Lamisha Serf-Walls

Gratitude: Surrendering & Simple Things

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When I wrote my last post, I was convinced my “issues” were behind me and I was ready to move forward.  What I didn’t know was there was a lesson looming that I had to learn before I could truly move forward.  The lesson?  Sometimes we need to surrender to the power of the Universe.  That’s it.

I took some measures into my own hands yesterday to be proactive in checking on my financial mishap to ensure it wouldn’t continue to haunt me.  In the process, I ended up with more confusion and frustration than I had in the prior two weeks.  After speaking with several people who I thought would be able to assist me, I was told “there is nothing you can do”.  Excuse me what?  This situation that I want so desperately to “fix” is out of my hands?  I don’t understand.

After fighting with that thought for an hour or so, I gave in.  I accepted the fact that this particular situation had to play out however the Universe saw fit.  I had to surrender in order for it to resolve itself.  And while I wanted to fix it, I couldn’t.  So, I opened my arms, said a little prayer giving the situation and outcome over to the Universe with faith that all would be well in the end.  At that point something amazing happened.  I didn’t worry or fret about it as much and I simply moved through my day changing my thoughts to whatever I was currently working on.  I couldn’t worry about it anymore, for it was now out of my hands.

This morning I woke up refreshed from a good night’s sleep and grateful for the free feeling I had upon waking.  I could feel a freshness in the air and a new energy for my day that made me smile.  I didn’t even think about the financial situation for I was able to see past it and into the many blessings I had around me at the moment.  My son, my partner, and our lives together.  I had finally let go.

When I checked on the issue this morning, it had finally been resolved and not only that, I was able to get all of the fees associated with this issue reversed as well.  In that moment I opened my heart and gave a heartfelt prayer of thanks to the universe for taking care of the situation as tears of joy flowed.  I learned my lesson and am so grateful for knowing that all things work out no matter how bad they seem if and when you surrender.

In the midst of my surrendering, I became very aware of the many simple things that I often overlook.  For instance, the amazing blue sky that greeted my son and I on the way to his t-ball game last night or the white fluffy clouds that caught our attention on the way home.  I was reminded of the simple yet abundant pleasures we have all around us.  I felt the soft breeze coming in my office window this morning and appreciated the warmth of the sun on my face as I took a moment to truly be in my body.  These are moments we take for granted far too often when we rush around worrying about a time that has yet to arrive.

With a long weekend ahead of us, I hope you find many simple things to be grateful for and that you slow down long enough to enjoy them.

Have a wonderful weekend and as always thank you for reading!

Gratitude: Patience & Clarity

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I can’t tell you how happy I am that today is Friday.  This has certainly been one kind of week.  From financial mishaps that I thought were cleared up to even more confusion, I am ready to change my focus a little bit this weekend and relax.

Often when we are in the midst of the proverbial storm, it can be difficult to see beyond the mayhem.  Finding the silver lining in the middle of a chaotic situation can be darn near impossible, yet once the dust has settled a bit we realize there really is a positive side to every seemingly negative situation.

This week I was hit with a bit of a storm.  Not a huge, rock-my-entire-world-kind of storm, but a sort of chaotic-lift-me-out-of-my-comfort-zone kind of storm.  My personal financial mishap that I thought had been fixed, reared its ugly head again.  After a few more calls (hopefully the last calls on this issue) and a lot of patience, I think I have it taken care of.

I learned this week that like many other unexpected situations that arise in life, this particular situation could have caused me major anxiety, frustration, and possibly anger.  But with a little patience and calm thinking, I was able to handle the situation not once, but twice.  And what is even more interesting is the fact that one of the books I am reading in order to review is titled The Power of Patience by M.J. Ryan.  Coincidence?? I think not.

It seems that with each new batch of books I receive for review (books I don’t select myself), they are almost always the exact books I need to read at that moment in my life.  Books that speak to my soul and assist me in whatever I am dealing with at the time.  And since patience is one of the things I am growing everyday, it is so nice to see it go to good use.  Especially over a pretty large mistake.  So for that, I am so grateful and appreciative.

The other thing that hit me this week is the idea of clarity.  When negative things come into our lives or situations arise that are less than desirable, we have an opportunity to be more clear about what we would like instead.  Basically, when you know what you don’t want, you know what you do want.  (Something Michael Losier and Abraham Hicks speak on quite a bit.)  Sounds simple right?  It can be, however we often get so caught up in the thing that we don’t want, that we forget to switch our focus to what we want.

