I love to hear from Goddess Inspiration Participants how this work, based on celebrating the Feminine, is supporting us, women, to OPEN fully to the moment to discover the Truth of our Being. I share my gratitude to all of you for giving me the opportunity to grow, expand and express the love I feel for all expression of LIFE. LOVE, Monica (Goddess Inspiration Founder)

From Paula (MA, USA) These are some of the ways Goddess Inspiration has benefited my life and will become a part of my daily life going forward:

*I have learned that my own feelings are not unusual but actually very normal--that they can be experienced without overwhelming me and that it is more healthy for me to accept them without judgment.

*I have learned about "programs/patterns" of thinking that have and continue to influence my life. By recognizing them, I can begin to make a choice about doing something different. Most importantly, I recognize them for what they are--my mind running a program--they are NOT who I am.

*I have a greater appreciation for other women and understand why I have not always felt comfortable with some (my life programs have been more in the masculine domain--Athena, Artemis). More importantly, I appreciate the feminine and am looking for ways to enhance these qualities in my own life because I can now see their value.

*I am becoming more present and alive each day simply by stopping my mind and focusing on the now. I am incorporating this in to how I walk through life rather than just during a time of meditation.

*I learned to dance with others!

*I am beginning to know who I am separate from what I do.

*I am beginning to face some of my fears.

Thank you for bringing this work to women. Your loving presence has touched my life and helped me move toward a healthier and happier path.

Lovingly, Paula

From Nora (MA, USA) How has this Goddess Inspiration series benefited my life? I perceive and receive women in a much different way now. Many of my stereotypes have melted and I have much more compassion for myself and all women I come in contact with. I find I am "showing up" and "speaking" my truth much more often than ever before. Since I made the commitment to myself, I am committing to more in my life.

I have learned new ways to "be" with me and my family.
I am much more aware and alive.
I have brought new sisters to the work.

To all, thanks so much for your gifts. "YOU ARE A GIFT"
Much love, Nora

"Through the Goddess Inspiration I have received my gift of renewal and return to innocence through meeting my “little girl” self. Feeling my grief and guilt from my past misunderstanding and having the opportunity to comfort myself and feel my innocence through this connection has given me courage and spiritual awareness to help me through the intense experience of the death of my father which occurred one month after my workshop. My experience of closure in forgiveness as I sat at his bedside was possible for me to feel as a result of my workshop experiences. Goddess Inspiration has given me a gift that I did not think was possible and I am tremendously grateful. I used to feel that being female and feminine meant second-class status and was something to be ashamed of. Now, I am not only proud to be a woman--I celebrate it." - Suzette (IA, USA)

"Thanks to Goddess inspiration I have closer relationships with other women and especially my mom. Through this work I understand my mom better, respect her more and love her more deeply."- Rebecca (IA, USA)

"I love Goddess Inspiration! I came to these workshops wanting to find more respect and honor for the feminine. I found it. I love and appreciate myself more as a woman, and I respect and honor myself and the women in my life much more than I did before." - Pamela Read (IA, USA)

"My experiences in Goddess Inspiration are providing the catalyst for profound, positive changes in my life. I am learning many important lessons about being a divine woman of presence and power in an atmosphere of complete safety, lovingly created and maintained by Monica. The safer I feel experiencing my truth in the moment, the more I am able to grow, both individually and within the powerful synergy of the group." - Terri Heinrich (IA, USA)

"In February 2000, I attended my first Goddess Inspiration workshop. It changed my life! Monica doesn't just teach, she lives the lessons and shares the journey of the Goddesses with each participant. I have heard my calling. I may not know what tomorrow will bring, but each moment is sacred time. Thank you Goddess Inspiration and Monica." - Julia Fulford (Winnipeg, Canada)

"One of the most significant things I’ve learned through these workshops is my love and enjoyment for the gathering of women. I find that without the negative judgments toward others or the fear of being judged myself has left all this time and energy to enjoy the uniqueness of each of us. To laugh and enjoy that which previously would have been painful." - Rhene (IA, USA)

- Carlenia Springer (MD, USA) "I was first introduced to Monica, founder of Goddess Inspiration, over a year and a half ago through a conference call initiated by Dr. Patricia Crane. I knew very little about the Goddesses at that time however my spirit was drawing me to everything Goddesslike. I had even told my daughter that we would start a Goddess group for her and her girlfriends. To me the Goddess represented the ultimate in being confident and powerful while still exhibiting freedom to express my femininity; something that I had not felt too comfortable in expressing. I equated being feminine with being vulnerable.

