Me, Liz, Nancy Pelosi, and You...It's All Connected

Did you catch the title of this post?  I have several thoughts running through my head all at once and they're somehow related but I'm not certain I can weave it all together.  I'm going to at least give it a try...

I just hung up the phone after having a delightful and insightful conversation with Liz.  She and I have been talking almost weekly since we met in Seattle.  It's a true blessing in life to find a tribe, a group of women, or men, who have the same life work as you--the work of growing into your fullest self.  You not only find support and accountability but you also get the pleasure of cheering someone else along as they struggle through their own journey.  And because you get the opportunity of learning more about their story with every connection you can appreciate those moments when a real victory has been won.  Liz mentioned the poem she decided to share for this week's Poetry Thursday post and as soon as I hung up I went to her sight and read it.  When I read the last line I felt my heart clapping.  I heard the voice of my soul cheering her on, "You go girl!"  Being able to witness someone take a significant step in their journey, a step that begins to clear the path for even more steps, is something to celebrate and I can't help but want this for my tribe, for myself, for you my friends and readers. 

This comes at the end of a very significant and historical day.  No matter what your politics are, no matter what your opinion is, you can't deny that today is an extraordinary day.  The first woman ever has been sworn in as Speaker of the House.  Did you feel the earth move just a little?  While driving home from work catching a few clips of the days ceremonies on NPR news I could swear to you that I did.  Or maybe it was just the tears that kept welling up in my eyes at the shear pride of what this day means.  After centuries of never having a voice, a vote, an opinion, a woman is now the Speaker of the House.  I find that amazing.  So amazing I'm not even certain I can convey my depth of feeling about it.  Did you hear the creak of the doors that just opened for your daughters, your granddaughters, your nieces, our sisters?  I did.  And when the sound rang in my ears there were very deep emotions that rose to the surface.

I don't know much about Nancy Pelosi and I certainly don't know much about her politics or her voting record but I find myself drawn to her.  My ears perk up when her name is mentioned.  I get quiet if there is a story about her on the news.  I pay attention to interviews that are aired on the radio.  I feel this need to cheer for her not because I know her or admire her but for the simple fact that she is my sister and she is doing something that has never been done before.  I want to support her not because I agree with her on every issue but because she is a fellow woman and damn, the world of politics is rough on women.  I find myself rooting for her, wanting to see her succeed, praying for her to lead with wisdom and honesty.  I catch myself sending her positive energy hoping she can sense the support.  I have to be honest.  Before this November's elections I had never heard of her but knowing how significant it is for her to be the first female Speaker of the House makes me want to e-mail her, send her a Christmas card, light a candle for her, add her name to my nightly prayer, whatever I can do to let her know there are women out here cheering for her. 

Every day I see, hear about, and read about women taking both small and large steps towards claiming their voice, stepping into their power, owning their lives.  One thing this blog has done for me is provide me with a place to record what this experience has been like for me.  One thing this blogging community has provided me with is the precious opportunity of bearing witness to the experiences you all are living.  And ladies, in case you don't know it let me just tell you, "YOU ROCK!", not to mention how you inspire me daily.  Posting a poem about sex may not seem like a big deal but in truth it is a very big deal.  Using the word 'fuck' for the first time in a post may not seem like much, and some may even turn their noses up at it, but it represents something much larger.  It's a step towards breaking free of everything (the past, other people's opinions, beliefs that don't fit anymore, etc.) that has held you back.  And god knows, so many of us, myself included, have been holding back for far too long. 

Today I want to celebrate all the steps, both big and small, we take to break free, to throw open the doors, to grow into our fullness,  whether it be posting a poem about sex (knowing your mother may read it), using the word fuck (knowing your mother may hear it), starting your own business, sharing your grief with the world, daring to live your creative dreams, expressing your deepest emotions through art, telling your story, trusting your vision, or becoming Speaker of the House.  Today I lift my margarita to Nancy Pelosi, to Liz, to my tribe, to you my fellow pilgrims, and to myself because every time we are brave enough, ambitious enough, tired enough, scared enough, stupid enough, fed up enough, wise enough, to do something different, something we've never done before, something that adds to our fullness, we show the world that we are enough...and the earth moves a little under our feet.  I know it does.  I can feel it.  Can't you?

Comments

[Jennifer]

That is such a beautiful photo. My boyfriend is from Mexico and noticed that the candles in the background had Mexican references on them. He is curious if you belive in the virgen of guadalupe or if that you just took the photo because of it's beauty. I wanted to e-mail you this question but my computer would not allow me to access your e-mail address.

[liz elayne]

oh my friend, i felt so good after we hung up. i talked jon's ear off. then something shifted and i wasn't feeling the happy...but then i came here and read your words...and i am reminded what it is all about.

it is hard sometimes... the work to uncover this life...but we are doing it. we are doing it.

bless you dear friend. (yes, i can feel it too.)

