Dancing in Community

The high school dance teacher announced the focus of the thirty minute demonstration at an evening "teaser" event of song and dance. Nine young women had each choreographed a dance that would be part of a larger event in the next month. We, the audience of parents, relatives and friends, had crowded into Dance Studio 1 for the first half hour dance presentation, a few minutes of each dance.

The first woman's name was called by the teacher. Moving gracefully onto the dance floor, the choreographer/dancer used her voice to share a few words that inspired her choreography.

The teacher then spoke the word: "Dancers" A group of four young women quickly moved into position on the dance floor waiting for the music to begin. Striking a pose, breathlessly waiting for the music to begin, the women danced the vision with the choreographer weaving one fluid dance move around the floor.

During the next half hour, one by one, each of the women took center stage, claiming her moment of leadership and inspiration. Nine choreographers. Each woman leading and serving each other. Flowing to the music. Committed to the vision. The dances all had a core message from women of inspiration: grandmothers, mothers, girlfriends and women from history books.

The power, collaboration and community of the dance created a palpable energy in the room. In awe of the opportunity to witness the dance I have personally experienced in sacred circles of writing, speaking praying and meditating, I breathed in the rare opportunity to watch the physical.

This is the Power of WE. Dancing our visions with each other to create something greater.

******

The dances:

Iter: Road... Journey...Direction
Breaking Tradition
Shattered Mirrors: Redefining Beauty
Power and Strength
Frayed
Bloodline
Facing Tomorrow
Admire to Acquire
The Swan

Community...collaboration...connection...

http://www.healmyvoice.org

COMMUNITY SOUND OFF: ON HUFFPOST LIVE

Today, I was invited into a conversation. After answering the open invitation to submit a video on HuffPost Live, I received an email with a question. Would I like to be a part of a Community Sound Off segment on August 22?

I said yes immediately and scanned the latest edition of Huffington Post to find several articles and topics that stirred something in me.

An hour before the show, four articles were chosen from a variety of links submitted by six women and men in the segment. I didn't know very much about the topics: Free Trade Agreement with Bahrain, The North Korean Gulag at Future Olympics, Semen Ovulation Study and Cell Phones Used to Track Your Every Move. I had some thoughts but they weren't topics I had EVER discussed out loud. With one hour to go before the LIVE show, I dove into reading, googling, thinking and taking notes.

When the show began, I was a little nervous and feeling shy and unsure of myself. The host/facilitator, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin ( @ASE ), was warm, inviting, engaging and encouraging. When I didn't speak for awhile he invited me into the conversation. I felt safe, seen, and acknowledged. I wanted to share more of my ideas. The experience made me want to be more informed, to engage in more conversations, to broaden my knowledge base and to ask more questions.

In my day to day life, as the founder of Heal My Voice, I work with, promote, encourage and listen to women. I create safe spaces, invite them into the conversation and shine a spotlight on them. Today was my turn...to step out of my comfort zone and to offer my ideas and thoughts into the Google Hangout on HuffPost Live.

For many women, it takes courage to put our voices into the world. It takes practice. It takes listening to our inner thoughts and feelings. It takes a willingness to share our opinions, to know that we have wisdom and experiences to share. To know that we have VOICES.

I am not interested in women taking over the world. I just want them to be a part of the conversation. 

Today on HuffPost LIVE...I WAS.

* * * * * *

Want to watch the 20 minute HuffPost Live segment? CLICK HERE

The article I wanted to discuss was removed from the list right before the show.

Here is the link: CLICK HERE

I will post my thoughts about that on another day...

Honoring the Process of Death

I am pet sitting in West Hollywood this week.

It is the most unusual job I have had in awhile because one of the dogs is getting ready to transition. Or is she? That is the moment by moment decision. I watch her to see what messages she is giving me. Is she in pain? Is it time?

Penny is 13 years old. Blind. Arthritic. Hip dysplasia. Every step takes effort. She sleeps most of the day and after eating dinner and one quick walk to go to the bathroom, she whines on and off for 30 minutes or so and finally falls into bed for the night.

I know I must be patient and honor her journey. Making the decision is conscious. Life is precious.

Waiting at the elevator this morning, I looked in the full length mirror across the hallway. Looking at Penny and Maddie (the other sweet doggie in the household) and looking back at myself, I was reminded of how many times I have made this decision. My first cat, Peanut Butter over 35 years ago. And in the last few years, our 12 year old Golden Retriever, Mac and our 18 year old, white cat, Cooper. There is a point where you know it is time. It can not be rushed. It must be honored.

Looking in the mirror, I also remember making a decision 19 years ago. The decision my husband and I made to turn off the life support for our 19 month old son.

Conscious. Courageous. Honoring.

Yes. I have the experience, the wisdom and the courage to hold this space. The owner will be home tonight. I feel that Penny is waiting for them to return.



Today I wait...

Looking for Space....A Call to Inspiration

(Originally published in "A Call to Inspiration" Blog on June 30, 2010)
By Andrea Hylen

After spending several hours writing and researching information for the blog this morning, I added a picture to the blog and all of the words were lost. For a moment, I sat here with my mouth open in shock and then opened to a new inspiration. Change is like that. Awakening is like that. Walking down the path, adjusting to a change, finding new answers and living in the moment.

I will re-write that blog in the future. For now, I am going to change direction and share a simple song from John Denver.

Looking for Space was released in Feb 1976, during my first year of college, almost 35 years ago. The words have expanded in depth over the years. As I meet people in person and on-line, I see the song as a theme for the world. The words connect with all ages, genders, and cultures. We are living in extraordinary times. Music is one of the healers and awakeners.

I found a beautiful video on Youtube with the song and nature scenes. The words remind me that we are on a journey of life. All of us have moments of soaring like the eagle and weeping in despair. We can connect with the center of our heart, Spirit, and nature to awaken and remember who we are.

Here are some of the words:

On the road of experience, I'm trying to find my own way.
Sometimes I wish that I could fly away
When I think that I'm moving, suddenly things stand still
I'm afraid 'cause I think they always will

And I'm looking for space
And to find out who I am
And I'm looking to know and understand
It's a sweet, sweet dream
Sometimes I'm almost there
Sometimes I fly like an eagle
And sometimes I weep in despair

All alone in the universe, sometimes that's how it seems
I get lost in the sadness and the streams
Then I look in the center, suddenly everythings clear
I find myself in the sunshine and my dreams


Link to John Denver's Looking for Space:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWfxuzJYNgY


Embrace the adventure,
Andrea