Two Quotes Every Parent / Teacher Should Read

"We all carry wounds in us that we received as children, and taking the path of healing these wounds makes it much easier for us to relate to and understand the children in our life. Whatever we haven't transformed, we're likely to pass on to our children and to our students. Our suffering will become their suffering. This is why practicing mindfulness in our daily lives is so important. It is not just to avoid burnout; mindfulness allows us to transform in the depths of our consciousness. If you are not at peace, how can you impart peace to your children and students?"

-Thich Nhat Hanh, Planting Seeds, Practicing Mindfulness with Children

"Children who are raised by parents who are conscious, and therefore both at peace with themselves and connected to their inner joy, discover the abundance of the universe and learn how to tap into this ever-flowing source. Viewing life as their partner, such children respond to life's challenges with curiosity, excitement, and a sense of reverent engagement. Brought up to be inwardly peaceful and to know their inherent joy, they in turn teach their children to live in a state of joyful abundance."

-Shefali Tsabary, The Conscious Parent

These two quotes speak volumes! I just had to share them here because I find them so incredibly important and inspiring. What do you think?

There is one more thing I'd like to share. The Himalayan Meditation Centre in Edmonton will be offering a 10-week mindfulness class for kids aged 5-13 starting next January (2019). One or more parents are invited to attend and participate. The class will be held on Saturdays from 1-2 pm. The Conscious Kids curriculum will be used, which means that all the concepts are taught through creative short stories and fun, engaging activities for families. The course is designed to help kids develop their emotional intelligence, lower their stress, boost their confidence & improve their mood and focus. You may have guessed that I will be teaching this class, along with my kind and very gifted colleague who came here all the way from Tibet, Dr. Kunga. Openings are very limited and are based on a first come, first serve policy. For more information and to sign up, please visit conscious-kids.ca. 

Warm regards,

Lise Villeneuve

www.lisevilleneuve.com

Are You Game?

Are we really all that different?

On the surface, it may look like we are all unique and have very different needs, challenges, desires and ambitions. However, once we have the courage to dive a little deeper into the heart of who - or what - we are, we soon discover that what we truly crave is universal : inner peace, joy, unconditional love, and freedom from our negative states.

Many of us intuitively know that these qualities are nowhere to be found in the world « out there », yet we continue to search for them by constantly rearranging the circumstances of our life. This is like trying to change the reflection we see of ourselves in a mirror, without being willing to modify or to question the source of the image itself - who we are.

What is at the root of our constant restlessness, our agitation and our psychological suffering? It is this profoundly distorted image we have of ourselves. Are we merely separate entities made of flesh and bones, or are we interconnected spiritual beings having a temporary human experience? As long as we hold on to the idea of a separate self dominated by the survival instincts of the ego, then lasting freedom, inner-peace, joy and unconditional love will remain out of reach.

To be honest...

Frankly, I am not interested in helping people simply rearrange the circumstances of their life so they can feel temporary relief, wordly success or superficial self-confidence. I am not interested in patching up the cracks in their wounded ego so that they can « function normally », like everyone else who is sleepwalking under the trance of their ego. Rather, I am interested in helping individuals wake up permanently to their full potential as a spiritual being. This is where real emotional, physical and spiritual healing begins. This is where true, unwaivering Self-confidence is born. This is the realm of miracles.

Wanting to transcend the ego takes courage, dedication and humility. It’s not an easy or popular route. At first, the ego thinks « yes, that’s what I want, that’s what I need to feel fulfilled», but this is a trap. It’s not about making our personal selves better, stronger or more powerful - although paradoxically, this often happens as a result of raising our level of consciousness. Disidentification from the ego is all about stripping away our programming and the limiting beliefs that hold us back as spiritual beings.

How is it done? By developing an awareness of what we really are; by surrendering negative emotions; by healing old wounds; by letting go of what holds us back; by opening our hearts and by humbly trusting the ever-present divine grace that guides us back to wholeness.

As difficult as it has been at times, this has been my journey for over two decades. I discovered that my entire life was essentially an illusion that kept me trapped in unecessary suffering. At first, I understood this with my mind, then, little by little, I experienced it through my heart. Because I have been through and continue to move through this process of spiritual surrendering on a daily basis, I am now able to hold that space for others to do the same thing. I do it by sharing a sacred space that includes creativity, some moments of silence, breathing, laughter, warm beverages and a whole lot of love.

