Are You Rocking a Ritual? Or Has Your Ritual Sunk Like A Swimming Rock?

Lately I have been feeling like I have gotten away from my morning rituals.  This didn't happen overnight.  Although it does seem like I had a ritual one morning and it was gone the next.

It is in the morning when I most feel connected to God, to my Higher Self, the Universal Energy.  I had a really good streak where I would start every morning grateful for all the blessings in my life.  Before I jumped out of bed I would spend a few minutes basking in the love and energy that fuels my life.  Once I was out of bed I would spend time reading positive affirmations.  Next I would write about those affirmations at www.750words.com  I would write about whatever thoughts came to mind surrounding those affirmations.  The 750 words exercise turned into a meditation where the words would flow more from my heart and soul than from my brain.  Then miraculously a blog post idea would appear.   Once my blog was posted and published I would move on to planning my day.  I would enter this space feeling calm, centered, balanced and optimistic about what the day could and would hold for me.

And then one day..I got busy.  Too busy to write 750 words.  So I skipped that step and stumbled straight into blogging.  And the next day (or maybe the day after that) I found that I was too busy to blog.  And then I was too busy to read affirmations and meditate on them.

And the next thing I knew...I was feeling scattered, disconnected, and unproductive.  My focus was bouncing from one idea to the next. I was looking for something to focus me and ground me. And....

 32 days ago I heard about a book.  Making Miracles by Melody Beattie.  And Mai Vu (my soon to be coach) invited me to join her group - 40/40 Miracles.  And I started doing a daily writing exercise.  30 days ago I started exchanging it daily with my partner.  This is something that I make a priority in my life.  Regardless if I am at home, what day of the week it is...it gets done.  No excuses.

Now I am noticing that I am ready to build my morning rituals around this exercise.  I count my blessings in the morning before that I get out of bed.  I work on my miracle exercise.  I comment on my partner's progress.  And twice this week I have signed into 750 words.  I have even posted eleven blog posts in the last eleven days.  I am ready to return to blogging in the am.  I feel better this way.

One day recently ( in the last 10 days I am sure) I was talking to my Blog BFF and she reminded me that spiritual practice is called practice for a reason.  It is something that we need to practice.  And when I think about that...it is exactly that.  It is always there for us to come back to.  We can grow and evolve and it is always there.  It changes when we need it to.  It grows along with us when we need it to.  It welcomes us back like an old friend with open, loving arms when we return to it.

So if you have stepped away from your spiritual practice.  Or your rituals. Or your routines. Or whatever you would like to call them...please do not judge yourself harshly.  Do not blame yourself or make excuses.  Just welcome yourself back to that space with big, open and loving arms.  You are right where you need to be.  Exactly as you are.

I wish you a day as beautiful as you!

Much Love,

Lisa

Monday! The Enemy!

Good Morning Monday!!!!  I woke up this morning grateful for all of the comforts that life has afforded me.  I was super excited for the new day and ready for all of the wonder that the week holds.  And then....I mindlessly checked my facebook newsfeed.  Wow, I am getting the impression that people are not a fan of Mondays.  This makes me wonder why Monday is the enemy. 

I know when Monday was the enemy for me...and it was whenever I was in the corporate world and not loving it.  And because I felt trapped and had no choice I took it out on Monday.  The dreaded day of the week that forces me out of a warm bed and into a shit hole.  Once I got out of bed Monday would fling things at me.  A flat tire, an accident, frosted windshield, spilled coffee, alarm clock that didn't go off, the coffee table that somehow moved in the middle of the night, slow traffic, and all of the other irritations that Monday threw my way.  Mondays were exhausting.  I would spend them being annoyed, irritable and defensive.  After all....Monday was the enemy.  I even found that Monday would sometimes disguise itself as other days of the week and bring all of its nasty tricks with it. 

