Self Confidence

I woke up yesterday to peace and quiet and three peaceful deers looking at me through my window as I prepared for my presentation at the Women's Leadership Conference in Asilomar, Pacific Grove California. This is wine country, and it is untouched and beautiful, serene and calm and there is no TV in my room. I am listening to myself think, I can actually hear myself think, I am settling in to silence and it is powerful.

Last night I sat before a fireplace in a rocking chair, and when I looked at myself I thought I was on TV. But there is no television there is people and the lost art of conversation. So I have no choice but to listen to myself, to listen to my heartbeat, I noticed this morning how shallow my breath was and how anxious my thoughts were. I am in Pacific Grove with powerful and smart women. Yesterday after my presentation someone called me a 'renaissance woman' I liked the title, I think it means that I am taking women back to that place of authenticity, where we call ourselves by the names that define our politics, names like 'feminists' and 'activists'.

I just finished reading Shery Sandberg's 'Lean In' everywoman should read Sandberg, every woman should read Carol Gilligan's, they should these books make a difference. I am breathing better now, and in silence, I am hearing myself. That's what silence does it forces you to hear yourself, to listen to yourself. So I am at Asilomar, in Pacific Grove, in a refuge by the sea, I am finding time to listen to myself.