In 2002 I went through an horrendous season in my life following the birth of my son.

This article, Out of the Blues,  was featured in Pearls Women’s Magazine published in 2007 in Perth, Western Australia.  It is my story of how I overcame post natal depression.

Download now by clicking here Out of the Blues. PDF 504kb

If I were a door mat, it would be okay to walk on me.

If I had no name, it would be okay for you to call me names.

If I were unable to think for myself, it would be okay for you to fill me full of what you think.

And if I were a child, it would be okay for you to try to discipline me.

However, I am not a door mat, so stop wiping your feet on me.

I have a name, so I don’t need your labels.

I can think for myself, so allow me the space to form my own opinion.

And finally, discipline yourself…cause I don’t need a new parent, the previous ones stuffed up just fine.

I like me just the way I am!

But here I am.  A mother of four children.  43 years of age and I find myself heading up an International women’s association.  How did I get here?  When did my passion for women grow?  Why am I doing what I do?

Well, for one, I am a woman, so I guess it is going to come as no surprise that I understand how a woman thinks.  Consequently, it is no big jump to think that perhaps I would want to work with what I know.

Secondly, I started a women’s magazine.  I didn’t set out to choose to do that, it just came and tapped me on the shoulder and I said yes to the opportunity.

But I think I really started to develop a heart for women (in a very pure way) as I started to hear their stories.  I was galvanised by the powerful stories of women who were taking action, in their own little worlds, in a positive way and I didn’t just want to tell theirs, I wanted to become my own story.

So I made the decision when I resigned from Pearls Women’s Magazine where I was co-founder and co-editor to start a women’s organisation that was focused on the whole “women can” philosophy.

Women are amazing creatures I have learned.  We can partner together and create amazing community events.  We get things done.  We make the magic happen in life.  We are creative, intelligent, patient and enduring in our vision and purpose.  We don’t have to be caught up in ambition, in bickering, in trying to climb over each others.  I have learned that it is a very precious thing in life to actually support another woman to see her shine!  In fact, this is how I came out of post natal depression after my fourth child was born; by reaching out to help others I became well myself.  I love this part of Women Can International Inc and I love this part about my business, The Creaticians.  It is an honour to see other’s shine.

I find myself surrounded by women who are amazing voices on women’s issues.  I hope to share their stories with you through this blog over the next months because they are TOTALLY inspirational to me.

So it seems that life has chosen me to represent women and to work with them in a passionate way for their betterment.  I don’t really understand it all.  I don’t know why I feel driven to surrender so much of myself and to sacrifice my time, but I just know that there is a reason and a purpose and this is my pathway for the time being.  So while I am on this pathway, I shall give it 100% of my best efforts.

I’d love to hear about what life has chosen you to do.  Please comment.

This article was written by Rev Judith Elia and published in the March 2009 edition of the  NAJAX publication, Natural Awakenings. I think the message is extremely relevant to all people everywhere…

One of my favourite ministers is the late, great Eric Butterworth who held his Services in Lincoln Centre in NYC.  He taught that, “Prosperity is a way of living and thinking, and not just money or things.  Poverty is a way of living and thinking, and not just lack of money and things.”  The word prosperity comes from the Latin root word which literally translates:  ”According to hope” or “to go forth hopefully”.  The truly prosperous never tie their well-being to anything that can be taken from them.  Their prosperity comes from the way they think and live and act and serve and not in the appearances of the world.  Like the title of our new President’s book, they have the audacity to HOPE.

Caring for money and using it wisely is an act of respect.  It requires discrimination, contemplation, and the ability to honestly discern the difference between what you need and what you desire.  Respect for money consists of paying our bills on time, thanking God for the ability to do so, and thanking our creditors or business associates for the services they have kindly given us.  It is a blessing to offer someone a good wage in respect of their skills.  Repect for money might also include asking:  will a certain purchase improve my life in some way or am I deceiving myself?

Money is a gift from God but it does not fall from the sky.  As spiritually aware human beings we spend it carefully and make sure we put it to good use.  It is the energy of God so we must keep the atmosphere surrounding it very pure.  All of our financial dealings must be clean and honest.  The idea of putting something over on someone, getting away with something, not quite telling the truth, taking advantage of or manipulating others – not to mention out and and out thievery – all make for paying your dues in the garden of plenty.  You will eventually reap what you sow.  Do not expect to be prosperous and cheat on your taxes.  Do not rack up credit card debt, declare bankruptcy to get out of it and expect to feel good about yourself.  Be the action you want to see in the world.  Do your best every day in every way ad Life will return the favour.

I have decided that every time I hear that we are doomed because of our national financial crisis I will replace those thoughts with:  ”These are Prosperity Times!”  We have fears and we are being given the opportunity to overcome them and examine them.  Some millionaires are tightwads, some otherwise generous people get angry over trivial losses or expenditure and these emotions must be faced.  It is all just ego-driven behaviour.  Respect, purity, and gratitude:  three will honour and build wealth in our lives, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and materially.

Join me in making a commitment to stay focussed on the things that will last like love, the wisdom and beauty of nature, and serve to others.  Refuse to be discouraged.  Go forth hopefully and you will live in Prosperity Times.

Rev Judith Elia is minister at Unity Church for Creative Living, 2777 Race Track Road, Julington Creek.