Honor

Even the cover of the book, Imagine a Woman in Love With Herself: Embracing Your Wisdom and Wholeness, is immediately striking, depicting three women, smiling and radiant, obviously feeling at peace with themselves, among resplendent roses. The symbolism is of a woman who begins life like a rose bud that slowly opens, blooms and becomes brighter and more beautiful as the years pass.

This book made a profound impression on me. It's a hymn to the eternal female principle. As an homage to women, Patricia Lynn Reilly, the author, includes in each chapter some perfectly suited poetry. The first chapter begins with this earthshaking poem:

"Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is woman. A woman who honors her experience and tells her stories. Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life."

It's so important for women to accept themselves, to appreciate themselves, and to be at ease in their heads as well as comfortable in their bodies. In each woman there is the potential ability to carry life; and even the most powerless woman harbors this living treasure.

All women should know that their principle power is rooted in this gift of life: to give birth. Woman thus possesses the universal power, she is the ultimate magician, representing a cosmic creation of substances, of beings, and of universes. The author describes the archetype of the enduring strength that comes from a woman's beauty. This archetype, added to the fact of the woman's role as the one who brings life into this world, and of her transformational influence on a spiritual level, all together demonstrate a woman's superiority in this world.

The mind, along with the imagination, can accomplish anything. The deified verb "to imagine" in this book corresponds to the concept that future reality results from visualization of true happiness and peace within the soul.

Many women are trapped by the dictates and criticisms of current fashions while trying to fit unrealistic stereotypes. We tend to forget that the essence of the eternal beauty of womanhood is found in the personality, the character, and the soul, where a woman is unique in her own way, imitating no one.

In magazines, on TV, everywhere we look, there is a very narrow and idealized image of women's "perfect" beauty. This commercial image has been artificially created and airbrushed to an artistic perfection, not intended as a real life perfection, yet its symbol has spilled over into real life confusing the issue. Any real woman who doesn't fit this complete illusion is routinely criticized for her appearance. Her personality and character are disregarded. So women have to work to regain their sense of what is important.

To love oneself is the basic principle necessary in order to love others unconditionally. This is what it means to accept ourselves along with our faults, which can be worked into new assets as we work the magic of developing our souls. We're not talking about narcissism here, which is actually a mental disorder.

True self love can be rare among women, which causes personal problems. Surprisingly, some of even the most beautiful women don't like themselves. A woman who accepts and loves herself also values herself; and she will continually use every tool there is to work on improving her inner self.

This modern woman will love herself, know herself, and accept all the stages of life with a positive attitude, while loving her life, her family, and others around her; and she will be at ease being herself. She should not lose her personality and try to fit what others want her to be, as some women do in order to please their families, for example. She no longer has to be a slave to old roles she does not choose for herself. She must know how to command respect and know when to say "no." There is a power and a self-respect in using "no" properly, a word that is much more honest and direct than an insincere or forced "well, ok," or "maybe." To have a strong character symbolizes being in harmony with oneself.

The author, in homage to all women, sees women accepting themselves, loving themselves, and being proud to be women, bursting out in all their female glory. For example, look at the extraordinary Tina Turner, who is 63 years old and a wonderful role model for the modern career woman. Women are breaking all the barriers. We may even have a woman president one day!

Having a positive and constructive attitude leads to happiness. To imagine, as the author shows, makes reality happen. This is not only a remarkably spiritual book, but it's also an excellent guide for women to succeed and be happy in life in the 21st century. It ends with this intensely beautiful poem, a hymn to woman and the eternal female principle:

"Imagine a woman who has grown in knowledge and love of herself. A woman who has vowed faithfulness to her own life and capacities. Who remains loyal to herself. Regardless."