How Things Changed

I remember the day I began a new practice and how everything changed from that day forward. I had been reading a book and it inspired me and brought to my mind and heart questions that felt good to ask. One of these questions was, “How can I be of service today?” That was when everything changed. I learned that this questioning helps me be aware to how I present myself to others, what I support, how I encourage, and even the things I let go of. I now ask myself this question everyday. Everyday! Even on those hectic busy days. Even on those days when I may be not feeling well. Even on those days when the unexpected happens. Everyday. Here are some of the answers.

I can be of service in small ways, on those hectic days, by keeping present and working on my personal stress level. I am able to keep a positive perspective and offer this to my family and friends, keeping things light and trying to remain upbeat.

I can be of service, even on those days I do not feel well, by taking good care of my body temple. By practicing good self-care I am modeling this to those around me. My body appreciates and responds to this service of self and the healing can begin.

I can be of service when the plans that have been made need to be released or shifted because the unexpected happens by walking with grace, being open to all possibilities and receptive to what life is presenting to me.

I am always in service to Spirit in my shamanic practice. I am often in service to my clients as a Spiritual Life Coach. I am often in service to my family as a mother and a partner to my husband. I am blessed and happy to be aware of all the different ways I can be of service. Now each day has a purpose and does not blend from one day into another. I bring an awareness to my days. I hold intention in my days. This changes everything. It brings an energy to my day that supports my beliefs, charges my passions, feeds my mind and spirit, honors my body and puts a smile on my face. Everything changed with that one question all those years ago. Who knew!

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

The Vegan Foodie

Oh the ripe tomato! How succulent and sweet! I climbed back into my car giddy with excitement and anticipation. I had just stopped by my neighbor’s small farm stand and made a purchase of six pounds of the most beautiful red orbs. These along with shiny green jalapeno and perfumed cilantro and the beauty of the red onions I also purchased would be the deliciousness of the fresh garden salsa I would soon be making. Being vegan suits me. I am a real foodie! Most people think that vegans, vegetarians and any other non meat-eating group cannot proudly hold that title. I beg to differ! My palate recognizes the subtlety of flavors. Daily I review recipes for the next meal. My weekly menus include enough variety and flavors that the Culinary Institute would be tickled. I love to experiment and try new foods and food combinations. And I am a processed food snob!

While I am compassionate to animals and honor their place here on this earth, it is not the eating of animals that offends me so much as the mistreatment of them, the slaughtering methods used and the ignorance of the consumer about this. It is so easy to be a meat eater when you can go to your local store and purchase neatly wrapped ground meat on a Styrofoam plate, as opposed to having to look it in the eye as it is slaughtered or trudge through the smells and sights that come after that.

I am also a vegan because of all the health benefits that are publicly out there for everyone to know, but still we ignore for the most part. Studies have shown us that the main reason for the obesity epidemic and the increase of disease in the United States is due to our consumption of processed foods, the amount of animal protein we put on our plates, that even a savory food like spaghetti sauce has sugar as it’s second or third ingredient, that we consume more milk products than a family of young calves and that most people eat very few fresh fruits or vegetables a day. No, french fries do not count!

I have had people tell me that they would like to try being vegan or a vegetarian but they are afraid that everything will be tasteless and boring. Or they are fearful that they will have to live on beans and rice. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Last night’s dinner was homemade grilled spinach “alfredo” pizza! Amazing! The night before, red quinoa pilaf with Vidalia onions, green bell peppers, and crimini mushrooms with roasted cauliflower and brussel sprouts on the side! Flavor, flavor, flavor! We have treated ourselves for the past two nights with homemade brown rice and pecan pudding made with coconut milk. Yum! None of these dishes required any more work to prepare than if I had made “traditional” recipes. (If you want the recipes, let me know!)

So, yes, I do believe you can be a vegan foodie! I know you can eat a healthy diet that is full of variety and flavor. I welcome you to try any of my recipes and put them to a test. Then, let’s talk! Until then, reserve your judgment and meet me at the farmer’s stand and we can discuss what to make with the bunches of rainbow chard he just harvested!

