Asking for & Accepting HELP

How many times have we wished we had help?  Someone to lend a hand and offer encouragement and support.  LOVE.  Why, do some of us have such difficulty asking for help when we need it?  Do we fear it is a sign of weakness?  Do we fear no one would step up to help?  Are we afraid of rejection?  Or, do we just prefer to be a martyr and go it alone?  Whatever our reasons, we must learn to not only ask for help, we must be willing to accept that which is offered to us. 

Personally, I have always preferred, the go it alone route.  Why, you may ask?  That is, a very good question.  Of which, I am not sure the answer is a simple one.  I am though going to try, to answer that....from my heart of course, and not that place where my EGO lives (in my head).  The move from my head to my heart has been a journey that has often lead me back to my head, more than I would like to admit.  Living from my heart has become easier lately and I have been living from that space more often then the other, which is a good thing.  A very good thing. 

Asking for help though, is still very difficult for me to do.  Particularly, when it comes to friends and family.  I really don't have any trouble asking God/the Universe or my angels and guides for help and thankfully I always receive their help.  Their help often turns out to be continual confirmation and affirmation that I am on the right path.  They gently prod me onwards and upwards.  Human help has been more difficult for me to accept.  I suppose maybe, I'd prefer that people didn't know that I ever needed help.  Maybe, I want them to believe that illusion that I am always strong and brave.  Nonsense Lisa!!  What I really want them to know is, that I too am a mere mortal.  I am human!!  We all need help from time to time and we just need to be humble and honest enough to ask for it.  There is no reason to fear.  Fear casts dark clouds over LOVE. As I was writing about yesterday it is time to take off our masks, peel back the layers that have been weighing us down and get real.  Enjoy the love that our family and friends and lots of times, even strangers offer us.  The more we are willing to ask for and accept help the more we become a part of life.  Going it alone is not noble or brave.  It is more often then not the mask of our EGO that keeps us separate.  Separate from self and others.  Separate from God. 

So my friends, thank you all so much for helping me accept the fact that I am indeed human and worthy and deserving of help.  I am so grateful for your presence here as again it is confirmation that I am following the wisdom that I have always held hidden in my heart.  I am a deserving and loving child of God and the Universe.  We are all one and it is our duty to love and serve as our hearts guide us to do. 

Ask, believe and receive!!  To ask for help is my friends not a sign weakness..it is above all a great example of strength....and for some of us a very humbling experience. 

So whenever anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, make sure that your hand is extended as an offering of love.  Namaste, Lisa

Vulnerability

Happy Hump Day Everyone!!

So since yesterday's post, I have had a lot of thoughts running through my mind. The one that is most persistent has been VULNERABILITY.  What does it mean to be vulnerable?  How can I allow people to see the real me?  Will they like what they see?  Why does that matter?  These are the questions that have been fueling my thoughts over the last 24 hours.  For me, it has been a long and sometimes painful journey to get, to, the point in my life where I am today.  During this journey I have often wore many different masks depending on the company I was keeping.  Sometimes, I think,  we have worn certain masks for so long that we actually believe, that is who we are. 

People admire our courage and strength and so we continue to exhibit courage and strength.  Never really allowing them to see the softer side of us, for they might think we are weak.  Oh the horror!!

From my earliest memories I always have presented a "tough" exterior and this has served me well over the years.  Yet, underneath that "tough" exterior has always been someone who was incredibly sensitive, empathetic and loving.  Someone who has struggled with the depth of her emotions.  How can I let people see who I really am.  Showing them would mean that I might be viewed as weak.  I think, for me anyway, I have been caught in the illusion that since the world around me views me in a certain way then it must be true.  Is it really?  Starting to think not.

Once we are living a heart centered life, it can become challenging to remove our masks and be really who we are meant to be, who we always have been.  A bright beautiful shining star.  We are all beautiful and have value.  Yes, we all get scared sometimes and we may even need to be tough at times.  And every so often we may need to wear a mask....to protect ourselves. 

