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"The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of 60 minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is". C. S. Lewis I was thinking this morning of just how busy my life has been just recently. The days and weeks have been pretty full, I've been working with my gorgeous man on project planning for Get the Edge (our training and consultancy business)At times in the past couple of weeks I became aware of a feeling of not having enough time to fit everything in. Which of course simply isn't true, we're all give the same amount of time in every 24 hour period, its how we spend that time that counts. And I should know, I train this stuff! It's amazing what some time away from the desk can do for you, yesterday we took a walk along the lane , what a tonic. Fresh air and being totally present seemed to have the effect of slowing time down.... really it's true, I felt like time had expanded, which indecently is a huge sign that I'd dipped out of being completely present. I found that I noticed the details of life around me, i became much more in tune with myself and with the World around me. I know better than to get caught up in busy work for busy sake... but hey, I'm human.... I can get caught out just like the next person. I also know when I'm present, in the moment I can achieve anything in that moment, I become limitless. All it takes is to be present, to be in the moment, to breathe and be. When we are present in our experience the World seems sharper somehow, brighter, everything sounds clearer and our awareness is heightened. I wonder then, what causes us to be in trance most of the day?... sleep walking in truth. We get caught up in our head, in our busy stuff doing busy things and the eternal "To do" list. So if you're finding that your dreams and goals seem to be on the back burner... way out into the future where you feel you cannot reach them, then maybe its time to stop, take a deep breath, be present and realise you can do anything..... but not everything. And then just let all of those insignificant tasks just drop away. Which reminds me of a question that's really useful to ask yourself if you start to feel that there's just not enough hours in the day or you feel overwhelmed.... Will this really matter when I'm on my deathbed? It kind of cuts through the crap doesn't it ? Things only have meaning, when we give meaning to them! So take time... it will pass anyway......and simply Make every moment count! Lisa xx
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How are you enjoying the beautiful summer sunshine? As I sit here typing this month's newsletter the golden rays of warmth are streaming in through the window, the garden is in full bloom and my spirit feels lifted by such a beautiful day. Each day the forecast has claimed it it be 'The hottest day of the year' and we're told that the sunny spell is here to stay for a while. Its amazing just how a sunny day can shift your feelings don't you think? No matter what's going on in life, a little sunshine brings brightness and illumination. I took a walk along the lane at the weekend with my gorgeous man and as we walked and looked around me at the wild flowers growing amoung the wheat and instantly I was reminded of the long hazy days of summer as a child. The long six weeks holiday in my memory, was full to the brim of hot sunny days, walking through the fields, playing on the tree swing with my friends, days full of joy and laughter,making secret dens and spending hours and hours outdoors, drinking in all that vitamin D. Back then, summer lasted for what seemed a lifetime! Isn't it funny when you're a child time goes on and on, yet when you're an adult, weeks are gone in the blink of an eye and months fly by and you find yourself; wondering where all those years went .From being that child running through the wheat fields and paddling in the brook to the adult with responsibilities and tasks to be done- for many, a life full of a series of 'to do' lists and bills to pay. I urge you now today, to reconnect with that childlike wonder. Savour those juicy sunny moments. Enjoy the moment, in every moment, instead of living for the latte, waiting for the weekend, or putting your joy on hold until all the work is done.What better time than now? You know I realise that I'm so blessed to have lived most of my life in the countryside and I do truly appreciate the gifts and opportunity that has given me. No matter if you live in the countryside yourself or in a town or city, getting out into nature, be it your local park or any area of greenery, I'd really urge you to get outside, it really does soothe the soul and its good for your health.Exposing skin to sunlight may help to reduce blood pressure, cut the risk of heart attack and stroke - and even prolong life studies have shown. Its also our source of Vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones, we get most of our vitamin D from exposure to sunlight.Sunlight helps lift our spirits, by stimulating the synthesis of endorphins (good-feeling hormones).The sun even helps us to sleep more soundly. Daytime exposure to sunlight increases the melatonin production during the night. This hormone helps regulate the sleep. So even if you've spent the day cooped up in the office or inside at work, then take a few minutes this evening to walk in the sunshine, feels its warmth against your face and simply smile with childlike wonder at the beauty of the hazy summer days! Be really present, notice all the gorgeousness of summer around you. I mean really notice. Yes, it will soon be the weekend again,the week will have flown by again, unless you put down the 'To do list' and make the moment count. I'm sure for at least a few moments it can wait. Until next time, make very sunshiny moment count! Lisa xxx
