It was just the 4th of July weekend, so I am contemplating independence and what it means in my own life.  For me, freedom is being able to be me and to do things in my own special way.

That is all I need really in order to be happy.  I just need to be the real ME.  Recently, I have had this message right in my face.  I keep hearing and seeing things like, “Be the real you.”  I even saw a woman wearing a t-shirt that said, “Living Authentically.”  When I’ve recently done readings for myself, I’ve been drawing oracle cards that are about authenticity.  Okay, I get it!  I have work to do on myself!

I feel truly free and independent by being the real me.  It’s a nice feeling to wake up in the morning and look in the mirror when I’m living authentically versus under the rules or laws of someone else’s consciousness.  I think the true work for me in my own healing process has been undoing years of programming.  Spiritual teacher and author, James Arthur Ray talks about how we are all the product of someone else’s thinking.  Think about what this means for you. 

I don’t want to be someone else.  I was reading in Christine Kloser’s book, The Freedom Formula about how some people go into business and are trying to be someone else.  That hit me hard over the weekend.  (Great book, by the way!  Check it out!).  I thought of the ways in which I wasn’t being true to myself in my own business.  I’m the result of many teachings, teachers, and my own experiences.  I can’t be anyone else.  I can only be me.

So as I refine things, I’m going to share thoughts along the way to this journey back to myself–the authentic self that is me.

Authentically yours,

Lisa

Hi,

I just haven’t felt like writing as of late.  Maybe it’s the nice, summer weather?  Maybe I’m just busy or not interested in blogging any more.  I’m not sure.  All I know for sure is that I go in cycles with things that I do.  I will do a lot of work and then, rest.  Other times, I’ll do a little, followed by a lot.  Or, I’ll do nothing.  I truly believe that it’s all good.

Lately, I’m just embracing where I am in the moment.  I’m doing what I feel like doing.  I’m not trying to force anything to happen personally or professionally.  It’s nice at times just to be. 

I’m also working on reinventing my business.  I’m not sure I’ll stick with this blog or blogging in general.  I’m considering other avenues for my writing as well as re-evaluating my life purpose.  I’m not worried though.  I’m just trusting that everything is in Divine order.

But, for now, I’m not going to abandon this blog.  I don’t think that would serve me or anyone well.  So, I’ll keep on writing.  Who knows?  Maybe I’ll start a personal blog and keep this one as my business blog?  No matter what, it will be fun.  I only do things if they are fun.  That tells you a little bit about my personality.

Enjoying the summer,

Love and light,

Lisa

I subscribe to the Spiritual Cinema Circle.  I enjoy getting their montly movies–always so inspiring, heart-felt and divinely orchestrated to come into my life at exactly the right time, providing guidance or messages that I need.

May’s selections included a movie called, “Guarding Eddy.”  I don’t want to spoil it for you, in case you haven’t seen it.  This movie is truly inspiring.  It’s about an older teenager (Eddy) with autism who is basically kicked out of his home by his father who doesn’t understand his son’s needs.  Eddy has a dream of playing basketball for the Los Angeles Clippers, so he takes a bus from his home in Arizona to Los Angeles.  In Los Angeles, Eddy meets people who are instrumental in helping him to find his special life purpose. 

The nice thing about the Spiritual Cinema movies is the reflection questions they provide at the end for you to ponder.  In our house, we enjoy talking about them.  It is very enjoyable and we learn a lot in the process.  One of the reflection questions for the movie, “Guarding Eddy” was something along these lines:  “What do you do with dreams that don’t come true?”

This question really brought up some things for me to process.  Actually, the question came at the right time in my life.  I have been going through some searching about my own life purpose.  I wasn’t even sure what to call this searching or the feelings that went along with it.  The question put into words what I had been going through for a long time now.  It was the Universe’s way of nudging me along, almost like the Divine was saying, “This is what you need to look at, Lisa.”

I’ve had many dreams in my life.  Some have come true.  Some dreams have not.  In the past year or so, I’ve been faced with many dreams that have not come true.  At times, I have felt that my life is falling apart.  That is how it can feel emotionally and mentally.  Spiritually, however, I know that it just means things are falling away so that the new, good stuff that is better for me can come into my life.

