Pioniers Magazine Interview Elizabeth Debold | English version 2015 | Page 12

It amazes me that, although I’ve learned about and experienced these deep conditionings, that I, over and over again, can feel them in my own experience as deep structures of fear. But to listen to them differently, as you say, I also can feel a deep response of relaxation and a deeper sense of being free!“

The feeling of fear may, or may not, go away, but as you are saying, our response to it can change. When we see our fear with compassion, realizing that we are stepping forward for the sake of all the women who came before us and all the women who will come after us—our daughters, nieces, granddaughters—then something softens and opens up in us. It’s humbling—which is a good thing! In that humility and care, we can be free from reacting to the fear in our usual ways, such as withdrawing, shutting down, becoming rigid, and being harsh with ourselves.

Sometimes, then, the experience of fear shifts to excitement, which is quite a gift! But the bottom line is that we don’t need to be limited in what we do by how we feel.

Again, this doesn’t mean clamping down on the fear or pretending that it doesn’t exist. It’s feeling it, knowing it is what it is, and caring more about giving your message for the sake of all the women before you and after you.

From that place, amazingly, a new creativity and power can emerge through you that you may not have experienced before.

What are your activities on womendevelopment nowadays?

I am working on a book with my teaching partner, Mary Adams, that will be sort of a handbook for women who want to develop in order to create cultural evolution.

I am also writing a book, but this one is not only about women, but about gender. It’s about equality and envisioning a future where women and men are true partners.

That is exciting to hear Elizabeth! I am looking forward to your and Mary’s books for a better future! Thank you very much for your time!

Thank you so much, Carla! Much love!