Speaking Your Truth

How do you speak your truth when someone differs from you? I faced this challenge recently. Let me first begin with this important fact, what I believe is true, what I know is true, right now and here … is my truth, but being a evolving human, I have to leave room for the possibility that it is not the universal truth of my whole being. That said how do you stay open to possibilities while holding on to what you see as your truth? It is a challenge. It is often uncomfortable. We, most of us anyway, do not enjoy conflict or disagreement. We don’t enjoy drawing negative attention to ourselves. And if we are disagreeing with someone who we respect and is respected by others, what does this say about us, to the relationship and the truth? How can we remain present in the moment?

In my recent differing of opinion, I felt as though the facts were not quite correct and I needed to clarify. Even later in my clarification, there was an attachment by the other person to an interpretation that was not authentic to me. I held fast, all the while honoring the fact that I will go back and revisit the moment and see if perhaps I am not viewing things and recalling my feelings and facts accurately.

This does not happen to me often. But when it does, I learn a new lesson every time. People can be wrong. I can be wrong. And that is all it is. No drama or hurt feelings. No power struggle. No resentment. My respect remains the same or even grows. This person has entered my life for many obvious reasons and quite possibly many I am not yet aware of and may never be.

Unfortunately, there are those times when regardless of how authentic and clean you attempt to be, others will not respect your truth. They are not willing to let go of their need to be right. They are in struggle and process for themselves. But there are those times when there is little else to say, no point to be made, no struggle to be had…your truth is just not being respected and in congruence to that, neither are you. You then can choose where to go with this relationship. For me, if there is an ongoing pattern of this lack of respect…I move on. I learn my lesson and remain in integrity, never wishing ill will or holding negative emotions towards this person, but I do remove myself from the drama and toxicity of the relationship.

I will sit with this. I will go deeper with it and ask myself questions that peel back layers for me. It is work I have spent a lifetime doing. I owe it to myself, I owe it to this relationship, I owe it to my future work and I know no other way. I have grown comfortable with this process…even when it is hard or confusing. In the end I receive clarity and insight. And that is hugely important to me.

So, I continue to speak my truth, even in disagreement. I continue to honor the path sharers, teachers, leaders, and wise souls in my life. I continue to ask them to challenge me, to ask me the tough questions and to push me when I need a push. All is well. We are always each other’s teacher. And in this case I am the most fortunate student, I learn and grow, no matter what the outcome!

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

Opportunities For Change

I think I have always had a soul that asked questions. I like to put the pieces of my life together like a beautiful puzzle and look at how they were unique to me, what they mean in regards to my purpose in life and how I live. My spirituality matches this fact. I have looked at the way Spirit resonates within me. I have released old wounds and patterns. I have embraced traditions, awakenings and lessons. I have shape shifted into who I am today, morphing and merging into what feels comfortable for me, while still allowing room for me to stretch, grow, and rest. Learning to live consciously and in the moment does not mean that life does not stir things up within me like a brisk autumn breeze from time to time; old memories, thoughts and feelings reeling and swirling about. I have learned to be present, not to create story around these questions and theories and with time they settle themselves down, quietly into a stillness that life affords us if we wait for it. I have learned to not need to be reactionary in every moment. Instead peace and calm sit beside me and it is a place that feels true to my soul and supportive to my whole being.

As big as our world feels we are really walking our paths together. When you suffer, I feel it, on some level. When there is war or hardship across the seas, my spirit aches for the unknown and the loss that is resulting from the violence and brutality. I do not pretend that my soul does not pick up on the reverberating energies of suffering that are in the lives of so many. Likewise, I am blessed daily with the celebrations of life, the opportunities of abundance and the goodness that lives in so many hearts.

So how do I bring my spiritual connection out and put it on the table to become effective and powerful? How do I put it to use for the good of all, not just myself? If we are truly all connected, every breath I take, every thought I hold, every blessing I cherish matters.

I cannot sit by, day by day, without leaning in and getting my hands dirty. I cannot help but feel stronger and more whole as I bring all of my self to the day. I bring my conscious living, I call forth healing energies, I send supportive prayers of compassion and kindness, I put action to my words, and I listen closely to what the world needs. I cannot live any other way. If I don’t do this, what is living? If I do not participate fully, what part of me is showing up? If not today…then when?

