Lamisha Serf-Walls

Meditation Challenge Update

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For those of you who don’t know, I have recently taken on the challenge of meditating everyday for 100 days.  I have never been good at meditating everyday even though I am well aware of the benefits it can have on mental health, energy, and overall well-being.  And to be honest with you when I accepted the challenge, there was a part of me that wondered if I would be able to fit it in each day.  But here we are on day 10 and I have meditated everyday of January so far.  That in and of itself is an exciting thing for me.

With that said I thought I would share a bit of my experience thus far.  The first few days were a bit hectic as I didn’t have a set time to meditate, nor did I do it  in the same place, or by using the same method for that matter.  Needless to say I was inconsistent and the quality of each experience wasn’t all that great.  My mind wandered far more that I liked and I didn’t feel as focused or calm as I am used to feeling after a good meditation.  So I figured I would streamline my practice a bit more while still having some flexibility, so I can still flow with whatever life throws at me.

Here’s what I do:

  • I turn on some quiet meditation music
  • Sit in a comfortable position either in a chair or on the floor
  • Close my eyes
  • And breathe

Sounds simple huh?  It is…sort of.  Getting into meditation and clearing my head of all the noise is the most difficult thing for me to do, but as my mind wanders and begins thinking about what I will be doing in the next few hours, I try to focus on the music, or tune into specific areas in my body bringing my awareness back to myself and not my thoughts.  Sometimes I am very successful, sometimes not so much, however I keep going.  At this time I don’t have a specific amount of time that I sit in meditation, but I have reached a max of 15 minutes with hopes of getting it up to 30 by the end of the challenge.

So how do I feel so far?

the results of just 10 inconsistent days of meditation have been incredible.

Here’s what I have experienced:

  • Better mood overall
  • A sense of peace and relaxation afterwards
  • More focus
  • Anticipation for my next meditation
  • Less worry, more faith that things are going to work out in all areas of life
  • A deeper connection to my intuition and dreams

Another thing I am experiencing (though I am not sure if it is a result of my meditation practice, or if it relates to my theme of the year) is an increase in opportunities that seem to fall into my lap, as well as an overwhelming amount of confidence on my part to take on projects that in the past would have overwhelmed me.  Maybe my meditation practice is supporting me as I go with the flow of life and if that is the case then I look forward to what lies ahead while still remaining in this moment as completely as I can.

So that is where I am at after 10 days.  Look for the next update on day 30!

How I’m Building My Life Coaching Dream

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In my last post I talked about my current midnight hustle and how my life coach training may have to be put on hold longer than I originally had planned, however I wanted to give you a little bit of insight into how I am keeping my focus strong on my dream of inspiring and changing lives through coaching.

I decided just before starting this blog, that I wanted to do something now that would  not only support my journey to becoming a life coach, but also keep me inspired, motivated, and focused on my vision.  Since I am very much a do-er, I wanted something that I could do besides sit and daydream about “one day when”.  Over time the list of things I am doing to prepare for my business has grown and I am delighted to share them with you in hopes that you find a bit of inspiration to take action on part of your dreams, even if you have to wait for other pieces to fall into place.

So far here is what I am doing to prepare, plan, and focus on my business:

Research -When I first realized I wanted to be a life coach, I had no idea where to begin, so naturally I enlisted the help of the internet and did as much research as possible.  I wanted to see how other coaches had gotten started, where they studied, and what they were doing.  I even spent some time interviewing people who were in the coaching business.  This piece has been essential and while I did most of my research in the very beginning, I still do a bit here and there as I begin thinking about what I want my business to look like.

Blog – As my excitement grew, I felt like I had to do more than just read about coaching.  I realized I was already coaching friends, family, and co-workers in one way or another, so why not use my writing to reach out and inspire others?  After many months of intentionally planning the focus for my blog, in October 2012 I started writing.  I decided my blog would eventually turn into a portion of my business page and what better way to launch a business than to have readers to launch it to?

Brainstorm – This seems like a no-brainer, but I have spent some time over the last year simply writing down ideas, thoughts, possible business names, and things I would like to offer within my coaching.  In fact, I have a notebook dedicated to my business ideas and the best part about it is I just let my creativity flow.  I don’t limit anything that I write or judge it as good or bad, I simply brainstorm.  Who knows what it might turn into?

