Lamisha Serf-Walls

Gratitude: Health & Meditation

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As another busy week comes to a close I am reminded of the many wonderful things to be grateful for. But the two things in particular I am grateful for this week are health and meditation.

I have noticed over the last few weeks many more posts on Facebook of friends describing various health concerns and issues they are going through. I have seen everything from blood clots and seizures to a case of meningitis in a dear friends baby girl that was just born. In the moments I have read these messages I am reminded that this cold I have been fighting all week is nothing more than a mere annoyance and that it could be worse. I also take a moment to send healing thoughts and say a prayer for those in need at the moment. For my current health and the health of my family, I am so grateful.

I am also grateful for my moments of meditation each day. I am finding that these moments of quiet help me to ground myself and mentally prepare for the day ahead. I am calmer and generally more centered and the result is a happier day. I am anxious to see how this continued practice will effect my life.

May you all have a lovely weekend and find many things to be grateful for.

Gratitude: Compassion & Inspiration

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There are very distinct moments in my life when inspiration hits. Sometimes it is through books, a movie, or simply a statement someone makes that reaffirms my belief that there truly is good in the world. Those moments of inspiration and shared compassion warm my heart and I am grateful for those moments more and more each time I experience them.

I just finished watching the movie Big Miracle. A movie based on a real life whale rescue in Alaska many years ago. A film about hope, faith, and believing in the impossible. A film about compassion and cooperation. I love movies like these, especially when they are based on real events. They remind me that there is good in the world and even the most impossible situation and dream is possible when you believe. And that is what my blog is all about. Believing in your dream until it becomes your reality.

Tonight as I lay my head on my pillow, I am grateful for the compassion I notice around me daily and inspiration reminds me to believe in the impossible. Because the truth is everything is impossible until you try.

May you find a bit of compassion and hope in your weekend, and if you are up for a feel good, inspiring film, check out Big Miracle, it is well worth it.

Gratitude: Fresh Flowers and Spring Weather

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I forgot how much I love the beauty and smell of fresh flowers until today. Today my partner and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary and I bought her flowers as a gift. I found they were just as much a delight for myself as they were a gift for her. There is something about smelling the wonderful smell of flowers inside the house and bringing a little bit of nature indoors. I love being outside and love the visual beauty that flowers provide, along with distinct, yet subtle aroma as well. And so, today I am so grateful for the beauty and aroma that fresh cut flowers bring.

I am also grateful for spring weather. I am well aware that we are in the midst of winter in various places around the U.S. and many areas have recently experienced blizzard like conditions, however today we were blessed in South Carolina with warmer than normal conditions. As I write this, there is a gentle breeze floating in the window with the distinct smell that reminds me of late spring and early summer. The temperature is just right and reminds me of one of my favorite times of year. For this distinct moment, I am grateful.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy each and every moment. Thanks for reading!

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Flowers for my love!

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?

Gratitude: Stillness and Peace

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This week was a pretty relaxing week to say the least. After a wonderful holiday with family and only a 2 day work week I am beginning to get used to this overall peaceful state of being and have set the intention to continue with peaceful living into the new year.

With that said this week I am grateful for moments of stillness and peace. I am currently reading a book called The Power of Peace In You by Marlise Karlin and have been inspired to not only incorporate more meditation in my (hopefully daily) life, but more moments of stillness too. I am realizing that these moments don’t have to be long moments and I don’t necessarily have to meditate for an hour a day, but I can benefit from a few deep breaths and stepping back from the hustle and bustle of life. But beyond that I am much happier and live a more peaceful and intentional life when I step back even just a little bit each day.

While I would love to get onto the habit of meditating before I begin each day, I know that may not always be feasible and as I flow with life, sometimes the current may take me away if only momentarily from my practice, and that is ok. But for right now I am grateful for the peace of mind and stillness I am carrying into the new year with hopes of continuing my practice even through challenging times.

What will you carry with you into the new year?