Give It A Thought

We all have self talk. It happens unconsciously, every day, ongoing with each action we make, each decision or conversation or event that crosses our path. Paying attention to this self talk can become very necessary. In my sessions with clients I often pay attention to the phrases between the lines. The little ad-lib additions people pepper throughout their conversations and their unveiling of what is new or happening in their life since we last met. It is very interesting. I learn so much from those little snippets. I gain a perspective from the escaping inner thoughts.

Every thought that exists in our subconscious has gotten there by a conscious decision on our part to accept that thought as our reality. Ralph Marston states, "There is a thought in your mind right now. The longer you hold on to it, the more you will dwell upon it, the more life you give to that thought. Give it enough life, and it will become real. So make sure the thought is indeed a great one." So, what are you making real?

If you keep telling yourself, if you keep sharing with others, that you are something…shouldn't it be something GREAT?! Doesn't it make sense for us to make sure our self talk is replacing negative beliefs with positive ones? It takes work. It takes diligence. But it is so worth it.

If we want to become a person that we love and are excited to be what should our thoughts then be about ourselves? The answer is obvious and the process is simple. But it takes an effort on our part. There really is no one else that can do this for us. It is our pattern to break and our new thoughts to create.

We can do this by becoming more aware of our self talk. We can do this by being diligent and consistent. We need to be sure that the words we are using, even if they are never spoken out loud, about who we are, what we do, what we believe are in alignment with who we are, what we do and what we believe!

Share one new self talk message with us today that you will spend time telling your self. For me, "I have gifts to bring to this world that are appreciated by others." There, that felt really good!

Blessings ~ Lisa

(I will be off for the weekend, see you again on Monday!)

© Copyright 2012 Lisa Meade

A Beautiful Messenger

It is summertime and for me that means a little bit of free time to read. Actually, I devour books! I love to read, to explore and to drift off in stories and possibilities. I also love to take in different perspectives presented by authors whose work I appreciate. One book I have already gobbled up this summer and am re-reading once again because it is so full of insight is David Mercier's A Beautiful Medicine. I highly recommend it as it will more than likely change the way you view the mind/body/spirit connection and develop an enormous appreciation of our ability to be healthy and live lives filled with beauty, wonder and strength. Of all the wisdom in this book one particular insight that the author shares that really jumped out to me is how we view symptoms. Mercier states that the symptom is the messenger, the beautiful messenger. We rarely look at our symptoms that way. We complain about the scratchy throat, the achy back, or the throbbing head. Mercier explains how the symptom is actually a friend to be respected, an ally and even a teacher. It is there to guide us toward making healthier and wiser choices. Choices that can lead to a stronger body, a calmer mind and a gentle connection with spirit. When viewed this way, we grow to see that the symptom can broaden our vision of the dance between mind, body and spirit. It encourages us to see that our thoughts and our choices repeatedly impact the state of our body and its ability to thrive and to flourish.

Our bodies are meant to be shining bright with vital forces to bring to the world. Our minds are intended to be sharp and enquiring, filled with wonder and focus. Our spirits take delight in honoring acts, celebrations of the divine and the rippling outward to all beings of the Universe. What gets in the way? Our poor choices more often than not. Most illness comes from these choices.

Without creating a very long discussion on the role of genetics, fate, or accidents…let's face it, what we put into our bodies for food or distraction, how we abuse or neglect our bodies, and how we tend to its needs has a HUGE role in the state of our overall health.

The beauty of Mercier's message, in addition to his insightful explanations of this connection we all have within us, is that he offers a lovely unfolding of how to nurture ourselves in an amazingly simple way, but the power behind this act is massive. According to Mercier, "… science and soul can be eminently good partners. A medicine that is whole and beautiful will include both. In many instances, the real incentive for some patients in seeking professional help may be the need to be touched, seen, heard, known—to remember that I am. The body’s grievances just so happened to get them to the clinic of a solicitous human being who might serve as a de facto lover, father, mother. Or an archetypal one. So a good working hypothesis for the health professions would be that behind every symptom lies an unabridged human drama that’s been percolating for years and then appears at this one sore spot on the body. The symptom looks like an unexpected intruder, but it has lurked behind the scenes for years, fed by stress, unhealthy food, too little sleep, paltry amounts of exercise, and a life skewered by disaffection. As we’ll see, sometimes a knee pain is just a knee pain. Not all symptoms and illnesses are connected to troubles in the soul. But often, and very often, they are."

