I have been thinking more and more about women and adventures. We are told in so many subtle, and not so subtle ways that the world is a dangerous place for women, and the trouble will follow if we venture in the unknown. We have many stories about men and boys having adventures, but girls are usually in a supporting role. Some stories start with the trouble that is raised when women head out of the boundaries that her family and culture has set.
But the trouble is not the adventure, the trouble is on the woman trying her wings, the trouble starts when we are prevented from exploring and following our hearts. This is a woman's way of being a light in the world, by first being a light to herself. We are that light when we listen to our hearts and reach beyond our limits, when we reach to our heart's desire. Dorothy ended her story by saying that her heart's desire must be in her own backyard, but really, it was the adventure to OZ that her heart craved. Without this adventure she would not understand what is was to live. Alice had to go down the rabbit hole to understand her power. It is the adventure that makes us strong.
There is a Cheyenne saying that tells us the importance of women. It is said that "A nation is not conquered until the hearts of its women are on the ground. Then it is done, no matter how brave its warriors nor how strong its weapons." When women are trapped, unable to listen to their hearts, unable to reach deep into their souls and awaken the dreams that sleep there, the nation is conquered. When women cannot touch the stars, the stars will go out.
It is outgoing women who change the world.
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