Be Who You Are and Be Great At It

Today Chris, Delaney and I went to the local pool with two of our friends.  While we were there we noticed a walker parked at the waters edge.  This is not something that I was expecting to see at the pool.  Granted...it has been YEARS since I went to a public swimming pool during public swim hours.  I spent a moment scanning the water to see who the owner of the walker was.  No one stood out to me.  As I joined my family and friends in the water I found myself floating next to a couple who were obviously in enjoying their time together.  She had her arms wrapped around his neck and they were laughing and enjoying one another's company.  When the buzzer sounded signalling that the waves were about to begin the man scooped the woman up and carried her to the waters edge.  It was only then that the owner of the walker became apparent.  He placed her gently next to the walker and they made their way to the whirlpool.

This reminded me that we are the ones that limit ourselves.  The woman at the pool could have let her obvious physical disability stop her from doing many things in life.  She could spend her days sitting at home feeling sorry for herself but instead...she is at a public pool rocking a bikini and leading a joyful life with a man she adores.  Would you be doing the same if you were here?

What areas in your life are you limiting yourself?  What can you do better?  How could you lead your life rather than just living it?  I need to take some time to answer these questions and then I will be sure to share the answers.

In the meantime...
Lead Life Joyfully

Much Love,
Lisa

The First Of My Five Truths

Today I would like to share with you the first of five truths that guide me along my journey.  My husband - the Saint that he is - affectionately coins them "Lisa-isms".  These truths are very personal to me.  And when you read them...they may not resonate with you as being congruent to your truth.  That is perfectly okay.  The blog post is titled my five truths...not your five truths.  I do however, encourage you to share your truths with me.




Let's Get Started!

Truth #1

You Cannot Change What You Will Not Acknowledge

Dr. Phil McGraw once said "if you are unwilling to acknowledge a thought, circumstance, problem, condition, behavior or emotion - if you won't take ownership of your role in a situation - then you cannot change it".

I do agree with what he has to say to a certain degree.  However, if you will not acknowledge a certain area of your life you are incapable of changing it.  It is not a matter of it you CAN change it....it is a matter of if you WILL change it.

In my life I had to realize that what I was doing was not what I wanted.  I also had to take responsibility for me being in the position I was finding myself in.  This may sound simple enough as you read this blog however, we as humans like to find ways to blame others for our circumstance.

For example:
I am late because of other people driving too slow - even though in reality I may have hit snooze, poured another coffee, stood in the shower too long or watched the morning news for nine minutes longer than I should have.

I'm grouchy because someone was grouchy and rude to me.  That means that I have full rights to be grouchy and rude to each and every individual who crosses my path today.

I pulled into a fast food drive thru window for a myriad of different reasons.  I was running behind, food takes too long to prepare, healthy food costs more to purchase than fast food.

In reality we are the reason we are late, we are the reason we are grouchy.
We could have made different choices BUT - we didn't.

This can all change today!  We can decide to acknowledge what isn't working for us - we can say...
I am ready for something different.  Say it with me...I am ready for something different!
It may take some work and it will take some energy but the benefits that we will reap will be worth it.
That is my promise to you.

Think about the things in your life that you can change if you just exercised a little will power.
We can do this together.

Lead Life Joyfully

Much Love and Many Blessings,
Lisa

Heavy Brain Day

Have you ever had a day that you can describe in no other words than a heavy brain day?  Normally I would be certain to carefully and succinctly choose my words.  However, today is not one of those days.  Today is a day that I know that I am mailing it in.

I have celebrated some successes today, my client passed a test, my accountant and I came to a win/win agreement and another client benefited from a referral.  On the flip side...two clients were faced with a scenario I wish upon no one, not even my greatest enemy.  How is it that we can decide the fate of a loved one or anyone for that matter?  When faced with this scenario...we do so...but only when there is no other option available to us.  One agonizes over such a decision.  We consider the feelings of everyone involved and weigh how our actions will impact the lives of others.

Why is it that we don't do so when we are judging the lives of others?  Sure one instance literally defines life or death....but the other...can crush a dream, redirect a life choice and cause someone to second guess every choice they have made in life.  We judge others without a second thought.  That look, that stare, that sneer, that comment that is only somewhat under our breath, that rumor we perpetuate knowing there is no real substance to it...we are all guilty of this.  We do this under the pretense that no one will suffer from this.  And yet...in truth...we have all been affected by a judgement or a rumor.  Our life courses have been swayed.  Be mindful of how you judge another person.  Wayne Dyer once said "When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself."

Our words have power - use them to lift someone up.  Change the course of a life for the better.  Encourage someone to pursue their passion.  Compliment them.  Do this each and every day. The more of us who focus on this the bigger the change we see in those around us.

Lead Life Joyfully!

Much Love,

Lisa

Courageous Self Leadership

You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it. - Benjamin Mee - We Bought A Zoo

Have you ever had a moment consisting of 20 seconds of courage?  What did you find came of it?

I find that my life recently is filled with moments such as this.  I believe that everyone who comes across my path has done so for a reason.  I call upon those seconds of bravery every time I attempt to learn said reason.  It is often easier to turn my head and avert my eyes than to actually speak to people.  But I also find that it is also nowhere near as rewarding.  Whenever I am brave and step outside my comfort zone I find that these people teach me something, they touch my life, they present an opportunity for me to touch their life.

I often say to people...live life joyfully.  I would like to amend that statement...lead a joyful life.  Do not let life just happen.  Actively LEAD your life joyfully in a direction that you would like to go.  Practice courageous self leadership.  You can't expect to lead others if you are not actively leading your own life.