Spirituality is not like working out at the gym. We cannot learn how to raise our level of consciousness by « doing » , or by simply trying to fix the problems our minds cling to. We have to allow ourselves to be. We have to find the courage to feel whatever comes up, as unpleasant as that might be sometimes. We have to learn how to be at peace with what is. It’s not enough to sit in meditation and chant mantras three times a week, because life happens outside of these bubbles of isolation. How do we react when things don’t go our way? Is the ego still completely running our internal programming outside of meditation class?

The good news is that every second of every day, as our life unfolds with its inevitable ups and downs, we can practice being more spiritually aware. We can allow ourselves to be what we truly are. We can wake up from the dream over and over again. Are you game?

If you are in the Edmonton area and would like to know more about the private sacred spaces I hold, you can reach me at consciouslivingsolutions (at) gmail dot com.


Warmly,

Lise
www.lisevilleneuve.com

Things I Wish I Knew: The Paradox of Pain

Things I Wish I Knew:The Paradox of Pain

I wasn’t consciously aware of it, but I have been searching my entire life for something I only recently discovered. How different things could have been had I known this earlier on! So much unnecessary suffering could have been avoided. I wasn’t even aware that I was trying to escape my pain at any cost.

Just Fitting In

Like everyone else around me, I was just doing whatever I could to avoid feeling those queasy, raw, edgy feelings of discomfort whenever they showed up. Denial, projection, repression and suppression were my strategies of choice to run away and escape from those negative feelings. I kept myself as busy and distracted as I possibly could in order to ignore or numb the underlying pain. I was fortunate enough to have a fairly normal childhood with no major trauma, yet the pain had been building up over the years, simply as a condition of living in a world that encourages and rewards disowning and projecting our negative feelings onto others.

What Problem?

Since I didn’t even know there was a problem - this denied pain I was carrying around everywhere was preventing me from experiencing true joy and inner peace - how was I to know there was a solution that could dramatically improve my quality of life? Why wasn’t I taught this simple solution in elementary school, or in University, when I got my psychology degree? Maybe it was best that I discover these things on my own, when I was ready to truly hear them. After all, I believe everything in this universe unfolds in perfect divine order. My journey into the heart of consciousness has allowed me to grow, to unlearn and to peel off many of the layers of protection I had built around myself. Now, I am happy to be able to share what I have discovered with others. And what is that?

The Exact Opposite Of What We Do

The pathway to true freedom and inner peace is so simple, yet it is counterintuitive and rather uncomfortable. We are all wired to seek pleasure and to avoid pain. Evolutionarily, this has ensured our survival. However, we are now at a stage in our evolution that allows us to soar beyond mere survival. Now more than ever before, we have the potential to thrive. We can reach levels of bliss that allow us to transcend the drama and suffering of this world. But for that, we have to stop running from our pain. There is no other way around it. We have to willingly welcome our pain and then let it go. We can learn to see pain for what it is – trapped emotions from our past – not who we are.

Breaking Free

As unpleasant and challenging as it may appear, we can all find the courage to face those uncomfortable feelings that make us squirm, hide, run, blame, judge, and sabotage ourselves. Once we become aware of the many avoidance behaviors or crutches we desperately cling to in order to push the pain away (keeping busy, alcohol, food, sex, television, isolation, projection onto others...etc), we can start to crack the walls of the prison that has been keeping our pain inside all these years. We can stop reacting to life from a place of fear and instead start to see our triggers as opportunities, or invitations to actively release the hurt we have been carrying inside for too long.

Run, Forrest, Run!

So when that queasy, edgy feeling returns, we can stay present with it instead of trying to make it go away. We can observe what’s happening inside our body and let the emotions come out instead of running from them, or demanding that people or circumstances stop poking us where it hurts. Once the negative feelings have been released and we feel ok again inside, all our energy becomes available for problem solving, for simply enjoying the moment or for actively creating the reality we choose.

Healing From The Inside Out

It takes a while to get used to it, but this process of facing and surrendering our pain can be embraced daily. At first it might feel strange and terrifying, but as you keep releasing the negative feelings and then consciously refocus attention on positive things that allow you to feel good, you will heal your life from the inside out. When we are brave enough to face our pain, we eventually become fearless. When we are fearless, all the boundaries and limits we set around ourselves crumble. Paradoxically, fully feeling and releasing our pain is the quickest way to end our individual and collective suffering.

So there you have it. Now I know... and so do you! Thanks for having taken the time to read!