Nowadays Monday is no longer the enemy.  I quit my job.  I gave myself permission to start living life my way.  And with that change came a steep learning curve that I need to be more responsible and with that responsibility comes accountability.  I learned to stop blaming days of the week, or others for the times that I wasn't happy with the way my life was turning out.  I realize that isn't quite as simple as that to actually put into practice.  I even find myself back in that mindset at times.  But I know that I don't have to choose to stay there.

Since today is Monday I want to do something that I don't LOVE to do but I feel GREAT when it is complete.  So today...I will sort through old mail/bills and file it away.  This will set my Tuesday up to be even better than my Monday. 

How about you?  What is it that you can do today that will either change your outlook on Monday or at the very least set your Tuesday up for success?

I wish you a day as Beautiful as you,

Much Love,
Lisa

Ps:  Today I am grateful for the energy and enthusiasm I feel towards new business ideas....stay tuned for details!


Just for Giggles! Thanks to Facebook...Meanwhile In Canada Page:

What A Beautiful Day To Get MUDDY!!!!!!!!! AKA The Mud Hero

What would the mud hero be without a little mud?  Last year when my husband and I took part in the mud hero we felt it was lacking in mud.  The event planners hadn't planned on the heat wave and the sheer number of participants.  This year...they made up for it in spades.

What a difference a year makes.  Last year was completely unknown.  I was so full of nervous energy when we all piled into the corral last year.  It was hot, the music loud and the obstacles were somewhat unknown to me.  There were traffic jams coming into the venue.  They ran out of water which meant that the best way to clean up included a steep climb down a river bank and a quick plunge into the mountain river.  I remember feeling refreshed for all of 7 minutes until I realized that I had to climb back up the bank in order to go home.

This year traffic flowed relatively smoothly into the venue.  Race kits were quickly picked up.  We broke the rules by jumping into an earlier heat.  No sense in standing around for another hour waiting to race.  After all it is our timing chip that gets us a free beer...so we couldn't stand around enjoying a pre-race beverage.  We were happily in the back of the pack.  We had no interest in running the mud hero this year. Instead it was going to be a nice, leisurely stroll through a ski hill.  I fervently prayed that the chair lift would be running.  It wasn't.  What twisted individual decides to make the race on a ski hill?  Next year I am running it in Saskatchewan.  Surely the grounds will be flatter.

I loved the mud hero obstacles compared to the Spartan ones.  The obstacles were fun, not incredibly daunting and still made you feel like you accomplished them.  I think that my favorite obstacle was one of the last.  A giant bouncy slide.  I giggled the entire way down.  My second favorite obstacle was the water slide aka super slide.  Who wouldn't love a 12ft high winding water slide that delivers you directly into a 4ft deep pit of mud.  There was no staying clean on this obstacle.  I wasn't all that happy to see the spidey web back again this year.  It is about 20 feet of trail with bungee rope tied this way and that.  I never fail to get hung up as I am trying to make my way through it.  Hamburger Hill was another beast of an obstacle.  It was an incredibly steep climb up a hill.  I knew it was going to be ugly when we approached and they had ropes hanging down to assist with the climb.

When we completed the Mighty Spartan Sprint I was able to write about moments where we motivated others and brought Liz onto her team after her own team left her behind.  This race was different.  I was the one being motivated.  A woman was struggling along so I decided to spark up a conversation with whatever breath I had left.  She was here with her boot camp class.  She signed up for the mud hero weighing 240 lbs and she was racing at 190 lbs.  I was very proud of her.  As we moved on past her we came to yet other steep climb.  As I was swearing my way up the hill and thinking that it would be easier to quit I looked over to my right and watched a women who was in her 70's climbing right along side me.  Sure she probably even had to stop and take a break or two but she was doing it.  My girlfriend looked at me and said...we better still be doing these races when we get to that age.  I have to say she was very inspiring.  I stopped swearing, kicked it into another gear and made it to the top.

