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July 12, 2010 By
rememberretreat

.Welcome to the Worldwide Celebration!

The “Imagine a Woman” poem is 15 years old
and we’re celebrating with a new website and new programs
and opportunities for personal growth and professional enhancement.

Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.
A woman who sits in circles of women.
Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.
Imagine yourself as this woman.
.

“Remember Yourself” Personal Retreats
Love Yourself—Rock Your World

Imagine a woman who turns toward herself with interest and attention.
A woman who turns inward to listen, remember, and replenish.
Who breathes deeply as a prayer of gratitude for life itself.
Imagine yourself as this woman.

“Should oxygen be needed, place the mask above your seat over your mouth and nose,
and secure it with the elastic band. When traveling with your children,
put your mask on first and then offer assistance to them.”
(Flight Attendants Handbook)

It makes great sense. If you don’t get oxygen, you will lose consciousness quickly.
You will not be available to support anyone else. If, however, you have access
to your own oxygen source, those dependent upon you have a chance of surviving.

Imagine your Personal Retreat as your oxygen mask.
Gift yourself with the retreat…and take a deep, life-giving breath.

Each retreat includes meditation, woman-affirming reflection, journaling,
and circles of women reminding you of the truth about yourself when you forget,
all within the comfort of your own home.

Each retreat is designed to be experienced in 15-minute segments.
Make the IAW Promise to Yourself: “15 minutes a day, no matter what!”
by purchasing one of IAW’s six “Remember Yourself” Personal Retreats.

.
Become an IAW Certified Coach & Facilitator
Circle the Globe—Enhance Your Practice

Are you a therapist, minister, circle facilitator, coach or woman-in-transition,
who desires to launch a new career or add to your already-existing
repertoire of transformational tools and resources?

Receive Training, Certification, and a Ready-To-Go Woman-Affirming, Woman-Empowering Niche

Our coaches are trained to facilitate groups and coaching sessions based on the six IAW Fundamentals inspired by the “Imagine a Woman” poem.

Escort your clients on their journey home to themselves,
inspire them to vow faithfulness to their lives and capacities,
and support them to weave the “Imagine a Woman” perspectives
into their lives, parenting, professions, and relationships.
.

Filed Under: Home

A Word From Patricia

April 1, 2010 By 6 Comments

Thank you for visiting our new website during the celebration of the Imagine a Woman poem’s 15th birthday year. The poem continues its extroverted journey around the world, inspiring, supporting, and reminding women of their WOWness as children of life.

On this special day Mercedes Sterling is on my mind. Her story was emailed to me two days ago. Mercedes is 17 years old. Recently there was a gathering of “aunties” who had been asked by Mercedes and her mother Ann, as Ann was dying of cancer, to become the special women/mothers in Mercedes’ life. This was the first gathering since Ann died. Harriette one of the aunties, gave Mercedes “Imagine A Woman,” and the aunties passed the poem along, each one reading verses. In Harriette’s words, “Imagine A Women radiated among us.” Mercedes wrote her own response to the poem, and shared it with me:

“When I read the first line of “Imagine a Woman,” I was immediately captivated by its truth. Every verse seemed to speak directly to me and entwine itself into my very being. As I listened to the women around me say the next few verses I began to feel rooted within myself. I felt that someone had finally discovered who women really were and had painted it articulately and beautifully across the page for everyone to see.

I glanced around the table to see the reactions of the many women in my presence. They were nodding, smiling their approval, very absorbed in the poem. Occasional exclamations of excitement erupted followed by murmurs of agreement. I felt connected to the women by our mutual appreciation of the gorgeous work of art.

As the poem progressed I felt a deep realization move within my mind. It stretched itself for the first time, reaching its claws out to grab my attention. The poem was describing none other than myself! With every passing word I felt that it was describing my very essence and existence; everything that I was and everything that I longed to be.