Opening our hearts and exposing our light to the world can be a scary proposition, particularly if we have been hiding our light.  Being vulnerable, means that by exposing our true selves, OUR SOUL to others we are no longer hiding who we are.  We are honouring who we are.  We are honouring the fact that we are beautiful children of GOD / the UNIVERSE.  Each and everyone of us.  There are no exceptions to this. It also means that others may struggle seeing you as the beautiful source of light you are.  They may not understand what happened to the other you.  The EGO.  The person, they thought you were.  What happened to that person?  Where did she go?  She decided that it was time to take off her masks, drop the EGO and BECOME REAL!!

Sometimes when we expose our SOUL, those who know us (the EGO part of us) may become frightened of our LIGHT, our POWER.  We too may actually become frightened by our LIGHT and POWER.  Yet by removing our masks, one at a time, sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly, we step into the light and allow our true selves to shine through. Too often though most of us have forgotten how truly WONDERFUL and BEAUTIFUL we are. 

With an open heart we are bound to feel more deeply and love unconditionally.  We actually become more real.  We become a beacon shining brightly for others to see.  Some may like what they see and others may not.  That is NOT our business.  People and friendships may fall away and we may be left wondering why.  Yet, by being real and exposing our SOUL, we attract those that we need and that need us into our lives.  Our lives actually become more abundant and our friendships and connections with others become more meaningful.  Life becomes a beautiful shining example of LOVE and PEACE. 

Following is a message regarding venerability from my Earth Magic Oracle cards, by Dr. Stephen Farmer, I thought that it was important to include it with this post:

You are in a place now where you can take risks with your feelings, and even more important, take risks with the truth of who you are - the truth you know in your heart and soul.  You no longer need to be subjected to your conditioned fears of letting others know who you really are.  Yes, others may judge, evaluate, criticize, and perhaps even put you down.  These are very real possibilities.  Yet by trusting that you have the strength to with these reactions - rather than responding adaptively and always playing it safe - you can more confidently allow yourself to be vulnerable.  Always holding back from expressing your truth can create and illusion of safety, but armed with your trust and your faith, you can choose to be vulnerable and share your authentic self with the world. 

Namaste, Lisa

Ebb & Flow - Riding the Waves of our Emotions

So, how many of you, out there like me, have been riding the roller coaster of your emotions these days?  Times are changing and they are changing quickly.  For those of us sensitive to energy shifts, these past couple of weeks have been incredibly powerful, as well, as challenging.  Personally, I feel like a yo-yo.  One minute, I'm up and the next minute I am down.  So, how do we, navigate through the rough waters of emotional ups and downs?  How do we nurture and care for ourselves, when we are experiencing waves of uncomfortable emotions?

What we should learn to do, although sometimes easier said than done, is to honour and accept ourselves and our emotions exactly as they are.  Without trying to control or change them.  Tune into them and ask yourself, what can I learn from this feeling?  How can this feeling help me to advance and grow spiritually?   Is this a recurring feeling / emotion?  If it is, maybe it is time to put pen to paper and write about what is going on.  Ignoring or disowning our emotions only creates discomfort and DIS-EASE in our physical bodies. 

Through body work and meditation we can learn to tap into the inner wisdom of our true self, our soul.  The very essence of who we are and the lessons we are here to learn.  By connecting with our breath we allow ourselves an opportunity for growth.  For change.  For most of us, change can be incredibly frightening and uncomfortable.  Most of us, are aware, though that on the other side of change is a life better then we could have previously imagined.  The only way to get to the other side is to move through the fear and trust that you will be o.k.  YOU ARE O.K. 

