Colors Healing & Beyond: Beautiful Women, WHO are we?

Written for and dedicated to all women for the International Women’s Day.  To women in every corner of our beautiful planet Earth, young and old, big and small, healthy and ill, mothers, daughters, wives, women of all races, colors, and nationalities, living anywhere and everywhere in the World, all wonder-full, color-full, beauty-full, power-full, vulnerable, strong, sensitive amazing women that we can’t live without, women who gift us the most precious thing – our Life. 

Beautiful Women

Beautiful Women, we are so much to behold 

Love, Peace, and Strength we effortlessly unfold 

Caregivers, we are tender, loving, and healing 

With our Hearts and Souls, generously revealing.

We are Mothers, we endlessly nurture and protect 

our children. Their love or hate we can never reject.

We are Daughters, embodying youth and grace 

Our beauty and charm, we gently embrace.

We are passionate Lovers, we adore and ignite 

our tenderness, desire, our longing delight. 

We are Leaders and followers, we are big and small

We are powerful and vulnerable, but we always stand tall.

We keep our face regardless of why, what, and how 

We are always available, we are Here and Now

With Intelligence and Faith, we strongly enthrall.

But… in shadows deep, where eyes can’t see, 

There live Beautiful Women who long to be free. 

Their scars, unseen, are deep under the skin, 

They bear the weight of pain and sin.

Abused, disrespected, vulnerable and weak 

They’re longing for love but dare not speak. 

Their hearts are shattered, their souls in pain,

But yet, they strive to rise from ashes again.

For years they’ve suffered, silenced and still, 

And bruises on hearts were put against their will. 

Their cries are unheard, their grief is unseen, 

They’re locked in fear, they live for a dream

When someone will come and set them free

For they are precious, and they are strong, 

And they deserve to be treated with love all along.

For beautiful women who suffer in silence, 

We must be their voice and bring them defiance. 

We have to stand up for their rights and dreams  

And give them hope for the sunshine and evergreens.

Beautiful Women. In our Sisterhood, in the splendor 

Of our generous Spirit and Soul, we shall remember 

That we are everywhere bringing Love and Light

To the lives of others, forever eternal and bright.

*****

March 8th is International Women’s Day. It is an important occasion to celebrate the big and small achievements of all of us, women, as well as to acknowledge the challenges and obstacles women all over the world continue to face. We have made tremendous contributions to society in all areas, including science, art, politics, medicine, business, and others, yet women have historically been marginalized and oppressed in many societies.

It is important to remember that women are not just powerful and accomplished, but we can also be vulnerable and sensitive. Women are also often subject to gender-based violence, discrimination, and unequal access to resources and opportunities. Many of us also face additional challenges related to the race, ethnicity, sexuality, immigration or socio-economic status. By recognizing the struggles and vulnerabilities many women face, we all can work towards a more just and equitable society. It is important to amplify women’s voices, support women’s leadership, and advocate for policies and practices that promote gender equality. 

Women – Leaders, Warriors, Protectors, Caregivers, Lovers. Who Are We? (a little humor)

A “male perspective” –

It is pretty obvious that women are essential to life as we know it. I mean, without women, who would remind us to wear sunscreen and eat our vegetables? Who would be multitasking like a big boss while simultaneously telling us we’re doing everything wrong (regardless of what we’re doing!) Who would be cooking, cleaning, working on computer, talking on the phone, doing laundry, watching TV (all – simultaneously!) and remembering to remind us that we need to call her mother for their birthday, can you believe it? And let’s not forget about the totally magical ability to create and sustain life within their bodies – I mean, talk about a superpower! So, to sum it up: women are basically like the miraculous duct tape of the universe – they hold everything together and make sure nothing falls apart.

A “female perspective” –

Well, we’re the fabulous beautiful creatures who can conquer the World with a single glance and a swipe of lipstick! We are the multitasking queens who can handle ANYTHING – work, family, friends, mothers-in-law, crazy bosses, ill parents, acting-out teens, and still have time to binge-watch our favorite shows (sometimes). We are the experts in navigating the tricky waters of relationships and always know just what to say or not to say (sometimes). And don’t even get me started on our incredible superpowers, for instance, the ability to carry an entire grocery store on our hips or carry on an empathic 5H-long conversation with a totally depressed crying girlfriend! So, who are we? We’re Beautiful Women, and we are pretty much amazing unstoppable powerful and basically perfect (except maybe when it comes to parallel parking)…

Now, on a more serious note… I recently had an Interview where I was asked quite a few interesting questions related to us, women Leaders, who are definitely going out of our “comfort zone” to grow both personally and professionally, who live our life authentically with dignity and integrity. I am sharing some of my answers here as I know many of us can relate.

Women roles. Integrity, Authenticity, Spirituality

As we all know very well, women play many important roles in society, including but not limited to medical professionals, scientists, caretakers, educators, leaders, and multiple roles in contributors to the workforce. All these roles require a strong sense of integrity, dignity, authenticity, and spirituality to effectively navigate and thrive.