[susannah]

yes yes yes. as women we can do and be whatever we want - we can curse and swear and revel in the sheer bloody *glory* of being alive. we can dance and sing and flirt and taking fabulous photos....we can run the country (umm, maggie thatcher? okay, maybe not a great example, but fucking hell - she *did* run the country!)

i love you sweet cheeks, and am SO proud of you and the leaps and pirouettes forward you are making on your journey xoxox

[gkgirl]

!!!!

so energizing
and uplifting
and exciting!

and right,
so right.
:)

[Sam]

You know, I bet Nancy Pelosi would really appreciate an encouraging email from time to time - you should do it!

I didn't really stop to think about the implications of our first ever woman Speaker of the House - I just hope and pray she keeps her nose clean and makes us proud! And we're proud of her now. And yes, when we women break out and do something different and new, have the courage to pursue our creative dreams and deepest ambitions, it's a gift to other women, it's our legacy.

[Regina Clare Jane]

What I love so much about blogging is connecting to other women who not only inspire me but mirror me- it's good to know I am not the only one who feels this way or that way.
Yay for all of us- it's time, finally...

[Star]

I agree. With everything. We are women, hear us roar!

[Delia]

I have been reading your posts this week like my nerves were on the outside of my skin--your words resonating that hard. (Yes, THAT hard.) I actually bawled at the front page of the
newspaper and glued her image into my journal. I don't know if Pelosi will ultimately be a great disappointment like so many political leaders are. But, YES--you are right about the symbolism, SPEAKER of the house...when once there was no vote, no voice. Thank you for sharing all that you do here in your blog. I am working my way towards this fearlessness.
--D.--

[Tammy]

Awesome, inspiring post!! Thanks!

[MB]

Gratitude.

[Franca Bollo]

Greetings from San Francisco! I just wanted to comment regarding Nancy Pelosi and her ascent to Speaker of the House. I am proud of her and feel a connection on several levels: San Franciscan, liberal (is there such a thing as a conservative San Franciscan?), female, Italian-American, Catholic (though I no longer practice). It's such a positive step amidst the many, many missteps this country has taken of late. Thanks for the support of our girl!

[love squalor]

yes yes yes!

[luzie]

what you've said is so true! amen to all of it.

[Novel Nymph]

Difficult to type this with a tremor under my feet--I feel it too!:)

[Sam]

I have felt that way about Nancy since I found out she was going to be speaker. I felt a slight shift in the universe. When I shared my excitement with my husband- he just looked at me blankly. He didn't get it.
All he could think of is man or woman- its still a democrat. (He's a republican and just isn't happy that republicans are in control of that branch.)
Since I am liberal- election time can be very interesting in our household.

He did however express that he would have been happy with Elizabeth Dole as speaker.

But - not being a woman- he just didn't get IT.

So thank you for sharing my excitement!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sam

[Alex aka Gypsy Girl]

Thanks for this post, Michelle. I am just beginning my own journey towards opening up, moving a bit, breaking up from the inertia and finally sharing and exposing myself and my desire to grow. It is an incredible process and I really owe it to this community created by amazingly brave women like you. It is really exciting and a true revolution to unite all of our hearts, that are so full of emotion and potential. Thank you again! Let's celebrate!

[KYouell]

One thing that doesn't seem to get mentioned when discussing women getting the vote is when women were finally allowed to serve on juries. I had to ponder that in college when writing an essay on Susan Glaspell's "A Jury of Her Peers" (full text at http://www.learner.org/exhibits/literature/story/fulltext.html) and it really struck me, similarly to the way a woman being Speaker has struck you. How could a woman get a fair trial when women couldn't be on juries? How could I as a child have assumed that women are and always have been equals? It's just something massive and staggering to think about.

[Irene]

Amen to that.

[deirdre]

I'm taking a step back from politics lately - there's just no room in my brain to process the intricacies of the political world, but I'm so proud and amazed that a woman has finally made it to a position of such power in U.S. politics. This is truly a huge, important moment in our history. So, yes, I've been glued to the news, stunned by the step we've just taken and how truly big this is.

[Kristine]

Great post. I appreciate the way you gave significance to all of this. It is so easy to miss the fact that as a united force we are thriving... I am eager to see how Nacy Pelosi does. My mom had lunch with her once many, many years ago... Small world huh?

[georgia]

Thanks :) I am so glad I cam by your blog today, I had a feeling I should!!!!!

You never fail to inspire me, today I even got goose skin... I have so many things I need to do with my life and hav not yet begun... This year is the time to start.

xoxox
Georgia

[Colorsonmymind]

Oh baby-the table my computer sits on seemed to vibrate beneath these powerful messages. I too feel a sense of woman pride about Nancy Pelosi.

And I am pulling out from beneath the rock I have been under to visit a few people I love....next I will check out Liz's poem:)

[jen]

i am very, very glad Hel turned me on to your spot. and this post.

[Marilyn]

At work, our male history teacher sent me an email saying what a fabulous day it was when Pelosi was sworn in. Since she represents San Francisco, the Chronicle had a huge spread on the front page. But it just occurred to me as I read your post that I haven't felt in awe of her rising to that position...because I EXPECT it. Maybe it comes from being of a certain age...being among those who in the early 70's pushed so hard the idea that women should be treated equally. And I live in a state that already has two powerful female Senators. So, yes, we're thrilled out here that Nancy's leading the house...but for some of us, we just figure that it's about damn time. :)