It doesn't matter to me how fast I finish these races.  What I focus on is the finish.  My team makes me proud as we finished as a team.  Trish, you could have left us in the dust.  Chris, the fact that you were willing to compete even with your calf and achilles in bad shape makes me love you even more.  It also makes me shake my head at you and call you crazy.  But I have known you were crazy ever since you married me.  And I am proud of myself.  It would have been easier to sit at home on the couch.  It would have been more thirst quenching to sit on a patio and drink slushy drinks.  But like my finisher medal says "The Best Part of The Race Doesn't Wash Away".

 I did this.  And no one can take the feeling of accomplishment away from me.

There is one last person who made my day.  As we were sitting in the beer gardens enjoying a burger and a beer (hey don't judge - we earned it) a lady gave my daughter a toberlone bar.  Delaney was fussy and not happy that she had to sit next to her muddy mother.  So to the soft spoken security guard who bought me enough time to scarf down my burger...Thank You!

To Melanie and Bailey - Good Luck Tomorrow!  Don't wear white!  Keep your mouth tightly closed in the last obstacle.  Laugh and have fun.

To the Event Organizers and Volunteers - Thank you!  Without you this event would not have the amazing energy that it has.  The Mud Hero reminds me that I am a work in progress.  It is a highlight of my summer.  And we will be registering for next year.

To everyone reading this and thinking...hey....why not spend $65 to abuse your body and get muddy...feel free to join me next year.  We are adding the Tough Mudder to the race card.

Have an absolutely beautiful day!

Much Love,

Lisa

What A Beautiful Day To Get MUDDY!!!!!!!!! AKA The Mud Hero

What would the mud hero be without a little mud?  Last year when my husband and I took part in the mud hero we felt it was lacking in mud.  The event planners hadn't planned on the heat wave and the sheer number of participants.  This year...they made up for it in spades.

What a difference a year makes.  Last year was completely unknown.  I was so full of nervous energy when we all piled into the corral last year.  It was hot, the music loud and the obstacles were somewhat unknown to me.  There were traffic jams coming into the venue.  They ran out of water which meant that the best way to clean up included a steep climb down a river bank and a quick plunge into the mountain river.  I remember feeling refreshed for all of 7 minutes until I realized that I had to climb back up the bank in order to go home.

This year traffic flowed relatively smoothly into the venue.  Race kits were quickly picked up.  We broke the rules by jumping into an earlier heat.  No sense in standing around for another hour waiting to race.  After all it is our timing chip that gets us a free beer...so we couldn't stand around enjoying a pre-race beverage.  We were happily in the back of the pack.  We had no interest in running the mud hero this year. Instead it was going to be a nice, leisurely stroll through a ski hill.  I fervently prayed that the chair lift would be running.  It wasn't.  What twisted individual decides to make the race on a ski hill?  Next year I am running it in Saskatchewan.  Surely the grounds will be flatter.

I loved the mud hero obstacles compared to the Spartan ones.  The obstacles were fun, not incredibly daunting and still made you feel like you accomplished them.  I think that my favorite obstacle was one of the last.  A giant bouncy slide.  I giggled the entire way down.  My second favorite obstacle was the water slide aka super slide.  Who wouldn't love a 12ft high winding water slide that delivers you directly into a 4ft deep pit of mud.  There was no staying clean on this obstacle.  I wasn't all that happy to see the spidey web back again this year.  It is about 20 feet of trail with bungee rope tied this way and that.  I never fail to get hung up as I am trying to make my way through it.  Hamburger Hill was another beast of an obstacle.  It was an incredibly steep climb up a hill.  I knew it was going to be ugly when we approached and they had ropes hanging down to assist with the climb.

When we completed the Mighty Spartan Sprint I was able to write about moments where we motivated others and brought Liz onto her team after her own team left her behind.  This race was different.  I was the one being motivated.  A woman was struggling along so I decided to spark up a conversation with whatever breath I had left.  She was here with her boot camp class.  She signed up for the mud hero weighing 240 lbs and she was racing at 190 lbs.  I was very proud of her.  As we moved on past her we came to yet other steep climb.  As I was swearing my way up the hill and thinking that it would be easier to quit I looked over to my right and watched a women who was in her 70's climbing right along side me.  Sure she probably even had to stop and take a break or two but she was doing it.  My girlfriend looked at me and said...we better still be doing these races when we get to that age.  I have to say she was very inspiring.  I stopped swearing, kicked it into another gear and made it to the top.

