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It's pretty cool to witness so many younger women opting for cycle eating to accommodate their natural rhythms. Although that wisdom has been around a very long time, these things get lost sometimes. Lately though, I've been witnessing couple's enjoying cooking together and I've even seen husbands creating amazing meals for their wives in alignment with her best medicine cycle wise in mind. It's really cool because this also offers men who enjoy feeding women in that way (the actual food part) the opportunity to learn a lot about how to put it all together to make masterpiece meals that taste amazing too! I LOVE WITNESSING THAT!!!!! because what comes with that is: Happier people!!!! I mean if you are going to live and breath with one another and you're going to eat anyway, why not make it work at all the levels for wellness. Additionally witnessing a man human honoring his own wife, partner and her unique needs-that's a pretty big turn on! Anyway, that's not my reality at this time but it still makes me happy. Over here in Honolulu I'm in a different stage of life where the four phases aren't what they used to be. The clock work and being able to count on the four phases eventually turns into something very different. Sleep becomes this game I am playing and right now, I'm digging....... Dark Chocolate Turmeric Night Cap!
I wanted to try this flaxmilk and it's my first try with it. Typically I do like the organic whole milk while also trying different milks at different times. I find though, the organic whole milk taste the best and it also makes me feel the best. The other night time remedy is sometimes honeycomb. Still in the "comb" the honey is incredible and I just chew on the comb until it has no flavor then it goes in the trashcan but that is also a very good sleep remedy for me. It depends on the day though. The Chocolate Turmeric Night Cap: Any milk, Dark chocolate, Turmeric, black pepper and due to my desire to be cool vs hot throughout the night, I use cardamom instead of cinnamon because one is cooling and the other is heating. I prefer the cooling element and also, I love the flavor as well. The black pepper helps activate the power of the turmeric. It's like the best drug on the market. Sip slowly, savoring, allowing.......ah....so wonderful AND HERE IS THE NEW DISCOVERY/DEVELOPMENT IN MY LIFE!!! Someone had purchased one of these cooling gel foam bed tops for their company but didn't ever use it simply because they didn't like the look or something to that effect. Therefore I was asked if I would be interested, I thought it was a generous gift and I would like to try it. What is the worst that could happen? I don't really know all that much about these things. I like my bed and it sure is comfortable however, I woke up the first morning after placing this thing on my bed and two amazing things had happened. The first thing was, I slept two hours longer. That's a win. The second thing that happened is I noticed how cool my body felt. Right away I had to thank this person again and share the benefits I was already noticing as my unexpected deeper gratitude rose higher and higher. I'm like wow! This was incredible luck! I've been sleeping like that ever since, longer and cooler.
So I just wanted to mention this in case there is anyone else out there who may have the desire for these things but it has to be a certain kind of foam bed top because in my research I learned a lot of them can make you hot. Which, I suppose if you are in a cold weather winter climate, that might be a good thing. You never know what will make people happy! Okay, take care and Stay tuned!
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Our certainty regarding "Abortion is healthcare," continues here in Honolulu and together as a community we have co-created a few opportunities......readers can click any golden link to learn more... Here we go...... Our incredible friends at Refuse Fascism Honolulu will be hosting a Sign-Holding Every Wednesday in November yet also: Starting October 27th, 2021
 Our Justice & Self-Care, Advocacy & Wellness Workshop in Honolulu has been co-created by: Women's March Honolulu, Project Koa Yoga & Love Affair with Thyself |
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FLYERS ANYONE CAN USE FOR COLLEGE DORMS AND OTHER COMMUNITIES WHERE THERE IS AN EVENT BOARD. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THESE.
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WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US IN RISING UP AND LIFTING ONE ANOTHER UP WHILE WE ALSO STAY CENTERED< GROUNDED AND INSIDE WELLNESS!
BELOW ARE A FEW THINGS FOR YOU "IN THE MEANTIME"
THE ACTIVISTS GUIDE TO SELF CARE BY IMPACT GLOBAL
Sharing some of my favorite Expanded Conversations happening on TED TALK-A lot of thought provoking, heart grabbing, story, deeper knowing and reality based story telling happening below, moving the conversation to a different more reverent place....
A discussion on changing the reproductive rights conversation. As the current debate and discourse remain highly polarized, moving beyond the extremes and recognizing and respect the realm of the "technicolor" decisions that women make is encouraged. Jessica Waters is the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in American University’s School of Public Affairs and is also a faculty member in the Department of Justice, Law and Criminology and an adjunct faculty member at the Washington College of Law. Her research focuses primarily on reproductive rights law.