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

Are You A Sponge?

How do you do when you are around others who are holding negative emotions and waving them around like a flag? Do you become a sponge and quickly pick up those emotions and have them rule your day? Or do you have ways of fending them off? I learned early on that people’s energy can have huge impact on our energy levels and our presence, if we allow it. It is important to be aware of how you respond to other’s emotions, feelings and energies.

The first place that I start is by asking myself some simple questions. Questions like: is this feeling mine or someone else’s and if it is mine what is causing it? If it is not mine, who or what is the source? It could be your angry aunt sitting in the car with you fuming about the traffic. Or it could be the movie you just watched at the theater with a particularly violent scene that you have not yet processed yet.

If it is at all possible try distancing yourself from the source, particularly if it is a person. Try leaving the room, entering a new conversation with a different group of people, or changing your seat. Obviously, you do not want to be offensive, but you certainly can get creative!

Try taking a deep breath and grounding yourself. It actually helps. It provides you with a pause before you react in action or words. It also connects you to your authentic self. I actually do a breathing technique of inhaling in peace and calming energies and exhaling any of the negative energies, whether it be anger, frustration, or judgment. It really helps.

A very powerful way of fending off the negative energies of others is to shield yourself. Do what works for you. For some it is surrounding themselves with a white light, others put themselves within an impenetrable bubble of positive energy, others don a cloak of protection. You want to view this as a buffer between you and the negativity. You have control of this shield and it empowers you and protects you as well.

Being mindful is really the most important part of this. Knowing that you are susceptible to other’s energies and making sure you only take on what you want or need is important. Keeping yourself in check with what is yours and what is others helps you support a healthy balance with the energies that cross your path daily.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

Checking In With Self

There is a belief among many people that we act as mirrors for one another. Sitting in sacred circle we often find ourselves sitting directly across from someone whom Spirit has placed there for us to witness, honor, celebrate, and reflect upon. What happens to you when you cross paths with someone who "pushes your buttons"? Do you question what is happening and why or do you simply react? This type of situation is an opportunity from Spirit, the gift of a lesson, a chance to look inward and learn more about Self. We are learning to walk through life with intention, recognizing when Spirit is at work in our lives, (when is It not?!) pausing to reflect, to process, and to look within.

As evolving beings of Spirit we have a responsibility to be accountable to our selves. When we have a strong reaction to someone in our life, whether it be negative, positive or simply provoking in some way, we are being gifted with a lesson about Self, about who we are and who we wish to be.

Take the time to look at what this person triggers in you. What is your reaction? Is it an attribute that you personally own as well? Be completely honest. Try to recall times when you have exhibited this attribute and with whom. What were the results? How did you feel about being that way? Was it empowering, embarrassing, harmful, constructive, negative or positive? If it is a trait that you do not have? Explore why. Is it something you feel weak in? Something that was not every made available or modeled to you? Is it a trait that feels entirely foreign and unattainable? What is it about this trait that you admire and how could it serve you?

All this introspection into Self helps you find balance. It helps bring into alignment what you long for, what you have the ability to become and what you need to release. It is important that we do this practice . It helps us become stronger in so many ways. It offers us insight into unconscious patterns we may be falling into. It teaches us about our weaknesses and strengths. It is important that we take a truthful assessment of ourselves and hold ourselves accountable if we wish to grow and become our best Self—the one that is connected to Spirit. No one else can or should do this for us. If someone in your life is attempting to hold you accountable to their review of you, it is their baggage and you should take control of this opportunity and ownership of your power over reviewing and accessing your own life. Asking for feedback must be done with full consciousness of your ability to receive information in a spirit of gratitude and your observation that the person you ask is committed to doing this kind of work and has valid experience to share. So, be careful of who you ask!

So, the next time you notice an energetic shift occurring within you that is being prompted by an interaction with someone, pause, reflect, question, process. Then receive this amazing gift of power to learn more about yourself and fully embrace it!