With Love,

Lise

www.lisevilleneuve.com

There Are No Words To Define This Love

The kittens are now 3 weeks old and starting to be playful. They are all able to walk around but still often lose their balance -which is so adorable! The bond between Théo and Chewie is really quite special (in the picture above). Chewie pretty much trusts Théo entirely. Boy and kitten frequently gaze into each other's eyes in a state of pure love.

In the picture above, you can see Zelda and Rogue cuddling. They all have such beautiful blue eyes. The colour will change at about 7 weeks of age.

There really isn't much more to say about these beauties. They are simply perfect and wondrous. We feel extremely grateful and lucky to be able to experience this miracle of creation. Enjoy the pictures and the short video I have attached below.

See you next week for their 1-month old birthday celebration!

With Love,

Lise

www.lisevilleneuve.com

My Spiritual Diary: Week 7

It's not very often that all the grandchildren on my side of the family are reunited, since my sister lives in Québec, my younger brother lives in BC and my older brother, well, we're still waiting for him to produce kids. :)

Anyway, it's been a fun and busy past couple of weeks. You could say it was like a giant cousin party.

I find it very inspiring and refreshing to be around children. Words are inadequate, really, but here are just a few that come to mind: 

Beauty

Joy

Spontaneity

Love 

Presence

Aliveness

Authenticity 

Simplicity

Wonder

These munchkins remind me of what's essential in life. They are still very much connected to their spiritual essence. If only we could help our children remain in that state of wholeness instead of teaching them to adapt to a way of life that is often disconnected and superficial. Perhaps our kids need to teach us how to be fully alive again! They have inspired these simple words...

Just For Today...

Just for today,
I will take slow, long, deep breaths,
and I will notice how I feel in this body.
I will discover the wonders around me through my 5 senses,
and I will gently notice when the mind wants to take over.

Just for today,
I will allow myself to gravitate towards joy
by letting my heart and intuition lead the way.
I will remember that I am deeply connected to nature,
as well as to everyone and everything around me.

Just for today,
I will wake up from the dream of this incarnation,
only to remember that I am.
My heart knows what really matters:
To Love as much as I am able to on this day.

Today is a sacred, miraculous day.
I am grateful to be alive.






Thanks for reading!

All the best,

Lise
www.lisevilleneuve.com

My Spiritual Diary: Week 5

Day 1:

Smoking weed never really had an effect on me. It just made me want to climb to the top of trees -but that's quite normal in my world. However, I suspect that my "normal" reality might be a tad different. I love that sign in the picture above because I sort of feel like I'm exiting reality every morning when I wake up. No, I don't smoke weed for breakfast. It's as though real-life is the dream and at night, the dream-world is a place where I can be free, unbounded and whole again. When I come back to the density of the 3rd dimension, it sometimes feels like a play, or a movie. When you go through life reminding your Self that you are more than this limited, physical body; more than your random thoughts; more than these sometimes overwhelming emotions and perceptions, then "Reality" has to be redefined daily. That's where I live. Perhaps I should join Le Cirque du Soleil? ;) I'm sure many of you can relate perfectly. What's your reality like?

Day 2:

Today, I am reminded that it's all about JOY, my friends! When we feel joyful and at peace, we can be confident that we are aligned with our higher Self -we're on the right track! When we feel those negative emotions, it's a signal that tells us we're off track -we're not doing or thinking what serves our greatest good. Negative emotions are an opportunity, an invitation to change or heal something in our life. My measure of success used to be money, status, busy-ness...etc. Now, it's simply joy. What about you?

Day 3:

All this time, I've been rejecting you, wishing you would just go away. How cruel and heartless I have been! Now, I see how loving, giving, nurturing and wise you really are. Baby, we have truly come full-circle, because I think we may now have the hottest romance of 2017. I used to rip your guts right out and leave them to dry, but now I have seen the light. My dear, sweet weeds, please forgive me. I had no idea you were such delicious superfoods! All you ever wanted to do was to freely give us a plethora of vitamins and minerals that are superior to most supplements on the market! You have shown me a whole new universe of possibilities, filled with recipes, medicinal remedies, even beauty products all made from your sweet little leaves and roots! How I love you, dear weeds! Thank you for allowing me to notice the true abundance all around me. I was blind but now I see. Chickweed pesto, anyone?

