I looked around at the 400-or-so women in the room. Some thoughtful person had arranged all the chairs in the Sheraton ballroom into circles of 8.
I claimed my chair and smiled at the 7 other women occupying the seats in my circle of 8.
The first to speak was Amy, a 20-something Australian who now lives in London.
Amy wants to change the world. She works a corporate job, but moonlights as an Interfaith minister. She is starting the process of ordination.
She pointed across the circle at her mom (pictured left with me). After Amy attended last year’s EWLive conference, she made plans to attend this year for another dose of inspiration…and vowed to bring her mom, Allison, all the way from Australia to share the experience.
Then I took my turn to share with our female octet.
Our mission was to answer the following 3 questions:
1 – Where are you passionate and playing BIG in your life?
2 -When do you hold yourself back & what support do you need?
3 – What is emerging for you as a woman & a leader?
The facilitators encouraged us to be real & speak honestly.
So, I took a breath & dove in…
1 – I feel most passionate when I am teaching a class, speaking to a group, or sharing in a heart-depth conversation with another person.
2 – I hold myself back when I feel afraid. The silver lining? My peeps! They provide all the best kinds of support. They cheer me on, give me a push when I’m about to birth a new idea, & allow me to push the “pause” button when I’m feeling overwhelmed by the grandness of my own vision.
3 – I am emerging as a woman & a leader. After years of doing my own personal growth work, I am committed to supporting others in their own exploration.
The details? Well, they are still arranging themselves.
And I am showing up to see how it all comes out!