Lamisha Serf-Walls

Intention and Small Actions=Progress

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I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about how quickly things have happened in terms of my dream of becoming a life coach.  Just last night as I worked on getting my new Facebook page up and running, I remembered a time not too long ago when this was just a dream.  My coaching business was a thought, a hope, a desire that felt like it was off in the distance somewhere.  It wasn’t until I took the leap of faith, that it all became real.

In an instant.  universe

I have seen this phenomenon happen over and over again.  It seems that when we make a choice to do something and put even the smallest action into it, things seem to unfold almost magically.  The intention and thought have a way of creating a bit of momentum and even the smallest step adds just enough energy to allow everything to align and progress is made.  Add a little more action and the pieces continually fall into place.

Is this a formula for guaranteed success?  Not necessarily.  There are some things that require more intention, a bit more action, and what seems like a lot of momentum…while you are in it.  I can tell you there have been many times when I feel like I am standing still in terms of progress and then when I look back on it, I realize I have come much further than I realized.  Sometimes you just have to be easy about your dreams.

What I find interesting is how often we hear people talking about setting a goal, creating an action plan, working the action plan, working hard, etc. in order to reach your goals.  I think this method works for some people, but I find myself taking score of what I have yet to accomplish.  I am constantly looking at if I have arrived in order to move on and if I haven’t, I tend to get discouraged.

I find that setting an intention to do, be, or have something sets the energetic wheels in motion and when you follow your inspiration to the next step because it just feels right, there lies another opportunity for progress.  Continue to follow that feeling and you will find yourself much further than you ever thought you could be.

Sometimes you don’t need a step-by-step map of how to get to your dream.  With a vision, an open mind, and a little action, you can trust that your intuition and inspiration will lead you to the very next step.  And if you aren’t sure where to start, just take a tiny step and watch as your path is illuminated little-by-little.

What can you do today to get you to the very next step?  Share in the comments below, I would love to hear your intentions!

Giving Dreams Room To Breathe & Grow

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I have seen my fair share of people working hard to have a happy life.  There seems to be a universal campaign for accomplishing goals through back-breaking work, blood, sweat, and tears.  Many of us have grown up with the idea that if we could just do more by working longer or harder than we would finally reach the platform of success.  And while I certainly believe in the benefit of (inspired) action, I feel like something is missing in this formula for a successful life.

People that know me, know that I have always been a doer in life.  I have always focused on doing the next thing and looking for the next step in my dreams and only recently have I been able to understand the importance of non-action, and allowing the space for our dreams to breathe and grow.

Not sure what I mean?  Let me explain.

When we decide we are going to move forward with a new goal, career, or project typically there is some sort of planning phase.  After the planning phase comes the execution.  And since we are so accustomed to instant gratification in our everyday living, we seem to be chomping at the bit to make things happen by working long hours and in some cases spreading ourselves too thin.  The fear of failing has caused us to overcompensate in the action arena to a point that we never allow ourselves (and our dreams) a chance to breathe.

I know I have struggled with this many times in my life where I want instant results for the work I am putting in, but the reality is things take time. 

I have also learned that when I am able to take a step back and stop measuring my progress (or lack thereof in some cases), I find things almost magically happen.  The right people flow into my life effortlessly and the next inspirational nugget appears before my very eyes and each time it happens I am reminded of the importance of allowing my dreams to breathe and grow.

I was reminded of that just a few weeks ago.

Photo from www.MyDreamsMatter.com
Photo from www.MyDreamsMatter.com

While I was having a conversation with a friend about some things I needed/wanted to take care of for my business, I mentioned needing to find someone to design my logo.  I had actually thought about it several times, but wasn’t trying to make anything happen with it as I had other things that I was working on.  About an hour after that conversation I saw a post on FB from a friend of mine that said “Designing a logo!”.  I almost fell out of my chair.  I couldn’t believe it!  I immediately sent my friend a message and inquired about her services and found that not only was it affordable, but she does absolutely amazing work!

Was it just dumb luck?  Or, did I allow enough space and time for things to unfold in the most organic and perfect way for me?

I truly believe that by giving my dreams/needs the space they need to grow and evolve, the resources I need will continue to unfold in the most beautiful of ways.

Not sure it will work for you?  Try it out!

The next time you find yourself forcing something to happen or working long hours trying desperately to make something happen, take a break.  Step back from it and leave it be for a while and open yourself to what you see and hear around you.  Just be easy about it and allow your next inspirational nugget present itself to you.  I promise you it will.

Have you had something like this happen for you recently?  I would love to hear how your dreams are unfolding as you give them room to breathe and grow.  Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

Fruits Of Flow (Not Force)

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As I continue to move forward in my business I have had at times felt a sense of urgency to get everything done all at once. That part of me (which some call the Ego), is slowing down a bit while a more focused and intentional part of me emerges. Several weeks ago as I was writing in my journal, I wrote a phrase that felt so right in regards to my business.

“Joy, love, expansion, and endless opportunities are the fruits of my flow.”

It became a simple, yet profound phrase that resonated to the depth of my soul. I knew it was true.

