We are ‘goddesses
waiting to be unleashed’

I never really understood why this column was called "The Goddess Speaks." "There is nothing about goddesshood in this article," I complained to my friend as I read one entry.

Rolling her eyes, she grabbed the paper, read the article and shrugged.

"Well, guru goddess," she playfully began, "why don't you write and tell the world what goddesshood is all about."

"I just might have to do that," I said. Not that I had any idea of what goddesshood was all about.

Months passed. I never wrote the article. I completely forgot about being a goddess. Then, I happened to reread Marianne Williamson's book "A Woman's Worth." I was awakened! I was reborn! I was sold! I called my friend and announced, "We're going out for drinks tonight.

"It's Goddesses' Night-out. Stoli martinis, the goddesses are coming!"

ALL OF US, every one of us women, are goddesses waiting to be unleashed. I try hard to be the goddess I am, but that effort alone seems to contradict the true goddess. Why TRY being something we already are?

Williamson says: "Joy is our goal. Our destiny. A joyful woman, by merely being says it all. The world is terrified of joyful women. Make a stand. Be one anyway."

That concept alone enticed me.

I have always loved to be different. To stand out. Lots of times, that means standing alone. But oh well! I still have two feet planted on the ground.

Williamson continues by saying we must have the audacity to embrace the knowledge of just how beautiful we are and how infinitely powerful we are right now -- without changing a thing. We need to give ourselves permission to be fabulous.

I was loving this. I was loving feeling fabulous. Fabulous and powerful. Understanding that power did not have anything to do with money and position, but with being in touch with our goodness and sharing that love with others. Power that means living consciously, not just in the moment, but realizing the impact all our actions have on others and our future.

I LOVE THE idea of releasing our wild spirits, of being able to be totally honest and not worry what others will say or think ... to be authentically true to ourselves, to be who we perceive we are and aspire to be, to recognize our unlimited potential as women and to celebrate, celebrate, celebrate! And not only with Stoli martinis, but with each and every day that we choose to be the goddess within us.

Granted, I do not feel like the fabulous goddess every day. Truthfully, most days I don't. I have been known to address myself as Dodo Goddess, as in an e-mail I sent my friend the other day after I committed a big old "booboo." Yes, by being honest. Yes, by being true to myself. Yes, by speaking my mind and my heart. I have demoted myself to Dodo Goddess. At least I still maintained the goddess part.

Williamson says being a goddess has little to do with occupation. Goddesses can be found starting a company, nursing a child, producing a movie or making soup. What really matters is that we do it with love. So every morning, while sipping strong coffee that helps me get through another stressful day, I try to remind myself: Embrace the day with a joyful and positive attitude; seize each challenging opportunity as one for growth; allow the light within to illuminate all with whom I have contact and all situations in which I find myself engaged; and above all, be that fabulous goddess I know I am.

Then, reality sets in. Dent in car needs to be fixed. Meeting at 7:30 a.m. sharp. Classes all day. Dental appointment at 3:30. Sick dog needs hospitalization ...

No, I am not in a goddess mood today. I do not feel like a goddess AT ALL. But at least it's my choice. Maybe tomorrow ... yes, tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a better day for being a goddess.