#ChooseDayTuesday

#ChooseDayTuesday...A day of the week dedicated to choices.  A weekly reminder that we ALWAYS have a choice.   Even if we do not believe that we have one. 

It is funny how easily it is for me to fall into the belief pattern that I have no choice in a situation.  For example...Tuesdays are my big client day.  I love having a day that I get to spend the day coaching female entrepreneurs.  Helping them to create a plan so that they can work less, play more and create a financially viable business.  

But there are some days when I wake up and I tell myself that my only option is to do my work.  My to do list feeling like it is a "Have" to do list.  A list devoid of choices.  Rather than a "Get" to do list.  This morning I was fretting that I had so much to accomplish in a day.  I looked at my coaching schedule and felt like I had no choice but to put my coaching hat on.  But truth be told...I had another choice...I could have called in sick, sat on my bed, eating cheetos and watching netflix or working on other things.  But that wouldn't have been in my best interest nor would have it been in my clients.  What matters is the simple reminder that we always have a choice.  There are always options.  We don't have to like those options but we do have them.  

What are you choosing today?  Today - I am choosing to take small steps that will move me closer to achieving my goals.  

Wishing you a Day as Beautiful as You!

Much Love,

Lisa

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The End of One Challenge and The Beginning of Another

Wow!  It is October already.  Where has the year gone?  I feel like it has flown by.  I have spent the month of September attempting to eat clean and motivate others to do so as well.  And now that October has kicked off it is time for another 31 Day Blog Challenge!

I loved the last blog challenge that I participated in back in July.  And now I am prepared to jump right into this one.

October is the month of Thanksgiving for Canadians.  It is honestly one of my favorite months of the year.  I love the autumn leaves.  I love the smells.  I love the thought of the trees shedding their leaves and the Earth receiving them in an effort to re-purpose them into something new and fresh.  I love that we usually get one snow fall in October and this reminds me that we always have a fresh start available to us.

I believe October has so much to teach us.  And we can learn much from it.  For example:

Are you carrying around a bunch of thoughts, ideals, or values that no longer serve you?  Are you willing to let them go like the trees release the leaves?  Are you ready to re-purpose the energy towards something new and fresh that is more in line with your current values?  When you let go of those thoughts and ideals that no longer serve you, you feel an renewed sense of energy.  And you are able to pour that energy into whatever your heart desires.

We also always have the opportunity to start fresh.  We can start fresh by simply thinking new thoughts.  All too often we work ourselves into a position where we do not believe that we have the gift of choice.  We feel there is no choice and we are stuck and so begins the down hill spiral. The amazing thing about life is that we do indeed have choices.  We always have choices.  That being said there are times in our lives when the choice is between bad and worse but there is always a choice.  When you get feeling stuck, stop, and get quiet.  Spend some time getting in touch with your breathing.  Connect with yourself.  And ask yourself....which choice can I make in this very moment that will get me closer to how it is that I want things to be.  Which choice really honors my true self?  And when you do that...you will start to feel better.  Just like that.  To feel even better still...follow through on that choice.  Take action.  Even small steps will assist with that.  And just like that....you have a fresh start.

Throughout the month of October I would like to end my blog post by sharing something I am grateful for. So today, in this very moment, I am grateful for the 31 Day Blog Challenge.  It provides me that gentle push to blog again.  And I love my blog.  It allows me to spend time getting quiet and in touch with my higher self or my true self.  It allows me to share that message with all of you.  And for that...I am grateful.

I wish you a day as Beautiful as you!

Much Love,
Lisa

Happy Birthday To Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I have been thinking about that it was that I was going to blog about ever since I signed up for the 31 day blog challenge over a month ago.  Today marks Day 29 of that challenge.  It also marks my 33rd birthday.

I have scratched out pages and pages of notes...all to get to this point today where I will completely disregard everything.  What I wanted to do this year is take time to write birthday letters to my loved ones.  And I have managed to on some of them and others I did not.  But I will use this platform to write a birthday letter to myself.  It may sound a bit odd but I am far from "normal".






Dear Elizabeth,

I am using your given name as you are finally growing into it.  Over the past year you have began to understand kindness and compassion.  You are showing some whispers of wisdom.  Therefore you can represent this name with some of the Grace that your namesake possessed.

This past year was a big one for you.  And I know that you have struggled to determine whether it was a successful one or not.  You may not have became a big time life coach or motivational teacher but you have taken great strides in personal growth.  You have learned the value in following your dreams.  You were able to push past the fear and begin a journey that has allowed you to touch the lives of others.

