Vagina Monologues: Finding happiness in body and soul

One out of every three women on this planet will be beaten or rapped in her lifetime.  

1 in 3.

I was so grateful to be able to attend the Vagina Monologues this Valentine's Day.  Not only was it thought-provoking and terribly funny, but it was deeply moving to know that people around the country and the world were gathering to help end violence against women.

I encourage you to learn more about V-Day, a non-profit, grassroots movement dedicated to ending violence against women, which sprung forth from the Vagina Monologues.

In this great TED talk, Eve Ensler, tells her story of how the creation of the Vagina Monlogues inspired her to launch a global campaign to end violence against women, and how engaging deeply in the pain of the world, she was able to discover her own happiness. 

And you will want to watch this incredible follow-up TED Talk by Eve Ensler.  

Security and Insecurity

Playwright Eve Ensler explores our modern craving for security -- and why it makes us less secure. Listen for inspiring, heartbreaking stories of women making change.

Creative Genius of Elizabeth Gilbert: Letting it Flow

I was so blown away by Elizabeth Gilbert's (yes she is the author of that smash-hit Eat, Pray, Love) recent TED talk. For those of you not familiar with TED, you will want to check them out.  TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from those three worlds. Since then its scope has become ever broader.

The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). (TED offers a free nifty iPhone app for all you iPhone users out there)

After reading this description of Elizabeth's lecture, I just knew I must check it out.

Elizabeth Gilbert: A different way to think about creative genius

Elizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses -- and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person "being" a genius, all of us "have" a genius. It's a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

It is going on 24 hours since I watched this clip, and it is still periodically popping into my consciousness.  I have a feeling this will stay with me for a long time. I love her idea that we just need to show up. We can release expectations of grandeur, perfection, or creative genius, and all that is asked is that we show up and offer what we have today.

Probably not my best blog, or my most profound thought, but I am showing up, sharing what has touched me, letting go and letting it flow.