Lisa x

I've had a very fascinating week so far. I had a lovely exercise fall into my inbox from Sarah Prout - The magic of 55 x 5. Where you write an affirmation by hand 55 times for 5 consecutive days. The affirmation starts with gratitude, as in 'Thank you universe/ source/higher power/ God/ creator or any other name that sits comfortably with you and your belief system... followed by your affirmation stated ion the present tense, then how it makes you feel. So it may look something like this ' Thank you universe for the sunshiny day and picnic with the family I feel abundant and loved' Or ' Thank you universe for the bright red high heeled shoes I feel so elegant when I'm wearing them'... you get the idea... the picnic or red shoes aren't yet in physical manifestation, but you're assuming the feeling and gratitude as if it’s already real in your experience.

I loved this idea, despite the fact I probably haven't hand Witten quite so much or in such frequency since being a student! I was you could say 'fascinated' by the magic of the energetic experiment. I shared my excitement for the little magic making too, with my friends on the private Damsels in Success forum (well worth checking out too ladies, sorry gents it’s a girl thing) As I was also fascinated to see if a the energy of the collective intent would add further to this little project.

So as instructed I started writing, and a funny thing happened, my excitement grew, as I progressed a couple of pages, my inner critic popped up and started the chatter ... you know that narrative that goes something like...' This is stupid, do you honestly believe this stuff works?' but still no matter what resistance came up from the inner critic I diligently carried on. I then found I kind of drifted a little, and in that beautiful gorgeous in between space the ideas started to come, a little fuzzy at first but then they came more and more into focus!

Each time I did my daily 55 I could feel the energy and excitement building.... now I really was fascinated!
We also had a new moon on Monday, so I decided to re-start my abundance bowl and universal cheque at the same time. Focussing my intent has been interesting and again fascinating.

So today, I went to have a meeting with a client, the outcome was nothing short of magic... and my affirmation had set into motion, it was manifesting right in front of my very eyes, and only a couple of days after finishing my affirmations!

Now you can say it’s simply coincidence, or that there is no magic just concentrated focus... which of course is very true. After all as you will have heard me say many times before, where focus goes energy flows.

On my return journey along the M69 the song above was playing on my CD player. As I sang along, yes I know I am old enough to remember all the words! It struck me, when we are fascinated (as appose to the opposite feeling of frustrated, yes you've heard me talk about that before) it brings out an expansive, creative, limitless, anything is possible energy. And I have to say, fascination has proved to bring absolute MAGIC into my life experience so far this week....AND ITS ONLY WEDNESDAY!!!!!!

Looking at the lyrics, Phil Oakey and crew have it perfectly sussed..

If it seems a little time is needed
Decisions to be made
the good advice of friends unheeded
the best of plans mislaid

(Basically give yourself some space and time when making changes ....)

Just looking for a new direction
In an old familiar way
The forming of a new connection
To study or to play

( Allow new learning, play and create)

And so the conversation turned
Until the sun went down
And many fantasies were learned
On that day

( Fantasise, daydream, create, allow your mind to wander into the realms of make believe, acting as if, trying on for size, feeling how it feels)

Keep feeling fascination
Passion burning
Love so strong
Keep feeling fascination
Looking learning
Moving on

( when we're fascinated energy and passion build, our pure energy of LOVE - not FEAR... yes you've heard me talk about that one too.... helps us to grow and learn and move forward)

Well the truth may need some
Re-arranging
Stories to be told
And plain to see the facts are changing
No meaning left to hold

( When we're fascinated we start to see things from different angles, we may experience a paradigm shift, wonderful magic unfolds)

Now I've absolutely no idea if that is truly what the Human League were intending the message of the song to be, but I do know this, I'm going to keep feeling fascination and allow the MAGIC to unfold!

Today I urge you to get absolutely FASCINATED..

Let me know what occurs :)

Until next time,
make every moment count,
Lisa xxx

I wrote this blog in the old fashioned way, with paper and pencil whilst I was visiting the very beautiful and serene Grayshott Spa last week. I was the guest speaker there but had time to relax and soak up the atmosphere whilst there.
As I sipped my coffee ( that's a rare thing for me, being a decaff tea lady myself) soft music was playing in the background- You know what I would call 'Lift' or 'lounge' music, the sort that includes no words, just soft tinkling of the ivories, the sort that blends into the surroundings, there but almost not there. The lilting sound, as I listened a little more closely, was i realised Simon and Garfunkel's 'The sound of silence'.

Mmmm - now there's a thought. The sound of silence. A rare phenomenon in truth. If you really consider it, we rarely experience true silence. Even when we find ourselves in a quiet moment, in quiet surroundings - Is there truly silence?

Try it. Find yourself a quiet space and just listen- listen to the silence.
I'll bet this is what happens:
At first you fidget
Then your mind chatters
Then your mind chatters even louder
All of a sudden where you were expecting silence, there's a cacophony of sound.

So how can we really experience the sound of silence?
How can we still the chatter and the noise and simply be present and in the moment?

Silence, without the need to fill the void- without the need to avoid simply sitting with ourselves by making a noise.
What makes us do that?
What purpose does the incessant chatter serve?
Do we plan?
Do we reminisce?
Do we allow our mind to be filled with trashy garbage?

What would the benefit be I wonder, to simply sit with the silence, without the need to fill it or fix it?

Perhaps, if we could just listen to the sound of silence, fully, intently, mindfully and whole heartedly, we might just make the space to allow clarity, calmness and inspiration in to our life.

Today I urge you to take time to simply be, to dive into the juicy moments of absolute quiet. And savour in listening to the sound of silence.
May you be filled with inspiration in those quiet moments today.