From late 2005 until summer of 2007, I was following a high raw foods diet.  At first, I had many improvements.  As time went on, however, I noticed a decline in my health.  I had to adjust things.  I was very heartbroken at first.  I don’t like to give up.  I had to really come to terms with what is best for my body and for my life.  It had been my dream to be a raw vegan.  I felt so sad.  At times, it even felt like I lost friends because my social network changed as my diet changed.  I had tried so many approaches to health and diet since I was even a kid.  Here I was again at square one.  And, to boot, I felt guilty for consuming animal products again.  I still eat low on the food chain, but I wondered what my spiritual teachers and colleagues would think of me.  After much physical distress, I slowly altered my diet back to what it was before (fish, veggies, ghee, some fruit, and small amount of rice and gluten-free grains).  I feel much better.

Also, about a year or so ago, I came to this realization about my bicycle racing.  I realized it was not fun any more.  It had been a long-time dream of mine to be successful racing.  It seemed that no matter what I did or how hard I worked, I couldn’t get the results I wanted. 

It was hard for me since I had always been quite successful in anything I’ve ever done, especially sports.  I was an accomplished athlete as a kid, teen, and young adult.  Prior to being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome in 1998, I had a burst of initial success in mountain bike racing.  I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t translate this to the road cycling racing.  At times, I felt heart-broken because of the disparaging comments people would make such as “Why do you give up in races?”  You see, in my category, the pack was small, so if you even sneezed and got off the pack (draft), you could easily get dropped.  However, I’d never quit, always working to get back on the pack, often having new personal bests when it came to my average miles per hour.  I had never experienced this sort of energy while mountain bike racing or running in the 1980-1990’s competively.  If you were trying, you were racing and people cheered you on no matter what.

I did this one time trial last year and got my same time as the year before.  I felt devastated after training so hard.  It was a long road to get to that point of resignation.  I just couldn’t handle feeling like a failure any more.  I now tend to believe that it only matters if I believe I am successful, but at the time, I was emotionally distraught.  I felt unloved and unsupported.  I also felt judged by others who made comments about me getting helped getting my bike in order or removing it from my vehicle (I have a history of shoulder injuries so I have to be careful lifting even light things above my head).

So, I quit.  I don’t see myself as a failure actually.  I did for a while, but I’ve learned to see the gifts.  I now ride my bike for fun.  I have less stress too.  I am still fit, healthy, and slender.  It is all good.  I am only really competitive with myself, I’ve realized.  So, perhaps, that is why I enjoyed the solitude of mountain bike racing or running road races.  It was just me against the clock.  I could use the events to gauge my progress.  I always had fun meeting new people too with mountain biking and running.  Even during races, we’d cheer each other on.  I myself have coached people up hills and had others coach me as I was about to give up.  This just feels better for me. 

Who knows?  Maybe I’ll return one day to bike racing of some kind.  I don’t know.  I am happy running 2 miles or so per day.  I’m happy riding my bike for fun.  I still have yet to really feel like I’m having fun on my bike as of late.  I still wonder if I should be recording my heart rate data!  Ha ha ha!  It’s that bad, but I know it will get better.

Another thing has been released in my life too.  My bodywork career.  I went to massage school back in 1998 and went onto 3 more years of advanced studies.  Ironically, I accomplished my main goal right away of working with professional athletes with massage.  I did that for awhile and taught in the field.  I realized I went to massage school so I could do energy work!  So, I did that for awhile.  It didn’t bring me the joy and passion.  Something about it felt flat.  But, yet, I persisted and tried to make it work for me for many years.  I thought that I had to keep on keeping on in that field because, well, that is what I went to school for and I had to get my money’s worth, etc.  You know the excuses, right?  You know how it is when you think up all of these things to keep yourself on the wrong path?  It’s all good, even though it’s the ego.  I’ve learned to love my ego–it still has a purpose.  I just choose not to listen to her as much.

Next, I was led to do intuitive readings professionally.  I enjoy it, but as of late, I realized I do not want to do it full-time.  I want to do other things like write, play music, and enjoy other aspects of my personal life.  I am still going to be involved in my work and business, but I’m guided towards other things.  At first, I really felt like a failure.  Here I’ve spent thousands of dollars and hours working on my own development and healing.  After going to college, massage school, and doing all of this work, I felt like it was all a waste.  I struggled for a long time to see that it was all good since it was a part of my path.  I felt like I made so many mistakes and took so many detours.  I stopped and wondered, “Where am I going?”  Then, the proverbial, “What’s next?” came up for me.