Collect Information – A few months ago I started a folder in my email entitled “Business”.  In it I collect newsletters, blogs, advice, and other information that I receive from various websites I subscribe to and my intuition tells me this is going to be very beneficial later.  Much of the advice may not apply to me right now, but it is something I can use in the future.  For instance the last one I received today was from Jess Lively in her “Wish I Knew Wednesday” post about dealing with worry and doubt as it applies to business.  I highly recommend being added to her newsletter if you are thinking of starting or have your own business and want some advice from someone who has been running her own business since she was 15.  And since I didn’t study business in college and am a newbie to being my own boss one day, I will take all the advice I can get.

Learning– One other item I am doing a little bit of is studying other coaches and their methods as well as gaining valuable insight from a free training program a dear friend sent me.  I love learning and the more information and knowledge I have before I actually launch my business, the more confidant I will be.  So I am taking full advantage of any information I stumble upon that may add to my training (even before training), or my business knowledge.

Allowing – I had to add this tidbit of info because while it seems that I am actively planning and building my dream, that isn’t exactly the case.  I am simply allowing things to unfold organically.  Conversations lead to research and research leads to books with tons of information etc.  I am keeping an open mind and following the flow of life.  I know in due time my dream will become real

So in a nutshell that is how I am planning for my business that I have yet to create.  My vision is growing more realistic, vibrant, and exciting everyday and I can’t wait for the day I get to experience it.  The truth is it’s far more than a vision, this is my dream on a journey to becoming reality.

 

Do The (Midnight) Hustle

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Over the last few years I have come in contact with a handful of innovators looking to start (or recently started) their own businesses in various ways.  Some people were following their creative hearts, while others were simply looking for a way to be their own boss and spend more time with their families, but regardless of what these people were doing, one thing was common amongst them, the midnight hustle.

If you don’t know what that is let me explain.  The midnight hustle is the way many new business owners, creators, and innovators make their business dreams a reality.  Let’s face it, not many of us have the riches to simply quit our day jobs to follow our dreams without cultivating and growing our business on the side and by “on the side”, it likely means during the midnight hours when other people are sleeping, hence the name midnight hustle.  And with that midnight hustling often comes late nights, less sleep, hard work, and hopefully amazing inspiration to keep you moving toward your dreams so you can one day quit your day job and enjoy the fruits of your labor doing something that you truly enjoy.  And while I am far from quitting my day job, I am experiencing a bit of my own hustle as I reach beyond my comfort zone into new opportunities and new territory.  It’s exciting and terrifying all at the same time.

I have talked a little bit about my dream of starting my own life coaching business, but the truth is my dream isn’t to start the business per se, it is really to help people through my business.  I thought the path would be fairly straight forward, but I am finding that I may be taking a bit more of the scenic route as opposed to the straight shot as I go with the flow of life.  The programs I have found in the last year haven’t really touched me in the way that makes me think, “Yes this is the ONE!”, so I have been researching various programs in hopes to find the one that best fits my purpose and calling.  I think I have finally found it.  (YAY!) But, with it comes a pretty hefty price tag, one that is about double the price of the last program I was going to settle on.  So, it looks like the actual training may be put off longer than expected, but as you well know I am not one to sit around and do nothing and being the jack of many trades that I am, I am following an equally creative and exciting interest, writing.

The truth is I have always enjoyed writing but I have just recently begun to make some money from it and it is becoming a bit of a midnight hustle for me.  While I only have one regular gig right now, I am learning that the key to having one or many midnight hustles is balance and knowing your limit, both things I am working on right now.  I am very aware of the amount of time I have in my days (and nights) to complete writing projects and am working on a bit of a writing schedule that will allow me to continue to share my journey here on my blog (because I love it so much), and to still complete writing projects in a timely manner.  My hope is that my current midnight hustle will help support the training I need for life coaching and things will seamlessly flow with one another leading to (one day) quitting my day job to do something I love.  But, until that day comes I am going to consciously balance my time to include self-care, meditation, and family because life shouldn’t be all about work, it should be fun too.

