In Gratitude to the Wise Women

December 07, 2010

I can’t believe that the project I started seven weeks ago has ended. Why the Wise Women Project? My publisher went bankrupt just days after the release of my first novel and it would be almost another year before I found another publisher and would see my book selling on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It has been a challenge to make a living as an author and to start a new life in the Kootenay’s and if it weren’t for the support and love of my sisters and my dear friends the struggles would have been so much more difficult, the triumphs not as sweet.

I wanted to thank them for their support and love that kept me moving forward. They are women, like me, who have struggled and prevailed, and remained true to themselves. To celebrate these heroines of their own lives, the Wise Women project was born.

I had the honour to showcase mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, bakers, photographers, artists, writers, potters, nurses, teachers and much more. Each one a shining beacon of what it takes to go after your dreams, each one an inspiration. Thank you, Heather MacDonnell, Simona Plackova, Sharon Bamber, Susan Janzen, Cari Colosimo, Jennifer Chipperfield and Sherry Ficklin for sharing your wisdom and your insights.

Not only was it a joy to bring these stories to light but a wonderful byproduct of posting their thoughts were the connections that were made. Women living in different parts of the country, who were strangers now know each other and are continuing to follow each other’s journey. My neighbour in the Kootenays is now following Heather’s food blog and trying out all of her recipes with great success and delight. A teacher in the Czech Republic is using the Wise Women stories to teach her students English and to inspire other women half a world away.

As part of sharing their stories I’d asked each participant to answer three questions; what three things did they cherish, what advice would they give their younger selves and what are they most proud of? Reading each entry, I noticed a marked similarity in each woman’s answers and more than likely an insight to their success.

Resoundingly, the things that they most cherish aren’t things at all but connections, relationships and the deep abiding love from their family and friends.

The advice they would give their younger selves and, no doubt, advice that many had followed, was to take chances, live without fear, be true to yourself and your passions, and listen to the wisdom of your inner voice.

And what were they most proud of? In a nutshell, going after what they dreamed of and calling upon their courage, stubbornness, and willingness to start over to see them through the rough patches. These qualities and their generosity of spirit make them all Wise Women in my eyes.

I’ve had so much fun with this project I just can’t go cold turkey. So starting in the new year, I will post more Wise Women stories on a monthly basis. If you know of someone whose story should be included or if you would like your story posted please send me an email or a direct message on facebook. My email: sister02@telus.net

So again, to all of you sparkly, amazing women I raise a glass of pink Champagne in your honour. May you continue to blaze new trails in your life. Live big and magnanimously and always live true to who you are. Myself and all my readers are blessed to have you in our lives.

posted by Lora Deeprose

1 Comments:

Heather said...: Thank you for considering me wise, and sharing these stories with us all. Love you!; 7 December, 2010 5:40 PM