At the Mindful Post of Mid-Life

There has been a good deal of talk lately among my peers and among celebrities in the media about what is today’s definition of mid-life? Is it 40 or 50? How do we find the scale on which we weigh it? Over time our life expectancy has changed and we would like to believe our quality of life as well, at least for some of us. Yet we still live within a culture that worships youth. So are we mid-life, are we older than that? And either way, what does it mean? How does it impact our life’s daily perspective? Sit and flip through the infomercial channels any given Sunday morning and you will be introduced the variety of ways in which one can slim inner thighs, tone up abs, firm underarms, remove unwanted body hair and even make one’s hands look younger! Do we only look to the aesthetics of our bodies for clues that we are reaching the mid point of our life?

For me, only a mere five months from turning fifty, midlife is the ending of one cycle and the beginning of another. And for me, it has so little to do with body image. It has little to do with the face in the mirror or the jiggle of my thighs. Honoring my body has taken front seat, but in a very different way. I find myself in a beautiful flow of adjustment. I have reflected on all the different events that have led to the point I find myself at today. Everything has mattered. And now when I look back I find I have grown a new appreciation of this fact.

Additionally, this time of life creates opportunity to explore my mortality. What is left to be done in this lifetime? What needs to be addressed with my health, my relationships, my pass times, and my career and callings? I feel elder-hood is a bit far off, yet I can see it on the horizon and I cannot fool myself any longer about how quickly time flies!

As I approach the infamous age of fifty that has wreaked havoc on many minds I have come to some conclusions for myself. I have learned to really enjoy life, not to worry about who is looking, how silly I may seem or if anyone else is interested…I am going for it! I dress the way I feel most comfortable. I wear my hair in a style that offers ease. I exercise for my body’s health and well being, not because I want to be a step ahead of bathing suit season.

I also have learned to really appreciate people in my life. And not just the one’s who are nice to me! I have developed an appreciation for those who have made me stretch, challenged me and even caused a little chaos from time to time, because of them…I have learned so much about myself, my strengths and my flaws.

Speaking of flaws, at this age, I am more than willing to admit I have them! Long gone are the days of striving to be perfect! I have learned to honor the delicate parts of myself and celebrate them! If I had lived a life of no regrets…I think it probably would be rather boring if life did not have any.

I also have found I have less to prove. I have strong opinions that have been born of a life filled with many experiences, rich with many relationships and peppered with a variety of interests. But, if you don’t agree, that’s cool. I am more and more comfortable with just doing what I want or need to do and not taking on more than that. Gone are the days of comparing myself to another. I celebrate you right along with me!

And finally, at least at the point of writing this post, I gift myself with ample time for reflection. I have grown to appreciate the importance in this. I have opened myself to life’s mysteries. I have opened myself up to more than just my ordinary thoughts. I have connected to something that is larger than what I thought the whole to be and I find great comfort there. I find inspiration and delight there. I have found a richness I did not know existed in my years past. My spiritual practices don’t fit in anyone’s box, but mine. I am beyond comfortable with this and find it nurtures me in a way I never expected.

So mid-life is interesting for me. I don’t seem to look at it quite the way society does. And there may be some differences from my perspective and yours, but I am good with that. And on that note, I will end this here so I can go and reflect on the tranquility of the coolness of the night air as it creates a longing for a sweet cup of chamomile tea and a warm flannel nightgown. I know what you are thinking…and I am good with that too!

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

The Body Temple

Honoring the body temple can mean many different things to many different people. And for me, it means several ways of honoring, but the intention remains the same. I may have a variety of opinions, a great number of interests, abundant passions, and have assorted items on my bucket list still to be done. BUT the one thing that remains constant is the fact that I have only one body in this lifetime and the better I honor it, the more I cherish what it offers me and the more I respect its needs…my body responds brilliantly. Years ago I learned that I needed to begin this relationship anew. My disrespect of my body was costly. I suffered from obesity. I had little energy. My self-esteem struggled. My health was beginning to deteriorate. My future depended on this awakening of honor. My life changed dramatically from the moment I made the commitment forward.

Since this relationship overhaul I have learned to listen to my body as it expresses its needs. I learned that a number of foods my body cannot tolerate. I have learned to eat only foods that my body can celebrate a healthy relationship with. As I made the changes, my physical form changed as well. I have shed well over 140 pounds. I have gone from a size 26 to a size 14.

As the weight came off, I discovered the joy of movement. Now I could walk without exhaustion, dance without pain, bend without discomfort. I have learned how strong my body can be. I have discovered the joy of flexibility. I have embraced the fun I can have with my body and its movement. Every day there is something to celebrate.