We are all perfect children of GOD, or if you prefer the UNIVERSE.  As children of God we are all perfect and worthy of love and happiness.  For some of us though this is a most difficult lesson to learn.  We feel down and yet, when those around us try to offer us love and support we often get defensive or assure our family and friends that we are indeed o.k.  Why do we do this?  Why do we not accept the love and support that is very often freely given?  My answer to that is EGO.  Edging, God, Out! We all wear masks and lots of us have been wearing our masks for so long that we no longer recognize, that which we wear.  I have always been viewed by people around me as someone who is strong and courageous.  Although, I do, indeed have such qualities, I am also someone who struggles to present her true self at all times to those around me.  I am not only strong, brave and courageous, I am soft, gentle, compassionate and loving and these days scared.  Not many people around me would be aware of that because I wouldn't let them know.  Do I fear that they might find out that I am human?  Do I fear that they might think I am weak? 

True strength is being able to be real in all situations, without fear of being judged or of the opinions of others.  True strength is accepting that I am not strong all the time.  Sometimes...especially these days, I just want to cry.  I just want to be held in the arms of someone who loves me and let it all out.  To trust that those who love me and whom I love in return, are going accept me just as I am.  If I want those who know and love me to accept me just as I am, maybe it is time that I, accept me, exactly as I am, in this moment, on this roller coaster ride of emotions....A PERFECT CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE.  A spiritual being, having a very human experience. 

We are all being supported by seen and unseen forces.  This is a very powerful and pivotal time on our planet.  So many of us on the spiritual path are meeting obstacles right now.  Lots of us are having health issues.  Varied and extreme sensations in our bodies.  We are being lead to new and higher levels of awareness.  Not just as and individual but also collectively.  Trust the process. Trust the wisdom of your bodies and especially the wisdom of that big beautiful muscle beating inside of your chest.  Our hearts know the way.  We just have to follow the wisdom that is being shown, through various methods, our emotions, being one of them that we are on the right path.  We are o.k.   We are good enough and most importantly we DESERVE love. 

So here are some of the things that I like to do when I am presented with emotional ups and downs.  Obviously, writing is important to me so I am always journaling.  Although, interestingly enough, I haven't been doing much in the last couple of weeks....hmmm.  Interesting!!  I meditate and just be still.  Allowing thoughts to come and go as they will.  Without criticism or judgement.  Hot baths with epsom salts is a favorite of mine.  They help me relax and the epsom salts help to clear any energy that is of a low vibration.  I also like to call on Archangel Michael for LOVE, STRENGTH, COURAGE and PROTECTION and Archangel Raphael for HEALING, KNOWLEDGE and TRUTH.  Rest. Rest. Rest.  Allow yourself the time to tune in and really ask your body what it needs you to do, to support yourself at this time.  Lastly, GRATITUDE.  Gratitude that you are able to experience such intense emotions and feeling as they are your guide posts to lead you home.  Beacons in the dark if you like that when honoured will lead you home.  Home to your HEART.  YOUR SOUL. 

We are all in this together and the better able we are to nurture, care and in turn heal ourselves the more brightly our LIGHT and LOVE will shine outwardly to affect the world around us.  Our mission is to heal the world within us so that we may better SERVE. 

I have been taught that LOVE IS AN ACTION, not and EMOTION.  So SERVICE IS LOVE IN ACTION.

Thank you all so much for being a part of my life and allowing me the honour of being  a small part of yours.  Namaste.

Touched by an Angel....or two

I am writing this post today to share with all of you the most powerful experience with angels that I have had to date.  It happened last Friday as I was speaking with my sister on the phone.  The other person who was home with me as well as our cat were right beside me. 

