I believe in the power of stories to change our world. Between the telling and the hearing of a story there is a point of magic -- our experiences change from moments into metaphors and we have the chance to live and grow through thousands of lives not our own.

I require at least 25 minutes to use a public restroom because there are so many interesting women to meet while standing in line, and I don't remember the last time I got off a plane without hugging my seatmate goodbye (though I've only cried twice). I have never met a person who bored me. To tell the truth it is a bit of a handicap; I cannot interrupt a story so I forget to answer my phone and I show up late to dinner parties and drive my friends crazy!

I am looking forward to participating in this forum and exchanging and ideas and stories with women and men around the world. I am sure that among us we can invent ways to tackle the negative stories that bind us and prevent us from actualising our potential as a just, compassionate and joyful human community.