Further thoughts led me into wanting every woman of every age to know, read, and engulf themselves in this provocative, truthful piece of poetry. I wanted them to relate to the words, to feel, as I had, that it was describing themselves. I plan to share this poem with every woman I can because I believe it speaks truths that many people haven’t voiced for themselves. Long live Patricia’s astounding poem, “Imagine a Woman!”

With Mercedes on our minds and in our hearts, let’s bring our daughters, granddaughters and nieces into the circle with us. Let us imagine our young women growing in knowledge and love of themselves. Young women vowing faithfulness to their own lives and capacities. Young women remaining loyal to themselves—regardless. Imagine an adolescence in which our daughters, granddaughters, and nieces deepen their relationship to their natural vitality, resilience, and sense of self. Imagine a girl-affirming rite of passage, a ceremony of commitment to themselves, culminating with these words of self-blessing:”This is it. This is my life. Nothing to wait for. Nowhere else to go. No one to make it all different. What a relief to have finally landed here…now. Blessed be my life!”

Now it’s your turn. Share your “Imagine a Woman” story with us.

In gratitude, Patricia Lynn Reilly

Filed Under: Blog

Say Happy Birthday To Imagine A Woman

March 27, 2010 By 17 Comments

When we announced that we were re-launching Imagine a Woman in honor of the poem’s 15th Anniversary/Birthday, we began to receive some amazing “Birthday Wishes.” After reading how the original poem touched the lives of women far and wide, we decided to create a place on the new site where women could share, read, and create birthday wishes and stories of how Imagine a Woman touched their lives.

We invite you to leave your own message, just submit a comment containing your Birthday Wish below!

From  Kathryn  Adis
Author  of  Repeat  After  Me:  7  Simple  Truths  to  Help  You  Survive  a  Crisis
www.truehopebooks.com

I  was  imagining  and  stepping  into  my  own  rebirth  when  I  first  read  “Imagine  A  Woman.”  Eagerly  I  sent  copies  to  my  women  friends  so  they  could  be  uplifted  as  was  I.  Guided  by  the  vision  and  its  author,  I  found  a  voice  to  assist  others  going  through  a  life-altering  experience  by  writing  Repeat  After  Me,  simple  truths  to  help  you  survive  a  crisis.  The  book  took  wing  and  surpassed  my  singular  dream:  to  help  just  one  other  person.  Today  Repeat  After  Me  goes  into  second  printing  as  I  gently  look  back  on  the  young  woman  so  long  huddled  and  afraid  who  has  at  last  blossomed,  sitting  with  ease  and  grace  in  a  fluid  circle  of  visionaries.

Happy  Birthday,  Imagine  A  Woman,  from  www.TrueHopeBooks.com.  Thank  you  for  your  voice.  Your  song  strikes  a  melodic  chord  in  the  hearts  of  women  everywhere.  Long  may  you  sing!

From  Mary  Kay  Aide
Author  of  Spa  for  Your  Soul:  5  Steps  to  Rejuvenate  your  Life
www.spaforyoursoulcoach.com/

Today  is  the  15th  birthday  of  the  poem,  “Imagine  a  Woman.”  In  1995  the  poem  was  first  published  in  the  book  A  God  Who  Looks  Like  Me by  the  author  Patricia  Lynn  Reilly,  founder  of  Imagine  a  Woman  International.  I  discovered  a  version  of  this  poem  a  year  or  so  ago  and  it  deeply  touched  me.  Reading  the  original  is  even  more  powerful  and  has  new  meaning  every  time  I  read  it.  I  marvel  at  how  one  poem  can  embody  the  struggles  so  many  women  deal  with  on  a  daily  basis. So  many  of  its  phrases  resonate  with  me  personally  and  with  women  I  coach.  No  matter  the  background,  age,  or  life  experience,  women  struggle  with  the  same  issues  and  can  find  support  and  solace  in  each  other.  I  love  knowing  the  poem  is  passing  from  woman  to  woman,  mom  to  daughter,  sister  to  sister,  friend  to  friend!

Happy  birthday,  Imagine  a  Woman,  from  the  Spa  For  The  Soul  community.

