Patricia Sands

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Beauty of a Woman Blogfest

Believe in the beauty of your dreams~BOAW2015

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Artwork by the fabulously beautiful Renée Schuls-Jacobson
Artwork by the beautifully talented Renée Schuls-Jacobson

Here we come again!

It’s the fourth anniversary of the Beauty Of A Woman blogfest hosted by the talented women’s activist, journalist and writer, August McLaughlin. I hope you will find a quiet time in the next little while to visit all of the participating blogs. The messages are inspirational, informative, entertaining and … well … beautiful. You might even be enticed to join us next year! Bonus: check out the beautiful prize list too!

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt

This year’s BOAW challenge has me focusing on my 5-year-old granddaughter who is a real girly-girl with long strawberry blond hair and stunning turquoise eyes. She is also smart, feisty, strong-willed and curious.

I worry about the world today, where the media focus is more frequently on stereotypes that deliver a skewed vision of “beauty” to fertile young minds. I want my granddaughter, and all girls, to grow up in a world that is safe. A world that gives the right messages. I want girls to grow up proud, confident, educated, and kind-hearted, with a strong social conscience. Why not? I want them to understand that beauty exists in many forms. I want them to listen to Eleanor’s words and believe in the beauty of their dreams.

It gives me hope to know there is a girl raising her voice and making a difference in the world. A girl who can be the best kind of role model for all girls and an inspiration to women of all ages. She’s a girl who believes in the beauty of her dreams: Malala Yousafzai.

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Today I want to dedicate my post to the beauty of Malala’s dreams, along with some organizations that work tirelessly to end violence against women. The dedicated people behind these organizations deserve to be recognized and supported for all they do to improve the lives of women and girls. Their messages underline the beauty and importance of the strength and potential of every single female. They truly work to bring about change so that every girl and woman may know she is safe and have the opportunity to believe in the beauty of her dreams.

It’s heartbreaking to think of the countless numbers of young girls and women in tragic situations around the world who struggle just to get through a day. We should never let up on our efforts to bring change to their lives.

Let’s all do our part to support the dreams of the future..

Because I Am A Girl

Canadian Women’s Foundation

Bring Back Our Girls

Vday.org 

#OneBillionRising

Each year I am simply blown away by the variety of perspectives, opinions and beautiful words found on all of the participating websites. You can link to all of them right here. Fest away!

It’s been a pleasure to take part in the BOAW blogfest all four years. May I be candid here? I know I can with you … I’ve loved each of my BOAW posts because August’s challenge to us has caused me to look at certain aspects of life in ways I might never have written about on my website. Thanks, August!

BOAW 2012 ~ You’re Beautiful Just The Way You Are

BOAW 201 ~ She Walks In Beauty

BOAW 2014 ~ Hear Us Roar

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Thanks for joining me today. If you like today’s post, please use the share buttons below. It all helps!

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International Women’s Day 2014

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Every year a powerful theme drives the goals for the year of the International Women’s Day.

2014 Theme: INSPIRING CHANGE

From the IWD Home Page ~”Women’s equality has made positive gains but the world is still unequal. International Women’s Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action.

Inspiring Change is the 2014 theme for our internationalwomensday.com global hub and encourages advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way. It calls for challenging the status quo for women’s equality and vigilance inspiring positive change.”

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The 3 C’s of life : We have to choose to take a chance before change will happen.

Special days are held to draw particular attention to a cause. Whether the cause is gender based or against bullying and war or for peace or love, to name just a few, caring about these issues should be a part of our daily life.  Change is also a part of our daily life, often unexpected. The more we have the courage to make choices and embrace change, the more we will inspire others to do the same.

Some of the women I want to celebrate today are fine examples of ones who have inspired change in each other through five decades. They represent honest, non-judgemental friendship that is always there to listen, to guide, to question, and to pick you up when you stumble so you can stand tall and try again. Celebrate those women in your life ~ give them a call and tell them how you feel.

