Lamisha Serf-Walls

What Inspiration Really Is

by

In the last few weeks I have had a few clients question what inspiration really is and how it shows up in life.

My ‘oh so knowledgeable coaching self’ responded with: “It depends”.

The truth is that inspiration is different for everyone.  What inspires one person might completely deter someone else from doing what they need to do.  Our likes and dislikes are so very unique that telling you what form inspiration can take for you would likely not be entirely true.

The same goes for how it shows up in your life.  Some people get inspired in a way that makes them excited, uplifted, and running to the canvas, the page, the computer, or whatever they are inspired to do.  For others, it comes as a faint whisper that can easily go unnoticed.Dandelion

I can’t speak for everyone, but I can tell you what I have noticed from myself and from clients regarding the many ways inspiration can show up.

I am often inspired by quotes, books, lines in movies, articles, music, nature, conversations with others, and oddly enough, water.  I get some of my best ideas when I am in the shower and my mind is on auto-pilot with no real rhyme or reason to the direction my thought process in the moment.  I also notice that when a great idea for a blog post, offering, quote, or something else comes to me, if I am not open to it, then it will vanish as quickly as it came.  So, as a result I have learned to be open to the ideas that come and to write them down as soon as I can, even if I have no idea where it might lead. (Take a glance at my brainstorming notebook and you will find a collection of ideas, words, titles etc.)

In my coaching, I talk a lot about inspired action and following your inspiration to the next step, but I have found that there seems to be a misconception about what inspiration actually feels like.  For most people it is simply a heightened awareness or thought that leads to another thought, that might lead to doing something etc.  One thing leads to another and before you know it you have followed the breadcrumbs to an amazing destination that might manifest itself as wonderful opportunities, a book, a course, a piece of art, etc.

What is interesting is that inspiration doesn’t always result in a fire-in-your-belly-run-as-fast-as-you-can-back-to-your-workspace feeling.  Sometimes it comes as a whisper.  A faint thought that peaks your interest and gets you thinking about something in a different way.  It may not seem all that important in the moment, but I am here to tell you those faint whispers hold a ton of power and punch if they are used the right way.

In fact, the name of my blog, my coaching model, numerous blog posts, a new offering I will be rolling out next week, and a future workbook I want to put together all came to me in faint whispers.  Some came a few words at a time, others came as full-fledged titles and images, but the one thing they all have in common is the speed with which they came to me.  One moment I was doing something (like washing my hair) not related to my business or writing work and BOOM there it was.

Inspiration is an amazing thing and sometimes all it takes is the ability for you to be open to it and not try to force it into being.  Simply noticing moments that peak your interest and lead you to something else (an action or a string of thoughts), is a great way to learn more about your process of creating and living the life of your dreams.  It’s a simple step that will likely be a game-changer in how you live and is something I do with all of my clients.

Have you experienced big inspirational movements or do you generally get the gentle whispers that lead you to the next thing?  How does inspiration show up for you?  Share in the comments below, I would love to hear how you are inspired!

Your Gift, Your Dream, Your Path

by

If I have learned anything in the last few years, it is that we all have gifts to give to the world and if we are lucky enough to realize them, we have the opportunity to make them into our dreams.  With that dream comes a path that will teach us amazing lessons along the way.

The person you were when you first realized your gift is not the same person you will be when you apply it to your dreams.

You will change.The Bamboo Forest and some great Twitter Lists to follow

Your path might too.

And as much change, lessons, amazing insights, and growth you go through, at the core you will be the same.

At your core, in your heart, and in the midst of your creative soul, you will be the same.

That passion and love you are sending out into the world has always been with you on some level.  It may have started as just a tiny seedling of interest, inspiration, and hope that eventually developed some roots of importance and passion.  Through storms of confusion and frustrating questions of “how” things would turn out, you have held true to your path, your calling, and your gift.

