Fresh off a peace + pleasure activism call with Mama Gena's Sisterhood Series. Ooozing with inspiration. Paying it forward by sharing gems as part of our mission to be agents of change.
In today's call, Global Peace Activists Mama Gena and Leymah Gbowee came together to share stories of next level courage, love, strength, and passionate dedication to a radically just world.
"2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee is a Liberian peace activist, social worker and women’s rights advocate. She is Founder and President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa, based in Monrovia."
"Leymah is best known for leading a nonviolent movement that brought together Christian and Muslim women to play a pivotal role in ending Liberia’s devastating, fourteen-year civil war in 2003. This historic achievement paved the way for the election of Africa’s first female head of state, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. It also marked the vanguard of a new wave of women emerging worldwide as essential and uniquely effective participants in brokering lasting peace and security."
"Leymah’s impact on the world had only just begun. She had emerged as a global leader whose participation was in demand at meetings of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and other major international conferences." Source: NobelPrize.org
Leymah spoke of immense tragedy that would have broken many. Yet she spoke about taking the rage and grief that comes with that and turning it into positive change. She stood up to the powers that be with the determination to make a dream come true for her children and for all the children. She did what seems impossible. We should all be inspired by these acts of the boldest braveries. If you don't know her story... it is one of alchemical magnificence. You can watch it on Youtube, inserted here for your ease in viewing!
We can all find solidity through her actions and huge heart. Her power comes from the power of love and of the earth and we are all connected to it. We can be resourced from our passion, there is a key found in strong emotions. What choice did she have? Act or watch her country continue to fall into tyranny. And act she sure did, by gathering the women and standing boldy, using all they had, their bodies. They were successful. We should celebrate that and also hold awareness that the global war playing out is not over. We have work to do.
Leymah demonstrates what can happen when we come together for the greater good. When we use our voices. Voices connected to compassion. When we rally for peace through non-violence bringing truth into the light, we are unstoppable. You can further support Leymah's transformational work in Africa that can be felt around the globe by donating to her campaign to here: Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa-USA | Kindful
Mama Gena (Regena Thomashauer) introduced me to Leymah and her work. She is creating a wave of support within and beyond her own community of women around this planet.
What does #pleasure have to do with #peace? It starts at the root, awakening understanding within. Pleasure is a practise than can cultivate and lead to compassion for humanity with dignity. When Pleasure meets Peace, it culminates to liberate our spirits.
Pleasure settles our nerves and awakens us to come home to our inherent goodness. It truly is a tonic we all need. It's both a pathway and a gateway.
I had heard of Mama G for many years before I joined one of her courses during the pandemic. What a salve it was for my raw awareness of the troubles we face collectively and individually. A love balm for my activist heart-mission. A place to get resourced. Her teachings are a bridge. Between here and there. Where you are in this moment and where you want to be. Dancing between contentment and aligned action. Ecstatic activism we could call it.
Her work is also revolutionary.“I am devoted to raising women up to feel comfortable, strong and powerful in their bodies and souls. I am devoted to banishing shame and replacing it it with irrepressible pride and joy. I am devoted to teaching women to reconnect with turn-on and to release their fire, their outrageous outrage, their unstoppable love, their enthusiasm, their eros. I am devoted to women.” — Regena Thomashauer
You can connect with Regena and her Team here.
What does pleasure have to do with Peace? Everything.
“A great deal of the chaos in the world occurs because people don't appreciate themselves.” ~Chögyam Trungpa, Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior
"We can change the world. But the change really does start within us." ~Janet Raftis & Ina Lukas
I dare you to get curious about where you can make a positive impact. I dare you to care for yourself so tenderly you release happy tears, this is fuel for change. I dare you to feel it all and love so absolutely fearlessly anyway. I dare you to find the pleasure in spite of the pain. I only dare you because if you're reading this you likely are primed to do this right now. Go for it!!
For the One,
Nichola @ Mystic Peaks Studio
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