After interviewing hundreds of strangers about their unplanned pregnancies, Josiah believes the conversation surrounding abortion and unplanned pregnancy in America is fueling disconnection. In a thoughtful talk guided by real stories, Josiah explores what we can do to build a culture of vulnerability that overcomes isolation and shame with real human connection. Josiah Friedman is the 25-year-old founder and CEO of Voices for the Voiceless, the nonprofit cultural movement creating a world where no one faces unplanned pregnancy alone
Abortion is extremely common. In America, for example, one in three women will have an abortion in their lifetime, yet the strong emotions sparked by the topic -- and the highly politicized rhetoric around it -- leave little room for thoughtful, open debate. In this personal, thoughtful talk, Aspen Baker makes the case for being neither “pro-life” nor “pro-choice” but rather "pro-voice" -- and for the roles that listening and storytelling can play when it comes to discussing difficult topics.
Asha Dahya, Journalist and women’s rights activist; founder/editor of GirlTalkHQ.com, presents: “Reframing Reproductive Rights: Going Beyond Pro-Choice vs Pro Life” Asha shares her big idea surrounding what it would it look like if we took the most divisive topic in America and changed the narrative beyond pro-choice and pro-life?
Stay Tuned!
Quick Orientation
Hi I'm Christina,
This is my blog where I share a variety of things as I move into year eight of my own heading toward Menopause journey. What that means is: I've been in peri-menopause for almost eight years now.
I mention this because I believe it's important for women to understand their own inner body as it relates to the subtle shifts taken place, often over a significant length of time- as we head toward menopause: is not only possible-but it's also subjective to each woman's life. I believe this level of awareness is super important on a lot of levels. Every woman's journey in this stage of life is going to happen inside of her in different ways. Therefore, it's a wonderful time for women to be even better listeners inside their own bodies and also, inside their chosen sisterhood circles. We are not all the same and it's just been an incredible witnessing to see so many younger women take on and honor their four phases of their cycle while their cycle is monthly and carries a lot of self information. That will be most helpful and good practice for when this stage of life happens.
For me personally, I am excited about menopause because menopause equals freedom for me. As a woman who was diagnosed with PMDD in the early 90's shortly after my second biological son was born and died from a rare chromosome disorder, it was a very intense and a confusing time. All these years later as I continue to move through this normal stage of a woman's most natural life, I'm thrilled to see so much awareness happening for women-GLOBALLY! You can read more about that by clicking the WHAT IS PMDD, link below....
I haven't had any PMDD symptoms in a while.
What I can say about PMDD in retrospect though is
never ever underestimate the absolute power of things like: when you are loved well, heard the first time and your boundaries are respected in terms of being able to quickly assess, get the help that a woman needs and or take on holistic practices that make a world of difference within the 5 interwoven puzzle that is PMDD.
“We can’t talk about our own health without understanding
our place in our environment, because in order to fulfill our
potential we have to live in the context of our surroundings.
We have to know our place in the ecosystem of which we
are a part, and this means living 'consciously': being aware
of nature and how it affects us and how we, in turn, affect
nature.”
― Sebastian Pole, Discovering the True You with
Ayurveda: How to Nourish, Rejuvenate, and
Transform Your Life
Quick Preface
Before I share my Dental Wellness-I want to be sure to articulate, self-care for my particular peri-menopause includes, transcendental meditation, self massage with warm oil, acupuncture and a few other things. Currently my newest thing seems to be cleaning my feet in a ritual sort of way. First I use a golf ball under my feet and that does wonders!
A few months ago, it was all about the rice water ritual for my hair because that wonky itching no longer exists. Itchiness- is an oddly common development for women moving through Peri-menopause. Yet, I've noticed through these past almost eight years within my own peri-menopausal experience, when I experience some odd new thing, the more I love up on that and find ways to nourish that...the more ease, peace and joy I experience. This allows me to love out in ways that fulfill me. The sense that my life has meaning based on the meaning I give it, totally helps inspire me to keep coming back to the intimate connection within my own body mind.
DENTAL WELLNESS
My dental health has been highlighted as one of the many holistic wellness prevention action steps.
A few months ago, it was all about the rice water ritual for my hair because that wonky itching no longer exists. Itchiness- is an oddly common development for women moving through Peri-menopause. Yet, I've noticed through these past almost eight years within my own peri-menopausal experience, when I experience some odd new thing, the more I love up on that and find ways to nourish that...the more ease, peace and joy I experience. This allows me to love out in ways that fulfill me. The sense that my life has meaning based on the meaning I give it, totally helps inspire me to keep coming back to the intimate connection within my own body mind.
DENTAL WELLNESS
My dental health has been highlighted as one of the many holistic wellness prevention action steps.
We created an action plan together to see what needs to be done now to enhance the quality of my existence. I've had a few appointments and digestion does begin in our mouth. I've noticed, after the semi-rough parts like having my gums scraped for the first time in my life felt amazing after and it does seem like my digestive health is a lot more steady too. Again though, there is a lot of self-care that I do and after this gum treatment, same as after acupuncture. I ride those health care waves beyond those appointments/experiences.