Along the way you have learned some valuable lessons.
1) There is a great amount of freedom in finally choosing to follow your dreams.
2) Lessons exist all around you.  It is up to you to find the lesson and apply it to your life.
3) Netflix can be a major distraction.  So can your cell phone, email, facebook and pinterest.
4) All situations have better outcomes when you approach them with love and kindness.
5) Forgiveness is valuable.  You forgive because you are deserving of the the freedom that comes with it.  It opens the door to healing.
6) Life is fleeting. Time is valuable.  Do not waste it. Make today count.
7) Football brings out the competitive side in you.
8) Being brave enough to try new things brings great rewards.
9) You write better in the early morning hours
10) Look within to see more of the lessons.  They are there.

You have tried new things in the past 365 days.  Some of which include:
1) Surfing
2) Women's Touch Football
3) Lobster, Crab, Sea Bass, Cerviche, Dim Sum, Octopus, Calamari, Shrimp
4) Writing daily
5) Mimosa's for breakfast every day for a week
6) Meditation on the beach
7) Hiking in West Glacier National Park
8) Running the Mud Hero and the Spartan Sprint
9) Competing in a Ranch Rodeo with your Dad

You have traveled more in the past year than ever before.
1) Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
2) Farallon, Panama
3) Whitefish, Montana
4) Fairmont Hot Springs, BC

You have had the following hairstyles:
1) Bald
2) Black Mohawk
3) Faux Hawk
4) Pink Hair
5) Bald
6) Black Hair
7) Blonde
8) and Currently...Blonde with Roots.


You have spent time in reflection.  Learned to let go of some of the things that have been weighing you down.  You have faced one of your greatest fears and came out the other side stronger than when you went in.

You have given of yourself to others.  Touched lives.  Made new friends.  Learned to let go of relationships that no longer served you even though it was hard.  You have laughed and loved more in this past year than some years combined.

Moving forward into the year and years ahead my wish for you is:  That you be blessed with more health, love and happiness than your heart and hands can hold.

Stay focused in the direction you are headed.  Read and write every day.  Never pass up an opportunity to help someone.  Do all things with love and kindness.  Learn something new every day.  Remember to laugh and play.  Cherish the time with the ones that you love.  Delaney will never be this age again. Include trips to the farm as part of your travel.  Lead Life Joyfully.

Much Love,
Lisa

Some day you herd butterflies...

Allow me to apologize upfront for this blog.  In order to read it you may need to slip into the mindset of a person who is trying to herd butterflies with only a Q-Tip and a Paper Clip.  Why? You ask.  Well that is what my thoughts are like.  All over the place.  Flitting here and there.  And the rational side of my brain is left holding a Q-Tip and a Paper Clip to organize them.  Good Luck with that.

Over the last three days I have been struggling with something.  I am trying to determine how much energy one should put into something that is no longer fun.  What is the pay off?  It was only in this very moment of typing this that I realized that I need to ask better questions.  The first question I should be asking myself is what is ultimate payoff for doing this even if it was still fun?  Since I am talking about football.  It is relatively easy to answer the question.  Best case scenario - I would make new friends. I would learn.  I would laugh.  I would get fitter, faster, stronger. I would grow as a person. Learn new insights on how team dynamics work.  I would have fun for four hours a week.  The way it stands currently is that:
1) I will learn that team sports brings out an ugly side of me
2) I will get some exercise
3) I will have some new friends
4) I will learn some things about football
5) I will grow as a person
6) I will have fun but not for the full four hours
7) I will learn new skills for coping with frustration

One thing that I need to sort out is what the lesson is.  Is the Universe trying to teach me to persevere through adversity?  Or is the Universe trying to teach me that time is valuable and you should do what you love and eliminate unnecessary stress?  Because depending on the choice I make I am choosing one lesson over another.

As it stands right now, I am going to play out the season.  For a variety of reasons.  One of which may be that I am bat shit crazy at times.  I do not like to quit.  And me quitting would mean one less person on the field on game day and that could make the difference between the game being played or forfeited.  And that isn't right to do to the other Ladies on the team.  They paid so they could play and have fun this season.  Also, I have the chance to practice my leadership skills.  One does not require a title to lead.  Who knows maybe I can also teach someone else some leadership principles.  Besides football provides me with great blog fodder.  As long as I am having some semblance of fun and I am able to see the lesson hidden amid the  drama then I will continue to play.  At least these are my thoughts in this moment.

Ask me again in ten minutes.  I may have changed my mind.  I keep asking myself: Am I deciding this from a place of faith? Or fear? Am I doing this because it is what I think is best for others?  Or is it what I truly want to do? Which choice best represents my values? Maybe I should consult a magic eight ball.  Or my pendulum.  Or flip a coin. Regardless soon I must get off the fence because it is hurting my ass and I am getting tired of running from one side to the other.

How is it that you make decisions about the use of your time? Are you currently struggling with a decision?  Perhaps we could help each other out.


Wishing you a day as Beautiful as you,

Much Love,

Lisa