I also have to say that for years I was shell-shocked by the undercutting and meanness I witnessed in far too many Japanese women. Not particularly to me, although I experienced considerable trauma in my personal family situation here – but to each other. Japanese women can be so vindictive and petty and through the little private school we ran for years I saw firsthand how this attitude and ability (for it really is a knack for meanness) starts really young. By the age of 8 the typical Japanese girl is already accomplished at destroying another – mostly behind the back, but also to the face. She is clearly learning all this from her mother and other women in her life, since the Japanese father and other male models are usually absent in daily education. (What happens to Japanese boys as a result is a whole other story).

Interestingly, I established a wise woman’s circle in Japan in 2008. When I handed out my card, many women either went into hysterical laughter or recoiled in mock horror (perhaps it was real), immediately saying they hadn’t a clue what this meant, or didn’t want to know. So many women here, well into their 50’s and 60’s, wish to remain the outwardly cute girl-woman who at the same time cuts other women down ruthlessly. This is the nature of the society here and I have come to understand why and how so many people interact with the world through their false facades.

The loneliness of my years in Japan, while almost despairing at times, has also been great spiritual training for me, however, and I believe those long years have been essential for the work I am doing here – at least for now!

I am very grateful for the virtual watering wells that are springing fresh as the greater web of life embraces the worldwide web. Thank you for your inspiration today, Wilma. Greetings and love to you from the mountains in Japan – Catrien Ross.
Catrien Ross´s last blog ..Catrien Ross on Hitting Your Target at Full Gallop – Personal Growth Inspiration from Samurai Horse Archers at Mount Fuji

I have to say my base camp is here with you all … because I couldn’t have got through if I had not taken time out and read, re-read and ‘listened’ to the wise words emanating over the net waves, and then remembering that ‘advice’, those thoughts & applying them when necessary.

Yes, it is all in the sharing, it is all in the generous acts of others, it is all in becoming strong together that we will lift each other up to the level where we belong, joyful, happy, fulfilled human beings, ALL of us, nobody exempt.
I commend your willingness to question, I commend your willingness to search for other ways and I commend your preparedness to listen to what your heart has to say. You are doing extremely well Hilary, giving your circumstances, you are in action and doing things differently. I am so pleased you let us all in, thank YOU, hugs and much love, Wilma

My parents were not supportive of each other .. and I remember my mother at times, as I was away at school .. I’m sure I’d have remembered more often, searching for another way of life – that is there for us today – because it’s more accepted and more out there. They stuck together til I was 19, when they just separated .. neither were really happy, nor were they later on.

Poor countries – seem to have happy people gathering and chatting, not worrying about if they have, or have not – yes obviously the desperate as in some terrible states – but in general they are happy peoples.

Today .. the net has opened doors for us, but there’s still so much – too much – where we’re not encouraged to think for ourselves, to reach out (without being smothered). Luckily for those of us around here we have this support – and we can glean the knowledge from the wealth and wisdom of the bloggers around us .. we can be reassured that if others are commenting, then that blog has real value, those people are real.

I see you all as wonderful people and I know I cope because I’m on my own and I can walk away from difficult situations as I’ve done, while ensuring I do the right things for the people who deserve it. I don’t get the family love which really should be around, but I don’t have to deal with the difficulties created by them.

I have to say my base camp is here with you all … because I couldn’t have got through if I had not taken time out and read, re-read and ‘listened’ to the wise words emanating over the net waves, and then remembering that ‘advice’, those thoughts & applying them when necessary.

I hope once I get through .. that I’ll be able to come from the really strong base camp I’ve learnt because I will again need it, when I go back to the family fold in some way or another .. but the knowledge I’ve acquired and the future I have lined up should see me through, especially as I’ll be more rested and not fraught with the whole situation.

Wilma – it is great what you’re doing .. – it’s your courage and commitment to us that is wonderful .. and we’re so blessed to be able to be with you on these journeys of ours. I’ll be doing the course with you – once I’m through and out the other side of this period .. I do hope loads of women join you .. and perhaps men? ..

– the pears look wonderful & remind me of our old tree years ago .. with hugs Hilary
PS .. I must read the other comments .. a really good conversation going on ..
Hilary´s last blog ..The Okavango Delta – the perfect place to Safari or holiday? = Yes for me! Part 3/3 – Sights and sounds ..

You are so right that you MUST NOT play small…your work here is extremely important and it would be a disservice to other women not to make clear how you can assist them in leading the way out of confusion. Thank you for what you do!

Oh Tisha, THANK YOU for YOUR words!
It is indeed extremely sad that we currently so miss out on support for our transformational journey because that is the only way to become the change we want to see.
What I also notice is that once you have experienced that support yourself, it is such a joy to then support other women and from there on the ripples can only widen.
To seek and accept that support is not only important for ourselves, it is also important for the wider community of women to grow together to become strong basecamps to lead the world into the next phase.
I loved how you nominated your mother in law for Biz Mommy of the Week, she sure deserves it and how wonderful that besides her busyness she still had time to pay attention to her own daily life and the people in it.
Thanks Tisha for speaking up and encouraging me while standing shoulder to shoulder with me in becoming the change we want to see. XOX Wilma