This Ayurveda Kapha Balancing simplistic under 15 minutes sequence totally helped me with my new allergic reaction to being "numbed" by the dentist. My whole life visiting the dentist office, I've never had any allergic reactions to that before. (This is what I mean by -things change) In addition to the twitching reaction that doesn't last all that long, I now experience some weird and twisty lower level slight depression of some sort. It's so minor though. Being aware that this substance is the cause helps a lot. It was as simple as understanding time and intentional action helps move things along. Now that hormones have changed....
It feels good, to take care of what needs to be taken care of. It's like anything else really. You know when you are a couple and then you have children and life changes because room needs to be made to be "more." and some of it you might feel a little sad that life is a little "more," in ways you weren't expecting while also feeling blessed? Moving beyond couple-hood to the expansion of parenthood changes you and sometimes people resist that especially if they don't take the time to re-create or re-evaluate to add it all into the mix and make it all work? I think a lot of life and especially life phases within our female physiology is like that. Every stage teaches you something different about yourself but if you resist the changes, stay stuck inside what once was.....because it was a lot easier -we can totally miss so many opportunities to enjoy our now as it is. Now, If I can only have this same mindset as it relates to cleaning out my closet which is a hot mess! I hope to get to that but right now, for me my best medicine and self care happiness is what it often is: My digestion is so happy!
Stay tuned!
Stay tuned!
Currently loving the immediate and soft results of my past two acupuncture treatments!
Below is a chart for anyone to discover the benefits for themselves.
Soft-Ongoing-Steady Stream of Goodness
Last weekend I was on the phone with my mom sharing what I did self-care wise on my Friday night and all she could do was laugh while her head was spinning. Mostly as it relates to the length I will go to feel good inside my own body mind in this transformative life phase I'm currently in.
While also experimenting with various wellness things. I like Traditional Chinese medicine and I also like Ayurveda too.
It's kind of wild how they over lap in some places while being different in others. The meridian system is something we studied broadly in Massage Therapy School, therefore, I've got a foundation with that and Ayurveda I've been learning and studying that for about seven years now, starting with my friends inviting me to meet some very cool people who were also highly skilled at Marma Point Therapy. Additionally I do have experience as an intern for Colon Hydrotherapy, therefore, when it comes to the digestive system (my own in particular) I am very comfortable with creating a warm, clean and safe "Basti" space a weekend after the Acupuncture treatment did some good things! It's always best to work with an Ayurveda Wellness Doctor or specialist and of course, everyone can do their own research to make the best choices for their own life.
For me, a few "Basti," treatments on occasion sets me into this amazing place. Anyway I found this soothing music and through the privacy of my own experience I found this music did provide the soothing relaxing nourishment that made the experience slow, easy and enjoyable. I don't think anyone would have to do a basti to have this intentional soothing the colon music help them ease up.
While also experimenting with various wellness things. I like Traditional Chinese medicine and I also like Ayurveda too.
It's kind of wild how they over lap in some places while being different in others. The meridian system is something we studied broadly in Massage Therapy School, therefore, I've got a foundation with that and Ayurveda I've been learning and studying that for about seven years now, starting with my friends inviting me to meet some very cool people who were also highly skilled at Marma Point Therapy. Additionally I do have experience as an intern for Colon Hydrotherapy, therefore, when it comes to the digestive system (my own in particular) I am very comfortable with creating a warm, clean and safe "Basti" space a weekend after the Acupuncture treatment did some good things! It's always best to work with an Ayurveda Wellness Doctor or specialist and of course, everyone can do their own research to make the best choices for their own life.
For me, a few "Basti," treatments on occasion sets me into this amazing place. Anyway I found this soothing music and through the privacy of my own experience I found this music did provide the soothing relaxing nourishment that made the experience slow, easy and enjoyable. I don't think anyone would have to do a basti to have this intentional soothing the colon music help them ease up.
3 HOURS Music To Help Improve Colon Cleansing - YouTube
Once cleansed and feeling light and happy, I decided to do the Yani Steam. I do have the herbs however, I find I don't really need to add anything because the sensation of the hot steam with quality water does the trick. For me I'm not looking to clean something that is self cleaning as much as I'm looking to bring energy and softness into an area of my own body that I love a lot.
As soon as the steam reaches me, I experience this softness, this lovely return to my center and some kind of wonderful melting while something good happens to my brain too. Sometimes, something I wasn't even focused on floats into my brain and the solution is right there, all of a sudden.
What I've come to understand by this self loving practice as a woman in this stage is-it also helps me sleep.
As soon as the steam reaches me, I experience this softness, this lovely return to my center and some kind of wonderful melting while something good happens to my brain too. Sometimes, something I wasn't even focused on floats into my brain and the solution is right there, all of a sudden.
