The Brand New You

Growth and development have been a part of my life since 1974, when I switched my major from Computer Science to Psychology. Many of the seminars, workshops and spiritual education that women are participating in today, are things that I participated in decades ago. I was having colonics in the 70's, eating spirulina in the 80's and wheat grass in the 90's, and there weren't any fancy words for what I was doing. When I stopped eating red meat and only ate fish I did not call myself a pescartarian, I just said, "I don't eat meat." Being ahead of the curve has not been an easy task. I can recall in the 80's, I went speak to the commissioners of Child Welfare and Department of Probation as well as the superintendents of schools about creating a new paradigm shift in the way we responded to at- risk youth. I wanted professionals to understand that youth were hurting internally but acting out as a cry for help. They were not "bad", but if we addressed the "bad" things that happened to them, their behavior would change. After my presentation, they looked at me as though I was insane, but 30 years later the system is beginning to address these internal conflicts and the pain of at- risk youth.
Today, I'm seeing this same reaction in regards to developing women. In the old paradigm, in which we have been objectified, we have been seen as an extension of a man (i.e. behind all great men there is a woman). Women have been the trophy on a man's arm, women have been focused on pleasing the man, and even educated women have found themselves under the same belief. Five years ago, Susan Patton aka "Princeton mom" wrote in her book, "many single women who go to college spend 75% of their time looking for a partner." Fifty percent of women who come to A.T.O.U.C.H. spent their first, second and third decades building careers; however, their models of success lies in what the patriarchy considers successful. They come to A.T.O.U.C.H. along with women who raised their children and husbands, with the same questions: IS THIS IT? IS THIS ALL THERE IS? Sometimes, they would seek career coaches or read What Color Is My Parachute?, but they did not find the answers. Many walk away unfulfilled because the answer in that paradigm will always lead you to the answer of the wrong question "where can I fit in?" The new, more powerful question is "who am I?" Seeking this answer is the beginning of the sweetest, most fascinating journey you can take in your adult life. Women will have a sense of themselves, their beauty, their power, their voice, their value and their worth. Women will SEE themselves and love what they see, exactly what they are and exactly what they are not. It is not always a comfortable journey but, the inner struggle will allow for a permanent shift. Taking the time to seek these answers, women will find what is unique about themselves and what their passions are. Some of you may be at the beginning of your journey or have been on your journey for a while, either way A.T.O.U.C.H would be a perfect stop on your journey.