Title: Butterflies
Medium: Watercolour and Acrylic Painting 2008
Contact: 040 774 6045
Email: meganlaneart@yahoo.com.au
Feature Article
Never before has there been a time when there is so much subtle support for women to step up and take a role as our inspirational leaders in business, politics, and the community in general. But are women too complacent?
Over the years there have been three main waves of what we call feminism. The initial catalyst was probably the feminist works of 18th century philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft. However no one really took any notice of what she said for about 100 years, when the first wave of feminism really took hold. This was most notably marked by New Zealand leading the world in giving white women the right to vote in 1893. Australia followed on nine years later.
After this tumultuous time there was a lull until the second wave of feminism took hold in the 1960s. This period was marked by the ‘burning of bras’, street demonstrations, the introduction of affirmative action legislation, women insisting on their rights to drink in previously male-only bars; basically women were determined to do anything that men did.
After the protests died down, women continued to gain greater and greater equal rights, which became the expected norm for most young women.
However, over the last 15 years there has been a subtle feminine undercurrent that is regarded as the third wave of feminism. Unlike the first two waves, society and technology are behind this third wave, not women themselves. Indeed, women are automatically drifting into this wave of feminism, and so are men.
An example of this society- and technology-driven feminism is the introduction of the computer resulting in men typing their own letters and memos, which was previously relegated to their female secretary. The female secretarial pool no longer exists. It is now realised that our environmental crisis, which was arguably brought on by masculine attitudes of domination and control, needs a far more feminine and nurturing approach if we are to make any headway there at all. And the exponentially evolving concept of so-called soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, in business, is inherently feminine in nature.
Because this latest wave of feminism has just evolved without the struggles seen in the previous waves of feminism, there’s an inherent danger. That danger is that women, especially young women who weren’t around in the 1960s and 70s, are too complacent about their growing status. And men, especially the older men, all too often just don’t understand what’s going on around them.
Over the last few years however, this gentle tide of change has turned into a tsunami. We’ve seen more and more insidious forms of warfare springing up all over the globe. The environmental crisis has gone beyond the point of no return, in our lifetimes anyway. In many areas there is a great lack of compassion and social justice. Politics, which is still dominated by men, is practised throughout much of the world in very questionable ways. And of course the outdated masculine (not necessarily male) profits-at-any-price approach in the financial sector saw the collapse of many so-called great Wall Street institutions, resulting in a global economic crisis that we might or might not be coming out of.
So what’s going on? As a Baby Boomer I was around in the 1960s. Indeed, I was Australia’s first female oil company representative in the 1970s. And I’ve been monitoring these subtle, and more recently not so subtle, changes very closely.
On the one hand, the subtle wave of change to a more feminine approach continues. On the other hand, the worst masculine traits in society have risen to the surface like a festering sore that is now erupting. And that sore must be healed with a major change in the way our global society thinks, acts and lives. As Einstein said, ‘We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them’.
Global problems affect our personal lives and our business lives and can only be solved by totally new ways of thinking. Women, there is no more time for complacency. It’s time to step up and take the lead. If you want to excel in your personal life, and especially in your business life, and in turn make a difference in the world, it’s time to learn these new thinking skills. And yes, like all skills they can be learnt.
Indeed, women and men all over the planet are gathering together in various ways to empower and support each other to make a difference and find radically new approaches.
As part of this support mechanism, at the end of September, I’m launching a world-wide project – a dream that’s been 20 years in the making. It’s called ‘The Learning, Loving and Laughing Project’ and will begin with 11 free weekly teleseminar/webcasts with some of the world’s leading lights who are devoting their lives to empowering people just like you to take a lead. In addition, I’m releasing a free CD talk taking you even further down this exciting rabbit hole. So go to my blog now at www.Kashonia.com and fill in the form on the top right hand column so you can be notified about the teleseminars as they come up. And I’ll also let you know how to get your copy of my FREE CD as soon as it’s released.
By Dr Kashonia Carnegie
Dr Kashonia Carnegie is a philosopher, author, broadcaster and
founder of The Learning Loving and Laughing Project.
Regular Article
Over the last century women’s status has definitely evolved. In many countries they now have the same legal rights as men. In our modern Western world, some even became Super Women, combining a full-time job with their role of wife, mother, cook, chauffeur, cleaner, confident, etc.
How do Super Women cope? Those who find this role a bit challenging sooner or later realise the necessity of incorporating into their busy schedule some Yin (passive/quiet) time on a regular basis. This means …once a week, time for themselves: a massage, an appointment at the hairdresser, coffee with a friend, meditation, workshops, walk along the beach.
The family home, at its best, fits with the needs of all inhabitants; parents and children. Many women worldwide are inspired with Feng Shui tips and tasteful décor to enhance the relationship, health and wealth of all within their nest. Change brings movement. A different décor could simply mean moving furniture around, creating a theme per room, sorting items to keep and to discard, renewing photographs in the frames, choosing another colour for a wall or throwing new covers around the old existing cushions. Each alteration encourages something new to happen: a boost, a quick improvement in life.
Ancient Feng Shui Masters in China were mainly men. They were honoured, respected and sometimes feared because of the secret ‘keys’ that they were holding. Nowadays, in the Western world, many women understand and apply intrinsic basic Feng Shui principles. Adding Feng Shui ideas to commonsense, they have harvested the results of their personal Feng Shui trials and added to this art of placement with positive intent, caring and love. Their lives improved, they are happy.
A well balanced home should encompass:
- Yin = pastel colours, for a soft and caring feeling
- Curves for a smooth and meandering Chi flow
- Yang = a few straight lines and Chi enhancers
Easy Feng Shui suggestions Women can easily and happily apply:
1. The bathroom
Utilise one side of the bathroom vanity only: whether single or married, no need to overflow both sides with makeup and over-rated cover ups. Allowing your (potential) partner equal space is a plus for your (new) relationship.
2. Around the home
Display only recent pictures of children and grandchildren; one picture each is enough. Update regularly. In general, avoid pictures of single women or single items; keep in mind that what you scan is what you manifest. Have a new look at your surroundings and adapt accordingly. Your master bedroom though, sees only pictures of your happy couple on walls and bedside tables.
3. The kitchen
Your fantastic set of sharp knives that used to be on show on the kitchen bench is now hidden indoors – you immediately noted fewer quarrels and fights within the home. Avoid watching the News while preparing food and even while eating. The more you are at peace while cooking, the better intent you bring into your preparation; therefore your family eats a dish prepared with love and care, instead of one filled with stress and worries.
Roseline Deleu, Feng Shui Master. Roseline will be exceptionally teaching and lecturing in Cairns in October 2009.
5 Day FENG SHUI Practitioner Certificate COURSE with Roseline Deleu. 30th Oct – 3rd Nov 09
KUKU YALANJI EXPERIENCE – Cultural and Metaphysical 5 Day RETREAT 22nd – 26th October 09 remote area inland Cairns
ENROL NOW Visit www.fengshuisteps.com