I have found the one relevant thread that keeps me from connecting with other mother's and women is as simple as a lie.

We learn this in childhood, not trusting other women and therefore we protect ourselves from each other underneath a mask of name brand clothes, Victoria Secret padded push up bras and highlighted hair. Alas, the evilness of consumerism is not so much based on the moral term greediness, but on fear and distrust of others-and seeking approval based on materialism and not who we are. Similarly, we are constantly selling an image to each other-and isolating our self from true human connection-

With that being said, I have nothing to lose here for trying to be as honest as I can- and have made it a hallmark of my life to try to connect with others through honesty and not fear and intellectual bigotry. However, we can all only go so far..how far can each one of us go? It is like stepping onto a diving board and jumping into water of unknown depth. Sometimes you get hurt and even paralyzed for a while..but the answer lies in testing the water and learning how to dive. Do we have hydrophobia? Are we afraid of heights...do we sit on the diving board, looking down but never jumping in? Of course-all of us have done a belly flop (I seem to do it quite often). Sometimes the water looks clear and shallow-but often much deeper than what are eyes tell us- other times we think we are going to touch the bottom and never do.

In the art of healing, specifically the healing nature of the human relationship-we must learn to be strong swimmers and be brave enough to swim down to the deepest depths as possible.

Do you have a friend or loved one you can dive into-deeply and honestly? This is the greatest healing art available to us and has been greatly ignored and over looked by the allopathic and natural health community. The human relationship-the heartfelt connection- it is an ocean that needs to be nurtured and protected, and sought after.

I have waited my whole life for a deep friend, or anam cara (gaelic for soul friend) someone to connect with-a woman. My friendship with a commrade of mine-has changed my life and has now become the standard from which I try to communicate with others. Her blatant honesty put me off for the longest time-but still I came back, and now she has taught me to search myself and let me know-I can be honest with her too. Her friendship inspired me to do great things-her thoughtful observations about me and our indepth conversations about life contributed to my books and paintings. We all need to connect!!

Are we afraid of contact? Is it rejection? I suffer from a sort of hysterical fear of rejection. This kept me for many years in a corner, unable to reach out or ask for help, or even friendship. This friend has taught me to keep trying-to ask and I shall recieve, and in my head I imagine her laughing at me or talking behind my back..but these are old tapes..this is the highschool relationships-the hatred between women the seed that is planted so long ago.

I encourage everyone for their own health, to find your Anam Cara-

Reach out to love and be loved-we must never stop investing in the importance

of the quality and power of the human relationship.

Jai Ma, Aurore

Check out the book, Anam Cara ...a terrific read...