Integrity is essential for women in all aspects of their lives, from personal relationships to professional endeavors. It involves being honest, ethical, and principled in all interactions and decisions. Women who operate with integrity build trust with others and are respected for their honesty and reliability.

Authenticity is another important trait for women, as it involves being true to oneself and one’s values. Women who are authentic are able to build meaningful connections with others and create a sense of trust and rapport that is essential for success in any role. Authenticity allows women to express their unique perspectives and talents, which can lead to new and innovative solutions to problems.

Spirituality is also an important aspect of women’s lives, as it can provide a sense of purpose and meaning that transcends the material world. Women who cultivate their spiritual lives are often more resilient and better able to cope with the challenges of daily life. Spirituality can also provide a sense of connection to something greater than oneself, which can be empowering and inspiring.

Women who cultivate integrity, dignity, authenticity, and spirituality are well-positioned to excel in all areas of our lives, from personal relationships to professional endeavors. These traits can help us build trust, inspire others, and make a positive impact on the world.

Successful Powerful Women Leaders. Ethical, authentic, caring, trustworthy, living and leading with integrity and dignity.

A few interesting facts. There are many powerful women who exemplify the above traits and serve as excellent role models for leadership. Here are just a few powerful examples:

1.Indira Gandhi: Indian politician who was the first female prime minister. In 1999, Gandhi was named “Woman of the Millennium” in an online poll organized by the BBC. In 2012, she was ranked number seven on Outlook India’s poll of the Greatest Indian. Gandhi is considered a model of ethical leadership and personal integrity.

2. Mary Barra: The CEO of General Motors is the first woman to lead a major global automaker. She has been praised for her focus on innovation and sustainability, as well as her commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. 

3. Greta Thunberg: The teenage climate activist has inspired a global movement to address the urgent threat of climate change. She has been recognized for her courage and conviction, and has been a powerful voice for young people around the world. 

4. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: As a Supreme Court justice, Ginsburg was a strong advocate for equal rights and justice for all. She was known for her unwavering commitment to her principles, and her integrity and trustworthiness were widely respected.

5. Angela Merkel: The former Chancellor of Germany is known for her intelligence, pragmatism, and integrity. She is widely respected for her leadership during the European financial crisis and for her commitment to human rights and democratic values.

6. Jacinda Ardern: The current Prime Minister of New Zealand, Ardern has gained global recognition for her empathetic and compassionate leadership style, especially during times of crisis. She has been widely recognized for her authenticity and integrity in both her personal and professional life, and praised for her response to the Christchurch mosque shootings and for her focus on social justice issues.

7. Kamala Harris: The Vice President of the United States has made history as the first woman, first Black woman, and first person of Indian descent to hold this office. Known for her strong advocacy on issues such as criminal justice reform and women’s rights. 

8. Malala Yousafzai: A Pakistani education advocate, Malala has become a symbol of courage, determination, and commitment to social justice. Despite facing numerous challenges and threats to her life, she has remained honest and authentic in her fight for women’s rights and access to education.

9. Ursula von der Leyen, the current President of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union. She received numerous awards and honors for her impeccable leadership: the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Star of Romania, among other honors.

10. Oprah Winfrey, a well-known woman leader, philanthropist, and media mogul who has become one of the most influential and successful women in the entertainment industry. She became a household name and used her platform to address important social and political issues, including education, health, and poverty. She’s also been a strong advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. Received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to society and is a powerful example of a woman leader who has used her influence and resources to make a positive impact on the world.

The above examples of exceptional women leaders as many other powerful women in our societies, demonstrate that it is very possible to live our lives and lead with integrity, dignity, empathy, and a commitment to making a positive impact in the world. These women embody ethical, authentic, caring, trustworthy, and dignified behaviors, and serve as role models for others to follow.

Women and Spirituality

It was particularly interesting to explore how spirituality (a very important topic for me personally) can be perceived and/or practiced differently by women vs. men. It is important to acknowledge that spirituality is a very personal and subjective experience, and therefore it is difficult to make sweeping generalizations about how spirituality may differ between different groups of people, such as women. That being said, here are a few ways in which women may approach spirituality differently than men:

1. Gendered roles and expectations. In many cultures, women are often expected to take on nurturing and caretaking roles, which may influence their approach to spirituality. Women may be more likely to seek out spiritual practices that prioritize compassion, empathy, and emotional connection, such as prayer or meditation. 

2. Historical exclusion. Historically, many organized religions have excluded women from leadership roles and other positions of power, which may have influenced women’s relationship to spirituality. Some women may feel that they need to seek out alternative or more inclusive spiritual practices, such as feminist spirituality or Goddess worship. 

3. Connection to nature. Some women may have a deep connection to nature and the earth, and may find spirituality through practices that honor and respect the natural world. This may manifest in practices such as eco-spirituality, shamanism, or paganism.