What I've come to understand by this self loving practice as a woman in this stage is-it also helps me sleep.
Music for Healing female energy
This past Friday in Acupuncture, it was the first time the needles were placed around my belly button. That is my first ever experience with that placement of the needles. My request was that we stay with my digestive system and they sure do listen to you when you know what you need. Anyway, a few hours later, I got my Menstrual Period and that is always such a surprise now. That means, at least one more year before I'm officially a woman in menopause but that also meant for me, a weekend in what is known to me as my "moon lodge."
I'm happy about it because it's also a very healthy flow happening right now. I've been sipping warm water and tea, I made yummy soup, took several easy strolls, sat in the park and wrote in three different areas of interest to me.
In my moon lodge (laying low and staying home) while respecting the acupuncture treatment equals taking it easy to allow these things to work on their own is where I am at right now.
Taking it easy is so wonderful @
There are a few more things. but I think this is plenty of sharing and it's time for a good nights sleep now
Stay Tuned
Finished my 52 concise beliefs I carry now in my fifty-second year of existence.
It's also pretty cool to be able to connect to what I wrote in 2015 when I was coming out of a very different life stage!
- Beauty doesn’t fade, it expands.
- Nature is soft and it’s also fierce.
- Love isn’t always patient or kind, similar to nature -fierceness is sometimes necessary.
- Feminism is moving into a new wave and it’s best to learn about the waves and recognize what’s possible.
- Misogyny is not sexy in men or women.
- Rest in Love feels better to my heart and soul than Rest In Peace.
- Aloneness is different than loneliness
- No is a complete sentence
- Rejection and betrayal are a part of everyone’s life
- The willingness to co-create feels better.
- Sisterhood is life saving.
- 100% accountability is enough.
- Living at the level of the mind only is a dreadful way to live.
- A yes at the level of the body, mind and the heart is the best yes and can be trusted.
- Compassionate people have boundaries
- Gossip ruins lives, destroys families and it is a waste of everyone’s time. Yet, support systems generate the desire to thrive.
- Everyone is judgmental. Especially the enlightened folks.
- Some things are right and some things are wrong and it’s okay to say so.
- Facts are accumulated by effort but truth reveals itself in reverent time and both are necessary.
- Women who were born women have a cycle and no one needs to stomp on that or us to get their place in the world.
- The more I care about my own brain health, the more I heal what is exclusively mine to heal the better my brain works.
- People can and will hurt you without your consent.
- Depth isn’t heavy to a mermaid as long as she keeps her land legs aka understands what keeps her grounded. She needs an anchor too.
- Women bleed and yes you can trust something that bleeds every month and does not die-again misogyny is not sexy.
- Connection is a gift.
- A child’s love and trust requires my integrity, awareness - who I am and how I show up matters
- Love is willing & that includes the willingness to say no when you are a no.
- I will hold your hand and I will hold your baby.
- Communication is an Art to me and experiencing it that way enriches my existence.
- Hydration and a good nights sleep is often my cure.
- The smaller my inner most important circle/ connections I have the more consistency and stability I can provide them with. (Especially at this stage of my life game)
- I am a bubbling stream and I’m also a deep flowing river. The older I get the less willing I am to pretend otherwise
- I can sense life enriching connections within the first two hours but only in shared space because I need all of my senses to be activated. I’ve noticed other people have that gift too and I’m always glad when that happens.
- Ride & thrive is way more exciting than ride or die.
- Bless and block when needed
- Sensing is different than feeling.
- My home is my sanctuary.
- Playfulness is a superpower
- The full moon makes me feel happy and free, thanks to my grandmother
- I belong to my grandchildren, even though they do not exist.
- I’m often listening with the intent to be a trustworthy witness.
- Dancing hula feels like love & being in love all over my entire body, mind and my heart.
- Joyful is different than happiness and I’m more inclined to go for the joy.
- Sometimes it’s important to take the time to expand our gratitude containers so we don’t mess things up for ourselves.
- More can be achieved when people take time to rest and nourish themselves.
- Trust is more important to me than love in interpersonal connections.
- Restoring trust as quickly as possible helps love flourish.
- Taking a stand for something smaller and bigger than myself fulfills me.
- "Do your own research," as a way to "do no harm" lands differently.
- Wisdom requires self-reflection and it's subjective
- Enriching the quality of one another's existence is the goal.
- Nourishment, Nourishment-NOURISHMENT!!!!
Wildly, this morning before I finished 2021's list and was able to connect it to 2015- I opened the book: Women Who Run with The Wolves, I opened to this exact excerpt:
"Consistency in manner is an impossible sentence for a wild woman, for her strength is her adaptation to change, her innovation, her dancing, her howling, her growling, her deep instinctual life, her creative fire. She does not show consistency through uniformity, But rather through her creative life, through her consistent perceptions, quick sighted-ness, flexibility and deftness.