October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came - The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name. The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band. ~George Cooper, "October's Party" I dont know about you, but I just adore the Autumn, the colours are so vibrant as the trees mark the turning wheel of the year, their once green hues becoming a blaze of flaming colour. As all of nature flows with the change of season, so do we. Have you noticed that your energy is slowing down, that as the nights draw in you wish to retreat to hearth and home? The long high energy days of the Summer have long since passed and now is the time for letting go. Autumn is the beginning of the yin cycle in traditional Chinese medicine, when the daylight lasts less than twelve hours. It’s a time of harvest and gathering. Think of the symbols of Autumn and you'll probably see a picture Pumpkins and falling leaves in your minds eye. In autumn we have the opportunity to learn more about ourselves, than in any other season. If we look at Nature having provided the harvest, it now makes everything bare. In this season Nature lets go of its abundant creation of the past year in a grand final flaming display of abundant colour. Autumn marks the end of the growing season - a turning inward, a falling away of outer-directed energy. Leaves turn colour and drop. The old leaves go back to the earth, enriching it to promote the coming of new leaves, a new harvest. Nature shows us our own cycles of creating and letting go: Trees in autumn don't stubbornly hold onto their leaves because they might need them next year. Yet how many of us ignore the cycle and try with all of our might to cling onto what we've produced or collected, for fear of lack - those decayed leaves, those old out worn beliefs, or negativity? How can we hope for a harvest next year unless we let go of the old and start afresh? The energy of this season, more than any other, supports our letting go of what we no longer need, the old and stale in our lives, those things, ideas and thoughts that no longer serve us. If we are able to flow and allow the fullness of the energy of Autumn, we can allow ourselves to be receptive to the new, giving us the gift of a true insight of who we are at heart . Autumn returns us to our true selves, moves us to let go what we no longer need, revealing what is most meaningful in our lives. So today I ask you to consider.... Where are you hanging on to what can now be let go of? How can you notice the messages that Autumn is bringing forth to you? The colours of Autumn also share a meaningful message with us. Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow. It provides emotional energy that you can give to others, including compassion, passion and genuine warmth. Remember that feeling of home and hearth? Brown is the color of our earth and is associated with all things natural or organic. Brown creates a warm, comfortable feeling of wholesomeness and dependability, family-life, loyal friends. Brown gives you a feeling of relaxation and home coming. Brown makes you feel cosy, safe and warm. Reminding us to go within, to retreat and reflect. Gold is associated with the Sun which is a symbol of happiness, success, attainment, prosperity and true friends. Obstacles fall away in the light of joy. It brightens all things in its rays adding a sense of optimism and good cheer. Reminding us to celebrate our harvest and be grateful for our bounty. Red is the color of physical energy, passion, and desire. It symbolizes action, confidence and courage. Determination to go after your dreams and the power to achieve goals Red is powerfully linked to our most primitive physical, financial, and emotional needs of survival and self-preservation. Reminding us to set the seeds for the future, to sow that we may reap at the next years harvest. Purple is the color of Spirituality. It urges us to find our power within, not the kind of power that needs to control or dominate others, but power rooted in connection to Spirit.purple is associated with imagination and inspiration. Reminding us in our time of inner reflection we find our spirit's inspiration. So I urge you to observe the colours and energy of Autumn... What message does Autumn whisper to you? Notice the colours that you are drawn to, then allow the colour to infuse you with its energy and purpose. Finally I found this wonderful guided meditation for you, allowing the energy of Autumn. Until next time, Make every moment count! Lisa x 
Last night I had the pleasure of watching the wonderful film "The Shift" with Dr Wayne Dyer. A three stringed story that unfolds simultainously to show the shift from ambition to meaning ( which was the original title of the film).
