Lamisha Serf-Walls

Meditation Challenge Update: Day 44

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Today is day 44 of my 100 day meditation challenge and I have a confession to make.  I missed one day entirely.  I don’t know how I did it, or where my mind was, but I missed it completely.  I didn’t even realize something was wrong until the next day.  And even though the challenge is to do 100 consecutive days of meditation, I am not giving up.  I will continue my meditation not only for the challenge, but also because of the many benefits I am feeling because of it.

So far here is what I have noticed:

  • I am much calmer throughout my day
  • I am feeling more centered and balanced (though I could use more of each)
  • I go with the flow much more after my meditation
  • I am breathing through daily challenges
  • I feel less stressed

I noticed something else about my meditation practice today and that is what time of day is best for me to meditation. The first several days I was sort of fitting it in whenever I could.  During my work days it seemed logical to do it before work as a nice transition into the day, but after today I now know that meditating before the workday begins is optimal for me.

I had a few errands I wanted to run this morning before work and instead of meditating before going out, I thought I could work it in before work.  As you can imagine time got away from me and I made it back in just enough time to get clocked in.  I realized I had to squeeze my meditation in later.  The mere idea of “squeezing” it in made me a little stressed and on edge.  I managed to take some time during my lunch to get it done, however at that point it was much more difficult to become relaxed.

I also noticed my workday before meditating was simply off kilter.  I felt scattered and had difficulty focusing on what I needed to accomplish and now I know meditating in the morning is best for me.  Not only that but I think it is time for me to increase my meditation time.  Currently I have worked up to about 15 mins and I want to extend that within the next 30 days to around 20 mins or more.  I look forward to sharing the differences I experience with an extended morning practice.

I am also open to any suggestions you may have from your own meditation practice.  What works for you?

To Do or Not Do…That Is The Question

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Most goal setting techniques involve setting a list of steps and then acting on those steps one at a time.  It makes sense in some cases to do things that way, but that isn’t always the best method I am realizing.  Sometimes it is important to take some time away from “doing” and to allow your previous actions to take shape and to allow the Universe to work some magic.

I recently finished Marlise Karlin’s book The Power of Peace in You and in it she describes igniting the power of stillness and peace within and living from that space to discover a life better than you imagined.  You can read my full review here, but one quote I found that really hit me is one that discusses doing vs not doing as a way to accomplish your dreams.

“Often, the best thing to do is…nothing at all, allowing space for inspiration by leaving a void.  It is here, in this essential non-doing, where you release attachment to the outcome-that the miraculous emerges to show you a different pathway for getting where you want to go.  You can’t tap into the Energy field of inspired solutions or discover the unforeseen if you are always racing to get it done at all costs.” Marlise Karlin in The Power of Peace in You

This quote has proven to provide a profound shift in my thinking regarding attaining my goals and dreams.  I have since moved (albeit slowly) from a place of doing to a place of non-doing in some situations and while it has been somewhat uncomfortable there, I am learning that there is certainly some value in it.  The key for me is knowing when to do and not do.

I suppose like anything in life, this is a matter of balance.  Just like a farmer can’t continuously plant seeds in the same space over and over again and expect his crop to grow overnight, I must learn to be content with letting my own dream crop grow.  Sometimes that means allowing my ideas, creations, and thoughts to ferment before I do anything with them.   For instance, when I started this blog, I went through a long period of thinking, pondering, creating, and allowing the right name, niche, idea to come to me.  And when it finally did, there was no question as to whether I should act or not act.  Maybe that is the key.

Plant your seeds of imagination and plant as many as you come up with, but be patient as you allow them to take shape or die out because the ones that are meant to be will be.  When you provide the space of non-doing, you allow miracles to happen because let’s face it, if you are always trying to do, do, do, the Universe has no time to work on your behalf.  But, if you are like me, you might wonder what you are supposed to do in the time you are not working on your goals.  My answer (one I often need to remember myself)? Have fun.

When you are not actively working on your goals and you are providing a space for them to breathe and grow, do something fun.  Catch up on a hobby you have missed.  Read a good book, get outside in nature, have coffee with a friend.  Life is meant to be enjoyed and if you are working on your goals all the time, no matter how happy they make you, you are likely to burn out.

So what are you doing or not doing right now in regards to your dreams and life goals?