The path to creating the life of your dreams is yours and as you travel it you get to decipher what lines up with your vision and what does not.  And every “mistake”, “mis-step”, and “failure” is really an opportunity to learn and grow.

So take the first step on your path with positive expectation and open arms for all that you are going to discover about yourself and the world around you, for nothing will provide a more amazing journey than you setting out to make your dreams become reality.

One step is all it takes to get you to the next.  Why not start now?
photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc

Purple People, I’m One…Are You?

by

Chances are if you are reading this you are one of the purple people.  I am not talking about the Oompa Loompa people from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory either.

When I say purple people, I am referring to the dreamers, healers, creatives, writers, and other artists of the world that Tama Kieves talks about in her book Inspired & Unstoppable.  These are the people who dare to forge their own path to success and don’t need to follow in the steps of someone else.  The truth is every person in the world can be a purple person, but for far too long we have been taught to follow tasks, plans, parameters, and success principles of others and have forgotten how to tap into our intuition and inspiration for guidance.

When was the last time you felt for the right decision instead of consulting some plan or to-do list that you have written down?purplepeople

I have to say that when you are taught not to trust your own instincts it can be hard to believe in yourself to know what is the right way…for YOU.

I think I have always known that I was a ‘purple person’ or at least that I was different.  Having done all the things I was supposed to do in life, I fully expected some moment when all the hard work would result in pure bliss, but something was always missing.

I used to say I had two parts of myself that struggled against one another.  On one hand I was a responsible, level-headed, and logical person that was always striving to do what was “right”.  On the other hand I had a free, creative, and adventurous spirit that was calling me to do something more.  Whenever I had to make a decision the two parts collided to create a wave of confusion and frustration.  I was stuck.

Even after making the choice to follow my own path and I began coaching others to do the same, I find the logical voice still creeps in during times of uncertainty.

Am I doing it the right way?  Is this how a business is supposed to run?  Do I have all the marketing and business know-how to succeed?

The answer is yes.  Do I have all the answers I need right this very minute?  Nope. But, I am ok with knowing and trusting that I will find my way as long as I stay open and true to my intuition.  Things fall into place at exactly the right time and if it hasn’t happened yet, it’s not the right time…for me.

The same goes for you.  You will know all that you need to.  You will find your way and when you do, at first you might be amazed at how perfect it feels.  You might even try following someone else’s path and direction first and realize how hard, frustrating, and forced it feels.  That’s ok.  It’s all part of the process, but once you tap into who you truly are and the amazing wisdom that lies within, things will be a lot more clear.

Will it always be easy?

No, but it will get easier as you move forward and I promise you, the “purple people” path is about passion, fire, and following your inspired heart.

If each step feels right for you and leads you to the very next step, how can it be wrong?

Trust yourself, your dreams, and your gifts.  If you can do that all the steps in between will be clear.  

Guest Post, Podcast Interview, and Announcements, Oh My!

by

We are officially one week into 2014 and I don’t know about you, but I have hit the ground running and am so excited for how the rest of the month and year is going unfold.  

If you missed it yesterday, please check out the guest post that I did for Steadily Skipping Stones that provides 5 Tips To Give Your “Resolutions” A Fighting Chance.   

I am also so very excited to share with you the podcast interview I did for People I Almost Know.  A few months back, I stumbled upon a post with interest for new people to interview for an awesome podcast.  I had never done a podcast interview, but thought what the heck!  I had so much fun doing that interview!  If you are interested in knowing a bit more about me, the coaching process, and how to get out of your own way, hop on over and check it out!  

As you may know, I had set an intention to fill my calendar with free-coaching sessions for anyone who was interested in setting a plan for 2014.  I am still doing that, however this offer is only good through the end of January.  So, if you are interested please contact me to get your session scheduled BEFORE January 31st.  At that time, my “intro” session will go back to a brief introduction to coaching, how I work, and will help clients determine if we are a good fit.  

I want to help you make the rest of the year incredible, so please if you are interested in a free session, sign up soon!