The Shift as Wayne Dyer talks about it has been researched in both men and women. In both the film and the book of the same name, Dr. Dyer explores the process of moving away from an aimless life, directed by our ego and its lies, to one filled with meaning and purpose. As he explains, "The shift begins in the process of halting the momentum and self-importance of the ego. This doesn't mean we lose our drive; rather, it signifies that our drive is realigned with a life based on experiencing meaning and feeling purposeful." He points out that, unfortunately, many people reach the end of their life without ever making this "u-turn" from ambition to meaning. So, what exactly does this shift look like? Characteristics of The Shift According to studies, Dr. Dyer says that the top values for men and women, before and after making a shift in the direction and motivation of their lives, are as follows: For men... Before making the shift, the top values for men are:
Before making the shift, the top values for women are:
I can recognise this in both myself and those around me, both those who have made the shift and are in the "afternoon" of their lives and those who are still in the "Morning" of their life as, Wayne Dyer puts it. What struck me was a reference Wayne made to a book he had been given as a young man. Leo Tolstoy's "The death of Ivan Ilyich" there's a clue of the ending in the title, but in the story as Ivan is lying on his deathbed he says "What is my whole life has been wrong?" and then dies. Imagine that? Living your whole life and then at the end in the very last moment, reviewing your life in that way? We all have a song in our heart that is our reason for being here, the gift, unique to us that we bring to the World. “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.” Martin Luther King Jr. It matters not what your gift is,you may be a street sweeper, a poet, a manager, housewife... No, what what matters most is that your song is not left unsung, that your promise is fulfilled to the World. That you do not deny us of your individual service. What's your heart's song as yet unsung? What's your gift as yet not shared? Everybody matters, everyone is unique, everyone can serve by sharing their own heart song, and in doing so not only help themselves but help the whole. So look and listen to those around you, encourage them to sing their song. And today I urge you to listen carefully to your own heart, do you have a song as yet unsung? Are you in the morning of your life mumbling through life , or have you made your shift into the full bloom of the afternoon of your life? Until next time, Make every moment count, Lisa xx 
Well what a week it was last week, talk about contrasting emotions. As any other person, I experience the full range of emotions in my life, but rarely can I claim to have felt them all in the same week! For followers of my blogs and posts, I think it would be fair to say that I always look at life with a half full, rather than half empty view point. And this week would be no exception. There were moments in the past week though, as any other spiritual being having a human experince, where even I had some ups and downs on the roller coaster of life. Sometimes it does all come at us at once and at speed, sometimes we are on that roller coaster with no choice but hang on and go along for the ride. Now we can do so with fear and trepidation, with screams and tears, or we can just take a deep breath and accept what comes to us along the ride and do the best we can at any given moment. My week began with the first sight of the cover of "Get a LIfe!-the guide book" and a publishing date of the 30th November this year. Wow I cant begin to express the excitement and the sense of achievement to know that this piece of work , this out pouring of my heart and soul would very soon be a tangible object, that can be held in your hands and read by many. It's certainly a tick marked against my bucket list,it holds a real sense of meaning and purpose for me. A feeling of total elation is how I would describe it! So musch like the excitement of the roller coaster you could say. So what else happened in my roller coaster week you might ask? Well you know sometimes you decide to do something on the spur of the moment? Well I did just that! Don't get me wrong I love spontaneity, but in this case I probably made a bit more work for myself than I truly had the capacity to deliver ( note to self, learn just what you can fit in, in one week!) I decided along with my gorgeous man Jon to decorate the sun room/ utility room, which sounds simple and straight forward right? Well it pretty much was, except that was in addition to fitting a new carpet, building new seating in the pergola in the garden, organising a 50th Birthday party for Jon, shopping for said party, carrying out our normal working week... oh and did I mention the trip to Glenfiled hospital for my beautiful daughter Sarah to have heart surgery??? So much like realising you're on the roller coaster, the attendant has secured you into your seat.... and there's absolutley no chance at this point you can get off! Yes, you did read that correctly, my daughter Sarah had heart surgery on Friday, (It was at this the point of the roller coaster ride I truly did want to scream and cry and very much wish I could get of, I felt completely in the hands and control of the driver or in this case surgeons, but all I could do was take that very big breath and wait the three hour long surgery to see her come back to me)..... and yes,thankfully she did and is making a good recovery. I then had a house full of guests on Saturday for a birthday BBQ which fast became rendition of "You will always find me in the kitchen at party's" for all of our guests due to the unseasonal drenching of the new said garden seating arrangements in the garden pergola! Now I know we are all super heros in disguise, but maybe sometimes, just sometimes we have to recognise that we're not superhuman. This I now recognise... thanks universe for that little lesson. Sarah's surgery was a huge success I might add,and the bonus of her being alowed home the very next day, despite her wobbling around still no doubt under the influence of heavy anesthetic she's making an amazing recovery.Epic bruising aside its absolutely amazing!And for that I'm truly grateful. The party went wonderfully well, and Jon celebrated his half century surrounded by family friends and a mighty fine cake ( thanks to his dad) All in the kitchen ,but still it was a very lovely view of the new garden seating area! I even, in between all this managed to fit in cutting the grass ( which is no mean feat on sodden grass ) around Holly House, and fit in all the normal house hold chores, oh and try to keep up with the emails and messages! Don't get me wrong I'm not moaning or complaining, just recognising that sometimes life is full, fit to bursting, it can be challenging to fit