What a poignant statement: The Heart of the Matter. Engaging on this level is the reason for Life. It is the result gained by pursuing authentic meaning in our lives. We are responsible to source out our true calling, our soul mates, and our life lessons. I relate to this kind of thinking. It resonates with my ideas of a life well lived. The Heart of the matter: speaks the language of the soul. Matters of the heart are matters of the soul. They cannot be divided. They are the intuitive itch of KNOWING which Calls the soul, awakening it to a higher purpose. These intuitions gnaw at the marrow of our bones.

When we are young our intuitive knowing is spot on much of the time. On some level it is instinctive. We are engaged, connected to something more than ourselves. There is no question.

Over time self doubt allows us to surrender the instinctive connection to knowing. Eroded intuition is the beginning of our disconnect. It signals our release from Source knowledge and love. This loss of embrace creates a domino effect that ripples through our lives. It is the first visible sign of dis-ease, for how do we go on when the Call keeps us awake at night with longing, yet we ignore it?  There are consequences for that choice. Emptiness evolves within us. We become estranged from our authenticity. Eventually we are left to eke out a life in the ghost town of our own existence. Some feel the heart literally break and shred in with longing to be aligned to the Call, yet ignore it.

The human soul will travel many avenues to make peace with the matters of the heart yet only one is worth exploring: the Call that is kicking at the door to the soul.  The Heart wants what the Heart wants. One would think that would be enough. Often though, we ignore the compulsive longing of the heart. We may feel compulsion dying within us, pouring out of our hearts until a piece of our soul crashes into a million pieces at our feet, because life will go on, but not without consequences.  The Call will continue.   The ceaselessness of it may make us hate it.  The relentlessness of it lurks in the background of our daily life and haunts our dreams. In an effort to quell the painful chipping away at the soul we attempt to numb the dis-ease with distractions often addictive and toxic to our body and soul. No matter how much anesthesia we apply, the longing of the heart will endure. It sucks at the soul never letting us forget. Why? Because it speaks for heart’s true desire. It is the reason for incarnation. The Call is driven with this knowledge and it will not let up.

Some of us will spend our lives in the pursuit of our Calling, following it where ever it leads us. Others will be called away in the midst of it. Still others will live their lives oblivious to it. Finally there are those who will spend their lives hiding from it. Do not let these last two examples define you.

When we are wakened to the call it is essential to respond accordingly. Do not pack up, quit the job; abandon family, friends and loved ones. That is not the Call talking that is escapism talking. Know the difference. The Call comes from the highest of divine energy. It doesn’t support abandonment. That type of escapism is irresponsible. Live by the motto: If I created I am accountable to it. Relax. The picture can change to accommodate everyone.  The really important players in our life will always support us. There is always a way for everyone to win. Believe this with all your heart. If you haven’t found the solution keep searching, casualties are not an option. Seek balance. It’s there. The Universe would never send the Call without the balance required to allow it to remain pure.

Recently I met with Penny Dobbs  chair of Braz for the Cause. We met for coffee at a local Starbucks and she shared with me what Braz for the Cause offers to women in our community undergoing breast cancer treatment. This is truly an incredibly devoted, humble and professional organization.

Braz is a grassroots organization run exclusively by volunteers. No funding comes to them by any government source. For the most part they are funded locally through corporate and personal donations. Year round they bring in money from local events with a signature, women only, event being held annually: “Fling’em for Breast Cancer” gala.

As I mentioned Braz for the Cause benefits local women and men with breast cancer and their families. In addition to the shock, grief and fear these people and their families endure with a cancer diagnosis they also endure financial burdens associated with surgery, treatment and the recovery process. A 2009 study done by the Canadian Breast Cancer Network revealed that financial repercussions affect 80% of patients resulting, on average, in a $12,000 or 10% drop in house hold income. Approximately 44% of respondents indicated they had depleted their savings and retirement funds. An additional 27% of respondents indicated they had taken on debt to cover treatment costs. A survey conducted by an Ontario hospital revealed that cancer survivors averaged an out of pocket cost of $280.00 per month during the course of their treatment and recovery.

Braz for the Cause works in collaboration with London Health Sciences Foundation and the London Regional Cancer Program, and raises money for the Massel-Cruickshank Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. This is a unique, first of its kind fund. It makes a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families living with breast cancer by aiding to relieve financial hardships as a result of their diagnosis or treatment. The Massel-Cruickshank fund helps with a diverse range of services including but not limited to: wigs, prostheses, mastectomy bras, swimsuits, medications for pain control and nausea, supportive care medications, lymphedema supplies, taxi fare, parking, child care, respite care and palliative care. Women who are undergoing a lumpectomy or mastectomy receive a comfort pillow which is supplied by Braz. A special supportive garment, also supplied by Braz, is provided to women who are undergoing reconstructive surgery. As a prophylactic measure Braz supplies 24 pairs of gloves and booties to the LRCP for patients receiving chemotherapy.  These gloves and booties prevent the irreversible damage to finger and toe nails during chemotherapy treatment.