Connection to our bodies, to one another, to Spirit, to our selves…the key ingredient to health! It all stems from this. See what I mean about it being simple? Not necessarily easy, but certainly not all that complicated!

I encourage you to read Mercier's A Beautiful Medicine I urge you to listen to your body's needs with different ears, view it with a different perspective, try a new way of honoring it, celebrating it, caring for it and believing in its wisdom. I also encourage you to view your symptoms as the beautiful messenger. Hold a new appreciation for its role in your life.

How will you do things differently? What will you change? I would love to hear what your new view will be. Blessings ~ Lisa

© Copyright 2012 Lisa Meade

To Blog or Not to Blog....

I have always loved to write. I have always loved to ask esoteric questions. I have also always loved deep introspective conversations. Since as far back as I can remember I have asked why, how, for whom? I have explored why I am the way I am. What of my past created the uniqueness of me? Why do certain people trigger me, why do I fall in love with certain attributes, and why do I feel so deeply connected to philosophies, lifestyles and practices that are often considered unusual or alternative? I have explored, answered, re-answered and even just shrugged my shoulders and said, "Who knows?" As I developed my spiritual practice I was given more and more opportunities to have these explorative conversations. My journals are in the double digits times 3. I have spent more hours than I could ever count doing "the work", attempting to practice what I preach, reading up to expand my knowledge base and trying to find the right fit for myself. After much time I discovered there was no religion that I fit in, many beliefs I could embrace and several spiritual practices that brought me balance, authenticity and kept me honest with my self. AND over time I learned this was true for many of my peers, my family, my closest friends and my clients.

Onward with the story and journey I went as I became more and more comfortable with my answers to my deep inquisitive questions of self and spirit. And it seemed the more I asked the closer I became in my relationship with Spirit. The Universe responded with life lessons, gifts, affirmations and healthy relationships. Even when the going got tough, I felt connected. I had ways of surviving. I was encouraged to rise above the muck that threatened to drag me in or the drama that many surrounded themselves with for distraction.

Over this time my Spiritual Life Coaching practice has grown and I have shared so much of my journey with my clients, on the work at hand, the trials and tribulations and the celebrations and a-ha moments. "You should really write a blog!" was stated again and again. Hmmmm … to blog or not to blog, that was the question, now.

I already had crossed the bridge into the realm of social media, daily postings on Facebook and Twitter. I also have facilitated at many conferences, hosted workshops, taught lessons, and written newsletters, Skyped sessions, created chats. I have written articles to be posted in newspapers and periodicals, recorded Sound Clouds and more! Blogging? Really?

Admittedly, the writer in me has several books quickening within. Could this help? Would this be the bridge to cross into the world of the "serious writer"? Perhaps. After attending numerous writing workshops and blogging courses…I am finally ready to take the plunge.

So together we shall discuss, explore, delve, share, question, and even honor. Topics will range from Rites of Passage, Goddess Lore, and Self Empowerment. We will explore Our Spiritual Connection to Mother Earth and Whole Living. Suggestions of how we can Honor the Body Temple will be shared and so much more. I welcome your comments, your thoughts, and your experiences. I welcome your suggestions for other topics. I hope you will share the blog with your friends and family and that our community will grow and ripple out further.

The only way we will ever be able to create change and be a part of the creation of the world we hope for is by uniting and supporting one another. This small act of a blog is one simple step in the path of my rippling outward. I hope to get to know you better, become a part of your life and share the journey with you. I look forward to the magic making to be had, the laughter, the tears and the camaraderie that will be shared as we move forward into a future that holds all the possibilities for us! Blessings ~ Lisa

© Copyright 2012 Lisa Meade