If we were to name only one thing that makes the wild woman what she is, it would be her responsiveness.
The word response comes from the Latin: “to pledge, to promise,” and that is her strong suit.
Her perceptive and deft responses are a consistent promise and pledge to the creative forces, be it Duende, the goblin-spirit behind passion, or beauty, Art or the Dance, of Life.
Her promise to us, if we will not thwart it, is that she will cause us to live. She will cause us to live fully alive, responsively and consistently so."
I love a lot about:
Her deep instinctual life (my own)
I think what I like the most about this excerpt from the book being placed in the space between my 2021 and 2015 beliefs is -it seems to blend in most naturally with the theme of a woman's most natural responsiveness and adaptation as life continues to move. Life was very different in 2015 than it is now. Yet I can also see my own personal integrity has been playing out through the Pandemic from my 2015 list.
Dig this:
2015 LIST/WORLD VIEW/BELIEFS
"Consistency in manner is an impossible sentence for a wild woman, for her strength is her adaptation to change, her innovation, her dancing, her howling, her growling, her deep instinctual life, her creative fire. She does not show consistency through uniformity, But rather through her creative life, through her consistent perceptions, quick sighted-ness, flexibility and deftness.
If we were to name only one thing that makes the wild woman what she is, it would be her responsiveness.
The word response comes from the Latin: “to pledge, to promise,” and that is her strong suit.
Her perceptive and deft responses are a consistent promise and pledge to the creative forces, be it Duende, the goblin-spirit behind passion, or beauty, Art or the Dance, of Life.
Her promise to us, if we will not thwart it, is that she will cause us to live. She will cause us to live fully alive, responsively and consistently so."
I love a lot about:
Her deep instinctual life (my own)
I think what I like the most about this excerpt from the book being placed in the space between my 2021 and 2015 beliefs is -it seems to blend in most naturally with the theme of a woman's most natural responsiveness and adaptation as life continues to move. Life was very different in 2015 than it is now. Yet I can also see my own personal integrity has been playing out through the Pandemic from my 2015 list.
Dig this:
2015 LIST/WORLD VIEW/BELIEFS
I believe in telling our children how special they are with the appendage that everyone else is special too.
I believe respecting our elders is critical and I wish more parents taught that to their children.
I believe entitled children become unhappy adults whereas, empowered children become happy adults.
I believe teenage years and mid-life is essentially the same thing.
I believe Betrayal is a part of the human experience. We may not know when or who yet it seems to me the point is to grow and learn through it. No matter which side of the betrayal you are on.
I believe when you create healthier boundaries, people may rebel, dislike you, or move away from you. I believe in creating them anyway.
I believe in not coaching someone who didn't request coaching. I believe in not claiming a person is un-coachable if you don’t have their consent.
I believe the questions: "What do you want," or "what do you need," or "how can I be of service to you?" Is way more effective than unsolicited advice.
I believe you could be with someone every day and still not be there every day.
I believe you can know someone for 20 years and never truly know them and You can meet someone for 20 days and have a deep knowing.
I believe every day is a new opportunity to get to know someone all over again.
I believe there are many ways to heal. and it’s all about what resonates.
I believe in choosing joy whenever possible.
I believe laughter really IS the best medicine
I believe I usually want to talk about it, because I usually want to be free from it.
Cause you know...
“I have no desire to suffer twice, in reality and then in retrospect.”
Sophocles, Oedipus Rex
I believe affinity, Communication and a shared reality are the 3 places to look at in any relationship-when you see what's missing, you have the power to add it back in.
I believe respecting our elders is critical and I wish more parents taught that to their children.
I believe entitled children become unhappy adults whereas, empowered children become happy adults.
I believe teenage years and mid-life is essentially the same thing.
I believe Betrayal is a part of the human experience. We may not know when or who yet it seems to me the point is to grow and learn through it. No matter which side of the betrayal you are on.
I believe when you create healthier boundaries, people may rebel, dislike you, or move away from you. I believe in creating them anyway.
I believe in not coaching someone who didn't request coaching. I believe in not claiming a person is un-coachable if you don’t have their consent.
I believe the questions: "What do you want," or "what do you need," or "how can I be of service to you?" Is way more effective than unsolicited advice.
I believe you could be with someone every day and still not be there every day.
I believe you can know someone for 20 years and never truly know them and You can meet someone for 20 days and have a deep knowing.
I believe every day is a new opportunity to get to know someone all over again.
I believe there are many ways to heal. and it’s all about what resonates.
I believe in choosing joy whenever possible.
I believe laughter really IS the best medicine
I believe I usually want to talk about it, because I usually want to be free from it.
Cause you know...
“I have no desire to suffer twice, in reality and then in retrospect.”
Sophocles, Oedipus Rex
I believe affinity, Communication and a shared reality are the 3 places to look at in any relationship-when you see what's missing, you have the power to add it back in.
This was such a cool game to play!!!!!!!
Stay tuned
Stay tuned
COMMUNITY IN ACTION
Hi, I'm Christina.
I live in Honolulu and when I heard the news about Texas I felt both triggered as a woman as well as ACTIVATED. Therefore I went on a hunt to find the Woman's March, here where I live. My intent was to honor the women who already spent their time creating something. However, due to COVID and whatever else the case may be, there wasn't anything for me to join. Woman's March asked me if I would like to be a "Host,"
I said yes.
In my heart I suspected there had to be other people on island who felt similar things as me, however, I have been in my own little Pandemic bubble due to the community I'm a part of and also, I am an introvert (Not that social) anyway. If a few people came, that would be great! However, very quickly an incredible woman reached out to me with a rigorous level of emotional honesty, communication skills that were top notch and a deep knowing as a local woman.
From there, another woman reached out to me, new to the area yet deeply committed with a lot of skill sets and a wide range of expertise in many of the areas required to organize events.
I'd also like to mention we were three women in three different phases of our lives.
Three different generations of women all showing up. This all happened very quickly. The knowledge, dedication, consciousness, wisdom, kindness, fierceness, consideration, even our unique differences all seemed to be workable as we danced the best we could in the short amount of time that we had to get it together. Without either of these women...we wouldn't have had the turn out that we had. Although our in the moment estimation was 300 people, we ended up with closer to 400 people.
For this post I'm going to share some of the images, signs and community LOVE being played out from my own camera/experience/connecting with others. Even for just a second...
But first,
Here are some images from our community!
This first round of images Credit goes to @sammymcmanuphotography
I live in Honolulu and when I heard the news about Texas I felt both triggered as a woman as well as ACTIVATED. Therefore I went on a hunt to find the Woman's March, here where I live. My intent was to honor the women who already spent their time creating something. However, due to COVID and whatever else the case may be, there wasn't anything for me to join. Woman's March asked me if I would like to be a "Host,"
I said yes.
In my heart I suspected there had to be other people on island who felt similar things as me, however, I have been in my own little Pandemic bubble due to the community I'm a part of and also, I am an introvert (Not that social) anyway. If a few people came, that would be great! However, very quickly an incredible woman reached out to me with a rigorous level of emotional honesty, communication skills that were top notch and a deep knowing as a local woman.
From there, another woman reached out to me, new to the area yet deeply committed with a lot of skill sets and a wide range of expertise in many of the areas required to organize events.
I'd also like to mention we were three women in three different phases of our lives.
Three different generations of women all showing up. This all happened very quickly. The knowledge, dedication, consciousness, wisdom, kindness, fierceness, consideration, even our unique differences all seemed to be workable as we danced the best we could in the short amount of time that we had to get it together. Without either of these women...we wouldn't have had the turn out that we had. Although our in the moment estimation was 300 people, we ended up with closer to 400 people.
For this post I'm going to share some of the images, signs and community LOVE being played out from my own camera/experience/connecting with others. Even for just a second...
But first,
Here are some images from our community!
This first round of images Credit goes to @sammymcmanuphotography
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UNAPOLOGETIC CONFIDENCE
This is the first image I took! I love her sign, her posture! How everything about this image let's you know....her confidence and clarity that, it is indeed HER body and that is all! So good!
MOTHERS AND THEIR PRECIOUS LITTLE ONES
These mothers and these children gave me all the warm and fuzzy's from a conscious parenting perspective. Besides, they are so darn cute!!!
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FAMILY LOVING AND CHERISHING MOTHER
In speaking with this family, they took the option to stand still and hold their signs for the mother who wasn't able to March but her presence had so much value and the love her family has for her could be felt.
SISTERHOOD CONSCIOUSNESS
I LOVE THESE YA YA SISTERHOOD TYPE SIGNS!! SO very much!
MEN WHO GENUINELY LOVE WOMEN
When I asked this gentleman if I could take his picture and his why, he responded "Because women make up three quarters of the sky"
PROTECT WOMEN
This sign is one of my all time favorites because it's the essence for me personally. While I do understand the compassion and the inner conflict for the unborn, I don't, not on any level -understand the disappearing and not caring, not seeing THIS! It's a lot easier to be and remain disconnected without this most basic truth being seen.
PROTECT BLACK WOMEN
Through these past several weeks, I have witnessed many black women share their thoughts, feelings and their clear no, we are not walking and their sharing "White women, this is your fault, therefore this is your fight, don't ask me for anything." I liked the idea of listening and honoring that. Therefore, when I saw this on one of the tables I thought, this is really great. We are kind of a melting pot here with different experiences. What I noticed was people were happy to take this and that was all people. Men, women, all races. Some people mentioned they were worried when they saw so many people, until they read the actual sign and paid a little closer attention. Then there was an "oh, this feels really good. This feels right" I heard that several times by those who had no intention of appearing at a Woman's March. So I thought I would mention that as it's part of the experience. People could feel we were not doing any harm to anyone. That was really cool to hear
BE BOLD. BE DARING
LOVE the boldness combined with their cleverness!
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IN IT TOGETHER
If it was Families, friends, co-workers or loving couples. The togetherness is important for many men and women to see and witness. There is an illusion out there that isn't based on reality but on other things that prevents women from standing up for themselves and a lot of women know the truth of it. To stand up often means, forgo love because some men (and some religions) need women to give up some part of their own truth "if they ever want a man to love them."
It is one of the most insidious lies both men and women are told but a man who embodies kindness towards women, I've noticed...are happier, more fun and also, you can feel they are experiencing joy and fulfillment and that can and does co-exist with all the other things women crave. I personally think both men and women need to know what's possible.....
It is one of the most insidious lies both men and women are told but a man who embodies kindness towards women, I've noticed...are happier, more fun and also, you can feel they are experiencing joy and fulfillment and that can and does co-exist with all the other things women crave. I personally think both men and women need to know what's possible.....
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STANDING UP FOR ABORTION RIGHTS STARTING LINE
INVEST IN COMMUNITY NOT MISOGYNY
This one is my other favorite of all time..... so concise and on point!
Stay tuned because....
There was a lot to this and there is more to do.....and it's time for bed now
There was a lot to this and there is more to do.....and it's time for bed now
MILCK - Women's March 2018
ABORTION HEALTHCARE
Taking the summer off from blogging was a good decision for my wellness. I did intend to begin again sharing amazing tips and tricks I am learning through my own commitment to moving through Peri-Menopause naturally, however I can always come back to that! Time is a very precious thing right now for those of us who genuinely LOVE WOMEN!
Abortion is health care and the only way to not see that- as truth - is to be uneducated on several levels. Not just medically speaking. On many levels and for sure on the level of expanded consciousness.
FACTS
Facts are Important: Abortion is Healthcare:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), with over 57,000 members, maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education for the nation’s women’s health physicians. Abortion care is included in medical training, clinical practice, and continuing medical education.
ACOG’s Guidelines for Women’s Health Care, A Resource Manual, 4th Edition, encompassing the full spectrum of clinical and management issues relating to women’s health care, lists abortion among the array of services that make up Gynecologic Care
https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/abortion-is-healthcare
FACTS
Facts are Important: Abortion is Healthcare:
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), with over 57,000 members, maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education for the nation’s women’s health physicians. Abortion care is included in medical training, clinical practice, and continuing medical education.
ACOG’s Guidelines for Women’s Health Care, A Resource Manual, 4th Edition, encompassing the full spectrum of clinical and management issues relating to women’s health care, lists abortion among the array of services that make up Gynecologic Care
https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/abortion-is-healthcare
NOT CARRYING OTHER PEOPLE'S SHAME INSIDE OUR BODIES
WOMEN'S HEALTH 101
EXPANDED CONSCIOUSNESS
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WHEN OTHER PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS PROJECTED SHAME IS LIFTED FROM A WOMAN'S BODY -ANGER IS A VERY NATURAL< HEALTHY RESPONSE! SOMETHING MADAM CLARE SPEAKS INTO SO VIVIDLY......
“I’m so angry with myself for not speaking about it and feeling ashamed of something that really there’s no shame in”
~Clare
BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour - Abortion Stories: Five women share their experiences
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3kqkh6td2w65XWWg00MYf1t/abortion-stories-five-women-share-their-experiences
Every woman, if she is a yes or a no to abortion healthcare, it is important to lean into the reality of her own existence. A woman’s healthcare/family planning decision needs to be led by her reality and not by anyone else.
"I consulted no one but my conscience"
When she was 28 and living in New York City in the early 1990s, Diana terminated her pregnancy.
"I was in a rocky relationship with my boyfriend, and I’d been thinking about ending it. I’d also had all these weird symptoms of being exhausted and peeing every five minutes, and when I mentioned that to a girlfriend, she said, 'Uh-oh!
It sounds like you’re pregnant.'
7 Women Share Their Abortion Stories in the Wake of #YouKnowMe | Health.com
"….the body can discern, to the finest degree, the difference between that which is supportive of life and that which is not.
David R. Hawkins, Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior
“I’m so angry with myself for not speaking about it and feeling ashamed of something that really there’s no shame in”
~Clare
BBC Radio 4 - Woman's Hour - Abortion Stories: Five women share their experiences
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3kqkh6td2w65XWWg00MYf1t/abortion-stories-five-women-share-their-experiences
Every woman, if she is a yes or a no to abortion healthcare, it is important to lean into the reality of her own existence. A woman’s healthcare/family planning decision needs to be led by her reality and not by anyone else.