It doesn't matter to me how fast I finish these races.  What I focus on is the finish.  My team makes me proud as we finished as a team.  Trish, you could have left us in the dust.  Chris, the fact that you were willing to compete even with your calf and achilles in bad shape makes me love you even more.  It also makes me shake my head at you and call you crazy.  But I have known you were crazy ever since you married me.  And I am proud of myself.  It would have been easier to sit at home on the couch.  It would have been more thirst quenching to sit on a patio and drink slushy drinks.  But like my finisher medal says "The Best Part of The Race Doesn't Wash Away".

 I did this.  And no one can take the feeling of accomplishment away from me.

There is one last person who made my day.  As we were sitting in the beer gardens enjoying a burger and a beer (hey don't judge - we earned it) a lady gave my daughter a toberlone bar.  Delaney was fussy and not happy that she had to sit next to her muddy mother.  So to the soft spoken security guard who bought me enough time to scarf down my burger...Thank You!

To Melanie and Bailey - Good Luck Tomorrow!  Don't wear white!  Keep your mouth tightly closed in the last obstacle.  Laugh and have fun.

To the Event Organizers and Volunteers - Thank you!  Without you this event would not have the amazing energy that it has.  The Mud Hero reminds me that I am a work in progress.  It is a highlight of my summer.  And we will be registering for next year.

To everyone reading this and thinking...hey....why not spend $65 to abuse your body and get muddy...feel free to join me next year.  We are adding the Tough Mudder to the race card.

Have an absolutely beautiful day!

Much Love,

Lisa

I Used To Be Bound But Now I Am Free....

I absolutely love how life comes together.  As I have mentioned in several posts I am taking part in a 30 Day Bravery Challenge.  I have been quite lax in completing the exercises because I was partaking in a slo pitch tournament and I was too impaired and distracted to be able to focus.  Not to mention that there was never a quiet moment to string two thoughts together.

So tonight I sat down to follow through on the exercises.  One of the challenges asked us to comprise a list of five things that we have overcame in our life.  We were to choose one and journal about how it is that we felt when we were in it and also how it felt when we rose above it.

I was able to come up with five challenges that I was able to overcome in a matter of seconds.  The hard part was to chose one to journal about.  In the end I chose the experience of when I was sexually assaulted by an authority figure.  I have mentioned it briefly in a previous blog post.  And the exact event details do not need to be discussed here.  The events that followed are the ones that needed to be overcome.

I am not certain if you can relate to my story.  This event happened in a small community.  In a community that was so close knit I was the new kid because I did not attend kindergarten in that school.  The event occurred in Junior High.  A young girl accusing a school principal of something of that nature rocked the community.  Everyone instantly had an opinion and very few opinions were forged on facts.  My life and the life of my family was turned upside down.  When I returned to school the day after the incident I was filled with trepidation.  I had hoped that no one had found out.  That life would somehow be normal.  Instead what I met was a bunch of angry junior high students who were not mature enough to form their own opinions.  They were only able to repeat the opinions of their parents.  These opinions were steeped in fear and an unwillingness to believe that a principal could ever do such a thing.  Rather than consider it being a possibility it was easier just to slander a young adolescent.  I went from being a tall, skinny, awkward tomboy to a slut and a liar.  Everyone felt it was their right and obligation to tell me that.  Even the teachers were cold and unwilling to step in and stop the running commentary.  The comments only gained more fuel as time went on and we inched closer to the trial date. At the end of the day the courts determined that I was indeed telling the truth.  This did nothing to repair my reputation.  Since I was still considered a leper in the community my parents thought it was best to allow me to complete high school in a different school district in an entirely different town.