I will write more on this topic shortly but for now...Dare to be doing and Do something daring!

Lead a Joyful Life,

Much Love,
Lisa

Don't Let "Competition" Stop You

Recently I have been really wondering about whether or not I should make that leap and write a book.  Everyone and their dog seems to be an author these days.  Dogs are actually writing books...I kid you not.
A Dog's Life - Peter Mayle
The Art of Racing in the Rain - Garth Stein
A Dog's Purpose - W. Bruce Cameron
A Big Little Life - Trixie Koontz (Dog of Dean Koontz)

Enough about Dog Authors - You get the picture.

There are hundreds of millions of books written in the world.  Books have been written ever since we figured out how to put pen to paper or perhaps more accurately...chisel to stone.

Just because someone else has done it before you does not mean that you cannot do it.  There are books upon books have been written on the same topics even and yet people continue to write.  Last night a friend asked me...Do you ever lose faith in your coaching because so many other people are doing it?  My response to her was this...I have no competitors.  Only fellow aspirants.  We think of competition in a negative connotation.  We think that there is a limited amount of something and others may somehow rob us of what we are striving for.  When we adjust our mindset and look at them as fellow aspirants we are not coming from a negative place.  We are rising to challenge and bringing our best self with us.  We are showcasing our talents.

Think of it this way...we all choose a book for different reasons.  Some people like a flashy cover.  Some like hardcovers whereas others prefer paperback.  Some like a large print - others small.  I prefer to hold an actual book in my hand vs. an ebook reader.  Regardless we have probably all read books written on similar topics by different authors.  Each one of those authors brings their very own special touch to the topic.

The same goes for us.  We are each unique individuals blessed with a certain gift that only we possess. Our entire purpose for being on this planet is to let that gift show up in every situation we encounter. I will write my book knowing that the message I share will touch the people it is intended to touch and that message will resonate within them.  The only bad thing that can happen from me writing the book is that I don't risk writing it at all.

I urge you to take a chance.  Believe in yourself.  Ignore the voice of fear and do something that you know that you really want to do.  You are not alone.  You have all the strength, wisdom and power within yourself to reach greater heights than you have even imagined.

I wish you well on your journey.

Much love and many blessings,

Lisa

A Pillar Of Strength

About four weeks ago I learned that my cousin was in the hospital.  We were told she may lose her right leg due to blood clots blocking the arteries.  Twice she had surgery to remove the offending clots. The pain was nearly unbearable.  It was out of control and off the charts.  And still she was able to handle it with grace.  When asked if she wanted the leg amputated to ease the pain....she chose to keep the leg.  Each and every time I visited she spoke of every positive thing that this experience brought into her life.  Her Daughters were able to get to know their Aunt, Uncle and Cousins better.  She was able to relate to her parents even better than she already did.  She spent quality time with her brother and sister.  She spent time connecting with myself and my brother.  She got in touch with herself.  Her true self.  She opened her mind and her heart to all that surrounded her.  And she did so with Grace and with Gratitude.  She was thankful for each and everything that anyone did to show their support.

I ask you this...if faced with that same circumstance...would you be able or even willing to do the same?

We can choose how we think.  We have power over our thoughts.  And thoughts are more powerful than we ever give them credit for. If you maintain an attitude of gratitude you can change your entire life.

When your eyes first open in the morning be thankful you lived to see another day. Be thankful for the roof over your head.  Get excited about all the wonder that the day may hold.  As you integrate this into your routine you will feel more energetic and enthusiastic and your life will change for the better.  And if you feel that you have too many things going on in your life and there is nothing good going on...remember people face difficult choices everyday and they are still able to be grateful.  The only difference between them and you is that they choose not to be a victim of circumstance.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.  It is about learning to dance in the rain. - Anonymous

Until next time...Think Good Thoughts and Do Great Things.

Live Fully and Joyfully,
Much Love,
Lisa

This Touched My Life

Today I went for lunch with a good girlfriend of mine.  We had decided that it would be fun to choose a different restaurant on 124 street each week.  This week we chose The Bothy Wine and Whiskey Bar.

The funny thing is...The Universe always has its own agenda.  The Bothy was closed.  So we went to the Glenora Bistro.  We sat down, perused the menu and thought...uhm...where is the wine menu.....we quickly left.  We ended up next door at the Cafe DeVille.  It was a little awkward as everyone turned and looked at my pink hair.  I could feel them judging me...and I wanted to scream....It is pink for charity.  I am doing this to support the Stollery, Ronald MacDonald House and the Make A Wish Foundation.  My discomfort grew as I sat there.  I couldn't really figure out why it was that we were there.  And then....something magical happened.  A man walked in with a woman on his arm.  She was shuffling her feet and wearing a toque and mittens despite the warm weather.  The mittens were pink for breast cancer.  The toque covered a bald chemo head.  That is when it hit me...I needed to hug this woman.  I needed to tell her that she was the definition of strength, courage and beauty.  When I approached their table, my heart was pounding.  Thankfully they were receptive.  She welcomed my hug.  And we shared some tears.  And her Dad cried too.  As my friend and I were leaving we felt that it would be awesome to pay their bill.  That $45 bought more than just their lunch...it taught me a lesson that will forever be with me...

YOU CAN TOUCH ANY LIFE THAT YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO REACH OUT TO!!!!!

From this day forward I will embrace this and I will remember that the Universe brings us exactly who we need.  We just need to reach out and embrace that fact.

Today...step outside of your comfort zone. Live life fully and joyfully!

Much Love Always,
Lisa