From  Linda  Amato
Author  of  Making  Believers:  Connect  to  the  Light  Within
www.MakingBelievers.com

I  celebrate  the  “Imagine  a  Woman”  today  because  I  have  become  the  woman  described  in  the  poem.  Before  the  poem  came  into  my  life  I  didn’t  know  such  a  woman  existed.  This  stanza  describes  me  and  is  the  message  I  share  with  my  clients:  “Imagine  a  Woman  who  acknowledges  the  past’s  influence  on  the  present.  A  woman  who  has  walked  through  her  past.  Who  has  healed  into  the  present.” I  am  blessed  to  witness  women  grow  in  love  and  respect  for  themselves…inspired  by  the  poem.  With  tears  in  their  eyes,  they  allow  the  beauty,  power,  and  insight  of  the  words  to  touch  them  deeply,  and  over  time,  they  become  that  woman!

Happy  Birthday  to  the  poem  from  me  and  my  clients.

From  Susan  Betancourt,  Clinical  Aromatherapist
www.breadandroses.info

The  “Imagine  a  Woman”  poem  is  magic!  I  recall  exactly  where  I  was,  and  how  I  felt,  when  I  first  heard  the  poem  in  a  circle  of  women  in  Berkeley.  I  was  amazed  because  I  heard  the  words  in  my  grandmother’s  voice,  and  back  to  my  ancient  grandmothers,  and  I  felt  it  was  their  special  message  being  passed  to  me,  their  beloved  granddaughter.  I  took  the  words  of  the  poem to heart.  Ever  since,  its  call  to  celebrate  and  own  my  innate  strength  and  beauty  has  grown and  matured!  The  shape  of  my  life  work  has  slowly evolved,  until  today  I  can  celebrate  myself  with  wonder  and  delight.  Recently,  I proudly  achieved  a  long-time  goal,  receiving  my  diploma  as  a  Certified  Clinical  Aromatherapist.

Happy  Birthday,  Imagine  a  Woman,  from  the  Bread  and  Roses  community!

From  Mary  Pierce  Brosmer
Author  of  Writing  For  (a)  Change
www.marypiercebrosmer.com

Imagine  a  poem  which  has  been  like  yeast,  raising  women  to  fuller,  rounder  lives  than  we  had  dared  imagine.

Imagine  birthdays  which  celebrate  the  mothers,  as  well  as  the  children,  visions,  ideas,  businesses,  and  poems  they  birth.

Happy  fifteenth  birthday  to  “Imagine  a  Woman”  and  to  the  mother  who  birthed  her,  Patricia  Lynn  Reilly.

From  Mara  Castello,  CEC
Relationship  Empowerment  Coach  for  Women
www.NavigateFromTheHeart.com

Today,  I  have  the  privilege  of  wishing  happy  15th  birthday  to  the  “Imagine  a  Woman”  poem.  The  poem  inspired  my  own  “rebirth.”  From  the  moment  I  heard  it  read,  it’s  message  resonated  within  my  heart.  To  this  day,  I  cannot  read  it  without  a  tear  in  my  eye.  It  wasn’t  until  I  heard  the  words:  “Imagine  a  woman  who  trusts  and  respects  herself.  A  woman  who  listens  to  her  needs  and  desires.  Who  meets  them  with  tenderness  and  grace”—  that  I  truly  understood  that  it  was  OK  to  be  me.  How  freeing!  I  am  not  alone  on  the  journey  to  reclaim  the  truth  about  myself.

My  most  heartfelt  desire  and  calling  is  to  share  this  message  with  my  sisters  everywhere,  so  that  they,  too,  may  know  the  depth  of  joy  that  I  now  experience  because  of  this  life-changing  poem.

