by Sharon Gavioli, Registered Nurse, Birth Educator, Counsellor, Brisbane, Queensland
I attended an event for the celebration of the International Women’s Day held by Real Media Real Change (RMRC) in Brisbane, “Nurturing the Woman Within: Reclaiming Your Natural Rhythm Within our Modern Times”. It was one of a series of events presented around exploring how expectations and pressures women face today can impact our general wellbeing and how we can reconnect to our natural rhythms and to reconsider self-nurturing.
I attended due to my involvement in the Brisbane Esoteric Developer’s Groups offered by Universal Medicine, that has been running a women’s group over the last 2 plus years. During that time, I have consistently attended this group and have come to understand that the way we are currently living as women doesn’t truly support our natural way of being, and that nurturing ourselves is essential for us feel the loveliness of the women we are.
My own experience of not living my natural rhythm is related to the way I was living my life from a drive that created a sense of never having enough time for me, and that there was always too much to do! This has greatly transformed my everyday life with what I have learned in the group about taking the time to care and nurture me, as well as being more aware of how I go about all I undertake. These simple choices have enabled me to be present with one thing at a time without stressing about what I need to do next, which definitely feels more like my natural rhythm as a woman. Many of the other women who have also been attending the women’s group have made some amazing changes in their lives. They too have embraced a deeper care and nurturing of themselves, which has flowed into lives with improved friendships, family and work relationships. Evidence of these incredible changes and ability to nurture ourselves presented when this group was asked to assist in organising this event.
The organisation commenced with a number of women committing to preparing healthy food for the morning tea as well as setting up, serving and cleaning up after the event. I was keen to support this event due to my love of working with people and because of the incredible support I had received from attending the women’s group.
The day arrived with a group of women and a few lovely men setting up for the event and what unfolded was nothing short of amazing. Without instruction or direction, every person just got on with doing what needed to be done. It felt so effortless and harmonious. This continued throughout the event with the serving of the morning tea, and the final clean up.
At past non-Universal Medicine community events at which I had assisted, I would often get frustrated that people were not helping the way I thought they should, and that on some level I wanted people to recognise that I was a good person for all my efforts. I now realize this need for recognition was partly due to the fact that I did not appreciate me and as a result, did not take time to care for and nurture myself.
This event was different and I had the opportunity to work with others without expecting anything in return. I know that the way I now care for myself reflects in the way I care for others and in my contribution to this event.
It was interesting to observe my old “expectation” thought pattern trying to creep back in at one point, which was great for me to be aware of and not buy into. This awareness is the direct result of everything I have developed from being involved with and being inspired by the Esoteric Women’s groups and the teachings from Universal Medicine.
Over 200 people attended the event to listen to speakers share about how women can truly care for themselves which was also the launch of a new app for iPhone and iPad: Our Cycles – Period and Full Moon Diary. This app is designed for everyone, men included, and it can be used to track not only our cycles, but also to register the moments we dedicate to nurture ourselves.
This nurturing quality of the woman was naturally being played out in the background in the loving way everyone contributed – which enabled a nurturing of all who attended the event.
For me, it was really lovely to be part of this event and to work so harmoniously alongside so many great people… it felt like this is how life is supposed to be. This event was such a wonderful example of how we can all work together in true brotherhood; it also highlighted the importance of truly loving and caring for ourselves first, which naturally allows us to care for others without the expectation of anything in return.