Lighten Up with Lisa
By Lisa Dawn Wax
Recalling past history to urge us onward!
The year was 1898. It was hurricane season, hot and humid. It was the time of the Spanish-American war, which resulted in the liberation of Cuba from Spain and gave the US control over Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. Teddy Roosevelt, prior to becoming our 26th president, valiantly and victoriously led a volunteer cavalry group consisting primarily of cowboys, prospectors, gamblers and Indians. They were called “The Rough Riders.”
These were the words that inspired them.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion; spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never tasted victory or defeat.
Theodore Roosevelt
The year is 2009. It is the end of hurricane season, still hot and humid. America is at war in the Mideast, but what looms even larger is the war being waged within the American people and within the American souls. As summer turns to fall and Thanksgiving is upon us I have turned my attention to a gift from my husband, a necklace, in search of a renewed source of optimism. The necklace consists of 3 heart shaped charms with the following inscriptions, EMBRACE LIFE, PASSION, and GRATITUDE. This brave soul is daring greatly to believe that living these three words will help to win the war within.
- PASSION – In a time when most of us want to stay in bed, pull the sheets over our heads and be the proverbial ostrich with our heads in the sand how do we pull ourselves up from our bootstraps and charge ahead? First, we must find (or remember) our passion. This is different for everyone so don’t try to look to someone else’s passion. For some it is a love of nature, a sport, a job, or a hobby, while for others it is their family or their religion and God – their faith. Your passion is something that has the power to lift you out of your ruts, your funks, your downward spiraling negativity and breathe renewed life into your souls that are searching for peace and happiness. Take a few moments to find your passion.
- GRATITUDE – Rabbi Marc Gellman of the newspaper advice column, The God Squad, recently wrote that when people have trouble finding their faith he starts by asking the question, “Do you feel you’ve been given more than you deserve?” He then says, “If they say yes, as they always do, I ask what they’re going to do to show gratitude for their grace/luck/blessings.” Now, I know this is a really tough time for most of you. I know the poor economy has touched everyone in one way or another, some worse than others. I know this might seem like an impossible task, but I also know that we can do it. I’m sure we can all find at least one thing in our lives to still be grateful for. Most of us don’t even need to look too hard or too far. Thank your kids for their smiles that make you smile. Thank your spouse for the shoulder to cry on when you can no longer hold back the tears. Thank your friends for having an ear to bend. Thank the bars for Happy Hours and Ladies Nights! Though our faces may be “marred with blood and sweat,” we must recognize our blessings so that we may find the strength to triumph.
3. EMBRACE LIFE – Once again I feel as if I have brought up a topic that stirs the pot with the hope that I have stirred up something already brewing beneath the surface. I am trying to have you look inward so that you can move onward. We cannot ignore what we are facing or what we are feeling, but that’s OK! Elizabeth Lesser wrote in her book Broken Open:
“To be human is to be lost in the woods. None of us arrives here with clear directions on how to get form point A to point B without stumbling into the forest of confusion or catastrophe or wrongdoing. Although they are dark and dangerous, it is in the woods that we discover our strengths.”
- In my last column I wrote how even negative life experiences should be perceived as a Lucky Charm, an opportunity for growth and a place to find strength. Whether you are currently facing one of the best times of your life or even one of the worst, you can embrace your life with grace. You can vow to be enthusiastic and devoted to a very worthy cause, a life well lived.
So, saddle up Rough Riders of Wellington, jump on your high horse, raise up your sword and strive valiantly even though you may err and come up short, but in the end DO NOT be amongst the cold and timid souls. I am urging you to seek out and hold onto your faith and to embrace life with passion and gratitude.
HAVE A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Until next time, may your days be brighter and your lives be lighter.
Lisa Dawn Wax, aka Lightworker Lisa, has been certified in Massage Therapy, Fitness Training and Reiki Healing for over 15 years. In addition to being a born Lightworker she is a certified Angel Healing Practitioner; both of which basically confirm her intuitive abilities to help, heal and teach. Using reiki (energy healing), divine messages and intuitive readings, she has helped many people to identify the source of their pain, clarify current life situations, and successfully redirect their focus into positive channels. If you’d like to share comments about this article or if you are in need of affordable healing and/or life coaching via divine inspiration with immediate results, please call her at 561-594-3948 or visit her new website www.lightworkerlisa.com.