1) Lighten Up! Debuts
2) My Playground
3) Check it Out
4) Giggles & Guffaws
5) Ways to Play Today!
6) Random Musings
7) Something to ponder
8) Shameless Promotional Plug

Do you feel like you take life too seriously sometimes?
Do you wish you had more time to play?

This *free* monthly newsletter will show you how to live life with more fun and joy and less stress and worry. With informative articles, humorous insights and great resources, “Lighten Up!” is guaranteed to provide you a motivational kick in the butt while giving you a giggle or two along the way. I’m stepping up as a writer and sharing my words with others and because we’ve met at some point in our lives, you’re receiving this first edition. You don’t want to read any more unnecessary email, you say? No worries, you can unsubscribe at the bottom of this newsletter. Want to stay and play, you say? Great! You’ll receive a new issue of Lighten Up! once a month. Read on. Have a great Labor Day Holiday!

~The Essence of Esalen~

Recently I traveled to Big Sur, California and took a creative movement and dance workshop at a retreat center called Esalen. Known for its educational programs and beautiful surroundings, I was prepared to spend a relaxing week along the cliffs of the Pacific. Prior to going on this trip, a friend of mine who knew about this place asked me what my intention was for going. I told him I wanted to experience some solitude after having just completed a busy month of traveling and being with others. He posed a challenge of sort by asking me to discover what the essence of Esalen might be and this is what I found.

Despite its friendly and helpful staff, the healing waters of its natural hot springs, the lovely setting of its location, its delicious food (I could go on and on), the elements of Esalen aren’t the things that make Esalen what it is. Yes, they certainly help a person to have an amazing time while visiting, but in order to truly experience the magic that can be discovered there, or anywhere for that matter, you must become aware of the present moment and choose to stay in that place. If you really want to be fully awake and experience what’s happening right now in your life, no time-traveling is allowed. The Essence of Esalen was discovering, choosing and then allowing myself to be in the present moment.

That might sound all warm and wonderful, but it’s a lot easier said than done. I suspect you know how challenging it can be to let go of the past and not worry about the future. One cannot fully be in the present moment when the mind is somewhere in another time zone. What else is the present moment about? It’s about noticing, not analyzing. It is tapping into a feeling state, not a thinking one. It is having no expectations and making no judgments. It is heart-centered, not head-heavy. This is a tall order to ask for, but if you want to experience this place of peace more often, you have to invite it in and be willing to let it flow through you.

There are many books that extol the virtues of living in the present moment. In today’s world, I’m sure you already understand this concept well. However, how often do you allow yourself to experience it? If you’re like most of the people I know and the clients I work with, the answer I usually hear is, “Not often enough.”

So, coming directly from the Essence of Esalen, here are:

Five Simple Ways to Practice Being in the Present Moment.

Spend some time in nature.
Find a special place in the mountains or by the sea, in a city park or in your own backyard. Notice the environment you’re in. Touch the living things that surround you; trees, rocks, flowers, water. Imagine if these objects could speak, what would they tell you?

Breathe
How nice it is that our hearts beat and our lungs breathe for us automatically. Imagine if we had to think about taking a breath before it could actually happen. How many people do you think would be gasping for air? Do you ever feel like your own thoughts are suffocating you? Notice your breath. Feel your chest expand. See how slowly you can inhale. Then hold your breath and slowly exhale. Repeat this process several times. Be grateful for having a body that knows what to do.

Enjoy your food
We live in a fast-paced, convenient foods marketplace. Ugh! Just saying that made my stomach turn, but it’s true. We order fast, fried foods, we eat at our desks, we pop things into our microwaves and often we eat without really tasting what we’re putting into our mouths. Whether it’s a nice healthy salad or the most decadent piece of chocolate, slow down and enjoy it. Take time to experience the different tastes and textures of the food you eat. Feel how happy your body is as it’s receiving the energy you’re putting into it.

Notice Your Body
Stand in front of a mirror. Take in the full view. Acknowledge the things about your body you love and embrace your imperfections. Feel the weight and texture of your clothes against your skin. Pay attention to how your body moves when you’re happy and when you’re stressed. Take time to move specific body parts and notice how you feel when you do. Wiggle your toes. Bend your knees. Move those hips. Shrug those shoulders. Shake that head of yours. Ahh…do it all over again.

Witness the experience of others
Get out of your own head and tune in to someone else. During your conversations, stop thinking about what you might say next and just listen to the other person. Give good eye contact and let others know you’re totally present to them. Let go of any judgments and just experience the full glory of the person in front of you.

The key to remember is you can experience the present moment anytime you choose. The Essence of Esalen is within you right now. It just takes a moment for you to notice and another moment to choose and then another moment to experience the simplicity, the fullness and the joy of truly living.

“Amsterdam” - Luka Bloom's live c.d.
This lovely Irish man plays the acoustic guitar like no one else. Although his c.d.s are categorized under folk and rock sections in music stores, his songs range from beautiful ballads to toe-tappin’, knee-slappin’ tunes. This is his first live album, and trust me, you’ll fall in love just listening to his accent when he talks in between songs.

I heard the noise the first time about two weeks ago. At first, I thought the soft, scratching noise emanating from underneath my refrigerator was just the appliance itself. After having a look and making sure it wasn’t all the dust-balls coming to life, I realized there was some sort of creature making a home in the nooks and crannies of the fridge’s mechanical underside. Deciding it was probably a mouse, I forgot about it and figured my cat would soon help with its demise.

I wish that were the case.