Do you have a midnight hustle? If so what is it?

Gratitude: Positive Intentions & Meditation Challenge

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This week I have seen a lot of wonderful posts on various blogs and on Facebook about new goals and intentions for the year ahead.  I must admit, these posts inspire me and though I know resolutions don’t likely last past the first month of the year, I love seeing many of my friends and family members so positive about the year ahead.  As for myself, I am still mulling over my letter to my future self and processing in my mind and my heart what I truly want for the year ahead.  In the meantime, I have taken on another challenge to assist me in my theme for the year.

I didn’t write about this challenge when I decided to take it on simply because I wasn’t quite sure I would be able to do it and to be honest, there is a part of me that still wonders if I will be able to complete it, however I am taking it one day at a time.  The challenge is to meditate daily for 100 days in a row.  This challenge is unlike anything I have ever done before considering I have found it difficult to commit to meditating just 2 days in a row, but I thought it would help me remain grounded as I move throughout the year.  For the last 4 days that I have been meditating, it has worked.

Today I am grateful for positive intentions and my mediation practice.  The positive intentions I am witnessing help me to maintain a positive outlook for my year ahead.  My meditation practice helps me to stay within the current moment and to simply be here.  Together they help me reach a balance that I haven’t had before.

A balance between my present and future that allow me to stand equally with one foot on each side.  I am inspired by what the future may hold, but open to the moment I have right now.  Balance, a type of balance I haven’t felt until now.

What are you grateful for this week?

Trusting The Journey

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This time last year I was full of excited energy making plans for the coming year and reading anything I could my hands on that would tell me how to make my new dreams come true. I had set my intentions with affirmations, meditations, and by writing my letter to my future self, but I wanted something that would give me a sure-fire way to make it happen. Well needless to say I spent much of 2012 trying to make things happen only to find that when you let go and simply flow with life, not only is life more enjoyable, but things seem to fall into place. (And yes it took me almost a year to come to that realization, though sometimes I still struggle with the letting go part of it.)

Today I was reminded of something I heard (and read several times last year) from Michael Losier, the self-proclaimed Law of Attraction how-to guy. In explaining how the law of attraction works he mentioned that it isn’t our responsibility to figure out “how” something is going to happen, but instead for us to allow it to unfold by setting our intention, matching the feeling of the thing we wish to create or attract and simply let it go. For a control freak, over analytical, must know how everything will work out worrier like myself-I couldn’t get a handle on the letting go and allowing part. Instead I found myself focusing so intently on the thing I wanted to create, manifest, and/or attract that I was not only missing the present moment, but I was constantly noticing the thing that still wasn’t there yet. I felt like a failure.

The good news is I am getting better and today as I reminded myself to be open and trust that things are unfolding in perfect timing, it hit me. The journey to your dreams is very much the same as the journey to any other destination in life.

Inspirational wallpaper by Jess Lively @JessLively.com
Inspirational wallpaper by Jess Lively @JessLively.com

When we set our intention to go to a particular destination, say to someplace exotic, we may have a loose understanding of how we will get there, but we don’t likely know every detail that we will encounter along the way, nor do we worry too much about it. Instead we trust that with our intention set and ticket in hand, one way or another we will get to our destination even if there are delays along the way. Sure your flight may be delayed, or you may have to take a different road, but more often than not you get there safely and when you take a path other than the one you set for yourself, you may find it was the best way to get there anyway.

The key is to allow the path to unfold as you go and to be open to the signposts along the way. They aren’t always going to be big billboards with flashing lights telling you what to do and where to go, sometimes it comes in the form of a whisper from deep within yourself. Sometimes your signposts are little nuggets of information, words, sayings, pictures, or people you meet that gently guide you to your destination and the more open you are and the more you trust that you will reach your destination, the pieces seem to effortlessly fall into place.

So what about the detours, roadblocks, and other things that slow us down?? Well those are just lessons that keep us growing and evolving. But when you trust your intentions, and your path, there really are no roadblocks, they are simply another way to your dreams.  And as I continue to open myself to where ever my path leads, I will continue to trust the whispers, inklings, and signposts along the way, because no matter what I have planned my way isn’t always the best way.