"I consulted no one but my conscience"
When she was 28 and living in New York City in the early 1990s, Diana terminated her pregnancy.
"I was in a rocky relationship with my boyfriend, and I’d been thinking about ending it. I’d also had all these weird symptoms of being exhausted and peeing every five minutes, and when I mentioned that to a girlfriend, she said, 'Uh-oh!
It sounds like you’re pregnant.'
7 Women Share Their Abortion Stories in the Wake of #YouKnowMe | Health.com
"….the body can discern, to the finest degree, the difference between that which is supportive of life and that which is not.
David R. Hawkins, Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior
FROM THE COLLECTIVE TO THE PERSONAL....
Anyone can read my quick “Be Self Loving” Bio here to understand the impact of where my own personal Child loss-Abortion Healthcare-Family Planning story begins: For me,
https://www.loveaffairwiththyself.com/about-christina-marie.html
Anyone can also read our families creative story in the book Stories of Courageous Vulnerability here
https://issuu.com/christinamarie74
The book is literally called: Stories of Courageous Vulnerability
https://issuu.com/christinamarie74
Our story exists with 39 other -wide/broad -real life stories on many life topics where the struggle is real and the breakthroughs are incredible and life enhancing.
TO get a wider world view of what I've been focused on for a few decades now...
There are three choices to learn more about what I align with and the work I've done with others to generate a meaningful life as it relates to Self, Family and Humanity. Lots of food for thought that anyone can take on or pass on...the goal is to see if it helps anyone else and if it does GREAT!
https://www.christinamariewhinnery.com/
and that also means-NO FORCED FATHERHOOD TOO.
I think of my almost thirty year old son every day. I think of my son Donovan who died as a baby in my arms very often too. I do not think about my abortion healthcare choices as a regret because I did all that personal work a very long time ago. Then writing my story in 2012 took things to a new level. I've had both men and women reaching out in privacy sharing the impact of our Family Planning/Abortion health care story on their own lives and it has been deeply touching on so many levels.
This time as I was leaning into my own experience I remembered more details regarding that one committed connection I had agreed to and how it was the man who I was in that connection with who did not want to be forced into fatherhood. Not just once, but twice. The first, was the beginning of the end and the second time was THE END. Looking back on this time period from so long ago, we were actually engaged by the time the second abortion as healthcare choice was what he wanted and that is what caused me to leave. It's so fascinating how the story changes within the context of a culture that likes to "disappear" someone else's story. Plus as a mother traveling with a son, I also needed to think more deeply about our family planning above and beyond this man who didn't make the cut. And this ties into the Texas abortion ban time line. During my second pregnancy with this man, I left and he thought it would be a good idea to "withhold" "ignore" and block all communications between us.
Step 1-Let me know he does not want his own blood. (I am listening to that no, with respect for all parts-that includes the heaviness of having to deal with that always and forever "she trapped me," as if he wasn't also in the room. Men are such insane creatures sometimes.
Step 2-Letting me know he is still immature (withhold/ignore) and when he finally did show up the shock and dismay combined with the emotional honesty was concise. He was just trying to teach me a lesson (withholding) and he never dreamed I would ever do anything like what "I DID." But you see, thats the thing about it. I only had a very short amount of time to make this choice on my own with no support from the other half of the procreative partnership of sorts. That's just another piece to this absurd Texas Law.
This was relationship. Living together. Engaged. Bottom line I lost respect for him and low and behold, after I left he met the most amazing woman who had super duper respect for him. They got married and had the most perfect baby boy and it made me happy to see he got the same thing I already had. A healthy son.
I would imagine when he looks into his son's eyes he sees his own and his heart expands.
I would imagine having a wife who respects you very deeply and wants to spend her life with you, that makes his life a hell of a lot easier than his life ever would have been with me.
I would imagine after becoming a father and experiencing that level of love and that level of responsibility and that level of everything, he gets why I lost respect for him.
Sometimes, that is how we learn and that is how we grow and that is how we evolve and sometimes, not so much. I don't know either way. There is nothing in it for me. No pleasure what so ever - FORCING anyone to be a parent. This bad parenting act the U.S. likes to call "normal" is just so YUCKY!!!!!
IN closing.
ABORTION IS HEALTHCARE. FULL STOP.
The goal here though...... is a lot bigger for women's health and well-being through their right and choice to have a say in their own family planning.
That is my stand
Today I'm excited about some Dr's appointments then tomorrow.... WE MARCH!!!! YAY
Find a SISTER MARCH IN YOUR AREA!!!! Ours here is mandatory masks and social distancing and holding one another to account for those community safe things. I'm pretty excited about it!
https://womensmarch.com/
STAY TUNED
Author
Christina Marie
LOVE AFFAIR WITH THYSELF: The Movement Video Presentation
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