I M Perfect lady

In her book, "The Awakened Woman" Tererai speaks about finding your sacred dreams.  

"…All this happened by naming an unnamed longing in her heart. That is the the awakening of our consciousness. When we listen to what makes us ache and breaks our hearts, we find our Great Hunger, our sacred purpose."

She has a few questions to ask yourself in moments of silence- space and meditation.

"Where do I look in my community or in the world and feel my heart aching with some lack , pain or injustice?

"What does my heart long for?

"Repeat the questions if you need more time with them:

"What breaks my heart?"

"What in this world makes my heart ache?"

"What does my heart long for?"

"While still in your comfortable position in your quiet space, take a few minutes to say your answer aloud, even if only fragments or phrases emerge. You may not know what to make of your answer.  You may have two, three, or more answers. The answer may not make complete sense to you at this time. All of this is okay. The answer, even if partially formed is the beginning of your sacred dreams journey. Be open to any thing that surfaces."

"No matter what arose in you this is a time for celebration. Take a few breaths of gratitude for the opportunity to explore these questions."

"Before returning to your day, I encourage you to write down what you discovered. Now is a good time to start a journal or keep a notebook to chart your revelations as you read and practice these awakened rituals."

"Over the next couple of days, read or state aloud what you discovered in response to the question What breaks your heart? Allow yourself to let the responses turn over and float through your daily thoughts and feelings. Begin making connections between your heart's longing and your life.  How might your heart's desire become a dream you can achieve? Do you see a connection to something beyond your own personal goals? How? Can you explain it to yourself and a friend?"

"Most important, ask, "Do these desires not only heal the past but also uplift generations to come? Remember, you are not an ordinary dreamer, you are a sacred sister and you dream with a purpose for the greater good."

"You will know if the desire in your heart is the kernel of sacred dream, because it will energize you, invoke your spirit of resilience, un-silence the once silenced voice, speak to issues that matter most and implore you to encourage other women to do the same. The Great Hunger expects you to honor the greater good with your gifts. This is what gives meaning to life."

"Your unique gifts are longing to be expressed, and the Great Hunger will keep on nudging (or pestering) until you respond to the call. The whispers of the Great Hunger are always encouraging us to unlock what is within. Release your Great Hunger and you will be led by it with grace."  Tererai

This was the first time I had heard passion or life purpose described in this way – what breaks your heart?

Some of us wonder what our calling is; what is the purpose of life. Few of us are ever asked, "what breaks your heart?".

Who knew, that this inner grief, could be our dream?

What breaks my heart today, is mostly connected to the cycles of abuse. 

My heart breaks for those who are unknowingly stuck in the cycle, and are powerless within themselves. Their lack of self-esteem and self-love; keep them forever victims for love and attention.

My heart breaks for children who have to endure abuse; because the adults in their worlds are incapable to protect them.

In looking closely into my own family of origin cycle, I can see the pattern repeating itself into infinity. The present learning nothing from the past. Where truths arise and are slowly faded into the wallpaper of the past. Nothing learned and/or nothing changed. 

Would empowered women allow these cycles to continue? 

Spiritual awakening IS to be awakened to your sacred dream; to what your heart hungers for.

Tererai goes on to write about role models and the invisible road ahead.

"We also need role models if we are to put our dreams into action, if we are to overcome all the forces that silence us. We need them to keep the spark going. If we are to act in service of our goals, it helps to see the footprints laid out before us and to be familiar with the known and unknown hands reaching back to pull us forward. This truly speaks to our connectedness – our ubuntu, or the essences of our humanity, knowing the we exist because of others and that it's our collectiveness that strengthens us. We need to know that every little step we take toward our sacred dreams makes us part of a global collective. And, yet there is always that invisible stretch of road full of challenges that hold us back."

"The Invisible Stretch of Road"

"There is an invisible stretch of road that lies between the idea of our dreams and the finishing mark of achieving them. This pathway is entrenched with barriers and potholes that seem to increase in depth as we women get closer and closer to claiming the prize. These barriers are universal, and we feel them deeply, but they are not identical across space and time: each woman faces her own impassible stretch of road in her own way."

"Who are the champions who faced their own pervasive stretch of road and succeeded? My sisters, what are the inspirational stories that will awaken us from our own silencing and make our challenges feel recognized and help us map out how to cross the rocky terrain that leads to our dreams? Who are these giants whose stories remain a song in our souls reminding us that it is achievable – tinogona?"

"Can we find them, and let their energy invigorate our passion? And do they have to be celebrities, or extraordinary individuals, or could they be an unknown grandmother whose ancient call becomes our source of inspiration? An elderly woman in your community who gained perspective from her own struggles and now inspires others to dream big, or a mother whose resilience has become a torch for others to shine light on their possibilities, or, perhaps an unlikely ordinary individual doing some extraordinary things to uplift others?" Tererai

My role models are those who have changed the patterns of their legacy. Who have overcome the inner pull to remain closed within the family circle; who have broken free and found their own sense of self.  Martha Beck is one.  

I admire the rebels, the unique individuals who walk to their own drum beat.

They have taught me to be myself; even when it isn't popular or accepted.

The invisible road that I have traveled on outside of the circle of family, is truly an invisible one.

The unknown, far outweighs the known.

My great hunger was for no more abuse. Little did I know, this thirst would lead me onto new paths.

Paths that held great sorrow and brilliant self discoveries and would lead me far away from family.

The distance I am from family, equals the changes I have made with my life.

I can't know yet, if my dream is achievable.

Can there really be a limb of my family tree that will be spared the agony of abuse?

How far will the echo of my footsteps ring?

Will the generations below me feel my hands pushing them forward?

Is there anyone who feels the pull of my hands?

My heart chose this road.  

It seemed preordained.

Whether I am successful or not; I lived true to my heart.

And, that is something worth living for.