While on book tour, many women often asked me, "How do we feel closer to the Divine? What can I do to connect with that idea so I can feel more powerful and in balance?" Self image stems from how we visualize the Divine. Without identification with both aspects of divinity, both male and female ideas, our world will never even closely resemble anything in balance. Neither will we feel whole. Until we recognize that the Divine is at work through us, mother and father energy present and at work in our lives, humanity will not feel empowered. Certainly, women will not reach their full potential. Even men need to revitalize their feminine side to live more balanced lives. Our institutions need it. And it's overdue.

Women are revitalizing the Divine Feminine, and practicing the presence of the Goddess in their lives because they need to see Spirit in themselves. They want to believe that they are Divine substance too, and see themselves in God. It's one way women are finding ways to fully claim ownership of the All inside.

Bridging the conceptual gap between human and Divine has been challenging for women. Especially in the West, images of Divinity have traditionally have fit with a vision that made sense to men, not women. Although many people can transcend gender-based images of the Divine and go direct to the All, current culture still has a lot of old, negative programming, dictated by a male value system and an exclusive male deity, that often views women as a less-valued species. Women are currently reviving from history (and from a positive, feminist gospel) symbols of empowerment that makes sense to them.

It's exciting to see the changes that are occurring across the board, as our culture embraces a diverse vision of what 'being Divine' can mean. Remember to explore your spirituality with a sense of joy and imagination. You'll discover that the Goddess has been there all along, in our scriptures, world history, buried as a consequence of struggles for political power and the rise of newer religions. It's time to rediscover Her. Allow the Goddess, in any creative and nurturing way you see fit, to be a stepping stone to the big fundamental reason for being here, which is to realize your own potential.

Where ever you are, I encourage the unique and positive path you are traveling. But remember to revisit your woman-roots often and affirm the Goddess within. You'll be able to move fear and self-doubt aside more readily and unearth your true self at those times you feel less than Divine and overwhelmed with life.

To stay on track, let's affirm:

“I am a worthy and beloved being. By being present, I am part of a timeless and universal equation that knows no boundaries. Everyday, I help to evolve my God-self, resulting in a complete transformation of consciousness. I am significant and feel proud knowing that, within all things, I am the air, the love, and the thought of the Divine, who creates through me.”

© The Goddess Network, Inc. and Charlene M. Proctor, Ph.D. 2007. All Rights Reserved. See http://www.thegoddessnetwork.com/connect.php?page=eshow for more empowering thoughts on the Divine Feminine! Register for The E-Show, a series of enlightening lectures!

Author's Bio: 

Dr. Charlene M. Proctor is the founder of The Goddess Network, Inc. an on-line educational resource for topics on spirituality, relationships, and women's studies. Author of Let Your Goddess Grow! she is a researcher and educator in the field of women's empowerment and develops self-empowerment strategies for women in all walks of life. She is a subject matter expert for Beliefnet.com, the world's largest self-help and personal growth website. Her affirmations from The Women's Book of Empowerment reach 2.7 million web visitors daily. She currently facilitates the PATH to Empowerment program for Lighthouse Path in Michigan, a residential women's shelter for homeless mothers, teaching them how to cope with life and increase self-esteem and confidence. To learn more, visit http://www.thegoddessnetwork.net

Additional Resources covering Positive Thinking can be found at:

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Charlene M. Proctor, Ph.D., Official Guide on Positive Thinking