Really though, “What’s next?” is contrary to the spiritual idea of being in the now and being fully present in the now.  Oh well, I’m a human being who embraces my humanity.  It’s only human to accomplish things and then sit there, thinking “That is great…okay, NEXT!”  For me, it just means that I’m alive and I am working on being the best I can be as far as my own individual expression goes.  It’s okay to want more in my life.  I don’t have to stay stuck in any place at any time just because I studied it or I paid money to do it, etc., etc.

So, “What do you do with dreams that don’t come true?”  I say you turn them into something else.  I gave up my raw diet and I find that I do better with some animal protein.  I am healthier on all levels, including having clearer intuition having a balanced blood sugar.  I gave up bike racing and now enjoy stronger knees that allow me to return to my old passion of my youth of running.  I also started to play guitar, even taking lessons.  This was a dream of mine since I was 10-11 years old.  I’m making it happen.  It feels great!  Related to life purpose, I’m looking into my next moves.  I’m considering a variety of paths.  I know it has to be something creative and that makes a world a better place.  Not sure as of yet what it will be, but I know it will be perfect for me.

The thing is, now that I think of it…All dreams really do come true.  They just sometimes take a different form than we want.  I’ve always wanted to be an accomplished athlete.  I know it has happened in the past, so why not now or in the future?  I also had success as a musician when I was younger (I played organ and even did competitions…makes my tummy hurt to think of competing in music again!).  I did well as a massage therapist and energy worker, so I know I can create the perfect career for me again.

I once had a conversation with someone about life purpose and career.  This person said that there is only so much to go around in the Universe, citing examples about movie stars, actors, and athletes.  This person said that there has only been one Michael Jordan, only one Elvis, and only one James Dean.  I responded with, “But, there also has only been one of you too!”  This person shrugged.  The thing is that each person is needed on the planet.  Also, I truly believe that every one has a unique purpose and reason for being here now.  No one else can fulfill your divine life mission, but YOU!

So many times I think people, including myself get caught up in the idea that they have to figure out their life purpose.  They spend time working to figure it out.  I’ve decided as of late to just enjoy life and work on my goals one step at a time.  I know it will lead to an awesome place because I have a concrete vision for my life. 

I’m not really even comfortable with the idea of dreams.  Dreams are not as concrete as goals that you have for yourself.  Yes, I’m being picking with the terminology.  Dreams are often put on the backburner for “some day.”  Goals are something you work on and take ACTION on and lead you to your vision (what you want to be, do, and have in your life).

I share all of this so you understand that you are okay.  Life is a process.  There are no wrong turns, just experiences that help with lessons.  It truly is all good, as they say.  This blog today is a bit more personal that I usually care to be, but I felt called to write about my failures.  I don’t even want to call them failures, but I like to make an impact.  Do you know what I say to failures?  I say, “SO WHAT?!”  Anytime something is labeled a failure, it’s coming from judgment, whether it is from ourselves or others.  Success is something we choose for ourselves. 

I’m not buying into failure…

Nope…

Not any more…

I’m finally back on-line after a few days off.  We had a bad storm come through here on Sunday.  There was a tornado warning in our area that day.  I think it blew over us, judging from the wind, the tree damage in our neighborhood, and the sirens blowing at full blast.  I’ve seen tornados before so I knew this was serious.  However, I had trust that we would be safe.  The angel in my backyard is still standing.  To me, that was evidence of being protected.

The electricity was lost Sunday night and didn’t come back on until this morning (Wednesday).  I was grateful for having running water.  However, I’ll have to toss out everything in my refrigerator.  Neighbors of mine had generators, but we just decided to go with the flow ourselves.

It was interesting to live without electricity.  At night, we lit candles and read via a booklight that I had been recently gifted.  We opened windows to cool the house versus air conditioning.  This was a challenge only at night because of the loud noise of generators of the neighbors.  Also, it was extremely hot as of late so not having a fan to at least circulate was a bit grueling for me.  I focused though on the advantages of saving resources as well as using up some of my canned soup.  We also went out to eat a couple of times.

I rarely read the newspaper or watch television, but I know the Midwest was hit hard by storms and flooding.  I know we are fortunate.  I am not complaining about a little inconvenience of not having electricity.  I noticed that I felt closer to my neighbors.  We talked more and even greeted each other.  Wow, that is something new and different.  I thought of in other times or in different countries, this is normal not to have electricity.  I mostly missed my music (iPod and electric guitar) as well as having fresh produce.  But, since I rarely watch television, I was fine.

I also thought about storms in life that I’ve weathered.  I had some time to think about the times when I had to bolster myself, bringing strength forward to handle what was going on in my life.  The sun always arrives after the storms, literally and figuratively.  It just doesn’t feel like it when you’re going through the storm.  The thing is that is the perfect time to shore up your confidence in things working out for the best.  In times like those, I know I’m being called to use what I know about internal power.  I heard many people say things like, “We don’t have power at our house.”  But, truly, they did have power.  They had the power to make the best of the circumstances by trying new ways of being or living.

When situations occur that leave me feeling powerless, I like to check in with myself to see if it’s really true for me.  I realized I could do 90 percent of everything without electricity that I do with electricity.  My hair even turned out great not using a dryer!  That may sound trite or mundane, but it speaks to other more important areas in life.  There is always a way to get my goals accomplished.  I do have the power.

Love to all who weathered the Midwest storms!

-Lisa

I am owning my beginner status. 

I like the idea of being a beginner. 

It means that I’m learning and growing. 

It means that I’m learning something new. 

I know the Buddhists have a philosophy about beginners’ mind.  It basically is about approaching everything in life with the mindset of a beginner. 

The other day I was thinking about my current life.  I don’t recognize myself at times because everything is so new and different.  I left my bodywork career to create an intuitive consulting business about 2-3 years ago.  I never knew anything about running a business or marketing.  I’m having to learn all about these subjects which are definitely new for me.  I’m reading and learning new information that used to be way outside of my comfort zone.  Now, I’ve accepted it as part of my knowledge and lexicon.

I also have added new activities into my life, including meditation and yoga.  I have tried both before, but the new aspect is that I am making them into more of a regular or daily practice.  I’ve also been taking classes to learn more on these subjects.  It’s been great fun!  I still at times feel like a bear in a china shop as I work to get into certain yoga poses.  I giggle as I pass my own room which has a meditation area now.  It makes me feel all good inside to know that I have this sacred space to call my own.  I’ve had people remark that my house smells like a temple.  Yes, I sometimes overdo the Nag Champa incense.

My other new passion is playing guitar.  I started lessons about 3 months ago.  Now, granted I had a music background playing organ and piano many years, but the guitar is a different animal (at times, it is a beast! ha ha ha!).  I remember all the years of 1-2 hours of music lessons and singing in parochial school.  Lately, I’m having gratitude for learning how to read music all those years!  Hey, you gotta see the good parts about every experience, in my book.  And, besides, I probably would have never become punk had I not gone through all of that

Well, I have stuck with the guitar, practicing 1-2 hours per day.  At first my ego was a bit upset that it took me two weeks to play a C chord!  But, I’ve been assured that I’m progressing just fine.  I know 15 chords now and am more than halfway through my first music book by Hal Leonard.  Not bad for a newbie, huh? 

I giggle now that my free time is spent in vastly different ways than when I was trying to race my bicycle.  In the past, there was talk of interval training and brands like Shimano, Mavic, Hammer Gel, Clif Bar, etc.  Today, the words in our house are chord progressions, delay pedal, and the brands are Boss, Fender, Gretsch, Les Paul, etc.  [We even put our guitar picks in rainbow order...I bet just looking at it balances the chakras, don't you think?] 

Yeah, I still exercise though despite not racing my bike.  I returned to running last summer.  Even though I used to run in my teens and early 20’s, I’ve had to start all over again.  I mean, we are talking low mileage here–about 2 miles per day.  I used to run sometimes up to 15-20 miles per day when I was training back in the day before my knee gave out.  I know that slow and steady is the way to go.  I can’t run a marathon overnight.  At first this was tough for my ego because I thought of how many miles I can cover in a short amount of time on my bike.  I had to let it go though because you can’t even compare the two.

Interestingly, it was giving up bike racing that led me to change gears (ha ha ha!  like that pun?  I know, I have a lame sense of humor…).  I took up walking last year.  I’d walk past this one house where the people were so friendly.  They always were hauling musical equipment or I’d hear a band in the garage.  One day, I noticed a sign outside their house that said, “Guitar Lessons.”  I thought nothing of it until one day, I was guided to write down the telephone number at home.  Christmas last year was coming around and the month before, I found myself the owner of a new tube amp and electric guitar.  Wow, that is very cool, I thought.  So, I knew a guitar teacher.  He became my current teacher.  

