Recognition of the harm that patriarchy has caused to people and the planet does not mean that men are wrong and women are right; rather it is a call for new organizational forms and for relishing gender differences within a context of equality. Elizabeth Lesser More Quotes by Elizabeth Lesser More Quotes From Elizabeth Lesser Diversity is good. We need each other's ideas. Elizabeth Lesser diversity ideas needs We need each other's ideas. Now, I'm not talking about racist ideas or misogynistic ideas or cruel or criminal ideas. I'm talking about most of us who have very varied experiences, needs and ideas. It's really about believing that it's an important part of healing America. Elizabeth Lesser healing talking believe I actually don't think we're more divided than we were. Elizabeth Lesser divided thinking I actually don't think we're more divided than we were. I think it's more evident. It's more evident because of the internet. Elizabeth Lesser internet divided thinking I think it's better that people actually are saying what they feel. Especially, people are saying, I'm not heard. I don't have a voice in America. Elizabeth Lesser voice america thinking I'm not naive. I know how hard it is to get along. Elizabeth Lesser hard know-how knows I know that if we allow ourselves into the gridlock of tribalism, we're in trouble. Elizabeth Lesser tribalism gridlock trouble Talking to each other instead of talking about each other is not some kind of nicey-nice (ph) idea. It's the difference between societies falling apart and societies getting something wonderful done. Elizabeth Lesser nice ideas fall It is very, very rare where a slight that turns into a grudge that is in need of forgiveness is only about one of the parties. In most of our day-to-day situations - with colleagues at work, with your partner, with your children, with your friends - most of the time, if you really got down with each other and put aside your pride and your defensiveness and you had those hard conversations, you'd find a place where both people had something to ask for forgiveness from the other and to forgive the other. Elizabeth Lesser party pride children But when I learned about the dangers of rejection or attack, I thought, it's time to change this. What if we faced any pain we had caused each other and, instead of rejection or attack, could we listen? Could we forgive? Could we merge? Elizabeth Lesser what-if rejection pain We'll never change everyone's minds. We're not supposed to. Elizabeth Lesser never-change mind Anyone whose lifestyle may frighten you or whose point of view makes smoke come out of your ears. Elizabeth Lesser views ears may The real work of feminism is to empower a woman and to give her language to express a new value system for the world. The new feminism must create both the process by which we generate influence and the influence itself. Elizabeth Lesser empowering real giving I really knew how to speak - from my female voice, that "different voice" that Carol Gilligan so presciently described many years ago in her groundbreaking book. Because if we try to speak in a voice that isn't ours, we lose our power. Elizabeth Lesser voice book years I'm interested in helping women become courageous in being exactly who they are. Because the only way to change anything is to do it from your genuine self. Elizabeth Lesser self helping way Many women hear the word "feminine" and feel like it's a noose around their neck. "Don't hold me to a mode of behavior because I'm a woman and you think this is how a woman should act," kind of thing. Elizabeth Lesser necks kind thinking I think diversity of thinking and healing traditions from around the world are good for us. The movement itself has evolved enormously and it's been a thrill to be part of it. Elizabeth Lesser diversity healing thinking We think that maybe feminism isn't appropriate anymore, since Western women have really made enormous strides. But check out the rest of the world if you'd like to not be able to sleep tonight. Elizabeth Lesser feminism sleep thinking I recommend learning how to come into the presence of stillness and vastness. Learn any form of meditation. Spend twenty minutes every day if possible, in meditation, listening to the crazy monkey mind inside you, and learning how to still the thoughts and discover that big, deep soulful part of yourself. Elizabeth Lesser crazy meditation listening Beautiful quality that women have, which is we like to get together and gab. It's time to elevate that aspect of being a woman. Elizabeth Lesser quality together beautiful
