*via email*

Something is missing in my life. My life runs at 70% and I think that if i just had better clothes, more money a better job or lost a bit of weight, i'd feel good about where i am for my age. then i could meet someone and then i can get everything else going. people always tell me my life is great and that i'm so lucky to live where i do, but i'm not buying it. i'm not depressed, but i want more then what i have right now and i don't think i'll be happy until i get it.

*via Twitter*

Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman.

A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories.

Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life.

Imagine a woman who trusts and respects herself.

A woman who listens to her needs and desires.

Who meets them with tenderness and grace.

Imagine a woman who acknowledges the past's influence on the present.

A woman who has walked through her past.

Who has healed into the present.

Imagine a woman who authors her own life.

A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf.

Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and wisest voice.

Imagine a woman who names her own gods.

A woman who imagines the divine in her image and likeness.

Who designs a personal spirituality to inform her daily life.

Imagine a woman in love with her own body.

A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is.

Who celebrates its rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.

Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in her changing body.

A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom.

Who refuses to use her life-energy disguising the changes in her body and life.

Imagine a woman who values the women in her life.

A woman who sits in circles of women.

Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.

Imagine yourself as this woman.

~Patricia Reilly

To celebrate the 100^th International Women’s Day, it seemed right to put out the call to my wonderful friends, readers and mentors, whose stories have always encouraged me.

“…but i love me more” (the book) will be a collection of non-fiction personal essays which detail intimate experiences of overcoming life’s obstacles and living to tell the tale. If your ‘past pain has propelled your future progress’ then we want to share your story. This is a wonderful opportunity to show your strength in order to encourage others who may be in a similar situation right now.

· If you are interested in contributing (or know someone who should share her story) please send it by APRIL 15th to: butilovememore@gmail.com. Include your essay in the body of the email and as an attachment with the subject line of But I Love Me More - Book.

· Submissions should be over 500 words.

· If you care to use an alias(s) we respect and will comply with that.

· All ages are welcome (those over 50, we really want to hear your wisdom!)

Use your humor, sincerity and natural story-telling style to share your experience. Some ideas to consider.

· explain the biggest challenge/life changing moment in your life to date.

· describe your headspace when you were in the midst of it.

· who supported you?

· who/what inspired you? (people, books, music, places, food)

· when did you decide “I’ve had enough” and how did you move forward?

· describe in detail the action you took and what results you saw.

· how did it make you better? what was the lesson?

· what advice can you share with the woman who is in that same situation right now?

Continue to check this site and the Facebook Fan Page for updates.

Thank you SO much for all of your support and I look forward to reading your incredible stories.

~Nova

The final step to 'loving yourself more' is action and sewn inside that magic word is 'commitment'. Saying yes is the easy part. Sticking to 'it' when its not fun anymore, a wee bit tougher. We are told to commit no MATTER what, that its mind over MATTER, hey, what's the MATTER? The matter is the sludge that distracts us, the voice of the evil twin on our shoulder, the tap tap tap of distraction doubt and drama.

When you do decide, seeing the completed result in your mind and pushpushpush until the moment of completion, you truly realize what your grey MATTER can achieve regardless of anything else. The final congratulations, the freedom that comes through focus, the relief of beating the 'block' and the win over the initial fears all begins with the decision to commit. When those tap tap taps get tap tap tapping (like they always do) take a breath, remember the outcome you want, shake off the imaginary fear and decide to commit once more.

Take in this gorgeous poem of inspiration to assist in welcoming the spring season of commitment.

--

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back;

always, ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative (and creation).

There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:

that the moment one definitely commits oneself,then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.

A whole stream of events issues from the decision,

raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance

which no one could have dreamed would have come their way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Begin it now.

~Goethe