Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.
In 1994 I attended a William Glasser Conference in Dublin, Ireland. There I met colleagues from the Balkans. The Balkan War was raging and their once peaceful lives were in chaos. When asked what The William Glasser Institutecould do, they said they needed support.
Funds were donated and used to purchase diapers and formula and other necessities like soap and shampoo that were in short supply.A group of us went a step further and organized a small conference on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in Rijeka, Croatia. We paid our own way and raised additional monies to put on the conference for those who could come. In addition we volunteered to lead workshops and provide whatever counseling services were needed. Our group was received by the Mayor of Rijeka, one of our members was interviewed on a national radio program. A highlight was the evening the government minister for prisoners of war and torture victims spoke to us.
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| Shield of Life |
I had a chance conversation with a professor at the local University. He invited me to speak to one of his classes. I also led a group discussion with a small group of women who
When I was thirteen, I watched a special news report on tv about child abuse in America. I had no real concept that such a thing happened until that night. I cried. I prayed. I wanted to do something to protect children, but I felt helpless.
During the years that followed, I became involved in children's issues. I met my husband working as a volunteer for the American Freedom from Hunger Foundation. I served on our son's Headstart Program Board of Directors.
After 20 years, I had the opportunity to work as a child advocate in a domestic violence shelter and later to help develop and implement a respite care child abuse prevention program in Linn county, Iowa. I feel blessed that I was able to fulfill that dream of helping to protect children.I was awarded the Governor's Volunteer Award. The program reduced incidence of child abuse in the county by 7%.
I have not really done anything to honor that experience and that transformation from a place of perceived helplessness to one of empowerment.
Tell us more about your Shield of Life. How did you decide what to include?
Thanks for commenting, Sarah.
I'm not surprised you were awarded the Governor's Volunteer Award! And as creative as you are, I'm sure you can and will come up with something to manifest your transformation.
I knew I wanted to honor the four directions and at that time I collected cones and nuts and shells and rocks and even feathers whenever I was out walking (I was making wreathes with these finds also).
To honor the four directions and using the Lakota Sioux colors gave me the main section (the four large cones and the silk flowers). The center needed something and a neighbors tree drops the 'rosette'. Another neighbors tree is a chestnut and then I added polished rocks in the appropriate colors to bring the design out to the border.
It's one of those times when the creation comes through me instead of my being the creator. In many ways it's like how I write the first draft of my books.