My Hot List

Ok, I will admit it. I am a list maker. It is part of my organizational skills. I rarely look at them once I write them. It is the act of writing them that keeps me focused and organized in my intentions and flow throughout the day. All I know is it works for me. Over time my lists have evolved. I decided I could use the power of the list making process to my benefit in more ways than simply remembering things to do or get. I began to develop what I now call my HOT list. This list is basically a "to do" list but with bigger intentions. This list contains things that REALLY matter to me and the life I am choosing to live, things that genuinely impact the quality of my life in the best ways possible, a list that is in alignment with my very soul.

Every day this list reminds me to be sure to dedicate time to focus on these things, some days it is only 15 - 30 minutes and other days it is a full day. Some days I write about these things, some days I put energies into their creation. Some days I plan what I need to do to manifest these things into my life, or what I need to release to make room for them.

I once read a quote by S. Covey, "You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage -- pleasantly, smilingly, unapologetically -- to say 'no' to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger 'yes' burning inside." I changed the word "priorities" to possibilities. That felt even truer to me. It is a quote I live by.

I have learned the value of my numerous lists in life. Whether they bring organization or possibilities, it is a win/win for me. I have also learned that my HOT list, really is just that. It is filled with my fiery passions, it holds burning embers and keeps sparks alive. This list has taught me that to get the life I want to live, to have the experiences, the relationships, the challenges, the possibilities...I have to first decide what I truly want and then I have to invest myself into them.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2013 Lisa Meade

What If I Chose Differently Today?

What if I chose differently today? What if I broke out of my normal response, perspective and assumptions. What if I headed right and then took a sharp left? What if I said yes instead of no or no instead of yes? Oh the possibilities! This is all part of heightened awareness that we all can bring to our day. We have so much choice in how we live our lives. Every day, every moment we can choose a new experience for ourselves. This is particularly true when we find that we are doing again and again something that is not really working for us. But imagine doing this even when things are working? Can you challenge, even just on occasion, the old, "if it is not broken...don't CHANGE it?" Why not? Why not do something different?

What would happen if we were not so serious? If we laughed more, breathed more deeply or paid attention a bit more closely? Endless possibilities and opportunities could come our way! This is one of my favorite ways to shake things up. Anytime I feel dull, bored, restless or stuck...I do things differently. It can be something small or something on the larger scale...my choice!

Taking myself off of auto pilot works for me. I take a good look at the situation and access. Do I want to do what I always do, or what others would expect me to do? Maybe doing something different can enrich my experience and shift the energies. I won't know unless I try. And so I try. Sometimes a new way of thinking or a fresh approach is exactly what I needed to get the energies flowing again in a direction that resonates with my soul!

I cannot always decide what will happen in my life, what will come my way...but I can choose what I will do with it, how I will approach it and how much energy I am willing to extend to it. Living in the moment, being present, looking for the possibilities and checking in help the energies that surround me to be vibrant and flowing, alive and abundant!

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2013 Lisa Meade

Attachment

There is a Zen saying that I often remind myself of, "The tighter you squeeze, the less you have." This is especially important for me to remember even when whatever I am particularly attached to is lovely, good for life, beautiful or positively impacting others. This is not about whether something is good or not, it is about holding on, being attached to something so that there is no room for something else, for more, or for change. It is easy to rationalize. We understand the need to let go of what no longer serves us, that makes sense to the logical and emotional mind. But why, oh why, do we have to be willing to let go of something that does bring goodness to our life? The very same principles apply. Letting go of things that do not serve us well makes room for change, allows us to expand, to learn and to make room for what the Universe is holding patiently and waiting to introduce to us.

When we become attached to beautiful and positive aspects, people or things in our life the Universe is still left holding patiently the more it has for us. The more we cling to these, the less they really bring to our life. And so we need to realize that we control nothing, we have nothing, we are to be in the flow, witnessing, loving, learning, embracing and releasing as we move through the currents that Source guides us through.

The less we are attached to the fuller our experience will be. The less we are clinging to the more open our soul can be to all that awaits it. The more we live without expectations, the more wonder we can experience and on and on. This is not as easy as it sounds. Our times encourage us to obtain the good things in life, to hang on to what we have earned and to hold close those things we love. But once we learn this important lesson of not being attached, we experience great abundance, experience the true richness and live a life fuller than we ever dreamed. Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2013 Lisa Meade

Sacred Idleness

There was judgment in the passing comment, "Wow, three whole weeks of vacation time! I could never pull that off, my commitments in life, my responsibilities and my free time would not let me." It was stated in a brief conversation with a friend who asked how my summer was and I shared how beautiful the time spent with family and friends camping on Cape Cod for three weeks was. I heard her words, felt her energy and let it roll off of me...after all it obviously is part of her story, not mine. But it did get me to wondering. We value work so much in our world. Hard work especially! Sacrifice is applauded when it is related to these diligent efforts. And while, often, there is hard work required for some of our achievements and struggles in life, I am so happy I have learned that sacred idleness is equally valuable and worthy of our recognition, appreciation and respect.

Are we so addicted to being productive that we feel guilt if we take time to pause? Do we judge others for honoring this aspect of Being? It is that whole dangerous minefield of compare and contrast that we sometimes travel through. How to avoid this? What is right your you may not be right for me, but I celebrate you decision.

My sacred idleness restores balance, it rests my body and mind, it refuels my soul and it creates a peaceful presence that is much needed for the work I do when I am in that intention and focus. It is part of the needed flow of energies to keep me in integrity, to live life fully and to be in service. I celebrate sacred idleness in others. I see the delight in their eyes as they share about a walk in the park or a morning spent sprawling in bed under the warm blankets and listening to the wind outside the window, or taking a long walk at the waters edge listening to the gulls and watching the waves roll in and out. I see their body language express the wondrous balance that is restored during this important pause.

I will not neglect my sacred idleness. To me it is as important as fueling my body with clean foods, connecting with Source on a daily basis and being love throughout my day. I only can wish this for my friend, may she discover her sacred idleness can serve her well and not be a "someday" on her calendar. Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2013 Lisa Meade