4. Healing and empowerment. Many women may turn to spirituality as a means of healing from trauma or as a way to feel empowered in a society that may not value them. Women may find solace in spiritual practices that focus on self-care, self-acceptance, and self-love. 

Again, it’s important to note that these are just a few directions in which women may approach Spirituality differently than men, and there’re definitely many men who would use Spirituality and Spiritual Laws in very similar ways. Spirituality is a deeply personal topic, and individual experiences vary greatly from person to person.

As a woman leader, what were the most challenging barrier in your career?

It was one of the questions in that Interview I mentioned earlier… and it was really difficult for me to choose which was THE most challenging barrier… there were so many! Trying to find mySelf (which was completely lost when I immigrated to US 33 years ago…), building my new identity in a totally new unfamiliar society, learning new language “on a job” which had to be sufficient enough to speak & write coherently to “deliver my message”, hitting the walls due to my ‘broken English’, building Behavioral Healith Clinics to serve immigrants – from scratch, on a shoestring budget, with my broken English, getting rejection after rejection, writing RFP-s, serving clients in a basement of a Substance Abuse Residential facility (which later became a favorite place for all…), dealing with unfamiliar organizational structures and bureaucracy, banging my head against many walls trying to bring my “healing message” across… 

The concept of “Healing” was not popular 30+ years ago as it is now, Yoga – was something “only crazy or hip” people do, “energy healing” sounded almost like propaganda, and to be completely honest with you – only my determination, knowledge, drive, and believing “I can do it no matter what!” – were often my only allies. Inventing and developing (literally) from scratch my HealingArts business, was not all roses either… – What is that? Really? How can you heal me? Holistic Psychotherapist – what an oxymoron! Who does this? What healing? So, this painting of yours will heal me? How? Healing Arts is something Asian, like Taekwondo, right? More and more rejections… From everywhere. Still there. But I think this is the proverbial “cross” we, Leaders, have to carry as we create something NEW and valuable and inspire others to follow – for better future, health, happiness, abundance. We have to believe in our Dreams, our Visions, our Mission and Purpose, and only then we can ignite and engage others to share and follow. This is the price we pay and honor we’re granted to be a Leader, to have a Mission, share our Visions, and live on Purpose.  

When the highly transformational 2020-2022, years of many losses and Lessons hit us, as a Healing Artist I felt obligated to create more of “life-affirming” art. We all had plenty of losses in our lives, but these years became really overwhelming. Which made it even more difficult to continue being grateful (what for?), to love yourself and others, especially to practice Self-Love (how??), to continue being authentic and live with integrity… It became very difficult because we had many significant losses and the main thing we’ve lost – was Trust. It is very uneasy to regain trust when it’s lost. It takes time and effort. But it is possible. And we need to trust that.

Due to pandemics and consequential developments, I personally lost many close people, friends, business, relationships, and of course, lots of art related opportunities. When I lost my 3 really big, already scheduled, sponsored, curated SOLO “One Woman Show” Exhibitions (100 artworks each) in 3 major cities – Orlando FL, NYC, and Rome (Italy), I was crashed, devastated, hopeless, but… survived this, too. As a result, I invented my WearableHealingArts®. When one door closes, another opens… Just keep being Authentic, believe in your Mission and Vison, have Integrity, and Practice Gratitude! 🙂 

*****

HelenKagan HealingArts™.

One of my own very strong (positive!) beliefs is that art heals. And this is exactly why I continue creating, in many different ways, shapes, and forms! I believe that art is a catalyst for healing individuals, society, and environment. I believe that for many of us, creatives, art is a spiritual path, a transformational process, a way of being. I believe in the inter-connectedness of mind, body, and spirit. I believe that now, more than ever, our World needs the positive energy and spiritually-based intentions, beliefs, and values. As a statement of my beliefs, “HealingArts” is my unique way to synergistically bring together fine art, expressive arts, and art of healing to enhance wellbeing, bring Love & Light, be authentic, practice gratitude, embrace humanity. 
I’ve become a published and bestselling author rather suddenly… I’ve been featured in many Magazines including Authority, Thrive Global, ArtTour International, Art & Beyond, VoyageMia, Insights, but then was published in a “We’re All In This Together” (2021), ad “The Keys to Authenticity” co-authored with Jack Canfield, both of which made me a Bestseller Author. I am continuing to work on my own 2 books (despite all possible challenges). But my most attention and intention are now dedicated to developing my new unique venue integrating Art, Fashion, Design, and Healing – WearableHealingArts™ – to make healing through art more accessible. We continue improving our E-commerce platform WearableHealingArts.com and soon it will be available for online purchases. In the meantime please visit www.HelenKagan.com to enjoy my healing colors, and perhaps even meditate on the above concepts about Beautiful Women, our roles and gifts we bring to Life. Thanks for reading!