Your Relationship with You

In life our most important relationship is with our Self. We spend a good amount of time trying to build our relationships with others, whether it be life partners, children, parents, peers, or even co-workers. But, how much time do we intentionally devote to our relationship with our Self? When was the last time you purposefully sought this time out?

You tell others that you love them. You tell others that they matter. You tell others that you understand their pain, their suffering, or their fears. You tell others that you appreciate them. You tell others that you want to get to know them better, to discover what makes them tick. You tell others to take care of themselves, to go gently, to rest up or to take a deep breath. You tell others to celebrate...that they deserve it. When was the last time you told your Self any of this?

When you begin to pay attention to your Self, you send a message to your soul that you matter. You send this message to others as well. You begin to pay attention to your needs and let go of expecting others to know what is best for you. You let go of the disappointment you feel when they are not aware that you are in need (as if they are mind readers). When you pay attention to your Self you begin to have compassion for your vulnerabilities and have awareness of your strengths. This opens doors for you to be present and fully conscious on your day to day process, instead of blindly moving through time, day after day, week after week, until you find you have lost sight of your vision and your passions.

Investing in your relationship with Self actually is the wisest action you can take. If you are ever at a loss in your life as to what you "should" do next, pause and ask your Self what it needs. Start there! Then the shift begins to happen.

For me when I feel stuck or unsure, if I take some time for Self care, sit with my Self and ask questions, listen closely to the answers without judging or rationalizing, my energy begins to flow again. Whatever was blocked has moved. Whatever was in need gets addressed. Whatever longed to be held gains the attention necessary and whatever asked to be released is gently let go. It never fails me!

As 2014 unfolds I plan to commit to my relationship with my Self. I am going to set up a date with my Self weekly, to tenderly love me, celebrate me, honor me, listen to me, encourage me, and support me. I know I am good at doing this with others; family, friends, clients, and peers. I look forward to my alone time together!

Blessings, Lisa

The Power of Dream Time

I use my dream time to help me solve problems, explore concepts, entertain ideas and get guidance from the wisdom that resides in the realms outside of my every day. Often during that time just before falling deeper into sleep, or just upon waking, but still lingering between the sheets of the dream world, I will begin my dream time journey. My mind is not awake enough to offer criticism, rationale or opinion. Perfect! I want this time to be able to reach far, explore deep, discover the unknown and uncover the possibilities.

As I recline in comfort and relaxation, I let my questions bubble up and my ideas flow. I open the door to the messages, metaphors and images that play like a vibrant movie on my dream time screen. Over time I have learned the patterns of my dreams. I have discovered the meaning of colors. I have recognized the significance of situations, items, and places that I may visit. I have heard the messages that come through from my guides. Not all of these "clues" come through with defined clarity. Sometimes I have to sit with them. Sometimes I have to follow the breadcrumbs through the days following to see their significance and understand their meaning

Dream time is now a part of my life tool kit. It fuels my creativity which I have grown to appreciate as a tremendous and potent source of energy, magic and beauty in my life. Dream time allows me a fresh perspective that does not always present itself in my logical moments. It has expanded my work that I bring to the world, it has added new dimensions to my relationships, it has empowered my self-beliefs and it has brightened my passions.

In a world that often likes to present itself with choices that are black or white, I cherish the brilliant colors that my dream time brings to my world. A shaman knows that energies hold great gifts and seeks them out to bridge the worlds, to build opportunities of healing and insight and to explore the beauty of the soul. I honor this energetic usefulness and how it serves me. I value the wisdom that trickles in and the expansive thinking it encourages in me. I listen closely, use my insight, trust my truth and sit with my soul's messages. Recognizing the value of dream time has brought dimension to my days from the energetic realms beyond.

Blessings, Lisa

The New You Evolution

It is the time of year when people put their focus and energies into a New Year's resolution. Admirable, yes. But often disappointing. We create the perfect set up for failure, dissatisfaction, disappointment and more. Yet, our intentions are always so filled with hope, eagerness and optimism.

How can you begin 2014 with a new you evolution instead of the old resolutions? What would the theme of your evolution be? This often brings about a positive impact into your life as opposed to creating a specific goal that has restrictions and limitations that feel as though you have to give up, sacrifice or go without. We feel expansive and open as opposed to feeling like we are being constrained or being forced to go without.

These types of evolutionary themes bring in a different type of energetic focus. Think about something you feel is lacking in your life, something you would like to change, expand, broaden, or become more positive about. It could be relationships, it could be mindfulness, it could be creativity, movement, nourishment and so on.

Now expand within these themes. Let's say I choose creativity. I sit down and think of ways working on my creativity could benefit my relationship with self and others, my living environment, my work, my spiritual practice, my body and more. I allow myself to explore all the possibilities and there are so many. I leave room for the magic and miracles that this positive energy will surely generate. I invite others into the wonderful gift I am bringing into my life.

Notice that there suddenly is an energetic shift to this focus. Not once have I looked at what I must go without. When we approach our evolution this way, letting go of what is not good for us, no longer serves us or creates blockages for us is easier because we want the fresh space, the room, the abundance of time and energies to make room for the aspects that will fuel our evolution! We find ourselves excited over this new focus.

With the embracing of a New You Evolutionary theme you will find that your body, mind and soul will resonate. You will find ideas bubbling up of what you want and need. Your body will be charged with the changes. Your mind will explore the adventure you are taking it on. And your soul will delight on the possibilities you are creating, inviting even more to the journey day by day as you discover the new true you rising forward.

Happy New You, Lisa

The Importance of Gifting Free Time

Let's face it, life is often incredibly busy. Our 'to do" list is quite long, complicated and exhausting. And it feels like almost everyday something unexpected gets added to it. We are scheduled in from the moment our eyes open until we drag our tired body off to bed at night. Often, we become so accustomed to this way of being that we forget the beauty and necessity of free time.

But is this really the life we want to be living? There was a recent study done, not a terribly scientific one, but certainly real, in which a hospice nurse reported on the many things that people said as they faced their last days. The common thread was that they wish they had made more time....more time for family, for play, for relaxation, for themselves.

In the end I doubt I will be reflecting with great pride on how much of my "to do" list in life I accomplished. In the end I doubt others will remember how great I managed my hectic schedule. No, but they will instead remember the camping trips, the long walks, the belly laughter, the shedding of shared tears and the holding of hands. In the end I will take with me and also leave behind some of the love and beauty that was generated in these moments.

It is in these moments of free time that we find the glitter of our life. We find our soul reaches out and embraces these moments with intensity and makes certain that we walk away with a full heart and a beautiful memory. Gifts of free time can be of solitude so that we can simply be and discover who we are, what our passions are and what lights the sparks within us. Gifts of free time can be shared with others, but don't need to be scheduled and orchestrated. Instead, surrender to the spontaneity and delight in the wonder of the magic that happens.

Blessings, Lisa