Hearing the noise again this past Saturday after there’d been several days’ silence was a little disconcerting. I thought it best to take another look. This time I had another pair of ears and eyes to listen and witness the strange sounds with me. My girlfriend happened to be visiting that afternoon so together we ventured onto the floor, flashlights in hand to discover what all the commotion was about.

Still thinking it was a mouse, we pressed our faces forward, shined our flashlights into the bowels of the fridge while trying to get a glimpse of what was making all that noise. We could make out a little head, little ears…still thinking we’re looking at a cute, little mouse, until…
we caught sight of what appeared to be a wing.

“Oh my God,” my friend and I shrieked in unison as we quickly backed away from the fridge. (Actually, we said a few other things as well, but I’ll let you use your imagination to fill in the blanks.)

I have a bat in my house. No kidding.

After getting my landlord to come up and confirm we were seeing Dracula’s cousin, he offered to call a bat exterminator. Apparently that occupation doesn’t work weekends because after calling several places, not a one answered. So, left to our own creativity and genius, my friend and I came up with a bat-removal plan. We got the broom. We got a big sheet. After readying ourselves for the erratic flight pattern of a bat, we tilted the fridge and…nothing. We figured he might be hiding in those dust-balls I mentioned earlier. Nope. After searching all the crevices with a flashlight, no bat could be found.

The next morning (yes, amazingly, I slept that night but my head was underneath the covers) my landlord came by to spray the refrigerator with a nasty-smelling disinfectant. Figuring the bat would try to escape the fumes, we prepared ourselves for its sudden appearance. No bat.

It’s now Thursday. Over the past few days, there have been a few noises from the refrigerator that sound mysteriously like the black knight my friend, my landlord and I saw. You might be wondering the same thing I am. Where did he go? I honestly don’t know. I do know we saw a bat that day. I do know we never saw him come out. I do know what a dead mouse smells like and I’m hoping that a dead bat will smell similar. I’m getting tired of sleeping with my head underneath the covers.

Why not…Make some old-fashioned lemonade this weekend?
Not the kind in the can. Not the powered-stuff trying to pass for lemonade. I mean the real thing. More than likely you already have 2/3rds of the ingredients in your home to make it. So go to the store and get yourself some lemons and squeeze. Well, maybe you better get the juice container out first and add some water, then squeeze. Add just enough sugar so it’s sweet enough to drink, but still has enough tartness to make your lips purse. Sit back in a chair in the sun. Relax. Ahhh…end of the summer bliss.

Why not…stay put and NOT travel on a holiday?
Has anyone asked you yet this week, “What are you doing for the Labor Day holiday?” Whether or not you have plans, when you answered, was there perhaps a secret desire to just stay home? I’m all for getting out and exploring somewhere new and fun, but sometimes I think we get the urge to get in the car and travel simply because everyone else seems to be doing it. If you haven’t made plans yet for your 3-day weekend, consider staying home and enjoying the quiet that will likely surround you because all your neighbors are gone.

Dancing on the beach with bare feet is a beautiful thing. Did you know there are more stars in the Universe than there are grains of sand on the Earth? Standing on something that seems infinite has a way of putting life into perspective.

Ever spend time making shapes out of clouds? Cloud watching isn’t just for bored kids. Lying back, looking up and creating inanimate objects is a great way to relax. I wish I could eat those cotton-candy clouds above me.

I know all about the dangers and the prevalence of skin cancer these days. This information however, does not deter me from spending time in the sun. Wear your sunscreen, wear glasses, wear a hat, but get out there and soak up some Vitamin D soon before the weather changes and the leaves begin to fall.

When a dandelion seed lands in your hand unexpectedly, take some time to ask yourself what you really want before you make your wish and set it free.

What’s the most important thing in your life right now?
Are you giving it enough attention?
What will you do in the month ahead to honor that thing more?

Need some support around this? Care to share what these questions stir up in you? Send me en e-mail. I welcome your thoughts and will respond to all e-mails received.

What are you doing on Saturday, September 27th?

Last fall, one of my favorite friends became my business partner. Together, Tayna Wylder and I have created a body of work we call “Get Real!” Our coaching programs, workshops and presentations are designed to empower people to live authentic lives with passion, purpose and play. If you live in the Portland, Oregon area, we’d love to see you at our next event.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We invite you to join us for a three-hour interactive learning experience on Saturday, September 27th from 12 noon – 3p.m. Designed to inspire, challenge and enhance personal growth, this motivating workshop will support you to discover more about yourself in a fun and safe environment. Located on the corner of 13th and Tacoma in the Sellwood neighborhood of Portland, The Goldenheart Center for Wellness will serve as our playground for the day. The Investment is $49 and in addition to meeting great people, you’ll receive a colorful workbook too!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tayna and I have been facilitating workshops over the course of the last year and recently we held our first Half-Day Retreat in Cannon Beach. Great fun was had amongst 13 incredible women.

One participant told us, “This workshop exceeded my expectations in helping me to let go of fear and revealed things I couldn’t have anticipated.”

Another gal said, “Thank you so much for this awesome, delightful experience.”

We had so much fun that we’re going to have another retreat at the beach, Saturday, October 18th. All the delicious details will be available for viewing on my website soon. In the meantime, you can check out Playful Spirit to learn more about the work I do as a life coach and the kind of people I love to create partnerships with.

Warmly,
Lisa

Playful Spirit Coaching & Consulting
P.O. Box 524
Cannon Beach, OR 97110
503.860.7711