I am always honoured when my clients write a reflection that encapsulates their journey of engaging with me either one to one or through one of my programs. Take a moment to read this, and, if any of it resonates consider connecting with me to explore how you too can SHIFT-TRANSFORM and EVOLVE your world!
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I recently participated in Lisa’s “Power of Seven” workshop and I had previously attended one of The “You Are Ready to Say YES to Your SELF” 3 day workshops. As well, I have joined in a number of “InConversation & Sunset” conversations.
I was hesitant to join in any of these sessions as I was raised to keep my problems, fears, insecurities and self-doubts to myself and resolve them, or ignore them, without “whining” about them in a more public forum. I was taught to present to the world a woman who was confident, strong, independent, intelligent and socially adept… be it in my work or personal life. And I was very successful at presenting that façade. The flip side of the coin however is that the “real” me did not feel worthy, was full of self-doubt and self-dislike (I won’t say loathing as that is too strong… suffice it to say that I didn’t like myself a whole lot), and I constantly worried about what others thought and of letting people down.
For many years I have recognised that I should not be obliged to live my life according to other peoples’ values and expectations and I had no idea how to “break out” of the restrictions these beliefs held over me. I wanted to… most desperately. I was tired to the bone of thinking, “what would Dad/Mom/Granny/and pretty-much-everyone-else think” and of the expectations I thought were put on me by others! Don’t get me wrong… My parents and family members were wonderful and kind people and they raised me and my siblings the way they were raised. The problem was subconsciously I could not reconcile those beliefs and values with how I felt… and I had no idea what to do about it. Hence… my internal conflict.
I felt safe…and opened up more than I have for years
I originally met with Lisa one-on-one and quickly understood her to be very insightful and knowledgeable… and kind… no pressure was placed on me. I was simply invited to choose differently… and to breathe. I decided that this was worth investigating so I registered for my first workshop… the 3 day You Are Ready to Say YES to Your SELF. I remember telling Lisa that I was not the type to open up and start talking about myself so please don’t expect me to contribute much. Well…. what was I thinking!!! When I saw that the other participants felt safe and could talk openly about how they felt, I immediately connected with them and found how strongly I related to them. As a result… and this was a true revelation for me… I felt safe… I think I opened up more in those three sessions than I have for years, even with my closest friend.
Since that first workshop I have participated in more InConversaton & Sunset sessions and I joined the Power of Seven program. I really wanted to build on this new way of being and of being aware, and learn how to use it to help me resolve the internal issues that I ultimately created for myself.
The concept of using breath to redirect my attention to what’s going on in my body, as opposed to using my intellect, and to be aware of the sensory cues within as opposed to emotions and labels, and to make a different choice in that moment was incredibly enlightening. In my opinion, although my session partner and I had so much in common and were at the same time so different, one of the things we had strongly in common was that we both felt safe and honoured in our sessions with Lisa… there was no fear of judgement or of being labeled.
I do not need permission to change…
As I progressed through the seven weeks, it was as though a door opened for me and walking through it gave me the opportunity to change. I saw that I do not need permission to change; the choice is fully mine. I saw that what others think of me is not my concern; it is theirs. And by asking myself the question, “Who do I have the potential to become if… I choose differently”, and when I reframe the questions I am asking myself, well the opportunities I open up for myself are endless. Using the breath to increase my awareness in that moment is invaluable and I now see a path forward and a way of breaking free from the baggage I have been dragging with me since I was a little girl (and didn’t realise it!).
This is a fascinating journey…
It takes time to assimilate new processes and beliefs so that they become an instinctive part of you and I am just starting this fascinating and rewarding journey… I am a “work in progress” and I am “perfectly imperfect”… and I am good with that now! I look forward to expanding on what I have learned and to my future… and that is also a bit of a revelation for me. And, yes, I am a woman who is confident, strong, independent, intelligent and socially adept… and worthy of believing it! My thanks to Lisa for her guidance and insights… Lisa, you are a true “Transformation Maven”!
Linda, Ottawa, ON
The Power of Seven