I have talked to many adults who want to start something new in my social circles, but they either believe they are too “old” or do not want to look stupid in their quest.  I’ve pretty much accepted that I’m going to take a tumble in a yoga class.  Hee hee!  So, what?  I am at least willing to try that crow pose.  I’m willing to risk looking stupid.  I notice it’s contagious.  Once I take the reins and am willing to try something, this energy spreads to other yoga mats.  Soon, everyone around me is mobilizing.  I bet they are thinking, ”Hey, she fell and lived to tell, maybe I’ll try it too!”  Then, we all start laughing together.  Laughter is great healing I think. 

I know that I am not a virtuoso playing guitar.  Sometimes, my F chords sound like I’m plucking a chicken–you know that pluck-y noise?  I just laugh at myself.  I know it will come with practice.  I just have to show up and do my part to practice.  I never thought my pinky would stretch to reach notes, but it does.  I have increased flexibilty and strength in my fingers.  I was always told that I’d have rheumatoid arthritis for life.  Well, it’s very rare that I have symptoms.  Maybe one bad day per month.  That has been going away with yoga practice too.  Yay! 

Despite the bloody fingers and the large, thick callusoses that are developing on my left fingers, I’m as happy as a clam.  Actually, the blood and thick skin make me happy.  I have to tell the nail techs to keep that skin on–the feet are fair game, but leave it on the hands!  I bet they don’t get that much.  Hee hee!

I enjoy feeling each day I make progress towards my musical goals.  Music is one of my life’s passions.  I have a vision of playing rockabilly guitar in a very skilled way.  It’s the music of my soul.  I don’t mind the occasional shoulder tension or the stiff wrists at all.  If anything, it was learning guitar which reminded me again of the yogic path.  My body spoke to me and said it was time to give myself the gifts of yoga practice.

I was tired of just watching people play guitar.  I wanted to do that!  I could have stayed the pretty rockabilly girl just watching the music, but that didn’t work for me any longer.  I have wanted to play guitar since I was 11 years old.  When I heard the guitar solo in Bill Haley and the Comets’ song, “Rock Around the Clock”, I knew at some point I would play guitar.  Also, Joan Jett was my hero when I was 13.  I had proof that “girls” play guitar!  I always held this dream in the back of my mind.

Rencently, socially, someone remarked that I should have just gotten into playing that guitar video game (Guitar Hero).  Say what?  A video game!?  I said that, “No, I AM going to be the guitar hero!”  I am sure people have fun playing that video game, but for me, I get really bad wrist pain playing video games.  With regular or “real” guitar, I’ve learned to adapt and stretch out, so I have very little physical issues any more.  I also like the feeling of producing different tones and effects with a real guitar.  But, that’s just me.

I may never end up as a rock star.  I may never be able to do that wheel pose in yoga.  I may never levitate as a result of meditating.  I may never run a marathon. 

But, you know what?  I’m going to have FUN. 

I am going to learn things about myself. 

I am going to enjoy my creativity.  Honestly, creativity is the essence of life.  It is of the same substance that the Universe is made.  It is the stuff that glues and binds things together.  Everything and everyone is a result of the creative energy of the Universe.  I like enjoying that energy as it truly ROCKS!

So, I’m going to embrace being a beginner.  I don’t want to ever stop learning.  Any time I’m learning a new piece of music, a new yoga pose, or running a new level of mileage, I’m a beginner.  My ego doesn’t mind looking silly, ridiculous, or even stupid.  Not many people take those kinds of risks any more as adults.  I notice children don’t even worry.  They try new things with sometimes reckless attitude–well, what seems reckless to us as adults.  Children just do it.  My goal is to be more like that as an adult.  In fact, I don’t think it’s very useful to grow up in certain aspects of our ways of being.

I prefer to see the world through the eyes of a child.  The world is filled with endless possibilities.  I refuse to limit myself on any level.  To quote Napoleon Hill, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive, it can achieve.”  Heck yes!  Sign me up!

Enjoying the Beginner’s Path,

Lisa 

I haven’t blogged in a while.  I’ll be honest as to why I haven’t blogged.  I feel that honesty is the best policy in life, so it’s probably best for me to be honest here.  I was feeling that I couldn’t express the real me in my blog.  I worried too much about what others would say or think.  I also worried about having a good, professional reputation.

I wasn’t sure where these fears were coming from, so I tapped into it more intuitively for myself.  I realized I was having fears of being authentic.  In fact, I was afraid of the real me.  But, it truly had nothing to do with others or their opinions of me (you know what they say about opinions–ha ha!).  My fears were all about me.

