Weekly AWE!
Mantra of the week . . .
I’m comfortable with not knowing; I act when clarity arises.😎
A-ha moment . . .
Have you ever had a scenario that didn’t have an easy solution, but you thought you could think it through thoroughly enough to find one? This is where I’ve been the last few weeks . . . to my detriment, despite knowing better. 🤦🏻♀️ (We’re all beings in progress, after all. 😉)
I’m a rigorous thinker, quite capable of thoroughly exploring all potential solutions from all angles to get to the best answer. Plus, I’m accustomed to being incredibly capable and self-sufficient, so thinking is my default. But, it can happen that no amount of thinking will render the best outcome, only exhaustion and the realization that we’re out of alignment with our higher Self.💡
Sometimes, we must follow the threads of thinking to their conclusion only to discover that thinking is inadequate to the scenario at hand. Perhaps we settle for a less than ideal solution. Or, and this is the best solution, we recognize that surrender and a leap of faith are required. This is when we come back to our higher Self and spiritual guidance.
When we’re aligned with the powers-that-be, we’re held and supported through any and all scenarios. Instead of being attached to outcomes that require thinking, we can allow spiritual grace to work magic on our behalf. Let go, trust, leap . . . magic is afoot and we were made for receiving. 💫
Awakening: asked and answered . . .
QUESTION: How do you recommend alleviating guilt when one isn’t able to adhere to, or be disciplined about, a regular meditation practice?
I would counter with the question, why do you believe you have to maintain a regular meditation practice? I know that meditation is prescribed again and again as the ultimate path to the attainment of awakening, but I haven’t necessarily found that to be universally true. I woke up without ever being a devoted meditator and I’ve known devoted meditators who have yet to wake up. Experience has taught me that it all comes down to our attachments. Do you believe the only way to wake up is through meditation? Do you believe that if you don’t meditate you can’t wake up? Do you have unrealistic goals about the kind or duration of meditation that you’re doing? What’s the source of the guilt? Guilt is a judgment after all, and judgments are the product of the ego.
Meditation is a beautiful practice and I do encourage it, but I’m also aware that it can be difficult work, and difficult work sometimes needs to be incremental. Despite my early interest in and dedication to spirituality, it took me years of yoga practice to finally still both my mind and body enough to sit in meditation without wanting to scream. Now that I do have a regular practice, I allow it to be when it’s going to be. Many devoted spiritual teachers don’t sit in meditation daily, because life gets in the way sometimes: knowing this balance is aligning spiritual wisdom with material responsibilities.
This is certainly the case for me . . . I can think of specific scenarios where I have to be up extra early on a Sunday morning to walk my dog, so I can drive my son to a soccer match off the island of Manhattan, which ends up eating through my day. By the time I have any spare time, there are chores and errands to prepare for my week. I will often note in the late afternoon that I’m feeling a bit wonky for lack of that deep inner connection to start my day. But, feeling guilty is the furthest thing from my mind. Meditation is a practice, like all other practices, you return to it when you can be fully present with it.
Knowing that there will be days when my morning ritual, including meditation, will likely be disrupted, I’ve learned to just take a moment as soon as I wake up. I sit up in bed, place my hands on my heart, close my eyes, and quietly say to myself, “I remember who I am.” Then I start the day with awareness of my alignment, whether I manage the meditation or not. Give this a try . . . and cut yourself some slack. Being kind and gentle to our precious being is the most important spiritual practice of all! 💗
Just for fun . . . joy through tears . . .
Friday was the 3rd anniversary of my dad’s passing. Anyone who has lost a loved one knows that grief never really leaves us . . . we just learn to live with the losses. My relationship with my father was complicated and often the source of more angst than joy. While I’m very much at peace with his passing and all the healing that needed to take place as a result of our relationship, I’m often reminded of him . . . especially through cultural sources when I least expect. In recent weeks, some of these cultural sources have popped up repeatedly . . . maybe Dad is trying to remind me there can be joy in sorrow. 💞
If you haven’t seen Barbie, I recommend it. This scene in particular instantly reminds me of the inner struggle I always had as a result of the mixed messages I received from my father (he was heavily patriarchal and overly attached to appearances, very much like the men of his generation and their predecessors). I’m grateful that awareness is now bringing compassion and change to the lives of women and the men who love and support them.
A number of years before Dad died, he had a full lung transplant, as he had suffered from Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis for about a decade prior to the surgery. After the surgery when he was in the ICU, I went to the hospital chapel to pray for him and to say a prayer of gratitude to the organ donor. As I sat reflecting on how lucky my father was to be alive, the lyrics, “May the good lord shine a light on you,” from The Rolling Stones’ song, Shine a Light, echoed through my mind. On the morning he died, this song sprang to mind when he passed . . . for the rest of my life, I will associate Shine a Light with you, Dad. And since The Rolling Stones are one of my favorite bands, this song will always be on regular rotation:
My dad had a wicked sense of humor and seeing him laugh was my favorite thing about him. He was a big fan of the Coen brothers’ movies, most particularly, The Big Lebowski. If you’ve never seen this inventive, quirky comedy, I strongly recommend it. Here are some iconic, funny scenes:
It’s my purpose and joy to help you align with your purpose and joy! Do you have burning questions, feel inspired to share, or need support? I’m here in service to your awakening, so reach out. Wishing you all a beautiful, aligned week!
With love from my whole being,
L 💋❤️
My step-dad raised me since I was about 3. We were very close actually…he was aging but the tragedy of his last months took him from us too soon (or right on time according to the Universe). I saw one of his former co-workers walking down the street last week and pulled out my phone to text him… 🥺
Grief is a beast - and complicated, ambiguous loss in grief seems to add more scales and horns and fire to a dragon we are trying hard to fend off…
Never really grieved my dad because of other toxicities (🚩) in my life during the time…think that made last weekend more difficult for sure.
You mention “time being precious”
I bought a watch shortly after my dad’s stroke/accident that has no hands and the watch face simply says “NOW”…because that is all we are promised. I bought matching bracelets for my mom and children.
Thank you for being a part of my now, Lisa 💜
Lisa!!! First - seeing the headline “weekly awe” and your smiling face - I actually said “awe” - you are awe-inspiring, awe-worthy, and awe-encouraging!!!
Second - 💔 shared…my step dad passed away two years ago last Friday so my head and heart have been in a similar season (you may see mention in my notes - with a pic I took on the morning he passed)…
So many things to say but I will simplify for everyone’s sake - Thank you Lisa…there is a kindred energy vibration between us and your words influence life in and thru me.
🎁💜🤗