So many times we think (as we have been trained to) that we will only accomplish our goals through sacrifice, hard work, challenges, speed bumps, setbacks, and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears and that may have been true at one time, but now I am beginning to believe there is a better way. A way that doesn’t require us to break our souls and sacrifice our being to create a life of meaning, joy, and happiness.

There must be another way.

I have often thought about quickly getting things done so I can move onto the next thing, but I found in planning this blog and my coaching business, that isn’t what my intuition is telling me to do. As a woman who as always operated out of the “gotta go, gotta go, I want everything right this very minute” mentality, I am slowly finding myself accepting that things will fall into place as they are meant to and I don’t have to bulldoze my way to the future. Chances are if I did, I wouldn’t be nearly as successful.

I don’t have a business degree, nor have I read the latest and greatest books on how to succeed in creating your own business, but I am finding that listening to my heart is the best way for me to accomplish my goals. In fact, Jess Lively (who I have spoken about several times on my blog) wrote something similar in her weekly newsletter this week (if you haven’t signed up for her newsletters you can do so here). She discusses the difference in “pushing” to make decisions in business(and life in general) as opposed to following the “pull” of your intuition.

Does that mean you simply sit around and wait for your next “aha” moment?

No. At least I don’t. I continue to think, dream, and imagine my future, but instead of setting the exact way I want it to happen (right now), I allow myself to follow my heart and inspiration. While I may have a “timeline” of when I want a particular service to roll out, something may come up that feels even better. The key is to follow what feels right, not what you think you are supposed to be doing.

Does it mean your dreams may move more slowly than they would normally?

Maybe.  Maybe not.  When I made the decision to start this blog, I did so with the intention of having it roll into my future life coaching website (which it has).  I wanted the name to be just right and yet I didn’t sit around trying to force a name that was just so-so.  Instead I allowed myself to be open to ideas.  Some days I wanted to just get started already, but I am glad I waited until I had the right idea because the name is what really inspired me to keep moving forward.

Today, I encourage you to look at the areas of your life where you are forcing the outcome.  Where can you ease off the gas a little to allow the space and energy for the situation to transform?  Are you listening to your inner voice or are you listening more to what you think you are supposed to be doing?  I am a firm believer in following your inspiration, in fact my coaching philosophy is centered around that point.

Imagine just for a moment what your life would look like with more flow and less force.  Set your intention and follow your heart and I promise you can’t go wrong.

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!

Where’s The Balance???

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Spring is upon us and as the weather changes and the trees and flowers bloom with color our lives tend to get busier too.  There are more activities to enjoy on the weekends, more events, and for some more work.  As a self-proclaimed busy bee, I have always enjoyed the buzzy feeling of a full schedule and yet on the flip side if I have too much busy in my life, I get overwhelmed.  From the outside it can often look like I just am never satisfied, and maybe that is true.  Or maybe I just haven’t found the right balance of it all.

I started this week knowing it was going to be a busy one with appointments galore in addition to work responsibilities.  I was of course correct in that assumption, however I often wonder if my thought of “oh boy it’s gonna be one of those weeks…” actually created my reality.  (I tend to think it did at least in my perception of it all.)  And while I know I can change my thoughts and in turn change my experience of a busy schedule, I still think I could use a bit more balance in life as a whole.

It seems when we have a lot going on something always takes the back seat.  One week I am really focused on my writing work, while other weeks I hardly touch it.  Some weekends I just want to lounge around the house and re-group, yet if I do many things that should get done, don’t.

Where is the balance???

I have tried making lists, setting schedules, and flying by the seat of my pants and yet at times I still feel overwhelmed.  And as I think about starting a business and expanding my freelance work, I am left wondering if I will ever be able to do it all???

And just before I allow myself to fall into the hole of self-pity, I remember this.  Balance isn’t something you all of a sudden have.  It’s not something you can purchase or wish for and it will appear.  It is something you learn…over time. 

I often want to say “Bah-humbug!”, because when I want something, I want it to happen right this second and yet I know that isn’t how it works.  Just like anything else I am going to have to muddle my way through this to figure out what works and what doesn’t.  It may require me to say “no” to a few things or to incorporate more free time into my schedule, but one thing is for sure it will not happen by my complaint that “there just isn’t enough time in the day”.

Instead of focusing on my perceived lack of time to do it all, I am changing my focus.  I have even begun saying a little mantra that helps calm me when my feathers get ruffled and I feel overwhelmed.  Sometimes taking a deep breath and thinking to myself “It will all get done at the right time.” puts my mind at ease.  When I stop fighting with time and simply accept it for what it is, I find I have much more time to get things done and the things that don’t get done can be saved for another day.

I am a do-er and I want to do it all.  I often want to throw on my cape and go, go, go until I can’t go anymore, but I know that isn’t what life is all about and it’s not the way we are meant to live.  So, instead of being anxious about my schedule or my dreams that I have yet to attain, I will take a deep breath, repeat my mantra and learn as I grow.  And just as I have learned to be more patient over the years, I too will learn to create more balance in my life and schedule.

I set the intention and so it shall be.