I was afraid that if I wrote something coming from the authentic me that people might criticize me by saying things like the following:  “That is not very nice.”  “That is not very Lightworker-ish.” “That is not loving.”  “You can’t say that because it reflects badly on the healing profession.”

Cancel, clear, and upgrade all of those things!  NOW!

I’m done worrying about what others think of me.  Well, almost done.  You see, I’m still a work in progress.  I don’t often reveal the true me to others.  In fact, if I ever did get to a point of revealing more of me, it would probably only be about 60 percent of me.  I save some things for people close in my life and well, some are just for me. 

So, even in this blog, you can’t really say you know all about me by what I write.  There is more to me.  I’m just writing about the parts of my life that I feel are interesting or what I’m guided to write about here. 

It’s great that some people have said they feel they know me by reading my blog–but, truly, they don’t really know me.  Every person is complex and multi-faceted.  I’m no different.

The only thing I can do is work to be authentic in my life by my action, words, and thoughts.  I did this exercise recently in which I reflected upon people who I admire (living and deceased).  I had to list these people’s attributes and then, recognize the common theme.  The common theme was authenticity.  I admire people who are REAL. 

What I mean by “real” are people who don’t put on airs.  I admire people who are comfortable in their own skin.  I enjoy people who walk their talk.  They don’t try to be someone who they are not.  They appreciate their own uniqueness, talents, gifts, and contribution to the planet.  They don’t obsess about having eaten a dessert.  They enjoy each moment and savor these moments.

The next part of this exercise was to claim these traits as your own.  That was a bit of stretch for me.  I mean, how could I compare myself to these great people?  So, I allowed my left-brain to kick in and here’s what came through:  Those so-called great people are just mirroring how great I am too!  We admire in others similar qualities that we have as well.

No, I’m not saying I’m “all that” and a slice of bread.  What I’m saying is that we are ALL all that!  Everyone is great and awesome.  The key for me in my life so far has been to be willing to be the real me.  In the past, I thought I had to become someone totally different to accept myself.  I figured the me that I am now is perfect.  Of course, I’m going to shift, change, and grow.  A favorite spiritual teacher of mine says, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”  I have decided to enjoy the journey while growing, but accepting myself through the entire process.

Part of this enjoyment is to write honestly, bringing my authentic voice out more into the world.  Writing makes my heart sing.  For me, it is no fun unless I can be myself.  So, I’m going to enjoy being me.  I know if one person such as myself is brave in being REAL, it will make it easier for others to be real too!

Enjoy being the real you!

Blessings of love,

Lisa

A week after I wrote the first post here about detours, I had another situation occur that was very similar.

As I drove home from that same appointment in that post, I had a detour again on that same route!  This cracked me up because I was thinking about the detour of the week before and low and behold, there was another detour.

I guess that shows that if you think about something, you’ll attract it.  Just wanted to add this as food for thought related to my other post on detours.

But, then again, it’s construction season here in Michigan, so maybe all of this doesn’t mean anything–ha ha ha, did I make you smile? 

Currently, in my own life, I’m taking a big detour.  I am working on focusing on my writing.  I decided to put some other things on hold for a bit and to allow the book that is inside of me to come forward.  It feels good to get clarity like this.  I’m excited. 

Enjoying the detours in life,

Lisa

How do you feel about detours?  The way you answer this question reveals much about your nature.  Whether during driving or on the road of life, detours serve a purpose, I’ve discovered.

Yesterday, as I was driving to get my weekly vitamin injection, I noticed the other side of the highway had a backup.  I turned on the radio and right in that moment they talked about how a truck hauling a mobile home hit an overpass bridge.  Traffic was backed up for miles.  I realized I’d need to take another way home.  This didn’t concern me at all because I always have maps with me in my car. 

Then, as I was visualizing a different way to go home, I heard about two more car accidents that would affect this different way I was considering.  So, I scrapped my plans.  Traffic can change in a heartbeat, so I figured I’d listen to the reports after my appointment.  My appointment is about a 35 minute drive and it doesn’t take long.  After my injection, I listened to the traffic report.  The roads were in the same condition.  I grabbed my handy map and planned a new way home.

I picked a way I’ve never gone.  I figured why not have fun and see a part of my area I’ve never seen.  It also is more scenic.  As I drove this way, I enjoyed the bends in the road for the backroads part.  Then, I drove on the main road.  I drove past a metaphysical store that has always interested me.  “That is cool,” I thought, “Now, I know where it is for the future.”

