Lady Penelope
Mar 19, 2022
Penelope
Age (optional):
9 ½ (life begins at 40, right!?)
Where you are from:
Adelaide Hills, SA
Where you live:
Barossa Valley, SA
The more juicy ones:
1. This is who I am in the world….
I am Penelope. I am lucky. I had a wonderful childhood playing with horses. Knowing horses is empowering and a place from which I regularly draw strength.
As an adult, Yogic philosophy guides my thoughts, words and actions. I strive to do no harm (Ahimsa), act with compassion (Karuna) and speak my truth (Satya) to both myself & others. I'm strong, determined and shy (although most people would not recognise that last trait in me.)
I’ve earned my living largely from behind a desk and for the past decade have felt I’ve been living between two realms; IT Professional 5 days a week and fire twirling, hula hooping Yogacharini in my spare time! Five years spent living off grid (one year with no electricity) highlighted this incongruity. Living simply, off grid in a yurt surrounded by mountains and rainforest, with an outdoor bathroom and camp kitchen opened my mind to different ways of being and helped me realign my priorities.
I credit Nimbin University (The 10 year Nimbin lived experience) with deprogramming my early conditioning and defining my purpose. I learned to hula hoop here, it helped me to let go and find my flow, not just with the hoop, but in life too. I became part of a few wonderful communities during this time (the people of Nimbin, Modifyre Burning Man, Yoga teachers and light-workers (energetic healers). I came to appreciate the healing potential of an alternative lifestyle, including drumming circles, fire spinning, poetry, art, music and holistic medicine.
2. This is the story that I want next written for women…..
My wish for you. That you truly understand your ability to tap into the limitless power of your inner resources and have the confidence and language to compassionately articulate what's important to you and why. To dare to be vulnerable, in the knowledge that vulnerability and strength can coexist.
I wish for a rebalancing of Shiva & Shakti (the Masculine & Feminine energies). For too long, feminine energy (Shakti) has been repressed and the masculine (Shiva) permitted to grow beyond usefulness. I’ve seen good intentions and pure hearted ambitions turn sour whilst women model their success on the ways of men, gradually adopting ego-centric ways of being and unhealthy habits in communication (essentially speaking non-truths to gain advantage).
I wish for you to live in a time with a changed definition of success, where those who demonstrate kindness, compassion and cooperation are applauded. Where choosing adrenal fatigue & a cold list of achievements is seen as foolish.
I'd like for you to embrace your femine power & build a new paradigm, based on mutual purpose, cooperation, respect, openness & trust. Structures with less rigidity, more empowerment and the ability to pivot instead of supporting outdated patriarchal systems. I wish for a move away from ego centric and towards heart centric leadership. Where leadership is earned & re-earned, not taken for granted.
3. This is the story that I next want to write for myself….
So tempting to focus on all the things that I'm done with, the mistakes I've made that I'll not repeat, but without those learnings I would not be me & I would not have the wisdom I need to complete the next chapter, so in the spirit of Santosa (acceptance of what is), I forgive myself for all the mistakes I've made & those that are yet to come.
Energy flows where attention goes, and here is where my energy is aligned. I am Yogacharini Penelope Prana. I nurture and listen to my intuition, for I know this is intelligence of a higher source. I’m interested in real conversations, real relationships & am accepting of the ebb & flow of the Universe, but not of cruelty, bullying or misrepresentation. I’m forever both teacher and student, for together we make magic.
I live minimalist with no apologies. I rise as an elder within my communities and openly share learned wisdom, earning my living helping others to be their best self by engaging in radical self care and connected living. I indulge in the abundance of our Earthly bounty & commune with nature at every opportunity.
Author
Michelle Gardener
Author
Michelle Gardener is a Coach, Author, Yogi, Blogger and Inspirational Speaker. She educates women all over the world in Social Change Leadership and is dedicated to pioneering the most amount of impact possible through helping women create social projects that do good for our world.
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