Honoring my body also means down time. Time for silence in everyday, to get centered, grounded, and focused. I make time take in the beauty of each day. And time to be grateful for all I have in my life. I create time, no matter how busy, to connect with Spirit and listen closely to the messages and insights.

Finding the pause my body needs is equally important. Sleep affords me time for rejuvenation and inner stillness. Stillness creates space for creativity and wonder. Calm allows the rhythm of the moment to reach my heart and set the beat to follow. Spirit guides me through the gentle movements I need to find my balance and alignment.

Honoring my body also includes time for creativity, play, relationships, and more. I have found my body temple is a beautiful structure that needs attention and appreciation, commitment and devotion. I have learned that I am the only one who can be my body’s keeper. I am its guardian, its lover, its caretaker and its devotee. My body patiently waited for me to wakeup to its needs. I will never leave my watch again. My intentions are clear, my respect is strong, and my dedication firm.

My body is one of the greatest gifts I have been given. I will never take for granted its magnificence again. I count my blessings often and I treasure my body daily.

As we head into the weekend, I hope you will take a moment and listen deeply to the messages your body is sending you. Any special requests? In what ways do you express your honor of the Temple?

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

The Lens of Possibilities

I have spent the last several days stretching the perception of what I have thought myself to be, of who I thought I was and of how I would bring myself into the future. I have been given opportunity to be lovingly supported and challenged in this stretching. I have been called to task, given pause to reflect, ritual to honor, guidance to lean into and sistership to celebrate. And things have changed. I arrived at this moment, hungry and aware that I needed to be fed. I arrived at this place on the path with hopes and awareness. I did not take this opportunity for granted or lightly. I was ready for what Spirit was bringing to the table.

It has taken many years and much growth to even be able to get here. It has taken so much release of the shoulds, the stories, the pain, the expectations and the fear. I have had to experience what wasn’t in order to embrace what was. I have been asked to take things within my life, assess them, to look at them from a distance and then to focus on them with a lens of intense focus. I have had to make difficult choices.

Life is not what we always expect it to be, nor is it always what others tell us it should be. BUT it is always what it is supposed to be. Living in this place of conscious awareness has now brought me to today, to a place of stretching and of reaching the widest of expanse of possibilities. I think it is something I have grown to be comfortable in. It is not always enjoyable, it is not always easy, and it is definitely not always clear. But living this way, slowly flowing into each of these transitions within my days, I don’t miss the lessons as often. I more often am aware of the moments of insight and wonder.

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

Creative Shake-up

How do you creatively celebrate your spirituality? Is it through art, dance, cooking, or some other beautiful activity? Spirit gives us the gift of creativity, some more…some less. But it is given none-the less. For some being creative is a wonderful outlet for stress, expendable energies or expression. They live to be creative. They enjoy the process. They take delight in it. Then there are others who do not turn to it that often, sometimes it is the first thing they toss aside when added stress comes their way or they prefer to express themselves in less creative ways. When is the last time you tried something new to express yourself creatively? Are you kind of stuck? Do you seem to turn to the same media or activity every time? What would happen if, for example, the dancer in you instead writes a spiritual poem? Or what if the photographer instead painted a picture of sacredness? Sometimes when we stretch ourselves like this we learn something new about ourselves. Sometimes we learn we really cannot paint very well and have a good laugh at the outcome, but still enjoyed the creative expression and levity of the activity. Sometimes we learn we have a hidden gift we did not know about and discover a new aspect of our creativity to explore and honor.

Like many things in life, doing something different brings about a much-needed change in our lives. We have to shake things up from time to time, step outside our comfort zone, be childlike and playful and take a small risk with our creative outlets.

I have done this from time to time for myself. I have learned to not judge myself so harshly and to simply enjoy the new form of spiritual practice and celebration. I let go of perfection, I play, I make a mess, I act silly, I try it on for size and be in the moment as fully and as mindfully as I can, taking it all in and letting all the newness excite me, delight me and even challenge me. I grow in those moments. I also have great fun.

Spirit wants for us to be joy filled, to explore, to question, to stretch and to wonder. Yes, you can still do all that in a practiced creativity as well. But sometimes it is so wonderful to color outside the spiritual lines of our sacred art!

Blessings ~ Lisa

©COPYRIGHT 2012 Lisa Meade

I will not be able to post next week as I will be involved a shamanic intensive. I will be returning with regular Monday through Friday posts on September 17th. Many thanks for your understanding.