Coordinator's Letter to Ladies

On behalf of Indriani and myself,(Susan Lytton-Hitchins) I would just like to say Sai Ram and a warm hello to you all.

It has been with great joy that I have been able to meet so many of you since taking on this role with Indriani. Australia however is a very big place, and obviously there are far more of you that I haven't as yet met, so this seems one way of at least staying in touch.

The Sathya Sai Organisation and both the Ladies Wing coordinators are aware of some of your marvellous projects and work that is happening. You are all to be highly commended, as I have some idea of the busy lives that most of you live. However in this communication, I am not going to report on your service work, or request that you do even more !!

At this time, I am getting very strong feedback from many of you, expressing the enjoyment and value of the ladies retreats, that some of the zones have held during this last 10 months. These have been predominantly spiritual with an internal focus, but supported with guest speakers and nurturing activities.

Many of you have expressed the value for women in getting together in often the simplest format. Even a cup of tea at someone's home, with talk on Ladies issues and the sharing and support of each other, is most nurturing and inspiring.

Some feel tired of their workload and commitments at this time, and some of the more seasoned devotees especially, are not enjoying workshops so much anymore. The opportunities to share with other women in a relaxed environment has become paramount, as some of our Sai Sisters need quiet, quality time away from their daily chores, husbands and children, even for one day occasionally, to recharge their energies.

As a woman, it is natural for us
to nurture, support, soothe,
comfort and nourish others.
We were born with this ability
and it is an integral and wonderful
part of being a woman.

It has been my personal experience however, that we all must sometimes turn that energy inward at times, and treat ourselves with the same care we give others. It is important that we use our own resources to also serve ourselves.

I am sure I don't need to tell you, that when each of us feels truly loved and nourished, from WITHIN, we then have something extraordinary to give to others. (AND....we don't suffer from burnout and exhaustion)

So, ... PLEASE Ladies look after yourselves first, so we can continue to serve Swami with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Several Sai Sisters groups I am aware of, are using a regular phone call, e-mail or the internet to support each other, and other ladies too, especially those in more isolated areas, and those tied to home life for any number of reasons. For some Sai Sisters, it can be very difficult to attend a centre regularly. An inspiring message or a word of encouragement can be like a life line at times for these ladies. It can take little of your time and one doesn't even have to leave the house!!

For others of you, please consider having a day or even a two-day Ladies retreat, preferably without children, with the specific purpose of creating the most nurturing, inspiring and spiritual experience for one another.

The "Goal Setting" Workshops that I spoke of in a previous message have taken place in a number of venues, and on several occasions, the men have enjoyed joining in. If you would like to hold one in your area, please let me know, so it can be arranged. In aspiring to be even greater Spiritual Women than we are already, we will see Sai Ladies from within our Organisation, stepping up more and more into leadership roles.

I would like to finally share an insight about myself, that I have slowly grown to appreciate and continues to help me towards my own dreams and aspirations. My own ignorance at times continually shocks me, there is so much to learn in life, and I am sure it will always be, an ongoing process of learning.

It wasn't until I became ill in 1990 and I was actually given a few short months to live (EXCEPT, by the Doctor of all Doctors, our Beloved Swami ) that I began to awaken to the true magnificence of life itself. Up until then, I had taken it all very much for granted. I was definitely a very slow learner, and I am sure you all have a much deeper appreciation of life, than I had at that time.

My recommendation is to "Live each day with gratitude and passion" as much as you can. Even the tiniest moments, can be the most precious.

A friend sent me this recently, and it really supports my thoughts on living life to its fullest.

To realise the value of a year,
Ask a student who failed last year.

To realise the value of one month,
Ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby

To realise the value of one week
Ask the editor of a weekly newspaper

To realise the value of one hour
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet each other

To realise the value of one minute
Ask a person who has just missed their train

To realise the value of one second
Ask a person who has just avoided a fatal accident

To realise the value of one millisecond
Ask a person who has won a Silver medal in the Olympics

Treasure every moment that you have.

I have definitely discovered that this takes a lot of practice and ongoing commitment to myself!! So often I catch myself not in the moment or not enjoying the task at hand, but those times are slowly becoming less.

It is only through our own awakening and our mindful connection with the essence of who we are, that we can share wisdom with others, especially our children, and celebrate in our Service to Swami, as the true gift.

In closing, if any of you wish to share or voice your opinions on any Sai Ladies Business to Indriani or myself, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are only as far away as the telephone, e-mail or a letter. We love to hear from you, and value your input. I am also willing to come to your Centre whenever possible to share in open discussion, workshop or other activity. Your invitation to do this is a joy to accept, and I will always try to accommodate your requests.

Yours in Sai Love and Service
Susan Lytton-Hitchins