So here it goes...I was sharing with her the date of my upcoming marriage, which just happens to be the birthday of our dearly beloved Uncle Reg, who past away almost 6 years ago.  I was also saying that maybe I should write a book about the "modern family".  No sooner were the words out of my mouth when we heard a loud bang at the back of the house.  Jason and I reacted to it as it our cat.  Anyway, we headed back to investigate and as we approached my son's room we could see that his etch a sketch was lying in the middle of the doorway, upside down,  approximately a foot and a half from his bookshelf, where it usually sits.  Jason entered the room and I stayed in the hallway.  Immediately, I had goosebumps all over my body and a warm tingling feeling that started in between my shoulder blades, moving up my neck to the crown of my head.  The tingling sensation was intense and it was only happening to me as Jason felt nothing from where he was standing.  I was quite taken aback by the intensity of the sensation as I had never experienced anything quite like it before.  The whole experience left me feeling like I had just been hugged from behind by and angel.  My first thought was that it was my uncle Reg sending us his love.  I also felt too that it might have been AA Michael.  Regardless, of who or what it may have been it was one of the most profound and beautiful experiences of my life.

For me the timing of the bang was significant, as I was speaking about writing my book and I felt as if it was confirmation that I will do this.  I also felt as if it was a blessing of our marriage and commitment to each other and to my beautiful boy.  Since that time I have been getting a ton of tingling in the area of my third eye and crown chakras.  More intuitive thoughts have been coming my way and I have been feeling guided to nurture and be more gentle with myself then I have been in recent months.  Guided back to do those things that make me feel good and inspire me.  I think sometimes in the day to day hustle and bustle we tend to put the needs of others in front of our own, leaving very little if any time left to nurture our soul.  My soul is calling out to be nurtured, and with the help of some very special angels that is exactly what I have been doing. 

Please feel free to share your own angel experiences as I would love to hear them.  Until then trust that you are a beautiful soul who has and flock of angels just waiting for you to reach out and connect with them.  Some of mine got that message across to me last week very loud and clear.  My angels are always near. 

Thank you all so much for being here.  Love and Light, Lisa

FORGIVENESS, LOVE & COMPASSION FOR ALL

So I have been feeling somewhat unsettled these days for no apparent reason.  My life is great.  I have a lovely home, a great partner, an awesome son and a job that I love. So why am I struggling to allow myself to experience happiness and joy?  Good question, right.  Why the emotional teeter totter, when there is so much joy to be had? 

As I was journalling earlier, I was filled with self doubt and struggling with feelings of guilt.  Do I deserve the life of my dreams?  Have I gotten to this place in my life by being selfish, only thinking about my needs and wants?  How do I come to terms with and release my guilt about choices I have made and the people, who by my choices may have been hurt? 

I AM HAPPY AND DESERVE HAPPINESS.  So why am I often doubting and second guessing myself?  Is it because I worry about the opinions and judgements of others?  Why?  Why, is it still so important to me to have the approval of others?  How is it that I have done, and continue to do so much work on myself, and yet I still have difficulty accepting myself?  How can I be so compassionate and understanding of others, while not offering that same compassion and understanding to myself? 

Where does self doubt come from?  Is it really just EGO, an illusion?

Over the last two years I have experienced some major life changes and shifts.  I left a 10 year relationship with the father of my son.  I am in school part time, as the first step toward a career change and I am, in a live in relationship with my first love.  We lived very parallel lives for the 26 years that we were apart and although we were apart, without contact for over 2 decades, the connection we have today is as strong and unconditional as it was when we were kids in the eighties.  It feels as though, here with him is where I was always meant to be.  Now, all of that being said at some level I just feel so unworthy and so undeserving.  As I am writing this I am feeling like maybe the answer to these feelings is FORGIVENESS.  Forgiveness of self and the choices I have made.  The people I have hurt....real or imagined.  For the mistakes I have made.  All of which, I am grateful for as they have brought me to my life today.  I have learned so much and sometimes I forget how far I have come.  How much courage I have and how much love and understanding I have to offer. 

Life happens!  People get hurt.  People aren't always going to understand me or approve of me. That's o.k.  We are all here to fulfill our soul's purpose.  Each one of us has a very special purpose and it is our job to seek out whatever that is and then pursue it with all your heart.  No two journeys are the same.  My responsibility is finding and honouring my truth, while allowing others to do the same. 

