|  The
Graciousness of Women:
More Musing on Gather the Women Congress
by Justine Willis Toms
My heart was especially touched by the ability of the group
to accommodate the changing needs of the gathering as it unfolded.
The Millionth Circle was invited to present an experiential
part of the congress where women could actually sit in circle
with a sacred center, listening and speaking from the heart.
We made a plan of how the hour and a half would manifest.
However, when unforeseen things happened, it turned out that
the plan was not rigid. Because the over arching field of
intention set by the group was one of beauty, inclusion, and
nurturing, the container was able to accommodate events that
we could not predict.
Even though we planned to close the doors at a certain time
and not allow women to wander in late, there were some who
did come in later and in the spontaneity of the moment the
women in the room welcomed them with almost no interruption
of the flow. These newcomers formed their own small circles
with a convener slipping in to help them.
One of the new groups did not have a colorful scarf to form
a centerpiece for the circle. With sublime inventiveness,
the facilitator took off her lovely kimono over top and spread
it out to form an artistic focal point. Besides the new groups
that formed, each small group became fluid and opened its
circle for another member. Our original plan needed to be
expanded in the moment. A convener provided candles to the
newcomers when she noticed the need. This was all done in
a field of beauty and grace. In my group, the newcomer was
deeply appreciative when she received her candle. Although
it seemed but a small gesture, its very inclusion proportionately
made a huge difference. I am so nurtured by the graciousness
of women. I love our ability to attend to the smallest detail,
and the trust that builds between us when we work together
for a vision that is bigger than any one of us alone.
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