I’m excited to introduce Jenny Ferry as August’s Diva Spotlight interviewee! Jenny is a leader in the emerging field of conscious sexuality and author of the forthcoming book, Soul Sex: Creating the Conscious Connection You Crave. Jenny speaks and leads workshops throughout the U.S. and Canada and coaches clients across the globe. A former administrator and instructor at the University of Arizona, Jenny has teamed up with a creative team of leaders collaborating on a non-profit consciousness project called Celebrate You that will be launching at hundreds of college campuses in the U.S. and Canada this October.
Based out of Boulder, Jenny runs local workshops that are free and open to the public at prAna Boulder on Pearl St and at the new prAna Denver in Cherry Creek. Learn more at jennyferry.com/speak. And connect with Jenny on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/jennyferry
Question #1. What does being a Daring Diva Mean to You?
I believe we are all born Daring Divas. And our mission is to accept the adventures and challenges of our individual journey with feminine grace and tenacity. It’s knowing – beyond a shadow of a doubt – that the source of our authentic power is deep within us. Always..
Question #2. What are the three most significant qualities that make YOU a Daring Diva?
1. Curiosity. Having the willingness to be open to new people and experiences has taken me all over the world and given me the gift of a life that I’ve absolutely fallen in love with.
2. Compassion. Being able to deeply feel humanity – my own and others. That moment when I “sync up” with myself or those I’m connecting with to viscerally experience pain, joy, sorrow, exhilaration. All of it. And the openness to be supportive around those emotions.
3. Gratitude. It took me a long time to wake up to the fact that my life is so rich, so full, so abundantly blessed. And when that realization hit, I feel like I was given a whole new life. Every moment, every person, every experience holds a magnificent gift, if we’re willing to look for it and acknowledge it.
Question #3. Being a Daring Diva isn’t always easy. What keeps you motivated and inspired to choose the Daring Diva life?
Inspiration is all around us. And I choose to find inspiration in simple things and, at other times, arcane things. Something as simple as a smile from my daughter will trigger a flood of joy and creation. Yet there are moments when divine inspiration comes from the deep recesses of the magical and mysterious universe we inhabit.
You’re right. Being a Daring Diva isn’t always easy. And motivation, I believe, is best sourced within. I continually ask myself, “why.” Why am I being this way or that? Why am I doing what I do? When I stay present to the question, I can access my heart and always know my truth. It may not be true for someone else, but responding from this place honors who I am.
Question #4. What is the most daring thing you’ve ever done and what did you learn from the experience?
The biggest lesson that I learned was not to be attached to any particular path or outcome. Life is full of surprises. Why not be open to the unexpected?
Question #5. Tell us about a time when you failed or nearly gave up. What did you learn and how has this experience influenced your current relationship with failure?
Oh, this happened recently. In 2010, I lost almost everything: my marriage, my home, my job, my savings, my health…and my sanity – almost. I had just come through several brushes with death, including a near-fatal automobile accident. It was excruciatingly difficult to navigate this series of crises and find my way back to stability, to normalcy – whatever that is. I did it deliberately, consciously and with a lot of support – from women, I might add.What I really learned is that we can’t do this gig called life alone. We all need and want support and care, someone to believe in us. We need each other more than we care to admit. And when the chips are down, the best thing you can do is focus on what you do have. I had the willingness and ability to be fully conscious through this significant experience. I had freedom. I had my daughter. There was so much to be thankful for.
Question #6. What are your top three tips for living an extraordinary life?
· Keep it simple, sexy!
· Be curious, courageous and compassionate.
· Laugh! Lighten up. If life isn’t fun and easy, then it’s time to make some adjustments.
Question #7. Our theme for July is “Friendship.” What is your view on the importance of conscious, connected and supportive firnedships between women?
Life is all about relationship, including friendship. And as an author and leader in the field of conscious sexuality, my entire world revolves around helping others build authentic intimacy and connection.
Our female friendships are vital to our health. Without them, we simply cannot thrive. Some studies show that our response to stress is differentiated from men in that women “tend and befriend.” This means we, as women, receive substantial mental and physical health benefits in times of stress when we affiliate with other women. We’re wired for supporting each other.
Strong friendships don’t happen by accident. They invite us to show up. You have connection to the degree and extent that you create it in your life. You know, it’s the little things that count: a text to say “thinking of you” or making time to meet up for a hike or cup of tea. Creating consistent, genuine opportunities to connect is the best way to maintain and thrive female friendship.
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Thank you Jenny, I loved this interview! Especially your insights about friendship. Friednship is something we really try to foster at Daring Divas USA and it’s so true that we have friends to the extent that we show up.
My question to the Daring Divas is: what’s one thing you will do today to show up more fully to the friendships in your life?
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