Once a month, I will feature a woman, historical or modern day, who exemplifies what it means to be an empowered woman in her own unique way. Her story will inspire and guide you as you learn to unearth your own inner Goddess.

Want to share another empowered woman's story? Please submit your Goddess Spotlight nomination by clicking on the link on this page.

2008-08-01

Chene is an O.G.- an original Goddess. She has been a part of this group since it began almost 4 years ago. She always brings quiet & thoughtful power to our Gatherings. Chene has seen herself through a very dark time and has come out filled with even more light!

Congratulations on being our August 2008 Featured Goddess, Chene! Tomiko

*Learn more about Chene and her many talents by visiting "www.chenelawson.com"*




1. Name one word that describes you.

Creative

2. What advice would you give to women on how to become empowered?

I think visualizing and meditating are but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to empowering your self. You can see your self as abundant, prosperous, unlimited, strong, assertive, loved and successful. But depending on where you're at in your development, all that comes with all the blocks, the negative chatter and anything else you've been carrying that keeps you from attaining your greatness & being all you were put on this planet to be. It then takes a sincere devotion, courage and diligence to transmute all the things standing in your way. By transmute, I mean to allow the fear, the pain, the "negative chatter" that you may have been sitting with for years to come up and make peace with it all. Empowerment to me takes courage. Because to me it means to become who you really are by FACING all that you are not!

3. What is the most challenging obstacle you've overcome and how?

I've experienced a "dark night of the soul" where I went through a whole year of being bombarded with every fearful negative thought I have ever had about myself. It was almost debilatating. The only thing that got me through it was to bring peace to my fears. I didn't run from it. I sat with it, and it was no easy feat. Imagine being a child in a room, alone at night with the boogie man and not being able to run. But instead hugging the boogie man, kissing him, telling him you loved him while he screamed and threatened to eat you alive. Very intimidating indeed. But negative thoughts and fear are very much like a monster and if you don't heal them with love they can eat away at you. By going deeper into this proccess it has brought me to a place of self love that I have never known prior.

4. Name one woman that inspires you and why.

My mother. She recently had a double masectomy and the 2 days after her surgery she was up cleaning the house and getting stuff done. Til then I thought her to be a weak woman. But I now see that it took courage for her to face cancer and her own immortality.

5. What is your motto?
Don't have one yet.

6. What advice would you give "3 year old you"?

Iwas told once by a clairovoyant that at 3 yrs old I had witnessed so much violence that I decided to protect myself from then on. She said she saw an image of me in goloshes and a rain coat just so I could go play in a puddle to protect myself from the water. It's funny how children adapt to survive. I would and have since then told that 3 yr old. to take off the coat and the goloshes and go play. It's safe.

7. What does "Empowered" mean to you?

Being and becoming who I really am and living my life at its highest potential

8. How has being in The Goddess Gathering affected your life (if applicable)?

It's been a great place for connecting with like-minded women.

9. Share one thing you are hoping to accomplish in your lifetime.

Being all that God put me on this planet to be. Think that oughtta do it. :)

10. What are you most proud of yourself about?

My relationship with God. It allows me to be proud of everything else.