Proverbs 4 - King James Version

1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.

5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

12 When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.

13 Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.

14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

http://kingjbible.com/proverbs/4.htm

Inspiration from Women of Wisdom

I went to the EWomen Network conference last month and spent four days living a brighter, bolder life. It was an outstanding experience for any woman who owns her own business, is considering starting a business or any woman just wanting to meet lots of really, amazing women from all over the country doing a million different things. I don't think I met anyone who only did 1 something, we all wear so many different hats. I love all of the different things that I do and having variety in my life gives me great pleasure, joy and satisfaction. EWomen Network is a phenomenal networking organization for women. Click here for more details.

At the conference, there was a table of books for sale and I picked up Women of Wisdom: Empowering the Dreams and Spirit of Women. It had a beautiful cover and appealing title but I didn't look past the cover at that moment. Over the past week, I have read the series of essays, songs and poems by women who have participated in the Women of Wisdom conference in Seattle. Sounds like an amazing experience. Click here for more information about this phenomenal organization and their conference.

One of the essays by Riane Eisler, sparked a moment of intense hope and joy. Over the years, I have struggled to define what "spirituality" means to me. I believe in a great spirit and in the connectedness of all things, I believe that God resides in all of us. In her essay, Eisler says that "spirituality is putting love into action." (p. 200) I love this definition. I believe that we all carry God's grace and love into the world and that it is our connection to each other that will ultimately save us. She goes on to say that "We (women) must reclaim our heritage as spiritual leaders. This is our great challenge and opportunity: to join with one another and with enlightened men to build the foundations for a more equitable, peaceful, and joyful world."

What a powerful vision, I thought as I read this. How do I put this into action in my every day life? I realize that I can work towards a more peaceful, equitable, and joyful world in my own home, in my relationships with my spouse and children. I can make this vision a reality in my company, where we strive to put family first while building a profitable company. I cannot create peace unless I am at peace, unless I am doing all of things that keep me happy, calm, faithful and involved. If I can hold a vision for peace, for compassion and love then hopefully that vision will spread organically from me to all the other's whose lives I touch.