Lamisha Serf-Walls

An Inspiring GIVEAWAY !!!

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giveaway

I am so excited about today’s announcement/giveaway that I can hardly stand it!  I have been planning it for a few weeks now and have finally taken the time to get everything set up for one lucky winner to receive something incredibly inspiring.

As you may know I am an avid reader.  I read blogs, books, magazines etc. and when I come across something that is particularly interesting or inspiring I like to share the love and give you all a heads up.  The thing about my reading habits is, I very rarely read the books again even if I decide to keep them on hand in my personal library.  Well, that is about to change, because in December I read a book that I assure you, I will be reading at least 2 more times this year alone because it had such an effect on me the first time.

This book was not only inspiring, but I felt like I was reading about myself and my own journey.  I felt like the reader knew exactly what I was going through in figuring out how use my gift and be successful in doing so.  This book reminded me that I didn’t have to fit into a box and follow in the “successful” footsteps of another because my path is mine and mine alone.  I am the paver, the keeper, and the creator of my path and when I follow my heart, my intuition, and my soul all the ‘hows’ I feel like I am missing are revealed.

When I finished the book it seemed like it was all I could think about.  I was recommending it to all kinds of people via Twitter and Facebook and I then I thought “Why not give a copy away?”

Since I love this book so much, I will not be giving away my copy, but will purchase an additional copy and send it to one lucky winner.  Have you guessed the book yet???

The book is:  Inspired & Unstoppable: Wildly Succeeding in Your Life’s Work! by Tama Kieves.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is venturing into finding, living, and creating the life of their dreams by following their passion.  This is a book that will change how you view success and inspire you to tap into your heart to follow your intuition every step of the way.

I can’t wait to send the lucky winner their very own copy.  Will it be you?  The giveaway ends a week from today and I will announce the winner on January 29th. Enter the a Rafflecopter giveaway today!

Good luck!!!

**NOTE: This giveaway is simply a gift from me to you.  This is in no way a sponsored post and all the above comments regarding the book are my own opinion from having read the book. **

Have Fun Friday: Playful Exploration

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Happy Friday Dreamers,

I hope this week has brought you lots of progress, joy, and a ton of fun, but if you find yourself lacking a bit in the fun department, this post is for you!

Too often we fall into a pit of productivity with an undying need to produce and check items off our to-do list and in doing so we find our energy is lacking, inspiration has taken a hike, and the things we really WANT to do, quickly fall by the wayside.

I know this, because I was falling into that same pit this past week.  As the week wore on, my motivation grew less and less until I just couldn’t find the energy to even look at my to do list or do some of the stuff I have been excited about for the last few weeks.

So, what do you do when things feel so ‘meh’ and you need to jump-start your battery?

Have a little (or a lot) of FUN!medium_4555697070

When was the last time you went out exploring?  Took a class that peaked your interest just because. Been to the movies lately?  What about taking the family to the park or on family expedition for a hike to explore the great outdoors?  When was the last time you did something to shake up your day?

I can tell you it’s been far too long since I have been to the movies or taken a hike.  I haven’t even taken a stroll around my neighborhood in quite some time, so I think some FUN is in order for this fantastic Friday.  Don’t you?

So put away your to-do list and your calendar.  Turn your phone off and leave your tablet at home and go out and have good old-fashioned, no technology, no distractions, explore the world FUN.  Be playful, have fun, and connect with yourself, your family, your spouse, and nature for goodness sake.  The work will still be there when you get back and I promise, you will get more done in less time when you return simply because you gave yourself a chance to breathe.

As for me? I am going to switch up the scenery a bit and bust my son out of daycare early to go on what he likes to call a “magical adventure” to places unknown.  I may not know where we are going, but I know wherever it is, we are going to have fun.

Enjoy your weekend dear dreamers and as always thanks for reading!

P.S.  If you haven’t signed up for my VIP List, please do so today.  Next week I am announcing some service changes and will be giving away a very inspiring gift to one lucky reader and if you are on my VIP list you get first dibs on new stuff so you don’t want to miss out!

photo credit: stitchin.thyme via photopin cc

What Inspiration Really Is

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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

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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

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

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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!