Dreams Of Past and Present

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I spent much of today in reflection.  I reflected on what this day means to us because of one brave, amazing man and his fight for freedom so many years ago.  What it means today as we welcome in the second term for a President that has a vision much like that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a vision of equality, love, cooperation, and freedom for all.  I soon realized that the vision these two men shared is (as Dr. King so eloquently stated in his famous speech) a dream.  A dream of freedom that is unfolding before our very eyes and I am humbled, inspired, and proud to live during a time in history where dreams for our collective good are getting closer to being our reality and I am reminded that no dream is too big or too small to accomplish.

We each have our own personal dreams that we wish to fulfill in our lifetime and yet these men have dreams that reach far beyond the individual.  They have dreams that span the entire country and effect us as a whole to make this great land a better place.  One that is more peaceful, equal, and fair.  One that brings us together in unity and blurs the lines that divide us and I am grateful.  Grateful beyond words for the courage, vision, and fortitude to keep going when things get tough and never letting go of that dream.  We can all learn something from these amazing leaders about dreaming…no matter what your dream is, never let it go.  Keep fighting, striving, believing, and moving toward your vision step-by-step, because the worst thing you can do is give up on something that means so much.  What if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had given up?  Where would we be today?

From My Heart

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The post below is something I felt the need to write/share with my FB page earlier today and while some of my recent posts have moved away from my dream journey, creating a better world is truly one of my dreams and so I am sharing it here.

Let me introduce myself in a way that many of you may not know me…

I am a woman, a partner, a lesbian, a mother, a tree-huggin’, animal lovin’, save the planet, peace-maker.  I believe in love, life, and the pursuit of happiness just as much as the next guy.  I believe in equal rights for all, a safe place to raise my children, and leaving a better world than the one I was born into.  I am an Earth savin’, peace-speaking writer, with a heart of gold, who believes in helping others in whatever capacity I can.  I am spiritual and believe that God/the Universe/Spirit or whatever you choose to call this force, did not create us to watch us falter and fail.  I believe that we, as a human race have leaps and bounds to grow and I believe IN us.  I know that we can make this world better, but it isn’t going to be the government or the laws that make us kinder, wiser, more humble with one another.  It isn’t the government that is going to clean up our Earth and make the world a better place.  Sure they are one piece of this extravagant puzzle, but you and I are the tools to create positive change.

I believe in the chain reaction of love and kindness.  Passing from one person to the next until it affects every beautiful human being on this planet.  Pay it forward and back, help each other, uplift instead of speaking down, use your words instead of your fists or worse any other weapons.  Speak kindly to one another, lend a helping hand, believe in your dreams, and help others achieve theirs.  Celebrate our uniqueness, but understand that on the deepest level, we are all the same.  Human beings looking for love, happiness, and peace.

It is no mistake we are here together dealing with some trying and difficult times.  It is no coincidence that there are so many groups it the world working in whatever way they know how to create change.  This is not about a specific agenda or politics.  We are in one of the most incredible times in history and it is up to us to make a difference for generations to come.  So, I ask you to stop the bickering and fighting about who can carry what weapon and stand together against the violence that pervades our world regardless of the form it takes.  Stand together in love and acceptance in one another and give a kind word or smile to those you see struggling.

We will not make a change in hate, we will not make this world a better place by fighting each other tooth and nail and spreading negativity like wild fire to get your point across.  We are given this life for a reason, and I certainly don’t believe that reason was to instill hate in our hearts or the hearts of our children.  Our children are watching our every move, hearing our every word, and absorbing the energy they see in us.  Be a leader in love and in peace.  Teach kindness and understanding over hate and separation.  It is through our teachings of positivity and peace together that this world will be better and I promise that change will not take place by complaining about the politics, control, and financial strife our world seems to be in right now.  However, it will come through you and how you choose to embody this incredible gift of life.

I want to see children growing up in an ever increasing peaceful world.  You may think I see our future through rose-colored glasses and maybe you are right.  But I would rather believe in our ability to create positive change in this world, than believe in the hopelessness of continuing living in our world the way we have been.  I am not willing to give in to the belief that “this is all there is”.  Living is not about surviving, it is about thriving.

The bottom line is this…we can’t keep trying to solve problems with the same energy and consciousness that created them.  We have to step out of that box and try something new…

May this be food for thought that creates inspired action in those of you who read this.

Thank you for reading,
Lamisha

P.S.  Please know this is not something directed at any one person or post.  It is simply something I felt the need to share and express.