Five provocative questions answered by an inspiring and fabulous woman – a woman with something to say.
Meet Trista Hendren
Trista Hendren is a Certified Coach with Imagine a Woman International and author of The Girl God series. You can read more about her projects at www.thegirlgod.com
People would be surprised to know that: I am a Muslim – because we have a very definite stereotype of Muslim women in the western world.
Other shocking facts: I don’t own a car or a phone. I get (nearly) everywhere by foot.
The WomanTalk Live 5:
What’s the conversation that changed your life?
The conversation I had with my daughter about God when she was five. She couldn’t relate to the idea of God at all as a girl because of the male language used for God. When I suggested that perhaps she had the girl God inside her – she lit up. That conversation was the spark for my work with women and girls as well as my own personal healing around the divine after growing up in a fundamentalist Christian home.
What are you most conscious of today?
Right now I am most conscious of children because I believe they are the hope for our future. I don’t want women to spend most of their life unlearning harmful patterns and trying to heal. I want all children to have the luxuries of laughter, joy and peace.
I think a great deal about what is harmful in our world and work collectively with other women to change these things. I also think about the lessons I have learned that I can teach my younger sisters – and that’s where my writing is focused.
What part of you have you yet to give voice to?
Right now I am most active in my mother role, which has included raising two fairly young children of my own and helping with two step-sons. It has also meant nurturing my wounded child and giving birth to my authentic self. It has been a very non-stop busy time in my life. I am really looking forward to my crone years – and whatever lies in between—mostly, some rest (I hope!)
What’s the conversation women need to be having collectively?
Women have been individually and collectively hurt for thousands of years by patriarchy. We need to come together and figure out how to support each other better. I see a lot of wonderful work happening among women online. Sadly, I also still see a lot of arguing and wounding. We don’t have to agree on things 100% to support each other. I’d like to see us ask each other – How can I support you better? What do you need in order to thrive?
What needs to be said bigger, louder, stronger?
I love you. You can never say that loud enough. No one ever hears that too much. Saying I love you is a commitment to the well-being of the other person. When we tell someone we love them, we are also invested in that person and want to see them do well.
***
Thank you, Trista, for sharing your powerful voice
with WomanTalk Live.
Thank you Trista. I was surprised to “hear” you say, “Women have been individually and collectively hurt for thousands of years by patriarchy” given that you’re a Muslim woman. You just dispelled yet another myth.
This was short and quite sweet interview, packed with gems. I like what you say the words “I love you” mean, that you’re invested in that other person. I already tell my 19-year-old college matriculating daughter, Adia, I love you at the end of nearly every phone call. I think now I’ll tell her even more, even in every text…and say those words to many other people I care dearly about.
Thank you so much for your comment DeBora!
When Ann asked what was surprising about me, I knew being a Muslim was the thing that really shocks most people. I get a eye-popping response about this (in various shades of politeness) about once a week! Thank you for your grace in sharing your belief.
I really like this quote from Professor Omid Safi about women in Islam that I came across last week:
“Muslim feminism is the radial notion that
Muslim women are full human beings. The human and religious rights of Muslim
women cannot be “granted,” “given back,” or “restored” because they were never
ours to give – or take – in the first place.
Muslim women own their God-given rights by the simple virtue of being human.”
Sending you love and light.
Nurturing your wounded child and giving birth to your authentic self are uncommon acts of bravery for any woman and man.. What a role model enact for your daughter and for all women and girls who follow your lead. Bravo, bravo! Here’s to hearing more from ‘little Trista’ via adult Trista’s beautiful gift for language, art and child-.love. Nancy Lee Segal
Thank you so much Nancy! As you know, I am a HUGE fan of your work as well!
Women must return to each other for children to be safe. You are not an angel on earth, you are one amazing flesh and blood female genius, a woman whom children and girls in particular will be able to expressw their undying devotion to in decades to come. Keep writing, keep posting, keep connecting keep loving keep Trista-ing. Love Nancy Lee