Get a Life UK

Well Christmas 2010 has been and gone, 2011 is almost upon us but not quite here yet...so what of the "Inbetween" time?
 
It's a bit of a no-man's land, between the old and the new. Maybe for some, a couple of days back at work, a couple of days that may feel neither here nor there.

So today I wondered.....How can you make the "Inbetween" time more meaningful ?

Well my suggestion would be to take the time to relax , retreat and indulge in some revision..... yes that's right, revision!
 
But I'm not a student I hear you cry!
Well let me clarify that, we are all infact students, in this university I call life. And just like all students, in order to recall just what we've learnt or are learning we need to take time to review and revise.

So what a perfect time...this " Inbetween" time, to do a little revision?

To take a look at just what we've learnt and retained in 2010, in readiness for the new learning we will undertake in 2011.

There is no ‘right way’ to revise, as long as the method you choose enables you to gain a solid grasp of key facts of what you've learnt and  consolidate your knowledge.

I find it helpful to use a feng shui bagua map to help consider all areas of my life, I use this method in my workshops too!

In order to truly review your year you will need to allow yourself time, space and contemplation. You will need to ask yourself quality questions and be prepared to answer them honestly and fully.

You can of course use your own revision method and questions, but I thought it may be helpful to start you off .......

Here are some questions you may wish to consider in your revision of 2010:

What has been my high point?
What has been my darkest hour?
What can I learn from these?

What have a started?
What have I finished?
What can I learn from this?

What will I repeat in 2011?
What will I stop doing in 2011?
What do I need to change in order to make this happen?

What has frustrated me in 2010?
What has inspired me to action in 2010?
What can I learn from this?

What have i loved most in 2010?
What has made me smile most in 2010?
How can I have more of this in 2011?

What is my biggest wish for 2011?
What steps can I take now towards it?

The list of questions could be endless.....These are just some questions that may just get you started on your revision. Making use of this "Inbetween" time really is worth the effort,a chance to recap before embarking on 2011.

We will open the book.  Its pages are blank.  We are going to put words on them ourselves.  The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.  ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Happy revising!

Until next time,
Make every "Inbetween" moment count!
Lisa xxx

On these winter night's I tend to watch more T.V than I generally would. As we're only a few days away from the big event ; Christmas that is, have you noticed how the adverts seem to have moved away from the normal cleaning products,nappies and dog treats to a full on Christmas gift frenzy?

Now there's nothing wrong with giving and receiving gifts at Christmas; if it's within your means, but I was thinking that it's not the biggest or most expensive purchase that's the biggest gift at all....No, the most precious gift is the one we take most forgranted...... it's the time of your Life !

I got up this morning,and firstly and most importantly, I was still breathing! (which I do find helps when moving to an upright position)..... I had energy and enthusiasm for the day ahead, I would even go as far to say I had an air of excitement touching my spirit.... not because Christmas is nearly here ( and it's likely to be a white one too), although that's lovely in itself.... it was simply that I get  another 86,400 seconds to spend on enriching my life today!

Time is an equal opportunity employer.  Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day.  Rich people can't buy more hours.  Scientists can't invent new minutes.  And you can't save time to spend it on another day.  Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving.  No matter how much time you've wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.  ~Denis Waitely

Wow! How rich are you and  I ?
It's like a current account of time.... containing 86,400 seconds every single day...the only difference is you cant save them, you have withdraw and  spend every single one... its like the biggest spending spree or supermarket sweep you've ever been on!

The biggest  gift though, is both you and I have the ability to choose how we spend those seconds.....and if we are awake and aware; if we are totally present, we can make every single one of those moments count!

Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.  ~Carl Sandburg

All to often we can find oursleves allowing the day to run away from us, wondering how we spent all of those seconds, maybe we let them slip through our fingers without awareness?
Maybe we even passed over our seconds to someone else and they spent them for us, without us even realising.

So today I urge you to be awake and aware, spend those seconds wisely, make every one count!

Don't be fooled by the calendar.  There are only as many days in the year as you make use of.  ~Charles Richards

How will you make use of the biggest gift you'll ever receive?

Time is what we want most, but... what we use worst.  ~Willaim Penn

Until next time,
 really do make every moment count!
Lisa xxx

I'm looking out on a blanket of white, you could say I'm virtually snowed in. Everyone's talking about the snow, its the main topic of conversation it would seem.

What has struck me though, despite the inconvenience it has maybe caused, it has bought some gifts too.
 