My real-life Bridge Club-PSandsPhotos
My real-life Bridge Club-PSandsPhotos

And now, a shout-out to all those who raise their voices against violence and work to inspire change for women and girls all over the world. If you don’t know about the global catalyst V-day, you should. Get involved! Share the message and inspire others to do the same.

Click this link to watch a short video that explains the importance of V-Day. It is definitely worth your time! Then inspire others by passing it along.

Within the writing community recently, women (and some men) participated in the Beauty of A Woman Blogfest, now an annual event hosted by the effervescent August McLaughlin. Click on the link to read the inspirational quotes she thoughtfully took the time to compile!

In my post for the BOAW Blogfest this year, there’s a video about the ERA and the fact it still has not been ratified in the United States! Whaaaa? I know! That’s what I said too. Now there’s a change that is long overdue. Raise your voices and make it happen! Click here to see the video. It’s inspiring!

I will end this post as I did last year with a link to Evelyn Hannon’s wonderful Journeywoman.com website where she is once again hosting a photo exhibit of women around the world. The photography has been sent in by bloggers and travellers and it is simply  … yes …  inspiring!

Go forth and inspire change in large ways and small. We can do it! Examine the possibilities in life that exist for each and every one of us.

You know what I like to say, every opportunity I get:225391156320705857_f4fpjwu6_c

BEAUTY OF A WOMAN 2014~Hear us ROAR!

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It’s that time of year again! The fabulous August McLaughlin, had an idea three years ago that continues to blossom … just like a woman! It’s the Beauty of a Woman BlogFest. Everyone who joins in the celebration, blogs on the same day about aspects of beauty we women share. All the links are on August’s blog so click here to get right on over and check them out. The more explicit #Girl Boner edition is featured first and the original version for posts like mine begins Feb. 27th.Closeup decorative grunge vintage woman with beautiful long hair In 2012, I mused about how it feels to be getting older and the joys of being a grandparent. Let’s face it, you have to be old to get there! Last year I shared a treasured book, She Walks In Beauty, and Lord Byron’s exquisite poem. When I considered how I would celebrate this year’s theme, a very familiar song kept playing in my mind. I had turned 30 the year this hit the charts and, as Bob Dylan sang, “the times they were a-changing”. They had been for a decade. So let me take you back to 1975. (I know, I know … a lot of you weren’t even born then!) helen-sizedThe United Nations had declared it to be InternationaL Women’s Year (IWY)  with Helen Reddy‘s song, I Am Woman, as the theme. This was an empowering time for women with Gloria Steinem, Betty Frieden and other groundbreakers leading the way. Women’s liberation was a hot topic as feminists spoke out, demonstrated and lobbied governments. In the United States, the focus was on the success of the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, state by state. It’s hard to believe that to this very day it still has not been ratified!  Visit this site for the complete history and advice as to how you can add your voice to this cause. Take a minute to watch this video clip. Let me know if you realized this was the situation. I didn’t know! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHLnQZLq20 Unbelievable. Every year since 1975, March 8th has been recognized as International Women’s Day. Have you marked it on your calendar? I’ll wait while you do … no worries … I hope you will take a stand for the ERA on that day. Let’s continue to show what a beautiful anthem can be heard when women raise their voices as one! And now,  get your disco clothes out of that storage box, call up your BFFs, and celebrate the beauty of women everywhere! Make it loud! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUBnxqEVKlk As I researched what I wanted to share in this post, I came across this interview and helen-reddy-picture_612x817… to be honest … it caused me to wipe a few tears and then cheer. I discovered that today, at age 73, Helen Reddy continues to exemplify the beauty of a woman. Please take seven minutes and 14 seconds to watch this video. I have a feeling you will see what I mean and agree. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP-Zb5HoPjM It’s what we’re talking about. Choose to be yourself and be proud of your choice! Erm … update … I had lunch with my friend Evelyn Hannon today (she’s the fabulousJourneywoman and you should subscribe to her newsletter … okay, that’s another story )… anyway, she told me that coincidentally she had also been talking about I Am Woman and someone told her Helen was performing in Las Vegas this month! I just checked it out and sure enough … see here. I guess they made her an offer she couldn’t refuse and she decided to take a break from her quiet life, after all. Choices, people, that’s what it’s all about! Here are the lyrics, in case you get the urge to sing along! The meaning is every bit as strong today as it was 40 years ago. I Am Woman I am woman, hear me roar In numbers too big to ignore And I know too much to go back an’ pretend ’cause I’ve heard it all before And I’ve been down there on the floor No one’s ever gonna keep me down again CHORUS Oh yes I am wise But it’s wisdom born of pain Yes, I’ve paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to, I can do anything I am strong (strong) I am invincible (invincible) I am woman You can bend but never break me ’cause it only serves to make me More determined to achieve my final goal And I come back even stronger Not a novice any longer ’cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul CHORUS I am woman watch me grow See me standing toe to toe As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land But I’m still an embryo With a long long way to go Until I make my brother understand Oh yes I am wise But it’s wisdom born of pain Yes, I’ve paid the price But look how much I gained If I have to I can face anything I am strong (strong) I am invincible (invincible) I am woman Oh, I am woman I am invincible I am strong FADE I am woman I am invincible I am strong I am woman Transcribed by Robin Hood with help from Maid Marian -Artist: Helen Reddy from “Helen Reddy’s Greatest Hits”: EMI ST 11467 -peak Billboard position # 1 for 1 week in 1972 -Words and Music by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton These lyrics were transcribed from the specific recording mentioned above and do not necessarily correspond with lyrics from other recordings, sheet music, songbooks or lyrics printed on album jackets. ROAR!!!! Now hop on over to August’s blog and feast on the other posts!