it all in, to find the balance..... oh yes nearly forgot, did I mention I also fitted in writing and delivering a talk/ speaking engagement to a group of wonderful business women from WiRE on "Finding your balance" aptly enough..... I'm just recognising that sometimes we have to know when to stop, when to be still and when to say no. A bit like realising that maybe the roller coaster was just a bit beyond what you had planned for. Just like anyone, I sometimes miss that point, I go hurtling past it and then ( As i did this morning, weary and tired, emotional and everso slightly overwhelmed) I realised, I just needed to stop, apply my own oxygen mask and ask for help. To stop and to get back to my own point of balance. In order that I could replenish my own petrol tank of energy, to be able to support others. So why do I share my roller coaster week with you? Well, to say just this..... It's perefctly ok to stop, its ok to be still, its ok to give yourself permission to give yourself time to find own balance. And it's perfectly ok to recognise you're a human being and experiencing the full gammut of emotion is part of that life experience, even if it does come at you all in the same week! So remember to fill up your own tank, to apply your own oxygen mask, before you can helpothers.Give yourself some TLC, because you're worth it! Until next time, Make every moment count, Lisa xxx  As many of you know I was at the "Women inspiring women" awards ( run by Damsels in success) on Saturday night, where the Minister for inspiration Richard Wilkins was MC for the evening, during the evening he made mention of how important it is to share your story, not about what you "Do", or what you've done, but about you, about your journey and how it made you
feel..... It struck a chord with me, It made me think..... Now for those of you who know me well you will possibly already know my story, its not unusual, its not so different from many people out there, but I thought it worth sharing... so that you may know where my journey has taken me and how I have got to here..... Get a Life! came to manifestation as a result of an intent I put out sometime ago. In order to bring it to fruition I have been on a long journey to Get a Life! myself. You see, in order to bring Get a Life! to life... I had to wake up! That’s right, wake up! Maybe you’ve done it yourself, you’re drifting along through life, day after day, and showing up to life just as you did yesterday. Then it happens.... sometimes it’s a gentle nudge, a fleeting thought... “There must be more to life than this” or “Is this it? Is this all there is?” or for others it hits like a sledgehammer or demolition ball... shaking you to your very core. For me it was I guess a few nudges to begin with, but I simply didn’t listen, I kept on doing what I did in the same way I’d always done, thinking that’s just what you do.I held down a high powered, high stress corporate career, in fact I was probably the streo-typical, driven, career woman.But when the universe calls to your spirit and you don’t listen, then it calls again and if you still don’t listen; as was the case in my journey, then its shouts at the top of it’s voice for you to wake up. My shout came in the form of severe post natal depression after the birth of my beautiful daughter Sarah, over 19 years ago. This totally debilitating illness was like carrying around the biggest black cloud above my head every where I went, even getting dressed and making a cup of tea was a challenge back then, but still I soildered on, went back to work and continued pushing hard in my career, but the universe kept on shouting, until I simply had to take notice......culminating in me being diagnosed with M.E. (myalgic encephalomyelitis) Crazy but true...... It took a debilitating illness to make me wake up to my spirit’s call! Many years down the line, I have been on a long and life transforming journey since that time,of which I’m truly grateful, I might add. My journey has taken me through the wonders of complementary therapy,recognising my soul's calling and letting go of my old corporate career,at times having lots of money,at other times having no money,but recognising abundance beyond the material. Years of developing my spirituality,with that experiencing challenges of my beliefs, going on to train as a therapist myself, opening a nationally award winning an holistic centre, and then several years later letting go and closing the holistic centre,in order to move into the next part of my journey. Experiencing a painful and sad divorce from my daughter's dad, who had been part of my life's journey since I was 15. Experiencing life threatening illness in my close family,and the serious life threatening illness of my daughter last year, which as a mother I can say is one of the hardest things to bare. So why share my story? My journey isn't so very different from many, many people I know..... basically there have been many ups and downs and rounds and rounds, until I was ready to Get a Life! myself and in having experienced the range of human emotions, the good times, the challenging times ( all of which are lessons to be appreciated and savoured) in turn I am able and ready to help others. I'm not a guru, I'm not superhuman,(although we're all super heros in disguise as Richard wilkins will tell you!) I share my story so that you can understand this. I share my story that you may see that have found my way through all the twists and turns of the journey, and what an amazing one it's been so far! I've learnt how to make every juicy moment count and to never waste a moment. So as I share with you today, I’m wide awake, in perfect health, blissfully happy with myself and my life. I'm blessed to have manifested into my life the most wonderful man, my twin flame and the love of my life; Jon. I am abundantly blessed and filled with love for my beautiful, witty and intelligent daughter Sarah (who has taught me so much and continues to do so, she is well now by the way and under went heart surgery in July), my loving family (now much extended to include Jon’s lovely girls Olivia and Rachel and his family) and my wonderful,amazing, uplifting friends ( you know who you are, I love you all x) I have become a very different human being to the old Lisa. I have evolved. Before I was all about “doing” now I’m about “Being”, about appreciating life and all it brings. About living through gratitude for my many, many abundant blessings. The gift I was given ( I do see every experience as a gift), my wake-up call, allowed me to follow my true calling. In order that I can now live on purpose.You could say I Got a Life! I hope that this blog/ website and my work may bring you great pleasure, bring you a smile, some inspiration and allow you to wake-up gently, bringing your true spirit to light. Namaste 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. |
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