Meaning To Our Life

There are many people, events and things that bring meaning to our life. Our family and friends, major life events such as a birth or an accomplishment, or our jobs or hobbies; all these and more can contribute to the richness, the fullness and the wondrous beauty of our life.

We also can add to the meaning of our life. We have choices, we can take action, and we can dream. If we feel our life is lacking meaning or we are disappointed with the way things are it is then the perfect time to become proactive! We have a right to enjoy our journey. So how do we do this?

I start by recognizing my skills, gifts, passions and offerings that I bring to the world. Often within these I begin to see a purpose and a beauty unfold. It is part of the mystery of my life. It brings vibrancy and flow to my energies. It is there that I find my power to change.

Our life story is not beyond our control. We contribute to it every day. We can alter it as often as we would like. We can shake it up, turn it about, remove from it, add to it and even create pause in it. When we realize this, we become the power within our life-role. We take the lead role of our story and live it fully. We can become the heroine, the mystery maker, the director, and even the shifter. It is our story to create in.

The next time life feels lacking in meaning or needs a major shake up, turn inward and see what role you are ready to take on. Explore your passions, your creative juices, and your amazing talents. Find what is ready to be birthed. See what wants to step forward. Play with the possibilities. Explore your options. Take hold of story line and run with it, dance with it and allow it to flow with your energies of passion and hope!

Blessings, Lisa

When She Looks At Me

When she looks at me, I feel witnessed. I see her searching my face for the tell tale signs of all I have been through. It has been quite a lifetime, that I cannot deny. There has been some of the most amazingly beautiful experiences any woman could hope to have! She traces the smile lines besides my mouth. There have been births of children who bring to this world their wondrous offerings and individual beauty. There has been passionate love from a life partner who delights, challenges and cares. There has been opportunities to hold tenderly the souls suffering in indescribable pain. There has been laughter that shakes the belly and brings tears to the eyes.

She smooths the furrow in my brow. There has been suffering, some shared and some kept hidden in the recesses of my being; the pain to harsh to be rehashed and so I choose to let the demons lie. There has been the witnessing of life's losses and unfairness, the things one walks away from unable to understand and taking time to shake off.

As she traces the crows feet at the corners of my eyes she listens to my stories of delight as I share the humorous stories that created the laughter in a full family of seven; times spent at the shore, family game night or summer barbeques.

Her hand reaches to the back of my neck and slowly releases the stress held there by the muscles. My body exhales with relief. Time spent writing, listening, journeying, coaching; leaning into the hearts of those who come to me for support or guidance leaves its reminder. Often the tension lingers in my body and I need to cleanse and release in order to move on.

She understands these markings and holdings of my body. She knows that they add to the depth of my beauty. She appreciates that what I often fail to see upon first glance comes with time as I embrace the deeper meaning of my essence. My body is honored by her. My body is cherished with her touch. My soul feels the softness, my heart the compassion and love. I look deeper into her eyes and smile, she responds in kind. Together, she and I, know that with each moment that is lived fully, this body of mine will embrace yet another sign, another line, another smile, another shadow or dimple or crease...the beautiful recognition of a life lived fully. And I turn slowly, still smiling, away from the mirror.

Blessings, Lisa

Honor Your Body Temple

How do you honor your body? Do you treat it like the temple that it is? Do you appreciate its curves, its power, its softness, its flexibility or its vulnerabilty? Do you compare it and contrast it against other bodies? Do you cherish its uniqueness and how it serves you?

Bodies come in all shapes and sizes and yet we hold to a standard set by society that only a small percentage can fit within. What does that mean to the rest of the bodies? That they fall short, have less value, should not be loved, or appreciated? Hardly!

Each body is a temple! Your body longs to share its gifts with you. The better your relationship with your body, the better the conversation! Every day messages are shared by your body ... are you listening? It will tell you what it needs. It will celebrate with you. It will challenge you. It will offer encouragement. It will state when it needs rest, fuel, movement, or a change. The better you develop your listening skills with your body, the better you will be able to honor it for all it offers you.

In our busy lives we often put our bodies last. Work, commitments, children, partners, and more comes first. Yet, it is undeniable that the better we tend to our own needs the better we can serve others. An important fact not meant to be ignored.

Your body is a sacred gift to be honored and valued in this lifetime. The more you take it for granted, the more likely you will miss important messages. The more you abuse it, the more likely it will suffer. And the more you understand it, accept it, adore it, the more likely you will find it helps you feel powerful, shine brightly, serve others better and live healthier.

Oh, the conversation about loving our bodies has been shared around the world. But the biggest piece of this whole conversation is how to stop the madness that serves as the bookends around this discussion. This madness is created by industries that want you to feel you will never be good enough, thin enough, curvy enough, busty enough, blonde enough, young enough...because you won't by their standards! None of us will. It is time to remove these voices and images from our conversation and begin honoring our body temple. They are only there to make their money and to suck you into the black hole of dissatisfaction, dishonor and comparison of your body. Instead, let's discuss how we can share a conversation about how we can celebrate our bodies, see the beauty of each other, how to empower with our words, images and thoughts, how we can see the beauty in ALL bodies. Regardless of our shape, our size, our measurement, our number on the label or the scale...regardless of our cup size, our hair color, the shape of our eyes, the length of our nails....regardless of all this and more let's have the conversation that will exclude no one from recognizing that they are beautiful in every way that they are!

To take part in this conversation join Robin Rice and I as we challenge the standards, initiate these types of discussions, celebrate all bodies and honor the body temple at the Awesome Woman Hub in a year of Celebrating Women & The Body Beautiful.

Blessings, Lisa

Do You Know Your Greatness?

We often are able to see others' greatness. It is something we admire, desire, or respect. Greatness is what sets someone apart, makes them special or unique. It can be a strength, a talent, a calling or a passion. Often someone's greatness is something that makes them shine. They have taken a dream or a vision or a goal and have brought it into being.

We all have our greatness. We sometimes do not acknowledge it in ourselves, though. Greatness often awakens or touches something in others. It stirs their soul. It inspires their thoughts. It moves their energies. To recognize your greatness think of the ways that you touch others. Think of the times that your family or friends have commented on something you do that seems to come naturally to you, or something that you are passionate about and feel enormously committed to. This will help lead you to understanding your greatness.

We are all greatness. It is bestowed upon us from the very beginning. How we tap into it, breathe life into it, share it, celebrate it and honor it is our choice. The beauty of our greatness is that the more we share it, the more it ignites the greatness in others...it encourages the best in them and they begin to shine. Embracing our greatness opens our eyes to seeing others' greatness. It jumps out at us.

All of humanity has the potential to embody their greatness. It becomes a choice. Especially once you understand that you ARE greatness. It is a part of you waiting to be honored, recognized, valued and shared. Being your greatness sometimes takes courage, patience or change. But that is often exactly what it inspires in others. Greatness begets greatness. Be a part of the beautiful unfolding.

Blessings, Lisa