Strength. Sue Patton Thoele

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      PRAISE FOR STRENGTH

      “This book is a powerful guide to fearless living. Sue Patton Thoele teaches women how to honor, embrace, and claim their personal strength and inner wisdom.”

      —HEATHERASH AMARA, author

      of Warrior Goddess Training

      “I am so thrilled Sue Patton Thoele has done a new meditation book! Her warm insight on strength, wisdom, and power is sure to resonate with every woman looking for support in these challenging times. I know I will keep her words by my side.”

      —MJ RYAN, author of Attitudes of Gratitude and Radical Generosity

      This edition first published in 2019 by Conari Press, an imprint of

      Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

      With offices at:

      65 Parker Street, Suite 7

      Newburyport, MA 01950

       www.redwheelweiser.com

      Copyright © 2019 by Sue Patton Thoele

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

      ISBN: 978-1-57324-739-9

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request.

      Cover design by Kathryn Sky-Peck

      Interior by Maureen Forys, Happenstance Type-O-Rama

      Typeset in Incognito and Adobe Jenson

      Printed in Canada

      MAR

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       www.redwheelweiser.com/newsletter

      DEDICATED TO

       Judith (Juju) Mangus, whose love, understanding, and knowing offer me safe harbor and mystical gateway.

       Christie Coates, whose love of and commitment to spiritual connection inspire my own.

       Mary Bell Nyman, teacher extraordinaire, whose light-hearted wisdom dances through these pages.

      CONTENTS

       Acknowledgments

       Introduction: The Heart of the Matter

       1 DEEPENING CONNECTION

       Facing Fear

       Completing the Mother Circle

       Reclaiming Your Selves

       Getting to Know You

       Emulating Water

       Integrating Heart and Head

       Mirroring Jesus and Rosa Parks

       Being Amused and Educated by Shadow

       Lovin' Large

       2 HAVING COURAGE

       Examining Fear

       Paying Attention to Fear

       Wringing Out the Sponge

       Overestimating Strength

       Avoiding Overstimulation

       Staying in the Moment

       3 PRACTICING SELF-COMPASSION

       Understanding Your Sensitivity Quotient

       Keeping Your Heart Visible

       Drinking from the Well

       Altering Misperceptions

       Being Here, Now

       Asking What's Good for You

       Sharing Emotions Wisely

       Knowing You Are Good Enough Is No Longer Good Enough

       Finding Amusement

       Showering Unconditional Compassion

       4 GROWING IN THE KILN OF RELATIONSHIP