As I drove further, I saw a sign that said the road I was on would be closed further ahead for a section.  I have an excellent inner compass (meaning I always pretty much know which direction I’m heading in) so I wasn’t worried, even if there were no detour signs.  However, there were those kind orange and black detour signs that have large arrows, pointing you in the correct direction.  On a side note, we have this saying in Michigan that there are two seasons in Michigan–winter and construction season.  And, well, the one is a result of the other!

I had to laugh though.  I have this habit of looking into the signficance of events, even if they are mundane.  Yes, I’m one of those spiritual people who asks, “What is the message in this?”  It’s highly annoying for some of those around me, but hey, someone has to notice this stuff!  The reason I laughed was about the detour within the detour.

I thought about the many times I’ve been guided to take a certain path that initially will feel like a detour.  Then, I’ve even noticed a detour or even detours within that detour.  Changes in direction are normal, I’ve come to realize in my early life.  Change is all there is, so it’s all good.  Instead of getting mad about the detours yesterday, I decided to make it fun.  I turned on my fave music.  I also decided to stop in my favorite downtown on the way home to get a Starbucks since it was on the way home.  It was a warmer day, so it was nice to walk and soak up the sun.

It did take me much longer to drive home because of all the detouring.  However, it was nice to take my time.  I don’t drive much any more because I mostly work at home, so it is initially a bit of an adjustment for me energetically to get out and drive in the hectic energy.  I’m fine once I shield myself and set my boundaries energetically.  I notice though I can get caught up in the hurry-up energy on fast expressways.  It was nice to take the backroads home yesterday for a change of pace.

I also cracked up about how there are often so many signs on the road of life about which way not to go.  I had about 3-4 about not going home the way I went yesterday.  Instead of resisting or fighting this guidance, I decided to go a different way.  Yes, I could have driven home the same way.  However, I have an older car that overheats when it idles too long.  At times, it’s important to honor where we are at in life.  My car is a metaphor for this honoring.

Then, I realized how even when we go the way we’re guided to go, it can sometimes become necessary to change direction–again!  I’ve noticed for myself though that the way is pretty clearly marked.  Think of how my detour within the detour yesterday had those polite signs with the arrows showing me which way to go.  The way was the most direct way.  I could have ignored the signs and had the same outcome of getting home, but it would have taken even longer. 

I also thought about how when I followed the detour within the detour, I drove on some new roads I’ve never driven.  It was fun.  I wasn’t worried about getting lost at all.  I trusted that the signs would lead me to my destination.  I decided to enjoy the journey versus stressing out about the details.  Hmm, this sounds like a good way to live the journey of life.

Ironically, I had this intuitive hunch about where the detour would take me.  I ended up getting to where I thought it would go.  This made me smile.  I drove through this gorgeous area of trees, beautiful homes, and rolling hills, leading to one of my favorite downtowns.  It is the scenic way into town.  What a blessing!  I followed the detour and it led me to the most beautiful place.

It probably seems like I’m too analytical in my life.  No, I’m just a thinker.  I also like to notice the lessons that life presents me.  It is an enjoyable process to me.  Usually, I’ve noticed that life lessons I need to learn come in very obvious ways. 

My intention after years of more painful spiritual growth is to learn via fun ways that are gentle.  Some might argue that the biggest growth lessons come from pain, but where did this rule come from really?  To me, that rule seems to come from ego.  It’s the ego that wants to notice pain.  The higher self wants love.

I’m going to follow the signs that say, “Love This Way—->”  Really, there is only that one choice for me

Enjoy the ride,

Lisa

I know that everything and everyone in my life is a reflection of my inner thoughts.  I’ve been thinking how this lesson of mine has recycled at certain points in my process.  The lesson I’m talking about is how to react positively to the not-so positive.

I know I can choose how I react to any person or situation.  The fun part for me is to put this knowledge into action.  This is often called practicing what you preach or walking the talk. 

Many times in the past, I’ve beaten myself up for creating negativity in my life.  I’ll think about how I misused my thoughts for something not-so nice.  I’ve realized lately though this is not where to dwell!  If I focus on what I’ve done wrong (ie., creating the negativity), I’ll just attract more of the same to me (yes, this is related to the Law of Attraction).  So, a shift is needed.

