Bears, Butterflies and the Power of the Feminine

What did you like the best at the zoo? "The bears, because they were right in front of us playing in the water, growling. They were so big and their teeth...." Surprisingly Paige proclaim, "The cows." Why? "I got to pet them." "Mom, you don't have to tell us what you liked the best. We already know." For which I replied, "I know, I LOVED the butterfly exhibit."

From bears to butterflies, a trip to the zoo yesterday, got me thinking about how power can be defined. The bear's power was one of physical dominance. The butterfly's power was one of captivating presence and attention they draw to our delicate life cycle. We need both types of power in certain measure, but power over others seems to dominate a bit too much these days, I feel.

Feminine does not refer to a gender, but rather the stereotypical traits seen in women; holistic approaches, presence and intuition. Here's how I visualize feminine power.

I awaken Saturday morning with a pile of dishes. Kids are about the house eating cereal and watching some television. I approach the chore of loading the dish washing and washing pots and pans with honor and presence, humming a tune and gazing out the window at some birds. I express my satisfaction in my dish doing accomplishment and smile.

Approaching the dishes as the means to getting on to the next thing would not demonstrate feminine power, but a conquering power as if we need to departmentalize every bit of our lives.

Feminine power has it place whether you're doing dishing, ruling a country or teaching children. You are invited to stand together for all women, fueling the the power of the feminine.