Braz for the Cause benefits women and families throughout the region of south-western Ontario.  Their vision recognizes that we are all a community and as such reaches out with consideration to improve the lives of breast cancer patients.  Their commitment to easing the financial, physical and emotional challenges of women and men in our community has been reflected in the creation of smaller chapters in outlying communities such as Stratford Ontario.

To date Braz for the Cause has raised over $500, 000 dollars for the Massel-Cruickshank Breast Cancer Patient Assistance Fund at the LRCP. The need for these funds continues to grow.

As Canadians we are very fortunate to have a health care system that covers our needs in so many ways. Even so there are gaps particularly in the aftermath of an acute medical or surgical event. Cancer therapy is often one of the areas where this gap is acutely felt as the need for ongoing therapy and recovery can continue for months after the initial surgery. It is here where Braz for the Cause and the Massel- Cruickshank organization step in to alleviate some of the distress and discomfort breast cancer patients and their families experience so their energy can be focused on healing and recovery.

Wise Woman Events is committing a fundraising project to Braz for the Cause so that mothers, daughters, sister, grandmothers, co-workers, neighbours and women and their loved ones throughout south-western Ontario will have to endure perhaps one less burden during their breast cancer journey and are able to focus on their treatment and recovery.

For more information on this wonderful charitable organization and to find out how you can help please visit:  www.brazforthecause.com or click on our link. To access the Cancer Patient Assistance Program application form please visit: http://www.lhsc.on.ca/About_Us/LRCP/. Then Click Here.

Interested individuals may also contact Supportive Care at the London Regional Cancer Program by phone at 519-685-8622.

Bitchfest was an amazing and very bonding experience for those of us who attended the day in May 2011. It became a very intimate time of sharing and sisterhood. It made me excited for another Bitchfest opportunity but of course you have to wait and give the creative elements a chance to develop and flow.

Since last May Bitchfest has bubbled and percolated around in my mind and soul and has manifested itself in to something for our Mother: Earth. This year at Bitchfest we will be tapping into the energy source of our Mother through this sacred planet we call home. It will be an opportunity for soul enhancing and reconnecting to each other as sisters and as sisters to our mother.

This day promises to stir your soul and your mind. It will provide you with an opportunity to enrich yourself and to enrich others. Bitchfest is all about finding that balanced ALPHA female in you. In some cases it is about finding your alpha for the first time while for others it is about getting reacquaint. It does not matter which it only matters that you are given the choice and opportunity to do it.

Now, when I talk about the Alpha Bitch I am not talking about the loudest mouth, the one who talks the most, or the bully in the office or school yard. While that is sadly a demonstration of the Alpha Bitch is a very unhealthy demonstration. It comes, in my opinion, from a very unbalanced energy which is completely running on fear. The kind of Alpha Bitch I am referring to is the Alpha wolf. She is that balanced, strong, deep and rich wolf. She is part of the pack, leader of the pack, protector of the pack and mother to the pack. She knows her own inner source and strives to remain true to it because it is this inner source , her true essence, which connects her to the Universal Source. The orignial Univeral Source of the Mother is where we all begin and it is where we will all return.

The Alpha doesn’t have to force herself onto anyone. She doesn’t have to take from another in order to feel strong. She looks into herself for her strength, to her source and the Universal Source.  She is in touch with her intuition. Intuition is ancient. It is pure. It is genuine. The well balanced Alpha recognises it as an essential resource.

That is the Alpha Bitch I am talking about, so if you have been experiencing some discomfort about the word Bitchfest perhaps this will help it to settle more comfortably into your bones. We will continue to dialogue about Bitchfest and the balanced healthy Alpha Bitch in all of us over the coming days and weeks. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings about your inner Alpha so please feel free to share.

Take care and talk to you soon,

Elizabeth

Jimi Hendrix

Thank you,

Elizabeth

The Discussions
Meetings will begin on Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. and conclude at 1:00 p.m. We encourage everyone to read the story prior to the date. Some of the stories can be challenging to find and in these cases we will supply a copy of the story. We encourage readers to highlight areas of the stories which speak to them. There will be opportunity to discuss these passages over the course of our meeting. We will review the story and discuss key components of the story including the heroine, hero, setting, atmosphere and mood. We will also discuss the flow of the tale. The theme of each story will be of particular significance to our conversations. The timelessness of these particular fairytales and enchanted legends to women of today will be of pivotal importance.