It wasn't until I sat down to complete this exercise that I realized that I continued to be a victim of this situation for many, many years after it was over.  My confidence and belief in myself was bruised and battered.  I lived my life based on the opinions of others regardless if they were supported by facts.  I acted out and attempted to live up to whatever label society decided to place on me.  There were times that I didn't see fit to respect myself just because others wouldn't.  It took years for me to realize that I first need to respect myself and then others would in turn respect me.  The way I felt in that moment and in the years that followed is not anything that I would like to feel again.  I can however, say that as I reflect back on the place I was in then and I compare it to where I am now...I have certainly rose above that challenge from many years ago.  And realizing that I have rose above that feels fantastic.  And even though that experience was a painful one, I am grateful for it.  It has brought me to where I am today.  And today - I am Beautiful, Courageous, Strong, Loved, Loving, Lovable and Worthy.

I used to be bound...But now I am FREE!  Free To Be Me!

Tomorrow I will post an article that I submitted to a magazine.  As I reread the article that I wrote a few months ago I realize that it was this event inspired the article.

Do you have any challenging experiences that you have lived through?  I am sure you do.  We all do.  Spend some time reflecting on how you felt in the moment.  And then think of how you felt when you rose above the challenge.  Remember all of the strength and courage that you need to face the challenges in your life already lives within you.  You only need to give it permission to be set free.

I wish you a day as beautiful as you!

Much Love,

Lisa

Happy Birthday To The Love Of My Life!

Today is a big day.  It is the Love of my Life's 40th Birthday.  For the purpose of this blog I shall refer to him by the name of C.

C was born July 31, 1973.  His loving parents figured that he was such a blessing in their lives that they decided to stop there and not have any more children after that.  One thing that I know for certain is that when people say that only children are "spoiled" I would vehemently disagree.  I would like to think of them as saturated.  Children are sponges.  So they absorb everything around them.  Only children absorb a huge amount of love, caring and kindness.  It saturated his every cell and now it continuously pours out to all who are around him.  I can only wish that for our Daughter.










My Dearest C,

Today is your 40th birthday.  Here we are celebrating another milestone together.  May this trend continue on for many, many more years.  As I would like to build a tradition of the birthday letter, here is mine to you.  I bet you are happy that I kept it private and only posted it on my blog.

My entire life changed on April 18th, 2009. I remember being so excited to meet you.  Waiting at the door for you to pick me up for our first lunch date.  Little did I know that I would be waiting for you for many, many years to come.  I am sure glad that you are worth the wait.  I like to believe that one of the reasons you were brought into my life was to show me patience and to teach me to slow down and smell the roses.  That first lunch date was amazing.  I will be forever indebted to Bobbi for introducing us.

You have brought so many good things into my life.  It is improbable that I would be able to put them all into a single birthday letter.  Good thing that I will have many more birthdays to share with you.

You are kind.  So incredibly kind.  And I am so glad that this trait has started rubbing off on me.  You show that kindness to perfect strangers, to your family, and essentially all living things.  You even catch and release flies and bugs that come into the house.

You are incredibly thoughtful.  You think about the details and you make everyone feel at ease.  You take those extra steps to transcend things from ordinary to extraordinary.

You are a pillar of strength and support.  Even when we were first barely dating you refused to let me be unhappy.  Urged me to "do whatever makes me happy."  Even when that ended up meaning you were stuck paying the bills.  LOL.  Truth be told you still do.  I promise that will change one day soon, very soon.

You are an amazing Husband and Father.  I couldn't even begin to put into words how grateful I am to have you in my life.  I cannot wait until you take steps to further your journey.  To really spend time creating and cultivating your dream.  I know that what ever dream you choose to chase will be wonderful.  And it will be a blessing that will reach countless people.  I hope you don't take too long to figure it out as it seems almost selfish for me to keep you all to myself.

I love you.  To the Moons of Jupiter and Back.  May your 40th year be filled with love, laughter, health and wealth.  May the sun always shine upon your face.  May we spend many, many more years together.