I knew that we were going to get an overview of the Greek goddesses and the roles they played and how those roles were still relevant in our life today. I was amazed when I learned that as women we have the Goddess archetypes within us although we use them unconsciously. And it is our unconscious use and identification with these roles that keep us from experiencing more joy, love and peace in our life. Imagine my surprise when Monica said that we could awaken these sleeping archetypes within us and use them consciously to bring joy and light to our experiences.

I was very excited to hear more. On the call, Monica explained that each Goddess has a light or positive aspect to her personality as well as her shadow side. She also explained that one Goddess’ shadow was another one’s strength or light. When we became aware of each of their shadows and light we could enlighten our own experiences and consciously use the archetypes in ways to enhance our lives.

I learned that Aphrodite was the Goddess of Love and she felt very confident in her body. I learned that Hestia was the Goddess of the Hearth or Home and that she was most comfortable at home. Her role as homemaker is what brought her joy. If she was to go out in public she would be very uncomfortable and unsure of herself. Athena, the intellectual was very confident and business like. Hera, the wife and mother protected her children and was very attentive to her husband. But, she could become jealous very quickly, that was her shadow. So, in learning about the Goddesses and the roles they played I could relate it very easily to my own life. I saw really clearly how my own boundaries blurred constantly between the roles I played. My heart yearned for more. I longed to know more and to apply it to my life.

Well a year and a half later I had the opportunity to attend a Goddess Hestia workshop. One day while sitting at my computer I received an email from Monica saying that she was just confirming my attendance at a free preview she was having in her home for the Hestia workshop. I was so excited to receive an email from her. I had lost touch with her and didn’t realize she lived in Maryland. I replied asking her what this was about since I hadn’t received an invitation. The preview was the next night. I listened to my intuition and went to Monica’s home.

From the moment I stepped in the door I felt such love, warmth and a welcoming presence. The atmosphere was so serene and gentle. As Monica began to speak about Hestia I knew I had made the right choice. Hestia was the Goddess who would teach me what it felt like to come home to myself. At the end of the presentation Monica asked if I would like to sign up. My first thought was yes, and my second thought was how much does it cost? I felt too embarrassed to ask how much it cost. I was there with 3 other ladies who appeared to be easily able to afford the investment. I began to fill out the form and then I saw the investment, $395. My heart was saying yes, my mind was saying no I can’t afford it, one of the lady’s who assisted me with the registration form was asking how would I like to pay for it. It was then when my spirit said ask if you can pay in a couple of weeks. I did, she willingly agreed to take the check and deposit it at an agreed time. She assured me that she would call me to double check before depositing it. I breathed a sigh of relief and said thank you God!

The weekend of the workshop was something that I have never experienced in my life! I experienced myself as sacred and a divine daughter of the universe, loved and cared for beyond measure. I experienced myself as a divine creation of love something that for me is beyond words. The passion that Monica brought to the workshop was like a breath of fresh air. The individual attention to my feelings was something I rarely experience.

I felt that the entire universe was supporting my experience of the feminine energy. Just before attending the workshop I went and bought all new clothes. I didn’t realize that what I had bought was very feminine until the participants kept commenting on my clothing. The funny thing is that I had never bought clothes like that before. Looking back now, I saw my spirit preparing to embrace my femininity even before the workshop began. The weather was balmy and beautiful that weekend. We all had lunch on the waterfront. For 3 days I had the luxury of nurturing myself and being nurtured in the presence of unconditional love. What I received from Monica was priceless. My entire family is still benefiting. The journey still has its ups and downs, the difference is that I know in my heart that I am capable of sitting with my pain and I no longer have to wallow in that place anymore or expend lots of energy trying to deny my pain. This experience has given me the gift of me. I have come home to myself." - Carlenia Springer

After participating and experiencing the Goddess Inspiration 10 Days Sacred Journey in Maryland where we worked with the six of the most important Greek Goddesses Sandra Denner (VT, USA) wrote:

GIFTS OF GODDESS INSPIRATION

The gift of reacquainting with my inner child

Through the Goddess Inspiration I have received my gift of renewal and return to innocence through meeting my “little girl” self. Feeling my grief and guilt from my past misunderstanding and having the opportunity to comfort myself and feel my innocence through this connection has given me courage and spiritual awareness to help me through the intense experience of the death of myfather which occurred one month after my workshop. My experience of closure in forgiveness as I sat at his bedside was possible for me to feel as a result of my workshop experiences.

The gift of listening to my inner feminine wisdom

I have come to know and honour the language of my feminine self. It is a place that I have come to access in times of confusion and find it is a place where it is safe to feel and to listen to my inner wisdom. This practice has allowed me to experience emotions in the moment, allowing me to be more fully present. Through that presence I experienced my self as Persephone, guide to the Underworld, for my family as we attended the passing of my father. It was a blessing to attend this passage and feel Love instead of Fear.

