in
this issue
Your Monthly Money Journey
This month, discover your "money
messages," the myths about money you grew up with, believe in
and live out. Remember to add this month's insights to your private
journal so you can refer back to it occasionally.
The
process starts with exploring how you learned about money. Family
money patterns often drive our financial behavior unconsciously, but
you can bring these patterns into awareness.
Family
messages
Respond in your journal to these open-ended
questions:
When you were growing up, who handled the money
and made the major financial decisions?
Was money discussed
openly? Who was a part of the discussion?
Do you remember how
you felt about money as a child?
What feelings surface for
you when you think about the money history of your family?
Culture check
Money messages come from many sources in
addition to family. Books, movies, art, music, advertising, and
political slogans all influence us. Jot down what comes to mind
about what messages these sources gave you about money:
The media...
Your religious training...
Your teachers...
Your neighbors...
By uncovering money messages, you get to your core
attitudes and values. Understanding your habitual ways of
thinking opens windows of your mind to new understandings and
possible beliefs.
The next step is to decide whether the
money messages you grew up with are still true for you today.
You have the power to decide what money messages are helpful to you
now and what messages you will discard.
Next month:
Explore your personal "money
autobiography." You will tell the story of your experiences and
relationships with money.
Can't wait till next
month?
Speed ahead on your Money Journey using A Woman's
Book of Money & Spiritual Vision. The book is featured on our
website, with links to booksellers and the publisher.
Want to share your money journey with others?
We
recommend forming a group of 12 to 15 members, and meeting for 6 or
7 sessions. To help you create a productive and enjoyable
experience, we're creating materials to assist group leaders.
Email us for study group details
Quick Links...
|
| March brings hints of spring...and tax preparation. When
you take a serious look at your financial position this year,
perhaps you'll decide to go one step further on Your Money
Journey and join our March
20 workshop: Life, Money & Values.
|
Celebrate International Women's Day
with Women's Perspective in Connecticut on March 13
 Pat Krause (left),
director of MayaWorks, which aids the economic development of
women in Guatemala, will be among the guest speakers at our
March 13 celebration of our third anniversary and International
Women's Day.
"Weaving a World that Works" is the theme of our
International Women's Day celebration on Saturday, March
13, 10 am to 3:30 pm, at First Congregational Church on
the Green, Park St. & Lewis St., Norwalk, Conn. The
day-long program will include a mini-workshop on money, circle
dancing, drumming, meditation, journaling, small group
discussions and international speakers.
We'll hear about MayaWorks, which began as
"a very small seed -- one stack of pastel placemats whose
weavers lacked market," according to Pat Krause. "They had no
means to convert their weavings into income. The flourishing
of this fair trade project in less than a decade is evidence
of what happens when women choose to help each other despite
distance." MayaWorks placemats sold quickly in the US, and so
have thousands more Mayan weavings since that time. For
weavers' families, the sales of their work provides income for
food, clothing, medicine and their children's schooling.
Other speakers on March 13 will include Margaret
Auma, director of Springs
Ministries in Kenya, and Rosemary Williams,
director of Women's Perspective. Margaret will talk about her
work with HIV/AIDS widows and Rosemary will guide us in
exercises designed to show that you can make a difference in
the world by aligning the power of your resources with your
core values.
Please join us March 13. You'll find new ways to connect
with women in Connecticut and around the world. Products from
MayaWorks, books and other resources will be on sale. The cost
is $25, including a light lunch.
Click
here for details and registration »
|
|
Findhorn Registration Deadline: April 1
 At the Findhorn Foundation
in Scotland, everyday life is transformed by working and
learning mindful of spiritual values. Consider coming with us
June 26 - July 3 to a Women's Perspective retreat at Findhorn.
We will explore the connection between money and spirit and
experience meditation, sacred dance, nature outings and assist
the Findhorn community in its work. The registration
deadline is April 1, so reserve your place immediately, as
space is limited. Call 203-336-2238 or click
here for details.
Money & Spirit Workshops in 2004 Near
You
Discover how money connects with your spirituality
in hands-on workshops guided by Women's Perspective
director, Rosemary Williams. You'll take part in creative and
interactive activities, analyze your financial facts and
feelings, and develop a realistic action plan to align your
financial life and spiritual values.
Fairfield, CT: March 20, Life, Money, Values:
Your Money Journey, Fairfield University
NEW! Delray Beach, FL: April 17, Women, Money
& Spirital Vision, Church of the Palms
White Plains, NY: May 1, Money &
Spirituality: A Woman's Perspective, Divine Compassion
Center for Spiritual Renewal
Montreat, NC: May 31-June 1, A Woman's Worth:
Faith, Money & Power, a workshop at The Reclaiming the
Text Conference, The Cost of Discipleship: Faith, Money &
Possessions, Montreat Conference Center
NEW! Chautauqua, NY: July 24-31, Aligning the
Spiritual & Financial Aspects of Your Life, Chautauqua
Institution
Darien, CT: Sept. 18-19, joint workshop with Jean
Bolen, Goddess Archetypes, Money and Women: Tapping into
Financial & Spiritual Wisdom, Join email list.
Click for
the Women's Perspective calendar »
|
|
Our International Connections: Haiti & UN
 Many of you know that we
have dear friends in Haiti, where events have plunged the
country into civil chaos. The situation there is tense,
complex and volatile. We urge you to stay informed,
listen carefully to the news, ask the unanswered questions,
read between the lines and seek information and articles from
papers around the world. Most importantly, pray for the people
of Haiti and the establishment of peace and justice in their
country.
UN Commission on the Status of Women
Kathleen Gorelick and Rosemary Williams, of
Women's Perspective, and Margaret Auma, director of Springs
Ministries in Kenya, are attending the 48th session of the
UN Commission on the Status of Women as delegates of the
Anglican Consultative Council.
Women's Perspective and Peace X Peace,
represented by Rosemary Williams and Ann Smith, conducted a
workshop, sponsored by the International Public Policy
Institute, entitled Circles of Power: Matching Your Passion
and Pocketbook to the World's Greatest Need. Thirty women
from many different countries attended, and we explored ways
to work together by tapping into and sharing our spirituality
and our resources. One immediate result was that three women
from Sierra Leone will return home to Africa with fully
equipped computers.
Learn about our
international connections »
|
|
Your Anniversary Gift Will Work Magic
 This month Women's
Perspective will mark our third anniversary as an independent
organization.
We invite you to honor this milestone by investing in our
future with a contribution to Women's Perspective.
A member of our board of directors recently made a generous
$5,000 matching grant to encourage you to support Women's
Perspective. The grant will match dollar- for-dollar your
donation of $100 or more. Your anniversary gift will
double. That's truly financial magic and a wise investment!
Click
for info on how to contribute »
| |