All my Love,
Your Adoring Wife,
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

The Beauty of the Rose

The war of the roses.  Lately I have heard lots of talk regarding race and highlighting our differences.  I have heard cruel things spoken about another and people pointing out the "ugliness" of others.  I am not debating whether or not racism exists today or not.  

What I would like to do is highlight how we are all different and yet one in the same.  There are many different races that exist on this planet and yet we are all part of the same species.

Let us look at roses.  There are many different species of roses but they all belong to the family of plants called Rosaceae.  Roses come in many different colors. Pinks, whites, reds, purples, yellows, oranges, multi colored.  Some hold their petals tight together when they bloom.  Others open wide. Each rose speaks its own language (love, peace, friendship, sympathy).  Some have sharper thorns than others. Some live longer than others.  But the one thing that all roses have in common is their beauty.  Each rose looks different but all are beautiful. 

Why is it that we as humans feel the need to look at the ugliness in others?  What would happen if we all looked at each other and searched for the beauty in ourselves and others?  What would that world look like? 

 When we speak unkindly to others or about others it is because we are uncomfortable with something within ourselves.  My wish for us is that we begin each day and each interaction on a quest for beauty.  Look for the beauty in everyone you meet today.  Start first with yourself and then spread that love and light to others.

Here is a quote I have collected along the way.  I am sorry that I do not know the author.  "Our days are happier when we give people a piece of our heart rather than a piece of our minds."

"Strong people don't put others down...they lift them up!"
 Michael P. Watson.

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." Audrey Hepburn

Wishing you a day as beautiful as you are for you are beautiful, deserving, worthy and loved.

Much Love,

Lisa

Today I am Grateful For....

Everything.

I have been working on developing routines so that I may become consistent in my work.  I am certain I have blogged about how you need consistency to be successful.  What you do daily determines what your future successes will look like...etc.  Anyway, I have been looking at things to add to my routine.  Something that I struggle with and I have been improving on this over the last few weeks.

There are a few things that I have done that I find are making a huge difference.  One...I signed up for the #31dbc...a challenge that I will post on my blog every day for the entire month of July.  And so far I am on Day 21.  I am counting this as a win.  Some posts are better than others...but every day there is a post.  The other thing that I started doing was a suggestion of this challenge.  And that was to write 750 words every day.  To help you get your creative juices flowing, to rid yourself of blockages, etc.  Lesa Townsend directed us to www.750words.com and I have been working at writing there.  I have missed two days this month.  I could make excuses but truth of the matter is that I didn't make it a priority.  So I didn't do it.  Shocking how that happens.  Some days when I am trying to write my 750 words I am impatient, it is uncomfortable and I get irritated.  And other days it flows from my fingertips.  What I have now started to do is to go to www.HealyourLife.com.  I read the daily positive affirmations and then I write what each of them stirs up inside of me.  Some days I just write them over and over again.  But I still write my words.  This has become my meditation.  It is a means of catharsis for me.  And for this I am incredibly grateful.

These days I am so grateful.  I am grateful for my life.  I love my life.  And I am grateful for all of the people in it.  And all of the lessons those people bring into my life. I am grateful for the #31dbc because I believe that it has changed my life and it has put me in touch with so many inspiring individuals.  And I am grateful for www.750words.com because it has given me a new way to practice meditation.  I am grateful for all of you who read my blog.  And for those of you that take the time to comment on it.

For all of you who have crossed my path and to all of you who I will cross paths with in the future....Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Sending you much Love and Many Blessings,

Lisa

TIMEOUT

Do you ever find yourself questioning what is going on in your life?  Do you ever feel like you are the only one in the world who is feeling the way you are feeling right in this moment?  

Sometimes we get overwhelmed by a situation. Sometimes we sink into a state of despair.  Sometimes we find ourselves in the role of a victim. Sometimes life feels unfair. Unbearable. Sometimes we feel we just need a timeout.  