Until next time,
 Make every moment count,
Lisa xxx

*Clink, Chat & Catch Up!* airs every Wednesday and features an interview with an inspirational person who is following their passion and dreams, and the story behind how they did it! *cork popping* Our goal here at the Bubbly Talk Radio Network is to give the people that listen to us a platform to spread the word on their passions, because after all, that is what we're all about!

Happy April fools day!
I hope that your day so far has been full of fun and laughter.In today's blog I thought i'd look back, to where it all began and found that April fools day actually began in sixteenth-century France, where the start of the new year was observed on April first. Which is interesting when you consider the energy of the fool ( read on)

In 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and the new year fell on January first. There were some people, however, who hadn't heard or didn't believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first. Others
played tricks on them and called them "April fools." They sent them on a "fool's errand" or tried to make them believe that something false was true.
 
Now of course we play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on the first of April. Whatever the trick, if the innocent victim falls for the joke the prankster yells, "April Fool! " Of course if a trick is played after midday the trick is on the fool.

But what is the deeper symbolism of this character we call "The fool"?

Many will have seen many depictions of the fool in divination systems such as the Tarot.
I love the symbolism of the fool, the key words associated with this being:
 New beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, and being a free spirit .

If we look a little deeper the Fool is numbered 0, the number of unlimited potential. Everything and absoluteness, All. 0 is the number of Pluto;ruler of Scorpio.The 0 stands for all that was before Creation, for the God/ creator/ universal power in all of us.

0 symbolizes Eternity – the God/creator/universal source before Manifestation, which is pure Spirit.In Numerology the 0 is important as it stands for potential and/or choice.It represents everything, being Infinity.

It is the totally Mystical Symbol, indicating the degree of Spiritual mysticism that is available, but rarely developed in the individual.  It represents wholeness, oneness and continuing cycles.  It is the Alpha and Omega References:http://numerologythenumbersandtheirmeanings.blogspot.co.uk

If we look at the image of the Fool he is shown at the beginning of his journey with unlimited potential. The sun rising up behind him represents the beginning of his journey. He is facing north-west, the direction of the unknown. He is looking upwards, toward the sky, or Spirit. He is about to step off a cliff into the material world but is he prepared?

He has all the tools and resources he needs in the bag on his staff but he has not opened the bag yet. In many images he is shown with a white rose in his left hand representing purity and innocence. He has a guardian in the little white dog who will protect him throughout his journey but who will also push him to learn the lessons the Fool came here to learn. The mountains behind the Fool represent the realms of Spirit that he has just left and will spend his life trying to regain.

The Fool is a depiction of potential, new beginnings and innocence,showing the highest potential for your life, reaching a state of renewal and new beginnings, where each day is an adventure and each moment is lived to the fullest. This is a sentiment I would share in all of my work, as you know I always sign off with "Make every moment count", my own way of inviting you to live life to its fullest.
 
The Fool represents the beginning of all creativity and a desire to accomplish new goals (or to, at least, start the process of working towards those goals). The Fool indicates that anything can happen and the opportunities are just waiting to be taken advantage of. Or as I often say, miracles are within every moment, and every moment holds the possibility of a miracle.

So the fool showing up today  on April fool's day, represents the need to set forth on a new journey, one that is completely unknown and will take you to uncharted territories. The Fool is all about new experiences, personal growth, development and adventure.
 
The Fool asks you to take a ‘leap of faith’ today and to trust in the Universe in that if you begin a new journey, you will find success. This Fool lives a carefree life, free from worry and anxiety. He does not seem to mind if he does not really know what lies ahead. A reminder to not sweat the small stuff, to get into the flow and trust.

The Fool  may represent a choice to be made—one of vital importance. However, there are always many different options available and the choice must be made wisely. If you are facing a decision or moment of doubt, the Fool encourages you to believe in yourself and follow your heart no matter how crazy or foolish your impulses may seem. This is a time when you need to truly
‘believe’ and have faith in where the Universe is taking you. 

The Fool is an excellent symbol to meditate on if you are experiencing a lot of fear in your life. The Fool enhances courage, risk-taking and the creative expression needed to open up new areas in your life.  

The Fool is always whole, healthy and without fear. He is the spirit of who we are, the spirit expressed and experienced as wonder, awe, curiosity and anticipation. We never know what is in the future but like the Fool we must blindly go forward. You need to trust that you are a spirit born into flesh to enjoy life and grow in experience.
References from http://www.biddytarot.com/tarot-card-meanings/major-arcana/fool/

So today I'd urge you to consider the role of the fool in your life.
Where is there new life and new beginnings available to you?
Where do you need to take that leap of faith in your life and lighten up, have fun and laughter and get into the innocent, childlike wonder of creativity?

Its a Bank holiday here today in the UK, for most a time to allow the time for the energy of the fool to enter life. To be playful, imaginative, and free spirited.

Today is the opportunity for a juicy, fresh new start.......How will you use yours?
Until next time,
Make every moment count!

Lisa x

This dropped into my inbox this afternoon, I think I may have seen it before, but felt it was worth sharing! Sound words indeed from Erma.

Review your life today - Where are you sweating the small stuff ?
Are you rushing through life trying to get to the destination without trully saviouring the journey?
What can you learn from Erma's wisdom...... take stock now, in this moment... don't waste another moment !

Make every moment count,
Lisa xxx

 TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
 (written after she found out she was dying from Polycystic kidney disease). 

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. 
   
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. 
  
I would have talked less and listened more. 
   
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. 
   
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. 
   
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. 
   
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
    
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. 
  
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains. 
 
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. 
 
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. 
   
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. 

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.' 

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!! 
 
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing 
what Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

 Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier.

 Please share this with all the phenomenal women in your life today in celebration of Beautiful Women's Month. 
If you do, something good will happen--you will boost another woman's 
self esteem.