The gift of success

My growing awareness of myself as a powerful and loving woman has helped me develop a new career and to allow success. To be powerful and loving as a woman was a position that was difficult for me to accept because of my fears and guilt. As I have grown through enlightenment of my fears and guilt, I have an awareness of the power of Love, pure Love, ”with a capital L” as Monica says. I feel innocent to accept success and do not fear the power that comes through Love and the connection with the Goddess and all that is.

The gift of my true self

The experience of my whole self through the journey to my shadow has allowed me to realize my inner passion and passion for life. This awareness has brought me to a place of compassion and awareness of my connection with all that is. I have been able to experience a growth in depth and intimacy in my relationship with my husband. As I explore and experience more “into-me-see”, my awareness of my true self has allowed me to be more spontaneous and loving in all my relationships.

The gift of learning about boundaries

Learning to express “NO” and mean it is an important gift for our feminine self. As I grow out of my victim hood and into my awareness of my importance and power as a woman, I can feel my boundaries and acknowledge myself in positive ways. This has allowed me to experience more success in life and greater happiness. When I express my true self, I feel complete and whole and my life is easier." - Sandra Denner

"My experience with Goddess Inspiration...- Sherie Schnotala (IA, USA)

December 1997, I left my husband of 25 years and two teenage children. I was 45 years old, and for the first time in my life I was on my own. I took this drastic action because I felt like I was dying, not physically but emotionally, spiritually and mentally. The only passion I was experiencing was anger, which I used as my motivator to get through the day.

When I left my family, I didn’t see it as running away but running toward something, toward ME. I blamed my lack of life on everything and everyone but myself. I believed I was a victim of circumstance. I was focused on the outside; outside demands, outside values, outside approval, how things SHOULD look. I didn’t trust myself, so I let my husband, my family, and society tell me what was best for me. I had very few independent thoughts or opinions.

Moving out took courage I never knew I had but the drive to discover my reason for being and my mission in life outweighed my fears. I had dreams of living a life filled with deep, meaningful experiences mixed with laughter. A life that I didn’t think I could experience while living with my husband or family near me. I believed that THEY were the ones preventing me from having everything I wanted and deserved. I KNEW I was not put on this earth to vacuum and pick up dirty clothes.

Nine months later, I met Monica and attended the first Goddess Inspiration workshop series offered in the United States. Through the Goddess Inspiration series, I had an epiphany. I discovered that I had closed down and negated my own feelings, which resulted in the suppression of my gifts, my uniqueness, and my ability to receive and give love. Monica, through the Goddess Inspiration workshop, gently supported me while I woke up to my true inner self, my true potential. She helped me to love and accept myself from INSIDE TO OUTSIDE. She did this through the unconditional love, support, caring and safety created in the workshop. Goddess Inspiration helped me to open my mind, and unlock my heart. I started "feeling" more complete in myself and since I was finding fulfillment "within" myself, my need to go "outside" of myself for approval decreased considerably. For me, this means I can, and often do, WILLINGLY share myself with others, giving freely with love. This was a HUGE shift, because in the past I kept score. If I gave something, I expected a pay-off.

Since completing the Goddess Inspiration workshop series, I feel more loving and peaceful toward myself and as a result, all aspects of my life have greatly improved. I wake up looking forward to the day, and to the gifts of life.

In June 2000, I moved back in with my husband and family. After I committed to move home but shortly before I actually moved back in, my daughter presented me with a paper she wrote for a college class. It was titled "The Worst Day of My Life". It recounted the day I moved out but the ending surprised me. My daughter saw the worst day of her life as developing into one of the best, because she now has a Mom who is engaged in life. She said I was no longer reserved, sullen and angry but more open, loving and fun. Someone she is now proud to introduce to her friends." - Sherie Schnotala

Margarita (Caracas, Venezuela)

G R A C I A S
MIL GRACIAS
gracias por decirnos que si
gracias por tu maravillosa presencia
gracias por ser tu misma, por ser mujer
gracias por tu compromiso
gracias por haber llegado hasta donde estas ahora y desear compartirlo con otras
gracias por todas tus vivencias que me permiten crecer un poco mas
gracias por todo lo que me ensenaste
gracias por toda tu sabiduria
gracias por toda tu magia
gracias por tu entrega total
gracias por esa energia maravillosa que irradias
gracias por tu feminidad, tu sensualidad, tu sencillez
gracias por tu amor incondicional
gracias por tus hadas, gnomos y duendes
gracias por estar en mi vida
gracias Monica por haber confiado en mi

Para Monica Desde Margarita Calvani.

…………………………. Thank you, thank you, thank you! LOVE, Monica