sleep in. Turn off your cell phone. Notice what happens. The insights and awareness that swim into Circle’s slow space when we turn off and tune in are absolutely awesome. Waking women will be gathering this Monday morning @ 10. Plunge into the waters of Circle with us. Let's move some mountains!

May you be happy. May you feel loved. May you get some sleep.