Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Dream Up an Innovative Response

Grabbed a tape I'd had for years yesterday to listen to riding in to my office: "The Wild Woman Archetype" from Clarissa Pinkola Estes, author of Women Who Run with the Wolves.

The tape is billed as "Myths and Stories about the Instinctual Nature of Women."

Now, I'm one who thinks that guys are pretty instinctual, too.

But it's also true that women historically have had much less freedom to exercise their/our instincts. The sexual double standard of my growing-up years, for one annoying example.

What stuck with me from what I listened to was about how to react in a crisis, or a situation where you're stuck with severe limits. What Estes advises is: don't be a martyr, be innovative. Stick with your dreams and plans and passion, and figure out ways to get where you're going, or as close as you can, even though you may be working with some tough conditions. Like financial pressure, burdensome obligations, illness, any of that stuff.

If we can't use it, we gotta figure how to work around it.

Get where we're going, anyway.




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4 comments:

Mimi Lenox said...

Have you read Dalma Heyn's The Erotic Silence of the American Housewife? Fascinating read that I found enlightening upon my impending ...ahem....divorce.
I have the Estes books you've mentioned here as well. Maybe I should re-read....hmmm.....

Interesting blog and the best part is..you're from my state. I love finding local bloggers! I shall return to read more.
Have a great day!

Hope you will visit me as well.
Mimi

Peggy Payne said...

Hi Mimi, Welcome! I haven't read The Erotic Silence... but will. Sounds intriguing.

Also, your online dating blog is hilarious. I'm glad to know about your blogs. Thanks.

Debra said...

"Get where we're going, anyway." Thank you for that very important reminder. It came at an important time for me.

I really like it when you think by blogging! I truly enjoy the benefits of reading your thoughts.

Have a lovely weekend!

Peggy Payne said...

I hope things are going well with whatever you're dealing with, Debbie.