Ultimately, I think we are all looking at some level for the same things....LOVE, PEACE, UNDERSTANDING and ACCEPTANCE.  These,  qualities we must first offer ourselves.  As the saying goes....CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME!

Affirmation for today: I gently forgive and love myself.  I am free to experience joy and happiness. All is well.  I am safe.

Thank you all for being here supporting and loving me on my journey.  I am grateful.  Namaste xo

2012 - Make it Your Best Year Yet

Happy New Year Everyone!! 

Thank you all so much for being a part of my life.  I am so excited by the energy of 2012.  Can you feel it?  Oh sure, there are those who will say that this is a year of doom and gloom because the Mayans predicted it.  Did you ever think that maybe they just ran out of space on the calendar?

Anyway, 2012 ushered in a new wave of energy, a higher vibration if you will.  For those of us sensitive to energy we can actually feel it.  Even those who may not be aware of what they are feeling are likely sensing a difference.  Change is in the air. 

My hope is that the change that happens, is that we become kinder more compassionate people.  People that are aware of the fact that we are all connected, whether we are family, friends or strangers.  Whether we live in Canada or Africa.  WE ARE ALL ONE.  The more that we become aware of this simple fact the more we will be able to heal the planet and in turn ourselves. 

As Gandhi so eloquently said  "we must be the change, we wish to see in the world."

So, that is, the dilemma for most of us, we look around and notice all the things that need to be fixed in the world and throw up our arms and claim it is useless.  What is the point? Can I really make a difference?  My answer is a resounding OF COURSE YOU CAN!!  We all have the power to initiate change.  We all have the power to make this world a better place.  Most of us spend too much time looking at the big picture and in turn loose sight of the smaller picture.  Our homes, our families, our communities.  We don't have to travel around the world to make a difference, we can start doing that today right here, wherever we are, right now.  Change starts with us. 

So call someone you love today and let them know it.  Do something nice for a neighbor (I like to take mine treats...baked goods or a meal).  Volunteer at your child's school.  The feeling that you get from doing something nice for someone else, will prove to you that YOU DO have the power to change your world, one kindness at a time.  So get out there today and be the change.

The sign outside of the church, up the street from me, says - Are you the kind of neighbour that you would like to have?  Hmmm, food for thought, my friends.  Food for thought.

Wishing you all a very blessed and exciting 2012.  Thanks again for being a part of my journey.  Namaste xoxo

Ginger Sesame Noodles with Broccoli

Below is a super easy and really yummy recipe from Robin Robertson's - Quick Fix Vegetarian -http://www.globalvegankitchen.com/.  This one's for all my Monday night Work it Circuit ladies.  Sorry for the delay in posting it.  Enjoy.

                                    Ginger Sesame Noodles with Broccoli
                                                       serves 4

2 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste)
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
3 tablespoons mirin (this is available at health food stores.  I used rice vinegar instead and it worked)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup tamari
4 tablespoons water
12 ounces linguine
8 ounces broccoli florets, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh or bottled minced ginger (I grated a piece of fresh)
toasted sesame seeds

Put the pasta water on to boil in a large covered pot.

In a small bowl, combine the tahini, brown sugar, mirin and red pepper flakes until well blended.  Stir in the tamari and water until blended.  Set aside.

When the water comes to a boil, salt it and add the linguine.  Cook the linguine until it is al dente, about 10 minutes.  During the last 5 minutes of cooking time, add the broccoli florets and cook until just tender.  When the noodles and broccoli are cooked, drain and rinse with cold water.  Toss with the sesame oil and set aside.

Heat the canola oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.  Add the garlic and ginger and stir-fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.  Add the noodles and broccoli and the sauce.  Serve hot, sprinkled with sesame seeds. 

Notes: Asparagus cut into 2 inch pieces, may be used instead of broccoli.
Any variety of Asian noodle may be used in place of the linguine.

ENJOY and don't forget to let me know what you think.