Parents have had enforced "Snow days" either because their children's schools have been closed, or they themselves cannot get into work. It's made for fun and frolicks in the snow, building snowmen, sledging and making snow angels !
 
It's not  so bad then, if quality time with the family has been a side effect of the tons of snow.And it does make the run up to Christmas extra special. It makes me recall years gone by as a child, when we actually had snow around Christmas time!

“Snowflakes are one of nature's most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together"

Also its been amazing to see people helping one another, wether its been helping dig out the neighbours car, 4x4 drivers taking supplies to cut off villages or providing transport for Dr's and nurses at local hospitals.

Extreme weather, its seems brings out a sense of community within us.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could bottle it; that sense of commmunity, kindness and acting with a servants heart, to be used daily, all year around?

As a result of being snowed in yesterday I had the opportunity to watch one of my all time old black and white movies, "It's a wonderful life" with James Stewart.
 
The tale of a man; George Bailey, who in debt, feels that his only way forward is to take his own life, he feels he is worth more dead than alive, until he is saved by his guardian angel "Clarence" who is trying to earn his "Wings".
 
Clarence shows him how life would be if he had never been born. It demonstrates just how many lives we touch, just by being here ourselves, and that without each and every one of us the World would be a lesser place.The film ends with George surrounded by his family,all his friends and neighbours around the Christmas tree, where each and everyone of them brings money to help him.

The snow has certainly made me consider just how blessed I am. I have a roof over my head,warmth from the open fire and time to reflect quietly away from the world on what a wonderful life I have.An enforced time of contemplation for the year thats just coming to an end and an opprtunity to dream for the new one that's just ahead.

The cold temperatures have also made me consider those less fortunate than myself too. Did you know that there are around one million people in Britain that are homeless? Half a million of those are living on the street,in shop doorways and the other half are living in squats or shelters.

I urge you today to spare a thought for those out in the cold today. May they be blessed with love, care and warmth. Some great work is being done to reduce the numbers of those effected by homelessness by organisatons such as  http://www.shelter.org.uk/  and http://centrepoint.org.uk/. If you feel that you can help in some way today, then I urge you to do so. 

It took the servere weather to remind me of my own gratitude for the simple things like having a hot bath and a warm bed.

So if you find yourself bemoaning the snow, I urge you to take a moment to relish in the gifts it has bought you today, and allow it to act as a reminder of all the many things you can have gratitude for.

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven- Author unknown

Snowmen fall from heaven... unassembled.  ~Author Unknown

When it snows, you have two choices:  shovel or make snow angels.  ~Author Unknown

Until next time,
make every moment count,
Lisa xxx

As I sit here writing this blog, it's -1 degrees outside at least.... and a white blanket covers the landscape as I look out of my window. You could say Ihave that Yuletide feeling!

As I snuggle infront of a roaring log fire I realise just how blessed I am.I wanted a way to share that blessing and recalled a tradition that many of you who know me will recognise.......

For those of you who visited me in Calma over the years you will no doubt recall that at this time every year we would have a barbie pink Christams tree in the middle of the shop area (Pink for unconditional love and infinite peace) It was the Calma Wishing Tree.... where we invited all that visited to tie a ribbon to the tree and make a wish, sound a prayer or the like.

Each day the tree and its ribbons would be surrounded by love and Reiki energy poured over it, empowering the wishes to manifest. (Infact many people came back to tell us of their wishes coming true) All types of wishes were made, from little children wishing for specific gifts from Father Christmas, to people making wishes for the saftey of their loved ones serving in the armed forces overseas. Every year by Christmas Eve the tree would be absolutely full of ribbons, and we also began to invite a donation for the ribbons to our charity for the year.

It became quite a tradition for us, and so many people remarked on the love and kindness our tree emitted. It truly did have an energy all of its own!

So today I wondered how I could bring an element of this to my blog.I thought it would be wonderful if I could bring the idea of a virtual wishing tree here, where I invited to write your wishes, I will infuse them daily with love and Reiki in the same way we did for all of those years at Calma.

You can share your wish in full or just  in the word "Wish" with your name or initials if you prefer. I don't have the facility to collect for charity on my blog but if you feel you would like to spread the yultide goodwill, then I urge you to make a donation to either of my chosen organistations this year:
 
http://www.spiritaid.org/ ( which we also raised funds for with the last Calma Wishing tree) It is a small charity doing amazing work,so every penny counts.
 