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

Making Effort Effortless

The anxious student asked the Zen master how long to enlightenment. The Zen Master answered a long time, at least 10 years. The student said, "Well I will work twice as hard." The Zen master said, "Then it will take 20 years." "No!" said the committed student, "I will work three times as hard." "Well then," said the Zen master, "it will take 30 years." Are you someone who believes that it takes work to be a spiritual being and that the more effort and time you put into it the “better” you will be? Well, consider this. You are already a spiritual being. Ok. Consider this, maybe then you will see what I mean. You are already a human. Do you work at being a better human? Probably not. I understand you can improve. You can improve your health, your piano playing or your crossword skills, but overall, let’s face it, we don’t usually approach our daily life that way. But we have been led to believe that there are spiritual beings who are better at being spiritual than we are and that they have spent a good amount of time in making that so.

Your spiritual journey does not require you to get anything along the way. It is a process. It is an evolution. You are where you need to be where you are right now and if you can focus on that and BE with that you can then open yourself up to what is waiting for you to embrace. You are present to open yourself up to who you are already. You create a welcoming space for your truth and your authenticity.

A favorite quote of mine from Meister Eckhart states, "It is not by your actions that you will be saved, but by your being." How do you Be? It is simple. By not believing you must always be Doing. That does not mean it is easy; it is just that simple. So, the next time you hear that inner critic comparing your spiritual path to another’s or shaming you for a mistake or misspoken word or deed…stop doing and just be. Be present, allow the process to unfold, take in any lesson or gift in the moment, be aware of what is your truth in the moment and breathe it in. That is the work that is required. That is where and when you will find evolution, growth, change, beauty, and insight. Not in the pages of a book or an all day workshop.

Books, events, presentations and other offerings are wonderful seed planters, fire starters, inspiration makers and help us feel connected, get our juices flowing and build wonderful relationships with others. They have GREAT importance in our lives and I honor and celebrate and take part in all. But they are not a measure of my spiritual path. They are just stops along the way.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

Back and Forth

When do you stop looking back? When do you stop trying to find the answers in your past? When do you stop reliving mistakes, missteps, miscommunications and mis-alignments? Or perhaps you are someone who puts all your energies into what will happen tomorrow? You keep putting off in hopes that your situation will improve with the new day. You invest in the future with a commitment to what could happen and who might be involved. When do you stop all this and take a look at now, this moment, who you can be, what you can do, and where you can go? If we choose to spend time looking backwards we will run the risk of what is being offered to us today. Living in the past does only one thing for us. It keeps our focus on the past. It keeps us stuck there. It keeps our energies mired down in events that have long gone by and nothing we bring to them is of any use. The past is a place that if you visit too often or for too long we are running too close in a land of regret.

If we choose to spend too much time looking to the future we lack follow through with what we can do now. We invest our energies into possibilities to the point that we stall what is involving in this moment. The future is a place to visit from time to time to explore for opportunities, make flexible plans or goals, but if we visit too long we are ineffective in our efforts.

If we want to bring ourselves to this world in a positive and powerful position, we must live in the present. Spirit, the Universe, your Higher Power, (whatever your belief is), presents to us continuously opportunities that hold gifts, lessons, possibilities and promise. If we are constantly looking over our shoulder, we most certainly will miss these treasures.

It takes presence of mind and intention to live in the present. It takes commitment to the moment. It is a challenge too, for our society encourages us to live in our past or in the fantasy of tomorrow. That is how advertisers pick at our wallets and how movie directors sell tickets. These are lands that can be fun to visit if done in measured doses. When we overload, just as with too much sun or too many potato chips, we don’t feel too good. Our bodies rebel and complain. In this case our spirits suffer as well. Living in the now gives us the presence of body, mind and spirit to address what we actually have the power and thought and heart to have impact upon.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade