Cindy Leech

I am 72 years old and have led a life similar to many women. I have experienced joy, heartache, adventure, and challenges, which I continue to experience, and have learned to meet each one heart on. I was born and raised smack dab in the middle of the USA in Kansas. My upbringing reflected Midwestern cultural conditioning values of hard work, caretaking, people-pleasing, and that self-care was at bottom of the list. As a result, I've led an adventurous life of self-discovery.

As a result of buying into the cultural conditioning of the time, I felt unworthy unless I was continually giving, helping others, working hard, etc. I rebelled when I could no longer live up to all of the expectations. Well, that didn't work for me either. After working in special needs programs for several years and raising my family, I signed up for any avenue of self-help program I could find and/or afford. With each little piece of self-discovery, I grew, gradually peeling back the layers of conditioning that no longer worked for me. I'm continuing to pull out the weeds of that conditioning as they pop up.

It all came home when I first discovered the Arizona Grandmothers and then, through a dear friend, Gather the Women. I cautiously joined my first Circle of Stones. The Circle Principles relaxed me. I sat and bore witness to what was shared into the center of circle. I learned to listen, not give advice, trust and so much more. I am grateful. I am grateful for not only the worth within myself I have discovered, but for the dark times that blossomed the feelings of unworthiness into light.

Within Gather the Women, I have joined many different circles. I am a circle host a few days a month as well as a Turning of the Wheel fire tender, where we create celebrations for the Equinoxes and Solstices. I have participated in a variety of planning circles when I have felt the nudge.

I have accepted the position of USA Convener because attending these Gather the Women circles, alongside my inner work have changed my life. The effect of attending women's circles has rippled into my everyday life interactions with my granddaughters, friends, and family. I listen more often, give advice less, and sometimes stop myself from interrupting. Giving women the opportunity to attend circles and/or create their own in-person circles is something I feel called to do.