The Phantom Judge

Who sets the standards that you live by? How often do you find yourself struggling to carry out what is expected of you? And who holds those expectations of you? Sometimes, without our even being aware of it, we are still holding on to the expectations of others from our past. These people could be parents, teachers, old lovers, or even friends. They may not even be a part of our life any longer. If we experienced a time in our life where we felt criticized or judged by them we may have an even harder time letting go of the need to try to meet those expectations, as we feel we have failed and long to “get it right”.

Living with the struggle of meeting others expectations often keeps us out of the light of our own personal power. This way of living keeps us from being our brightest and fullest self. When we judge ourselves and have expectation of our self that are not realistic we create the same scenario.

In order to live the life we have been blessed with in truth, authenticity and strength we need to see ourselves clearly. We also have to be honest with ourselves. And finally we need to hold some compassion in our hearts for our self as well.

Self-compassion softens edges. It allows fluidity. Allowing compassion to have a place in your heart allows you to walk in grace and be open to all possibilities. Compassion makes room for forgiveness and healing. Compassion makes it hard for judgment to take hold. Compassion gives you the strength to rise above doubt and discrimination.

A favorite quote by Nancy Lopez that I have copied into my journal is, “Doubt yourself and you doubt everything you see. Judge yourself and you see judges everywhere. But if you listen to the sound of your own voice, you can rise above doubt and judgment. And you can see forever.”

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

The Value of Personal Time

Having spent some recent time away with family on vacation, I have had the gift of non-schedule. Normally, my life weaves together spirit time, family time, social time, client time, and personal time…not always in that order. While on vacation I was able to play with the measures and doses of these times. Where room was made, I was able to embrace more personal time, which was lovely. Personal time for me usually has abundant quiet time. Time to reflect, to daydream, to nap, to do walking meditations, to drum, to chant, to journal, to read, to sit quietly with eyes closed listening to the birds and cicadas and more. Personal time regenerates, refuels, refreshes and revitalizes me in a most important way. I value this time. I honor this time. I celebrate this time.

Personal time also makes more room in my life. I am able to sit and discover what no longer serves me and release it. I am also able to decide on re-balancing of the components of my life.

Let’s face it, I have very, very full days! I enjoy the fullness. Rarely does it get to the point of stress or disappointment. But this is only because I have put personal time at the top of my list for good self-care! Without it, I am sure things would be dramatically different. Everything would be effected; my relationships, my work, my spiritual connection, and even my mental status. I begin to suffer. My clarity goes. My passion wanes. My vision clouds. My step slows. Personal time keeps me strong, alive and balanced.

Personal time also keeps me grounded. It affords me time to sit within the embrace of nature. It is there that I breathe deeply, relax fully, and focus clearly. Sitting beneath a tree or at the water's edge gives me pause to soak up what Mother Earth has to offer. She is generous beyond measure and our relationship complete the cycle for me of spirit, mind and body.

Personal time has become a necessity for me. I do not understand when people tell me that they have no time for it. I believe what they are not understanding is that the reason they have no time for it is because they don’t understand the enormity of what it offers and on how many levels. Imagine how your life would be different if you created space for more personal time.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

What is Your Legacy?

What do you imagine your legacy to be? When you leave your earthly body and your family and friends remain behind, what are the stories that will be told of your offerings to this world, your relationship with others, or your gifts and offerings? Have you given thought to what you consciously leave behind? Imagine having a poignant conversation with a loved one to offer your insight, a humorous take on a situation, or to share a story from your past with a particular message. What would you choose to say?

Recently on a family road trip, one member shared quotes of famous people’s last words and it got me to thinking. So many people departed with heartfelt shares or intriguing words of encouragement to those they were leaving. Some quipped in what appeared to be unusually blasé and normal conversations. Others showed appreciation of small and simple acts we have grown to take for granted.

Obviously, for the most part, we cannot pre-plan our last words. But we shall also be remembered for our actions, our visions, our dreams, our moods, and our relationship to others and this world we live in.

What do you hope for others to remember or say after you leave this body and move on? If it holds significance to you, then paying closer attention to what we represent, how we come across, what we share with others and what we give service to may be important as well.

I have often noticed people being on their best behavior when in the company of a stranger or when meeting someone for the first time. I think this is human nature, wanting to make a good first impression and all. But should we want our lasting impression to be equally as good? I have often discussed how I make efforts every day to have my actions and my words are in alignment with my beliefs. I have shared before in this blog, how I long for my service to others and to Spirit to be honorable and worthy. Big aspirations that on some days is easier to hold true to than others. We all struggle. But I have to believe it is worth it on so many levels.

And perhaps someday, my family and friends will be sitting around a table, eating my famous vegetarian chili recipe, laughing at some of my antics, sharing some of my life lessons, and discussion some of my perspectives as I move on to the next great adventure for my soul. Maybe.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

Bountiful Blessings

How blessed we are to be living in a time in history when our most ancient ways of understanding the world and the universe are intertwined and joined with the most advanced ways of viewing reality. This supports the creation of a new paradigm for honoring the earth and for supporting one another as we grow into our human spiritual being-ness. A true Shaman continuously expresses their spirituality, but not in a pompous or arrogant way. They live it, not only when they are teaching or healing or in ceremony, but in the everyday. The keep their profound gifts of spirit congruent with the aspects of living in today’s world.

There is also a beautiful and gracious reverence for all interactions with the spirits as well as with the interactions of the people and beings that cross the Shaman’s path. Honoring plants and stones, honoring spirits of all realms, honoring the neighbor and the stranger…the Shaman walks a path of respect and integrity while appreciating the interconnection of all.

Shamans have an understanding that everything in this world is of spirit and inspirited. There is no separation. Thus, there is a deep sense of being responsible to express gratitude to all for the relationships that offer lessons, gifts of understanding and relationship.

Putting action and intention together in the same moment brings an importance to spiritual practice that I am embracing and focusing my intention to put into an ongoing practice. It is so easy in our culture today to put what we believe as important in our lives, including our spiritual practices, into intellectual and theoretical folders in our minds. But putting these into action in our real lives, walking the talk, is where our personal power grows, our interconnectedness blossoms and transcendence occurs.

Keeping our thoughts, words and actions in alignment means living in gratitude, living in the moment, living with truth and faith. It means eliminating the thoughts of separation. In this place I am called to step up and treat all beings as treasured and cherished loved ones. Living this way supports the earth’s renewal. Living this way is the way of the Shaman and I aspire to become more gracious at my attempts.

Living this way is about deliberately loving what we practice, loving the world, and being part of the whole. It will transform lives. It is my hope that through the choice and intention that I bring to this way of life I will bring more balance to my days, step more fully into my power and create interactions that will be glorious examples of spiritual relationships.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade