THIS can only mean that our communication with God should be genuine, sincere and authentic. It’s about being honest about our thoughts, feelings and struggles. It should express our true intentions and desires.
It should not be about using fancy language or trying to impress. It’s about being real and open with God, connecting with God on a personal and emotional level, and speaking from a position of humility. It should be freed from pretenses, using the so-called “right words.”
This much we can gather from that gospel episode where Christ told his disciples: “When you pray, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard. Be not you therefore like to them, for your Father knows what is needful for you, before you ask him.” (Mt 6,7-8) And from there he proceeded to give the ideal prayer which is the Lord’s Prayer or the “Our Father.”
In our quest to be true souls of prayer, we should see to it that our prayer really comes from our heart that is full of faith and humility. We have to be wary of our great tendency to be dominated by worldly and temporal concerns such that we fail to properly pray. That would be a disaster since that would be like being deluded that we are doing well in life when in fact we are failing big time.
We have to start to pick up the rudiments of prayer and begin the process of becoming authentic souls of prayer, such that wherever we are, whatever situation we may be in, somehow we are always praying, we are always in touch with God.
This should not be difficult because we know that God is always around. He is everywhere. Besides, he is always solicitous of us. He cannot fail to love us. We may fail him and earn his anger, but that anger would only be for a while, since his mercy is forever. We can always manage to pray any time and in any place if we just would have the proper disposition.
Definitely, we need to exercise our faith and be willing to exert effort and make sacrifices. That is how we can aspire to make our prayer alive always. We should put ourselves in God’s presence always so we avoid anonymity in our intimate conversations with him.
What can also help is to train and use our imagination in our prayer. In fact, we have to use all our human powers and faculties—our intelligence and will, our feelings and memory, etc.—in our prayer.
And we should be ready to handle the unavoidable difficulties in our prayer. There will be times when we would feel dry and uninspired or when we would be tempted to think that our prayer is going nowhere.
Those difficulties are actually opportunities to improve our prayer and to grow in our spiritual life. If we persevere in praying, using all the means that are always available, we will see how this improvement and growth are taking place, and be filled with joy and satisfaction.
We really need to learn to pray from the heart, which also means that prayer should be second nature to us. As such, prayer becomes a constant activity. We can and should turn everything into prayer.
Even our work and mundane affairs should be an occasion or even a means of prayer also. We should end up praying as we breathe, and as our heart beats. Thus, St. Paul once said: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thes 5,17)
“The changing face of leadership: Empowering women”
The landscape of leadership is undergoing a significant transformation, marked by the increasing presence and influence of women. This shift is not merely a matter of equality but a recognition of the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to leadership roles, ultimately benefiting organizations and society as a whole.
The Benefits of Women in Leadership
Decades of research confirm that empowering women to take on leadership positions yields metamorphic effects for everyone. Some of these benefits include:
Improved financial performance: Companies with women in C-suite positions have a positive impact on overall performance and efficiency, with higher profits and better returns for shareholders.
Enhanced collaboration and innovation: Diversity in senior management fosters creativity and broader perspectives, leading to innovation through joint approaches.
Stronger employee engagement: Women leaders drive more engaged employees, which translates into significant organizational savings due to lower absenteeism and higher productivity.
Fairer treatment: The presence of a female leader leads to the anticipation of fairer treatment within the organization, regardless of the industry or level of hierarchy.
Transformational Leadership Styles
Studies suggest that female leaders demonstrate more transformational leadership styles, inspiring people and epitomizing what’s good in the organization. They are often perceived as more honest, intelligent, compassionate, outgoing, and creative than their male counterparts. This style involves:
Serving as role models: Epitomizing what’s good in the organization and inspiring people to align with its mission.
Effective communication: Creating a culture where compassion and vulnerability are celebrated, fostering open communication and trust.
Mentoring and support: Providing advice and mentorship to colleagues, acting as a catalyst for their personal and professional development.
Overcoming Barriers and Challenges
Despite the clear benefits, women continue to face challenges in achieving leadership roles. These include:
Underrepresentation: Women are still underrepresented in senior management roles, despite progress in education and the job market.
Bias and stereotypes: Women may experience bias due to gender, race, sexual orientation, or disability, affecting their career development and psychological safety.
Work-life balance: Balancing work and personal life remains a significant barrier, challenging the myth that women must sacrifice family life for success.
Strategies for Empowering Women in Leadership
To accelerate the progress of women in leadership, organizations can implement several strategies:
Diversify leadership positions: Ensure that female voices are heard and considered by increasing the number of women in executive positions.
Establish mentorship and sponsorship programs: Provide women with mentors for career guidance and sponsors who advocate for their advancement.
Implement fair and inclusive policies: Ensure equal treatment and opportunities for all, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation.
Promote open communication: Create a safe environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their experiences and providing feedback.
Provide accessible resources: Ensure clear and easy processes for reporting harassment or discrimination, with accessible support resources.
Invest in training: Companies can invest in training their leaders to make hard decisions while also honoring the humanity of their team members.
The Path Forward
The shadows of a world once dominated by men, where women were unjustly treated as second-class citizens, are receding, giving way to a radiant dawn. In recent years, courageous women have risen, shattering glass ceilings and proving that their potential extends far beyond the walls of any home. Though the fight for gender equality continues, women are steadily claiming their rightful place, their voices resonating with strength and purpose, their contributions shaping a better tomorrow.
The journey toward gender equality in leadership is not just a necessity; it’s an inspiring call to action, inviting us to build a world where women stand tall as equals, their voices amplified in every sphere of decision-making. Their unique insights and talents are not merely valuable but essential, enriching our societies and paving the way for a future brimming with peace, justice, and prosperity for all. Let us unite to dismantle the barriers that hinder women’s progress, champion inclusive policies that celebrate diversity, and invest wholeheartedly in women’s education, health, and economic empowerment, creating a world where every woman can thrive and shine.
For women, empowerment is more than just occupying positions of power; it’s about igniting a fire within, illuminating the world with our brilliance, and demonstrating the immeasurable value we bring to every endeavor. It’s about standing shoulder to shoulder with men, not as rivals, but as allies, forging a path toward a brighter, more equitable future, where every voice is heard, and every dream can take flight.
————–
If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!