r e d t e n t w o m a n ::

Welcome to the newest (and youngest) Red Tent Woman

A big Red Tent welcome to Mena Basran Russell, who arrived on 11/18/06. She's home with Mom Manjeet, dad William and big sister Mira in time for the holidays! What a wonderful gift, eh?!

Congratulations and WELL DONE, Manjeet!

Making Waves

(The inspiration for this post was a conversation I had with a client about the difference between power and force and the cost of trying to force oneself to do things against the wisdom of one's own heart.

My beautiful and insightful client was the inspiration for both of the women in the story -- the ambitious, unstoppable, willful self and the older, wiser, patient self -- but I think both aspects can be found in every one of us as we grow into our woman-ful-ness. - KM)

One morning, a wise woman was walking along the beach when she came across a curious sight: a young woman waist-deep, slapping in the water with a flat piece of wood. She was going at it with great gusto, as if her very life was at stake.

The old woman called out, "What are you doing?"

"Making waves," the young woman answered.

"Why?" asked the old woman.

Sign up today for the next Virtual Salon

"Becoming Alive and Awake
to the Present Moment"
An open discussion via telephone bridge line
Thursday, October 19, 2006 ***RESCHEDULED TO NOV 16***
7:00pm - 8:15pm Pacific   

It's FREE -- everyone is welcome!

Click here to register and get the bridge line info

This month's theme continues our series from the Red Tent manifesto. We're exploring the principles and practices that help a Red Tent woman travel the sacred feminine path.

Note to Self: Stop Digging

"When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging." -- Unknown

I took a chance and shared this little nugget of wisdom with my teenager the other day. I have to admit, I was kind of grasping at straws when I pulled that old quote out of the memory banks. He had managed to dig himself into a hole with some very unpleasant consequences, and then started flinging dirty looks and sulky grunts at everyone within range (mostly me), which of course was only getting him deeper into trouble.

So I took a risk and pointed out...

Shipwrecked on Someday Isle

Years ago, one of my teachers asked us to write an essay about our dreams for the future. I can't recall the details of what I wrote in my essay, but I do remember what I called it: "Someday Isle...". As in, "Someday, I'll have my own place; someday, I'll meet the man of my dreams; someday, I'll travel around the world, first class."

At the time, it seemed like "someday" was always just beyond...

An Invitation to the Bloggers, Writers and Journalers Amongst Us

The other day, someone asked me how it was going with the Red Tent. Overall, I'd say this has been a most enjoyable, exciting and interesting experience. Being in this conversation with women about how we can a difference has been empowering and I think it's helped me be more awake, aware and at choice about my own life and livelihood.

One thing I can say for sure

Google-a-go-go

I ran across this article today while Googling "women making a difference" (one of my favorite searches!):

The Summer Inquiry Project

Check this out, ladies -- here are a couple of folks who are up to something REALLY COOL:

The Summer Inquiry Project

Mona Grayson (Red Tent Woman of the Month for July) told me about a young couple, Rachel and John, who are on a road trip for the whole month of August to visit states that voted Republican in the last election. Why? Here's an excerpt from Rachel's homepage:

Woman of the Month - Mona Grayson

Our Woman of the Month for July is Mona Grayson. Mona and I met through an online marketing support group several years ago and have become fast friends, even though we've never met in person! Be sure to visit Mona's beautiful website and blog to find out more about how she helps people have more happiness in life through the Work of Byron Katie.

And now for the interview -- I love what she has to say about becoming your own best friend:

New Beginnings: Say YES Every Day

My friend Kathy Mallary gave me a framed inspirational message a few years ago. I have it above my dressing room table and I read it every morning. It always makes me feel strong, powerful and passionate and open to all possibilities for the day.