Heartfelt Matters

Mothers Day Cafe

Happy New Year!!! May every moment be a celebration in 2006. 

It has been a whirlwind of a year.  Didn't get to post much during the last 2 months.

My intention this year is to be consistent with my blogging and connect with all the wonderful bloggers out there.  I am looking forward to tapping into this powerful community.

I am launching the Mother to Daughter contest soon. Goal is end of January. 

On the Heartfelt Matters blog, we will be having the Mothers Day Cafe.

Upcoming Relationship/Contest

Really excited to release the Mother to Daughter contest.  We will be launching it soon.  It will be very progressive.  All women will be included.  We are all mothers.  Dear Daughter...I've Always Wanted You to Know...Until then....Mother Yourself. Truly, Lisa

Hurricane Wilma

Isn't hurricane Wilma supposed to come along with Fred to help us out?  It has been quite hectic down in South Florida.  We have had no electricity, DSL, phone service for 8 days now.  I am using my friends computer.  The question that comes to mind: How do we mother ourselves in the aftermath of the hurricane?  To let go, surrender to the chaos.  I have learned from previous experience to not complain, just let go.  If I resist and get frustrated, then it is painful to deal with anything.  I funnel my energy to renewal in the moment.  I am reorganizing my office and home, & being quiet.   I am concentrating on all the things I am thankful for.  There has been great happenings from the storm.  Neighbors and friends have gathered together for relaxation.  Since we have had no electricity, we eat together in candle light.  Quite a difference from the overwhelm of email and phone.  Once again, we learn that nature guides us to stop, listen, and nurture ourselves.

Thought I'd share the wisdom I have learned so far 1) You will feel fear.  Have the courage to work through it, and begin one step at a time. 2) You will never know everything upfront. 2) Doubt will creep in especially at the low moments, yet you must refocus yourself on your purpose.  3) Create a dynamic team around you to guide you through your journey. 4) If you don't know how to do something, seek an expert out that does. 5) No matter where you are, it is always a beginning.  Your journey continues on and you learn many things along the way as you go through the process. 6) Don't wait for the big moment. Celebrate all the moments and pat yourself on the back for having the courage to dive into the unknown.  More on this subject later...About moving past what others want for you, and listening to your truth.  Share your experiences at this blog, Heartfelt Matters,and give others the encouragement to jump in.  By the way, I still feel that I am at the beginning!!!  Take a deep breath and go for something meaningful.  Exercise: Write a letter to yourself beginning with Dear Passion.  Share on this blog what you saw for yourself.  It will make a difference for others.

Loving You From My Prison Cell

Excerpt from Dear Mom, I've Always Wanted You to Know...Dear Mom, "Do you realize how far we've come in our relationship? Seeing us together now, who would ever think that not even eight years agok, you changed the locks to our house so I couldn't get in because you were so afraid of me, or that I left home because I was afraid of you?" said Danielle, a daughter writing to her mother from a prison cell."   This is an excerpt of the letter in the book, Dear Mom, I've Always Wanted You to Know.  We don't know what Danielle did to be serving a life sentence.  What is more important is that she is working through her challenges and committed to feeling more liberated within.  Everyone has the right to work on themselves.   I commented in the August issue of the newsletter how I was pleasantly surprised when I received a picture of Danielle & her mother (above)  I did not want to imagine what Danielle looked liked, because I did not want to get emotionally attached to her.  When I received the picture, I realized that I thought she would look differently.  Yet as I view this picture, my heart goes out to Danielle.  How brave she is!!! What a beautiful daughter & mother. 

Follow Your Passion

I often speak to women who want to find their passion in life.  They are waiting for the right time and circumstances.  Or they are frustrated that they don't know what it is that is nagging deep within them.  I often say: "Time waits for nonone.  You must begin with an idea and see where it takes you."  I moonlighted for 4 years while working full time.  I was creating the Letters from the Heart Project and had a contract with Penguin for Dear Mom.  After working for a company for 15 years, I finally decided to take the plunge to pursue my publishing career full time.  I could have collected a paycheck for another 10 years, yet I had to let go fully.  Otherwise, I may never fully experience the miracles that await me.   Was I fearful?  Absolutely.  I am familar with getting a good size paycheck and now I am on my own.  Yes, I did plan somewhat.  We should do this before taking the leap.  Do I always know where I am going?  Topsy turvy one moment, and clarity the next.  Not getting a paycheck is unfamilar for me, yet I know deep within that I will prevail in a greater way.  For the women out there that are reading this, I encourage you to follow your passion, even if you do not know where it takes you.  It fuels your soul, and nourishes you. Of course, then you will have more loving energy to give to those you love.  Why?  Because you are loving yourself. It is about Mothering Yourself (TM), being true to who you are.  It may be that you need to moonlight at first or to just plant the seeds right now.  More soon... Truly, Lisa

Women: Stop Apologizing

Recently, I was asked by the media why Are women too quick to say 'I am sorry'? It seems like women apologize for everything.  Why is that?  What are the downfalls?  What should we really be saying 'I'm sorry' for?  My comment to the reporter:  We have been taught by our mothers of mothers, all generations as women to get approval and appease others.  It almost seems like an epidemic of I'm sorry's.  Even if it isn't our fault, we are quick to apologize.  Why is is that we apologize for everything?...How can we possibly find our way back to feeling good when we feel so guilty about everything, even about not feeling bad enough?  We have lived our dilemmas of whether we could have done more to help and concerned about the promises we never kept.  What are the downfalls?  We lose our powerful voices, and many times don't let others take responsibility for the blame.  The other party gets off the hook, and we look like the guilty one.  We take on everything.  SOLUTION:  Instead we can take a step back, practice not saying we're sorry right away, and listen to whether we really need to apologize.  Let us embrace our beauty as women and have more confidence in our ability to speak our truth.  Please comment on: Why you think women apologize for everything?  Looking forward to hearing from you...