She Walks In Beauty ~ Beauty Of A Woman Blogfest

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Last year August McLachlan had an idea that seems to be growing into a movement in 2013 … a strong, positive, brilliant celebration of what it is to be a woman. I’m proud to be a part of it.

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Make a note to spend some time over on August’s blog to find links to the posts that are being contributed this year. Click right here to get started! It is so much fun, so meaningful … and even powerful … to see the variety of perspectives that come together in this extraordinary collection from women and men.

In my post last year, I mentioned how the aging process  sneaks up on us and how important it is to celebrate every day, wrinkles and all! I also talked about the pleasures of being a grandmother and how I think it is our joyful duty to help our grandchildren grow up in a world that is moving forward with equality for everyone, regardless of gender. Everyone should feel beautiful, male or female.

8747308This year I want to introduce you to She Walks In Beauty, a book described as “ a priceless resource for anyone, male or female, who wants a deeper understanding and appreciation of what it means to be a woman.” Compiled and edited by Caroline Kennedy and published in 2011, this diverse collection of poetry contains selections from the Bible and Shakespeare to contemporary selections.

The first time I heard of the book was when I saw Caroline Kennedy on The Colbert Report discussing (?) poetry with Stephen Colbert. Very cool!

This fine anthology examines many of the stages most of us experience: falling in love; making love; breaking up; marriage; love itself; work; beauty, clothes, and things of this world; motherhood; silence and solitude; growing up and growing old; death and grief; friendship; how to live.

Each selection was personally chosen by Kennedy. Each section is prefaced by her insightful reflections and at times she shares intimate family memories.

I slowly enjoyed this excellent assortment of poems over a period of time, liking some and not caring for others. That’s how words are, right? They don’t all hit the spot in the same way with each of us. However I felt one constant throughout:  the older we get, the more comfortable we are with the notion that our beauty comes from within. This is a book to be savoured at your leisure and many times over.

I was reminded more than once of the words of Kahlil Gibran ~ Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.

She Walks in Beauty makes a fabulous gift for any woman, any time. It’s beautiful! And you are beautiful! Remind yourself of that every single day.

Here’s a taste of what awaits you. This poem lends its title to the book and is found at the beginning.

She Walks in Beauty

BY LORD BYRON (GEORGE GORDON)

She walks in beauty, like the night
   Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
   Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
   Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
One shade the more, one ray the less,
   Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
   Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express,
   How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.
And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
   So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
   But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
   A heart whose love is innocent!