The difficult situations, frustrations, and negative things in our lives provide clarity for our desires.  It is that simple.  So instead of harping on the negative, lets turn our focus to the feelings, circumstances, and situations we want in our lives.  This week was a very good example of me focusing a bit too much on the not wanted instead of focusing on what is wanted and I am grateful for the lesson.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend full of all the things that bring you joy.

As always, thanks for reading!

Gratitude: Progress and Motherhood

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Too often when we are on this journey called life, we are so focused on the ultimate outcome of various goals that we miss the beautiful progression along the way.  The stepping-stones that lead us up the mountain to our dreams are what keep us going.  They too must be celebrated.

With that said, I am so very grateful for progress.  In just a few conversations this week I have received some much-needed knowledge that is one of the many stepping-stones along my journey.  The information I received came in the natural flow of conversation with a friend and I love how those little inspirational nuggets pop up so organically.  It seems that when you take a breather from trying to figure it all out, you make the most progress and I am so grateful for the wonderful progress I made this week.  I look forward to continuing my journey with more breathes in between to allow more of the details to fill in naturally.  I don’t have to have it all figured out now, and neither do you.  Just be grateful for the wonderful flow and progress of life.  It’s the flow that makes life so sweet.

In addition to being grateful for progress this week, I am also so very grateful for the journey of motherhood.  While Mother’s Day is typically a time for appreciating the mothers in our lives, I find that it is also a time where mothers are grateful for having the incredible opportunity of mothering a child.  I find that it is an incredible blessing that I don’t take for granted.  Time flies when you are having fun and it seems that before you know it little ones are towering over you.  Luckily enough my little one is far from towering over me, but he certainly is growing like a little weed.  Knowing that time doesn’t exactly slow down, I am savoring the wonderful moments we have together now.

I hope you find many things to savor and be grateful for this weekend and a very Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there!

Gratitude: Abundance In All Things

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Photo courtesy of calmtoday.com
Photo courtesy of calmtoday.com

It seems like a common theme in today’s society for us to focus on the things that we lack.  We are constantly bombarded with advertisements for the latest fashions and gadgets that are just the “thing” to make us happy.  It seems those ideas have festered within us to a point that we feel so much lack in our lives, that we miss the magnificent abundance that exists in spite of the things we think are missing.

Today I wanted to take the focus away from the idea of “lack” and place it on abundance.  While I have often thought I needed more knowledge, information, training, or money to do various things in my life (including start my coaching business), I am realize now more than ever before that I have an abundance of all of those things and then some.

I live in an area with gorgeous trees, lakes, and wonderful weather most of the year.  I am close to the beach and the mountains and am blessed to have a beautiful home to share with my family.  We have enough money to take care of all of our needs and an abundance of love to share between the three of us.  We have great neighbors, jobs that provide for us, and dreams, goals, and inspirations that fuel our imaginations.  We have more than enough “things”, but beyond that we have each other.  We delight in time spent as a family and appreciate the quiet time alone.  We are blessed beyond measure.

Instead of focusing on the things that I sometimes feel like I need more of, I am focusing on the things that I have.  The things that mean the world to me and the things that make my life incredible.

Today I am so grateful for the magnificent abundance that is in my life right this very moment.  I hope you take a moment today or this weekend to take stock of the abundance that surrounds you too.  I promise it is an instant mood enhancer.

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!

Gratitude: Beginning and Ending With Peace

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This week has been a week of lessons.  Lessons about work, personal life, and finding balance with it all.  Along with those lessons came a much-needed epiphany of which I am grateful.  That epiphany is the importance of beginning and ending with peace.

This week was a little crazy in terms of my schedule and getting everything accomplished, but I began my week with a pause.  Knowing all I had to accomplish and ready to take it all on.  I took a deep breath and dove in and while the middle of the week got a little hairy, I am back to the place I started.  Peaceful.

It seems beginning each day with peace in my meditation practice sets the tone for the rest of the day and if things tend to get a little crazy, I can find my center again at the end of the day with more meditation, yoga, or some quiet time.  Beginning and ending with peace is essential for me to be the best me.  I am so grateful for that realization.

I believe I can apply the same concept to beginning and ending my week.  I can begin each week with an intention for how the week will go in terms of my schedule, work, and appointments.  As things come up (and I am sure they will) I can handle them accordingly.  In the event things get a bit busy or overwhelming, I can find my center and balance by ending the week with some mindful reflection, similar to what I do with my gratitude posts each week.

There is something about the idea of beginning and ending with peace that I think will ultimately bring more peace to the time in between.  As I am mindful of the beginning of each day and at the end of each day, I believe the peace will become a habit and as a result, I will feel much more centered and balanced.

I hope you too begin and end your weekend with peace.  Have a great weekend!