Or a local social enterprise: http://www.fundsforjoy.com/
Funds for Joy is a non profit making social enterprise with the sole purpose of bringing more joy to us and so warming up the world. 

If you aren't able to donate, that's absolutely fine, don't feel you cant make a wish!

I urge you to share the virtual wishing tree with your friends.... please share on Facebook and on Twitter too (with #startaripple)

History of Yuletide Wishing Trees or Kissing trees:
A wish tree is an individual tree, usually distinguished by species, position or appearance, which is used as an object of wishes and offerings. Such trees are identified as possessing a special religious or spiritual value. By tradition, believers make votive offerings in order to gain from that nature spirit, saint or goddess fulfillment of a wish.

The Wishing Tree or Kissing Tree was made at Christmasor Yuletide before pine trees were introduced byPrince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gothain 1840. An evergreen bough was hung with apples, sweetmeats, and candles and decked with ribbons representing wishes.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!  ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Please add your wishes below...................
Until next time,
 make every moment count.
Lisa x

Now as you read the title of this blog, I can hear all the men saying, "No that blog’s not for me!"

Wrong!

The change I’m talking about may well give you hot flushes and night sweats, but I’m not talking about the “M” word here.... although men-o-pause , before you move to the next blog would be relevant !

Now, when I mention the word “Change” if it makes you feel a little nervous or uncomfortable, you aren’t alone and certainly not unusual. Most of us like the comfort of our familiar routines, knowing where we are, and how we stand. Many even butt heads with change, fighting it every step of the way. Resisting what is only the natural flow of things.

 Many people avoid too much in the way of change, in fact I see it all the time, especially in business, whilst there’s talk of change, maybe some slight intent, more often, in truth it’s much more common to hear “Why change, we’ve always done it that way”, or “There’s no point in change just for change’s sake”

I’d like you to consider now any area of your life that is going through change.

Thought of one?

I’d hope so, because everything is changing in every second...... really.... think about it, whilst you’re reading this, you’re changing, you’re different from a moment ago, since you’ve been reading this blog you’ve been producing new skin cells, to replace old ones, your body has taken in new air and turned it into new energy.....think about it...... It’s true!

Now,let’s take it a step further..........How many babies do you think have been born into the World during the time it’s taken you to read the last sentence?

........And not to be morbid,but to remind you of the ultimate in change ........ how many people have passed over?

Still think you’re not going through the change?

You’re on a journey, an adventure of constant change, where in actual fact the only thing that is constant is change itself!

So, if you and I and everyone and everything is in a constant state of “Going through the change” maybe we should see it as a constant friend, something we can rely on?

With change comes opportunity, we are always evolving into something new, a newer enhanced version of ourselves. 

What upgraded and newer version of yourself would you like to be?

 If you’re going to be “Going through the change” in any case, why not put your heart and soul into it?

What would you change right now?

How would you change right now?

If you were putting your heart and soul, your purest intent into your evolution what would be different?

So, as you “Go through the change” I’d like you to consider  seeing it not as hot flushes and night sweats, something to bemoan or act as a signpost the frustrations of change.

No, instead of fighting against the most certain aspect of your life, I’d like you to consider that “Going through the change” is the journey of you unfolding perfectly, in perfect time, always!

So I urge you today to embrace change, love it infact!
 
Actively look for opportunities today to make positive change.It may be finishing work on time so you can spend more time with your loved ones,it may be taking the time to pick up the phone to a friend......... no matter how big or small the change it can be positive, all you have to do is harness the energy of change in your life.

If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies.  ~Author Unknown When you are through changing, you are through.  ~Bruce Barton



 Until next time make every moment count,
Lisa x
 

 

 

 

 

Today I was thinking about the spirit light within us.
 No matter what is going around us, difficult situations, challenging relationships, the spark of our spirit is always intact. It cannot be extinguished. Even in death the spirit light continues, it is our essence, carried throughout lifetimes, in between lifetimes and beyond. Science tells us that we are made up of energy, it also tells us that energy cannot be destroyed only changed in form.

 

The Spirit light within us is the very core of us, its the part of us that unifies us with everyone and every other thing. At the very spark of us, we’re all the same- all of the same flame.

 

So even when our outer physical self may seem trapped and restricted, in truth we are always free, as you may recall  I’ve written before.

 

I find it inspiring to consider this spark!

