I guess you could call me a Feminine Futurist and write-at-home mom, which is to say I feel called to support women's arising voice, which I do primarily as a writer (free lance for magazines such as Spiritual Renaissance & Inner Tapestry) and as a host (as the founding steward of the Women’s Institute of Maine (www.womensinstituteme.org)). WIM offers what is Maine's most complete online hub for information, resources, and interconnections for Maine women on the "inner" path. To me, the inner path is anything that brings us to our own truth, our own authenticity, and helps us to celebrate and express it more fully and joyfully. I consider it my hobby to scour the internet for all the news, tools, inspirations, events, and resources I can find and bring them back to Maine women through the WIM site. I'm also affiliated with Gather the Women Global Matrix as a regional coordinator for Maine. I feel this is an exciting time for women’s participation as leaders and co-creators of an emerging paradigm, ushering in an age built on heart, balance, compassion, alignment with nature, and whole systems awareness. Many luminaries are in agreement that to step forward into this new world we must first trust our inner voice, heal the sisterhood, and stand in solidarity as women for our deepest values at this time. The Dalai Lama, for example, recently proclaimed that it will be Western women who will save the earth. For those want community in which to express and explore how the authentic feminine is arising in them, WIM hosts a monthly women’s circle in Portland, as well as occasional workshops and film nights, and we offer a workbook, training, and activity toolbox to help anyone who is interested in starting any kind of circle, be it a book group, spiritual group, women’s group, or action team. Perhaps WIM's most valuable gift is that we offer unconditional support and encouragement to one another, a synergistic space where our diverse aspirations and dreams can take wing individually and collectively. I'm a lifelong resident of Scarborough, where I live with my wonderful husband of nearly 20 years and bright and sensitive 11 year old son. I supplement our family’s income by renting out our 3 bedroom oceanfront cottage in Boothbay Harbor which we’ve owned for 5 years (www.homeaway.com listing 129590). My favorite thing to do there is to host women’s retreats for friends. The cottage has a very nurturing energy which is very conducive to all sorts of creativity and healing. The vintage cottage, perched on a tiny slice of ½ rocky and ½ sandy waterfront has quintessential views of islands, lobster boats, and sea birds, and is adjacent to woodland trails with features such as an osprey nest/flyway, waterfall, nature preserve, and lake. Yes, surprisingly there’s a lake this close to the ocean! The cottage has a dock and float, row boat, and bikes. In the quieter shoulder seasons of April/May and September/October, it is a totally peaceful setting for deep reflection in nature. In summer it is a vibrant and joyful family retreat where simple pastimes bring us back to what truly matters. It is conveniently located 5 minutes to the inner harbor of Boothbay Harbor, 1 hour to Portland.