World Wide Women of Wisdom

An Idea! This is a call to women everywhere to join World Wide Women of Wisdom: WWWW. Yes gentlemen, this call is just for women. Nevertheless, you are most welcome to read to the end and (perhaps) pass this information on to the wonderful women in your lives... NOTE: I decided to limit membership in this loose-to-the-point-of-frayed organization to women because I think this idea (see below) needs to be associated with a BIG group and it has to exist to help that big group...Moreover, in my experience, women are both powerful and hard-wired to help and comfort others and at the same time I know that so many women are in need of help in so many ways... SO: I have this idea...and I have imagined it working. Although it (definitely) makes sense to me, it doesn't necessarily make sense in the world outside of my imagination. That's because my imagination springs from the (frequently fuzzy) mind of a poet/artist who has been masquerading as a Gallery owner for decades! As I unfold (or un-crumple) this idea... [I wish I had an image of one of those environmentally more correct spirally light non-bulbs to illustrate the idea. But I don't.] ...please try to imagine it in a positive way. I ask that because I think it would be pretty easy to dismiss it as something that simply (?) could not happen; something that could not work. This "idea" began as a wondering exercise. I state here that I am a compulsive wonderer...I believe there is power or potential power in a good bout of free-floating wondering. Sometimes, at least. So, I was wondering not too long ago how one might create an organization (loose and leaderless) that all women could join, that all women could embrace. I considered that the organization couldn't cost much to join. I decided to make the membership fee one dollar. I further determined that the core idea should be easily understood and run by anyone, anywhere...and that it would have as its goal helping women in any way in which it was deemed helpful by the various women who participated. Okay...It's like this. To join: one takes a single dollar bill, writes "wwww" on it, initials it and tears off one small corner of the bill--on which one has also written "wwww". The small corner is put in one's wallet where one's identification is kept. It could be affixed to a business card or secured in the compartment where a driver's license is kept or just saved somewhere. This is one's proof of membership! The slightly (very slightly) "defaced" one dollar bill is collected by a volunteer member--anyone can be a volunteer member! When a significant amount of dollars has been collected ($50 or $100) the bundle would be tied with a pink ribbon and given (by the collector/volunteer)to any woman in need. I picture a woman struggling with little kids in a shopping mall in a distressed community...or coming out of a social services office...or sitting in an emergency room...or standing in line at an unemployment office...on sitting alone at bus stop...or wandering on a lonely street... In my fantasy, I envision millions of women participating. I imagine every woman who knew about the project would find one dollar and only one dollar (there are no tiers of membership) to become a participant in the World Wide Women of Wisdom. Anyone can be a Donor or a Collector or a Gifter or a Receiver...Soon there would be those generous (wwww) dollars floating through all communities---reminding people of...well, of the love and compassion and generosity of all women towards all women. If you like the idea, please collect membership dollars from your friends. Make sure they keep their tiny membership corner. Tell your friends to become members or collectors and let's make small but positive differences in the lives of our sisters---regardless of their ages, sexual orientation, religious beliefs (or non-beliefs) political persuasions... WORLD WIDE WOMEN of WISDOM Oh...and, if you're so inclined drop me a facebook message or e-mail (lindalavega@aol.com) to let me know that you're on board! Thank you!

Universe To Linda: Come In Linda!

The Universe seems to be telling me that I am headed for a whole new way of living! At first, I didn't believe it. Although I closed the Gallery after 33 years, I saw myself continuing to be "Linda Durham Girl Art Dealer"---just in a new way. No way! I thought the closing of the public space would allow me to deal more seriously with Artists and Clients---but that's not the way the Universe saw things. Evidently! Because here I am: a little more than a month after the announcement that the Gallery was closing and a week back from a quick trip to Myanmar--where I meditated and wrote and prayed and hoped for a smooth transition from my "public personae" into "Linda Durham Private Dealer and Consultant"...However...The Universe seems to be making other plans for me. Now, I do not mean to be vague about what's going on...I guess I just needed a few sentences to get me in the mood (to give me the courage) to write what's what. What's What: I ran out of money. I ran out of enthusiasm for the Art Game. I ran out of credit. I ran out of time. I ran out of optimism that things would soon turn around and everything would be roses and clover by summer. And, I realized that I have had a gambler-like addiction to the Art World: one more excellent show; one big sale; one good Art Fair...maybe, maybe...I think I can...make enough money to float this boat of hope! I ran out of reasons and excuses... I ran out of my Life! Before I went to Myanmar (where my low level depression could hide and soften under the sun--among some of my treasured friends and pagodas) I initiated or accepted some private dealer/consultant projects--interesting projects that would be fun and profitable. I returned home eager to get them underway. But Wait...This is a case of "the best laid plans of mice and (wo)men..." Everything fell apart, got postponed, canceled or suddenly (!) was of no interest to me! Now what, I wondered?! I have lots of debt, no money, no prospects, an expensive house filled with books and art and other treasures...and I would trade it all for...for...for what? Freedom? Purpose? And then...my old fantasy/threat loomed her wile-y head! I have freedom. I have purpose. I must use those qualities to create this next segment of my rich life. How? I asked myself! And The Universe and I decided to lighten my footprint, to acknowledge that I am no longer about things or style or fashion or fame or winning. I am about BEING. So, in the middle of this reluctant acknowledgement, I turn on the computer to check my e-mails...and there, in the middle of a near plethora of messages, is one from the Application Committee for the US BOAT to GAZA. I have been selected to be on board The Audacity of Hope, part of the International Peace and Humanitarian Flotilla. The Flotilla will sail in late May! And my path unfolds before me...And I am finding the courage to let everything go...I will sell and or give away all that I own. And I will make certain that this next Big, Remarkable Chapter of my Life will be the best, the most profound and most profoundly important part of this long---but not nearly long enough life of mine! If the consultancy jobs had not been dropped, I would have to have said no to the opportunity to be on board with a group of people who put their lives on the line in the name of peace and freedom. I am one of those people!! Awww...some days it is all so thorny, knotty and imponderable and sometimes the Universe says, "Here, Linda, take this opportunity and fly!!! Or, SAIL!!