Dear Sister,
I have a special invitation for you and a story to share.
I was hiding under the covers last night as my soul sister and I had a heart to heart over the phone. I had spent the afternoon stepping OUT, claiming my power and becoming more visible. The vulnerability that followed drove me to the bed. Thankfully I had the wisdom to reach out.
As my soul sister and I talked she bathed me with love, support and affirmation. It was just what I needed for my body to relax and release the fear.
More than ever we as women are stepping out to use our voice, claim our wisdom and power – to SHINE. But as we stop hiding and step OUT we invariably encounter places of vulnerability and fear. Given our age-old legacy of having been silenced, suppressed and sacrificed this is not surprising.
And yet the world needs our voices, our leadership and our light more than ever. It is our modern day privilege and calling to break this legacy, transmute the fear and step OUT to SHINE. To honor those who came before us and clear the way for those to come.
That truth was the foundation of my heart to heart last night as I took refuge under the covers. As soul sisters do, mine offered me some beautiful wisdom that I couldn’t wait to share with you.
She described how she had spent a lifetime overriding her fear and vulnerability to perform, achieve and claim a place of power in the world. But now she is practicing a more Feminine approach to empowerment by honoring her vulnerable and sensitive self. The one who often needs patience and support to step out boldly and reveal her Radiance. She highlighted the importance of supporting my sensitive and vulnerable self who needed time to adjust to taking a big, public step OUT.
Her story reminded me of the many gifts that come from a Feminine approach to empowerment and courageously stepping out to SHINE. When we release the cultural habit of pressure, adrenaline and self-criticism to “man up”, step out and prove our worth then we’re able to tune in to honor our innate rhythm and organic evolution of power.
As we honor our vulnerability and have patience with our occasional need to withdraw we steadily integrate and heal those parts that we’ve kept hidden or cut off. We become whole and have access to the rich depth of Being where our true power lies.
As you embrace and get support for the frightened, tender places you dissolve frozen fear in the body and emotions that have been holding you back. You naturally inhabit your sense of worth and value.
You don’t have to be bulletproof to be worthy, powerful or SHINE.
Here are my top 5 Feminine ways to tend your vulnerability as you step OUT to SHINE:
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Get kind, loving support for yourself. This is no place for “boot-strappers”.
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Breathe deeply, feel your feet on the ground and keep moving forward even if it’s at a snail’s pace.
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Give yourself permission to pause and come back to yourself. If you lose yourself in fear you cannot legitimately integrate you power.
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Give yourself permission to fall apart. Schedule a melt down before, after (or even in the midst of) a big bold step OUT to claim your power.
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Celebrate your incremental victories all along the way!
There are many ways you might be stepping OUT to claim your voice and your power – to SHINE. Perhaps you’re taking a stand publically, or stating your needs, desires or opinions. Maybe you’re running your own business or coming out with your passion and purpose. Either way, meeting your tender places of vulnerability always pays off.
It creates a resilient power like a tall oak tree that can withstand the elements and still flourish.
So whether your knees knock as you take one baby step at a time or you step OUT boldly without fear only to have it overtake you after the fact remember you are doing it! Tend your vulnerability but also recognize you are joining countless other women breaking the legacy to embodying your Power and Radiance. And as you do all who came before and all that will come after are cheering you on.
Coming up…
Sanctuary Day
Friday May 6th join me and the fabulous Waller Thompson for a women’s day of retreat in Midlothian VA
She is a master teacher of Embodied Awareness and has personally helped me relax in ways I never knew I could.
I know we will drop to some deep and restorative places as a group. We’re also including an inquiry through art that will be quite powerful.
You’re sure to come away relaxed, nourished and restored.
For more information go HERE.
Unleash Your Joy
Beginning May 9th join inspiring women and men discussing how to Unleash Your Joy Now. I’m thrilled to be among them. You definitely do not want to miss this one!
Click HERE to join us.