You are not alone. There are others in the world feeling exactly as you do now. How can I be sure of that? Well we are all of the human race. So it is a race issue. And all of us are connected. So right now at this very moment someone is feeling just as you do. Do not be afraid. Know that you have all the answers that you need right within you. You just need to listen closely to what you are saying and act on them. 

Try this for just a minute or thirty.  Breathe deep. In for four counts, hold for two counts, out for six. Again in for five counts, hold for two counts, out for seven. Repeat as often as necessary. Breathe deep into your belly. Feel good about it. Send love and light to yourself. First to all of your body and then to the areas where you feel pressure or pain. Where you can feeling the tightness of anxiety and fear. Just imagine this nice pink color traveling there. The pink brings with it healing and warmth. That's it. Just keep doing that.

 It feels good doesn't it. Tell yourself, you are exactly where you are and where you are right now in this very moment is where you need to be. You have spent your entire life getting here and this is where you are meant to be. Everything you need lies within you. All is perfect. All is well. It all works out the way it should. Benefiting your greatest good. I promise this to be true as it is the same for all of us. It is our divine birthright. You are loved, you are safe. You are beautiful, you are smart, you are kind, caring and compassionate. You are worthy and deserving. You are loved, lovable and loving. The love and energy of the Universe flows through you and within you. Take another deep breath. Inhale while counting to four exhale while counting to six. Inhale while counting to five exhale while counting to seven. You are safe. You are loved. All is perfect. All is well. All is perfect. All is well. Ahhhhhhhhh.

Sometimes we need to take a time out.  A moment of kindness to ourselves. Share this reminder with others.  Be kind. Be loving. Extend that to your treatment of yourself.

Have a day as beautiful as you are.

Much Love,

Lisa

What Did You Love? And What Did You Learn?

I know that I have blogged about this before but I can't help it.  I am going to write about it yet again.

In May my Husband and I were super blessed to be in the audience of John C. Maxwell.  He spoke about many things and if you have read my blog more than twice you will realize that I am a huge fan of his.  I love what he has to say on many topics.  One thing that he said that I often reflect on is:

What did you Love? And what did you learn?

He asks this question of his children and grandchildren after they have spent a day together.  I found that this has really stuck with me.  I like to reflect on my day and ask myself those questions.

What did I Love?

What did I learn?

How will I apply the lessons?

I have started keeping a word document that I can keep all of these lessons in.  So that I can look back and reflect on such things.  It also gives me a good sense of whether or not I made good use of my day.  Am I grasping the lessons that are laid out before me?  Did I take the steps to make a difference in not only my life and that of my family but the lives of others?

Each day I strive to make an impact.  Each day I hope that the ripple grows wider and reaches more people. That is my goal each morning when I wake up.  To actively make use of my talents, skills and blessings.  To live my purpose or at least journey closer to further defining my purpose.  And I have noticed that since I have been getting intentional about doing this.  And (more) consistent about doing this.  It is paying off.

What is it that you do in the morning?  What are your first thoughts before your eyes even begin to open? Are they ones of love and kindness?  Are you thinking about your day and how you can grow and help others to grow?  Or are you smashing down on the snooze button, pulling your blanket over your head and burying your face in the pillow for another nine minutes of rest? Do you welcome the potential of the day?  Or drag your feet unwillingly into the morning?

I am blessed with being a morning person.  One of those incredibly energetic and enthusiastic (aka annoying) people.  Watching me in the morning is like watching a puppy greet you with enthusiasm after you have been gone all day or even just five minutes.  I love my mornings.  My husband on the other hand, is a snooze slapper.  He would hit snooze for hours if he could.  And I actually feel bad for him when he does crawl out of bed because I am there bursting with energy.  It must be like how Beastly and Dark Heart feel when they are trapped in the rainbow of the care bear stare.  LOL.

As you go about your day look for the lessons.  In all that you do ask yourself...what did I love about this experience?  And what did I learn?  How will you apply those lessons to your life?  Some of the answers may not seem like they are life changers but it all adds up.

I wish you a day as Beautiful as you.

Much Love,

Lisa

Lead Life Joyfully