 

inspire[ɪnˈspaɪə]

vb

To guide or arouse by divine influence or inspiration

To breathe life into

 

This spark is there within us no matter who or where you are, it is alive and present.

If we tap into our spark, our light, we can ignite our spirit and in doing so we also have the opportunity to ignite the light within others.

 

“Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” ~ Buddha

 

Imagine that spark within you now, picture it in your mind’s eye.

 

Is it a tiny spark?

A glowing ember?

A flickering flame?

A roaring fire of energy?

 

And if its not a beautiful flame, consider:

 What would you need to feel, to be in order to visualise your spark into a flame?

 

Keep your focus on igniting your spirit, Imagine in your mind’s eye that spark growing brighter and brighter.....

Its becoming a beautiful flame of light.... glowing brighter and brighter.... see it expanding now.... bigger and bigger, until every cell of your body is light and bright!

 

Now, expand that light out, until its outside of yourself, out further into the room, the space, the environment you’re in..... keep on expanding it, further and further, out into the street, the garden, the park, fields, the whole neighbourhood, the country, the world, as far as you can imagine.

 

Now do you realise just how limitless you are?

How magnificent and miraculous you are?

 

Your spark is the individual essence of you and your spirit, but it is also the essence that connects each and everyone of us, in fact every living thing.

 

So, going

Back to where we started. Now you realise that you can ignite your spirit, more than that, you can ignite the spirit in others too. You expanded you light beyond the confines of yourself... way beyond! You are never trapped or limited never truly stuck.

 

Ignite your spirit and in doing so you can also light up the World!

Until next time,
make every moment count!
Lisa xxx

I caught a film half way through last night, I can’t actually recall the title of the film, but what did stick with me was a quote from the scene I saw.... it went something like this

“Why just follow someone else’s thoughts? There’d be no point in thinking yourself!”



Now there’s something to consider..... We are given the gift of our own thoughts, but very often we become governed by others thoughts, instead of our own?



Now I’m not saying we should never agree with the thoughts of another, not at all..... But sometimes we can become stuck, following someone else’s route map, putting our own to one side. Not trusting our own thoughts and more importantly our own inner guidance.



How many times have you bitten your tongue, held back from expressing your own truth?



Why is that?



I understand there may be many reasons to not speak up or speak out, but is your truth any less true than the next person?



Your truth is simply your point of reference, your perspective, your vantage point in the World from which your view life through your eyes. It’s not cast in stone, it’s not static but fluid and developing as you learn and grow.



By speaking our truth we may not always be popular, but it is by expressing our truth we give ourselves and others the opportunity to grow. When you speak your truth you are sharing your view of the World, its unique to you.... the World through your eyes..... Just as when another speaks their truth, you are being gifted a small window through which to view the World as they see it.



By sharing in this way, we give each other the opportunity to consider new ways of seeing, new ways of being and a whole new World opens up to be explored. If you always bite your tongue, hold back, hold your thoughts, then you’re denying the development of yourself and the rest of the World!



You may not agree with my writing, and you know what?

That’s brilliant!..... Without different views to see, different scenery to enjoy, life would be stagnant and a little boring.



If you have a strong urge to speak your truth today, I urge you to go for it!

Speak from the heart, with love and compassion, with respect and willingness to grow and learn. That’s when the magic begins, ideas and thoughts meld, and develop.... remember the saying “Two heads are better than one” this is a perfect example of how speaking one’s truth can be the work of an alchemist, creating nuggets of gold from a tiny seed of an idea or thought, creating something so abundant the whole evolution of the World actually depends on it!



Imagine this...... it’s not so long ago people believed the Earth to be flat.... its true, the great scholars truly believed with all their heart that the Earth was flat.



Imagine then how it was for the first person who spoke their truth and said that the Earth was in fact round?



Imagine if they had bitten their tongue, held their peace, not spoken their truth?



Now I’m sure they were perhaps a little nervous before they expressed their truth, maybe they fought an internal conflict with all they had previously been conditioned to believe.



But they stood strong and spoke their truth, despite any fear of ridicule or rejection..... They just went ahead and said it anyway! It was as a result of their courage to speak from the heart, to share their view (albeit a new round one) of the World, that I’m sure debates and discussions ensued...... but the gift was the courage to speak, allowing the outcome of new knowledge and new growth for the whole World.



So I urge you today.....

Speak your truth, with love and respect; please share the gift of how the World looks to you, because I can’t see through your eyes.



Until next time,

make every moment count!

Lisa x