The shift that is needed is to simply acknowledge that yes, I created this negativity, but the key is for me not to give it any energy.  It’s better to forgive myself and move on to focus on what I do want.  My biggest desire is to be loving to myself and others.  That is the bottom line for me.  I tend to focus on this mostly (I say mostly because well, I am human so I’m not always perfect).

The best time I’ve learned for myself to practice how to react positively is when someone in your close proximity is in a bad mood.  Spiritual folks will say that this person in a bad mood is just mirroring the part of you that has a tendency to have a bad mood.  Or, maybe you are in a bad mood?  To all of that, I say, “So what!”  I know this sounds harsh, but to me, it’s like stating the obvious.  Everyone is a mirror to everyone else.  For me, it’s about how I respond.  I strive to be a conscious creator of my current and future reality.  By focusing on how I created something, I’m focusing on the past.  Focusing on the past is not conducive to my peaceful state of mind or bringing in what I want to bring into my life.

When someone is in a bad mood, I prefer to just respond with love.  It can be a challenge at times if this is someone close to me, but I do my best to be my same old cheerful self.  I don’t want to buy into the negativity.  Sometimes, it’s been intense energy-wise for me to be in the negativity.  I notice that the negativity is there, but I don’t stare at it.  I like the analogy of a large, green, hairy monster in my living room.  At times when someone else is negative, it can feel like they are in denial of the large, green, hairy monster being in the living room.  I see that it’s there, but I don’t try to argue with the person.  I just say non-chalantly, “Oh, yes, he’s there, but anyway, as I was saying about this other topic of discussion…”

In the past, I’ve felt infuriated when people ignore that there is a problem.  I mean, my human side wants to say, “Hey, wait a minute!  What is up?  Let’s talk about this!”  The person you’re mad at won’t answer.  He or she just ignores you.  Actually, I’m thinking that being ignored is actually a gift!  The person is teaching you how not to give it energy.  I’m not suggesting to ignore problems, but maybe not every little thing is worth fighting about or discussing.  It’s good to just let some things ride.

The large, hairy, green monster often goes away and finds a new home in someone else’s living room.  Sometimes, he’ll stick around.  If he takes up residence, getting potato chip crumbs in your couch and passing a lot of gas, this just means the problem or issue at hand needs to be worked through.  I know that sometimes, the monster will come into your bed at night and you can’t sleep, tossing and turning.  The problem comes with you to work or even when you’re trying to enjoy yourself.  That is how you know you have stuff to talk about with someone, whether it’s your loved one, a counselor, a life coach, or your divine helpers.

I know I’ve used humor to talk about problems.  This may not seem loving, but honestly, I feel that humor is healing.  It can shift the energies.  It can heal things in a heartbeat.  I’ve experienced that.  Humor is high vibration and loving.  I am not saying to make light of serious matters, but to react in a loving way to challenges in life, especially when it’s people involved (people are involved in everything–aren’t they?).

Love yourself first and the rest will follow…

Lovingly,

Lisa

Change is all there is in the Universe.  So, I decided to make some changes on my business blog. 

I changed the name of my blog.  I decided that it was too difficult for me to write about so many subjects in my life.  I’m working on creating a personal blog someplace in cyperspace.  My blog here will be about my own experiences on my path.  That is all I can say I’m truly an expert in anyway. 

I also changed the picture in the header.  I truly enjoy sunsets, but I decided it is time for new beginnings so a day time picture has the proper energy for that for me! NOTE/edit:  I changed it back to a sunset!   

I also disabled comments.  Unfortunately, there is so much spam on the Internet.  I also became tired of what I call ‘the naysayers.’  I think there are people out there who want to disagree just for the pure fact of disagreeing.  I’m totally open to feedback, but please, why does it have to be negative? 

I am going to use the time I previously used to moderate my blog to do what I enjoy most–my writing!

Of course, if anyone wants to write me, I have kept the Contact section in tact.  I am happy to address letters and concerns.  Who knows?  Maybe, those letters or emails will become a part of my blog?  I can’t promise they won’t.  So, just keep that in mind. 

In general, I have written because I’ve been enjoying life.  I have attended some pretty awesome lectures in the past month.  I saw Gregg Braden in Toronto.  I also saw a lecture by Goswami Kriyananda in Chicago.  Then, I saw the Dalai Lama in Ann Arbor, Michigan both days he was in town.  Wow, so much cool expansion of my mind and spirit!  I’m so grateful and blessed to have these opportunities.

I’ve decided to enjoy the many changes in my life!  Yay!

Enjoy!

-Lisa