From  Sheila  Collins,  Ph.D.
Author  of  Stillpoint:  Dancing  with  Selfhealing  and  Selfcaring
www.interplay.org/wiprss.asp

Happy 15th birthday to the “Imagine a Woman” poem. I discovered the poem many years ago, but the older I get, the more it resonates deeply within me.  Sitting in a circle of women is something I’ve done for  15 years, and that experience is how I’ve been able to stay connected to my true self.  It’s a big part of  how I’ve made it through extremely tough stuff in my personal life, the illness and death of two of my three  children, and my best friend. I will continue working with girls and women, passing on what was given to me, just as the poem is passed from woman to woman, mother to daughter, friend to friend.

From  Diane  Harmony
Author  of  5  GIFTS  for  an  Abundant  Life
www.5gifts.com

Happy  15th  Birthday,  Imagine  a  Woman!  How  amazing  to  have  been  inspired  and  touched  by  Patricia  Lynn  Reilly’s  empowering  words for over 15 years…and  to  have  answered  the  call  to  be  our  authentic  selves.  Patricia  has  been  my  mentor  and  teacher  for  even  longer.  Her  commitment  to  the  Divine  Feminine  contributed  to  my  own  awakening.  And  this  in  turn  has  allowed  me  to  find  my  voice  in  service  to  the  awakening  of  others.

Thank  you,  Patricia,  and  here’s  to  another  15  years  of  women  emerging  from  the  darkness  into  the  light,  as  we  witness  the  profound  shift  of  consciousness  on  the  planet  that  can  only  be  birthed  through  women  globally  embracing  our  truly  powerful  Selves.

From  Kay  Montgomery
Founder  of  A  Connecting  Thread  Retreat  Center
http://www.aConnectingThread.com

Happy  birthday  to  Patricia  and  the  poem,  from  the  “A  Connecting  Thread”  Community!  I’ve  shared  the  “Imagine  A  Woman”  poem  with  women  for  over  14  years.  It  affirms  my  belief  in  the  power  of  women  nurturing  themselves  and  each  other  by  sitting  together  in  ever-widening  circles.  The  poem  has  served  as  an  invitation  to  my  family,  friends,  and  clients  to  travel  the  authentic  path  of  “coming  home”  to  themselves.  Its  words  resonate  for  me  personally  as  I  continue  to  explore  who  I  was,  who  I  am,  and  who  I  am  becoming…and  professionally  as  I  support  others  “to  honor  their  experiences  and  tell  their  stories”  to  heal  into  the  present.

From Kagiso  Msimango
Founder  of  South  Africa’s  The  Goddess  Academy
www.TheGoddessAcademy.co.za

Today  we  at  The  Goddess  Academy  celebrate  the  magic  of  the  very  divalicious  phenomenon,  the  Imagine  a  Woman  poem,  and  the  global  community  of  women  it  has  inspired.  I  can’t  recall  where  I  first  came  across  the  poem,  but  I  do  know  when.  It  was  in  2006,  while  I  was  in  the  process  of  setting  up  The  Goddess  Academy.  Having  a  brand  consultancy  background  I’m  big  on  visions  and  missions.  Although  I  was  very  clear  about  why  I  was  establishing  The  Goddess  Academy,  I  was  struggling  to  articulate  my  vision.  That’s  when  I  came  across  this  poem.  It  had  me  at  hello,  so  to  speak.  I  was  captivated  from  the  very  first  line:  “Imagine  a  woman  who  believes  it  is  right  and  good  she  is  a  woman.”  By  the  time  I  got  to  the  end  of  the  poem,  my  spirit  was  soaring.  A  goddess  named  Patricia  Lynn  Reilly  had  birthed,  so  very  beautifully,  my  vision  years  before  I  had  conceived  the  idea.  I  took  this  as  a  divine  nod  from  God(dess)  and  received  permission  from  Patricia  to  use  the  poem  as  our  vision.  Today,  April  2,  Imagine  a  Woman  is  15  years  old  and  as  powerful  as  ever!

From  Jessica  Pierce
Writer  &  Eating  Disorder  Activist
www.live-out-loud.org

I  was  introduced  to  “Imagine  a  Woman”  poem  and  book  in  2003.  The  book  was  nestled  in  a  bookshelf  in  my  therapist’s  waiting  room,  and  the  title  caught  my  eye.  I  had  been  seeing  my  therapist  for  several  years,  for  treatment  of  an  eating  disorder.  While  the  book  was  intriguing,  it  was  also  terrifying.  Eventually  I  was  able  to  get  through  the  poem,  and  a  couple  of  pages  of  Chapter  1.  As  I  became  stronger  in  my  recovery,  identity,  and  womanhood,  I  was  able  to  embrace  the  book,  and  its  message.  In  the  end,  I  was  not  only  able  to  imagine  myself  as  that  woman,  I  had  become  that  woman.  Today,  I  share  the  poem  with  those  who  struggle  with  their  own  eating  disorders  and  abuse  injuries.  Happy  birthday,  Imagine  a  Woman,  and  thanks  for  reminding  me  of  the  truth  when  I  forget!

From:  Paula  M.  Reeves
Author  of  Women’s  Intuition:  Unlocking  the  Wisdom  of  the  Body
www.paulamreeves.com

I  am  drawn  to  the  words  and  the  ever  growing  message  of  Patricia’s  poem  “Imagine  a  Woman”  because  it  awakens  the  depth  of  possibility  inherent  in  every  life.  This  poem  never  ages,  it  only  ripens  and  sends  forth  seeds.  Thank  you,  Patricia,  for  giving  women  everywhere  a  map  and  an  invitation.  Happy  Birthday  and  may  these  words  find  their  way  around  the  world  and  into  every  hamlet  and  village.

From  Nancy  Scheibe
Author  of  Ripples  Of  Wisdom:  A  Journey  through  Mud  and  Truth
www.RipplesOfWisdom.com

Today  is  the  15th  birthday  of  the  “Imagine  a  Woman”  poem.  The  poem  was  sent  to  me  by  a  dear  friend  after  my  book  about  the  first  leg  of  my  journey  down  the  Mississippi  River  was  released.  I  connected  with  the  poem  in  a  deeply  meaningful  way.  Turning  50,  it  clarified  the  woman  I  had  become  and  it  identified  the  power  in  other  women  I  wanted  to  acknowledge  and  invigorate.  I  immediately  incorporated  the  poem  into  my  work.  As  I  travel,  women  gather  in  circles  around  Sacred  Peace  Fire  and  the  poem  is  read  to  set  the  tone.  Its  eloquence  declares  the  truth  about  WomanSpirit  living  within  each  of  us.  Inspired  by  the  poem,  women  share  their  own  wisdom  and  heartfelt  reflections,  born  of  time  and  experience.  Happy  birthday,  Imagine  a  Woman  International,  from  the  Ripples  Of  Wisdom  community.

From  Erin  Louise  Stewart
Life  Coach  and  “Dreams  Come  True”  Retreat  Facilitator
http://www.clarityenterprise.com

I  was  healed  in  Patricia’s  circle  of  women  while  discovering  a  woman-affirming  spirituality.  I  was  reminded  that  home  is  as  near  as  a  conscious  breath,  conscious  contact  with  my  woman  body,  and  a  descent  into  my  own  inner  spiritual  resources.  Within  that  WomanSpirit  circle,  I  became  the  woman  described  in  the  “Imagine  A  Woman”  poem.  The  poem  has become a  way  of  life—it  informs  my  choices  and  vision  of  myself.  My  business  “Clarity  Enterprise”  was  born  of  the  transformational  influence  of  the  poem,  and  its  impact  is  continually  felt  as  I  assist  women  and  men  to  imagine  and  realize  their  greatest  potential.  Happy  Birthday,  Imagine  A  Woman.  May  the  world  continue  to  be  blessed  with  the  power  and  presence  of  WomanSpirit!

From  Therese  Tappouni
Co-Founder  of  the  Isis  Institute
www.IsisInstitute.org

The  “Imagine  a  Woman”  poem  has  been  in  every  one  of  my  workshop  and  retreat  packets  for  the  past  10  years.  When  I  first  encountered  the  poem,  so  many  of  its  words  spoke  to  the  issues  and  concerns  of  my  clients.  For  women  entering  their  forties  and  fifties  and  becoming  their  amazing  heated  selves,  the  line:  “Imagine  a  woman  who  loves  her  body.  Who  celebrates  its  rhythms  and  cycles  as  an  exquisite  resource”  spoke  directly  to  their  hopes  and  desires.  For  women  learning  to  value  their  feminine  self,  the  line  “Imagine  a  woman  who  values  the  women  in  her  life”  echoes  the  call  of  WomanSpirit  in  the  heart  of  all  of  us.  Happy  birthday,  Imagine  a  Woman,  from  all  of  us  here  at  the  Isis  Institute.

Filed Under: Uncategorized
March 25, 2010 By Leave a Comment

We honor the daughters of history, whose births and accomplishments were not recognized until this age. We honor the unnamed sisters of famous brothers, born into a society that did not acknowledge their birth. We honor the girl-child we once were—in the very beginning we loved ourselves. We honor the girl-children among us, our daughters, granddaughters, and nieces. “Welcome her joyfully.

Shout with a loud voice: ”You belong here among us.  We’re glad you’re alive!”

Claim your FREE IAW Worldwide Circle Membership for yourself, and your mother, daughter, granddaughter, and niece. Together, let’s bite into life and the fullness of its possibility.

Filed Under: Featured
March 25, 2010 By 2 Comments
New2-inspiringwomen

In the very beginning was the Mother.

On the first day, she gave birth to light and darkness. They danced together…” One by one, we reclaim a time when women were honored for their intimate involvement in the origins of life; a time when it was from the mother, the giver of life, that the line of the generations was traced; a time when children born of the mother were legitimate, and given her name and social status. One
by one, we embrace the mother within us and the Mothers among us.


Claim your FREE IAW Worldwide Circle Membership and join women in every season and situation of life, united in their YES to life and wellness.

Filed Under: Featured
March 19, 2010 By 2 Comments

In the IAW Worldwide Circle, we join women from around the world to create a safe space for each other by practicing deep presence, non-judgmental listening, and welcoming inclusion. Inspired by the “Imagine a Woman” poem, the Worldwide Circle is designed to empower women in all seasons and situations of their lives. Together we grow in knowledge and love of ourselves, vow faithfulness to our lives and dreams, and practice gratitude and self-appreciation. Imagine a woman who honors the women in her life. A woman who sits in circles of women. Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets. Become this woman by claiming your FREE IAW Worldwide Circle Membership.

Filed Under: Featured
March 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Patricia’s books inspire us to journey from self-criticism to self-celebration for the sake of our beloved planet. She challenges us  to refashion our world by giving birth images of inclusion, poems of truth, rituals of healing, experiences of transformation, relationships of equality, strategies of peace, institutions of justice, and households of compassion.


Claim your FREE IAW Worldwide Circle Membership and join women from every age who refuse to ask, “What’s wrong with me?” Women who make a powerful statement with every thought they share, every feeling they express, and every action they take on their own behalf. Imagine yourself as this woman!

About Patricia’s Books:

Filed Under: Featured
March 19, 2010 By

Miriam Fabbri’s images and Patricia Lynn Reilly’s meditations dance together to bless and inspire us as we discover the way home to ourselves.

We discover that ours is a journey of descent—we look deep within to reclaim forgotten aspects of ourselves. In the descent we discover that the good is deeply embedded within us. As we embrace our original goodness, our inner spaces are cleared out and reclaimed as our own.

We find rest within our own lives and accept all of ourselves as worthy.

The “Home Is Always Waiting” meditation is the Heart Center of the Imagine a Woman Worldwide Community.

Claim your FREE IAW Worldwide Circle Membership and receive regular reminders that “Home is Always Waiting.” It is as near as a conscious breath, conscious contact with your woman-body, and a descent into the wholeness and wisdom of your inner life.”

Filed Under: Featured