I’d love to have you join me as we relax, restore and unleash our joy.
I must confess, sometimes I hide in my closet — still! I love that part of your post gives permission to climb back under the covers if needed. We are where we are and so long as we are making baby steps along the way, that’s worthy of celebrating! Thanks for sharing and keep on stepping out! <3
Thanks Sheila. It does help to know we’re not alone in needing to retreat sometimes. Yes, one small step at a time will get you there! xo
Hi Joni, I so enjoyed your post and particularly resonated with the statement “the world needs our voices, our leadership and our light more than ever”. So true! Thanks for sharing your words of wisdom and the 5 Top Feminine ways to tend to our vulnerability as we step OUT and SHINE. Love it!
Your welcome Pamela. So glad to know you’re out there shining your light!
Appreciating the tender vulnerability in your story. My blog post share for VFA also acknowledges how a healing bff also helped me through some stuff. We are blessed for these wonder-full women in our circle, aren’t we?
My conch pearl from you is: “Celebrate your incremental victories all along the way!” It’s May and I have been on the “Road Less Traveled” and accomplished lots. You have too.
P.S. Best wishes for a tsunami of success with your Sanctuary event!
Deep gratitude Lore. Yes, we are blessed by a circle of such supportive women. Blessing on all you’re doing and hooray for all you’ve accomplished. xo
Great article, Joni! I agree that the world needs women to step into the spotlight and share our gifts. I have the pleasure of supporting women like you to push beyond their fear of being heard and learn how to amplify their voices.
Such a beautiful offering Shann – to support other women in amplifying their voice in the world. Big thanks!
I absolutely love this post, it is so empowering and give us women a full honor and permission to be who we are and where we are. I especially love that you acknowledge our need to schedule a melt down and fall apart, keeping it all in and having it together only adds to the fear and overwhelm. Love it! Love it! Love it!
Thank you Rachel! Thank goodness the days of always holding it all together are becoming passé. xo
I always love reading a post that reminds me of something that holds meaning for me. Today it was that awesome Maggie Kuhn quote, “Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.”
Oh Andrea, what a fabulous quote. Thanks for sharing it.
Lovely,Joni! I take refuge in my secret garden and listen to the bees, watch the dragonflies and feel the sun and fresh air. Looking at the sky and being outside puts things in perspective. In really vulnerable times, my bed (even after breakfast sometimes!) and some music or a favorite book provide the refuge and ultimately comfort/strength to get back to what I am here to be/do. Thank you for encouraging us to be vulnerable and to take tiny steps in whatever direction we need.
Beautiful Colleen. I too am restored outside and love your idea of a secret garden. Thanks for continuing to be/do who you are. xo
This post spoke to me – it is my story, too. Doing my show has been such a big step for me, and I am only just beginning to catch up with it! It is truly challenging to nourish the feminine while we also step out in a bigger way – they almost contradict each other. I love how your post supports women in doing that – both the need for the boldness and speaking up and the need to nurture and replenish. Really great post! xo, Reba
What a great story to share, Joni. I love the title 🙂 Thanks for the permission to take care of ourselves as we claim our personal power.
Your welcome Lea.
We all need regular reminders to be tender with ourselves. xo
Thank you Reba. I so appreciate having you as a kindred spirit. Yes, it is the both/and of being bold and stepping out as well as the pulling back to replenish. Love, Joni
I love your 5 tips Joni. There are some days like yesterday I felt knocked down. It is okay. I felt my feelings and assessed the situation as it is. Luckily, I too had a soul sister to talk with who supported me unconditionally. Thanks for your blog. xx
Great article Joni and so love your raw vulnerability! I also love the idea of scheduling a meltdown…to encourage opening up to vulnerability instead of shutting it down. Much love
Love “Give yourself permission to fall apart.” and No bootstrapping! I am unsubscribing to all emails and blogs that use words like bootstrapping, bootcamp, etc! Great post!