 

(Charts taken from The Wild Wisdom of Weeds, by Katrina Blair) 

Day 4:

I am so unapologetically enthusiastic about weeds these days that I want to share this new, empowering knowledge with everyone! I made another wooden sign with 12 of the most beneficial and common weeds that can be found all over the world. Someone in Edmonton was just telling me how he literally survived by foraging plants in the forest for a full year. Unbelievable!

Day 5:

I could never go back to living a life where I don't have daily contact with the earth and the plants. Growing my own food has become a way of life that is so fulfilling and nurturing. It doesn't necessarily require a lot of space, either. You can get a lot of satisfaction simply by growing a few things in small pots. Living in harmony with nature is truly a spiritual experience. This quote from The Wild Wisdom of Weeds by Katrina Blair sums it up beautifully:

"All beings have a sacred purpose here on Earth, and we engage in a noble contract when we experience life's give and take as a dance of sacred interconnectedness. To participate fully requires us to humbly surrender to a larger dynamic exchange. When we surrender to each other we welcome another life force into our being to become us. In the same way, when we eat plants, they become integral to our being. The plant makes up our bones, skin, and cellular structure. The plant's essence infuses with our mind / heart. The plant's rooted intelligence from living outside in the weather; under the sun, moon, and starts; connected to the soil ecology; and tied intimately to the water of the land merges with our consciousness -creating an expansive sense of ourselves. By accepting that we need each other in respectful appreciation, the cycle of life sustains itself. This is the sacred act of reciprocal appropriation."

Wishing you a fabulous and wild week!

Lise
www.lisevilleneuve.com

My Spiritual Diary: Week 4

Day 1:

As I turn another year older, I  can say that the way I feel inside is increasingly similar to how I felt as a child. It feels wonderful! This journey of honouring and freeing the true Self is not an easy one. Pretenses and masks all get ripped off one by one -exposing a vulnerable, wounded inner-child that needs much healing.- I am more attuned to that child now, and life feels more joyful, colourful, even magical at times. This process has actually awakened childhood memories -pleasant ones- bringing back a familiar sense of wonder, flow, simplicity and inner-peace into the present. It's certainly reassuring to know that life can improve with age!

Day 2:

I feel so peaceful these days, and I naturally want to extend these good vibes to my neighbourhood. So... I decided to paint a sign that says "Deep Breath" and I put it out where passersby can see it. Everyone benefits from taking a deep breath, right? I enjoyed painting it, so I created another sign with 3 mandalas, as well as the words gratitude, joy, love and harmony. These words hold a very high vibration, therefore they will benefit whoever reads them (like you!). The law of attraction will determine who notices and appreciates the signs -or not! Only the people who's frequency matches the frequency of the signs will be able to experience them as a "pleasant occurrence." Those who are not a match may never even see the signs, or they might feel repelled by them because of the energetic dissonance they feel. Should be interesting to see what happens!

Day 3:

I am so content to just be here at home this summer! Each day is lazy and delicious. I am enjoying the here and now like never before!

Day 4:

Lately I have been applying the principles from this book written by Thich Nhat Hanh. I think I'm a model student :)

Day 5:

I am learning that when the mind is still -when there is no neurotic commentary going on that usually has something do to with the past, the future, shoulds, musts, regrets, or just random mental noise- life becomes peaceful and effortless, nomatter what external circumstances I might find myself in. I think that when we say we need a vacation, what we are really looking for is the switch to turn off the mental noise, so that we can fully, truly RELAX into just Being. The distractions we occupy ourselves with are certainly entertaining and they have their place, but they don't quench that thirst for true, lasting inner-peace. Do you agree? What do you hope to get from a vacation?

And on that note, I am now turning the switch to "off". I wish you a wonderfully lazy week! Thanks for reading!

Kind regards,

Lise
www.lisevilleneuve.com

The Secret Ingredients Behind The Happiest Time Of Your Life...

In my previous post, I asked the following question: "Can you think of a time when you felt the happiest you've ever been? What was it about that time that made you feel so good? Be specific."

I received these two beautiful answers:

• Mountain hiking with my grandfather, gathering mushrooms, flowers, medicinal herbs. In the mountains and away from things and people, one is peaceful, silent and fully taken by the beauty of this world. (from anonymous)

• For me, it was back in a time when life was simpler, life was complete, friends, career, money, love all good. ( at least in my head) A worry free existence for that special time when the months flew past and life had a special spark to it - mid 90s. Times spent in the US and Europe. Looking back there was much more colour and clarity, whatever happened? life, and the uncontrollable nature of the world we live in.- The ego within not developing or being questioned, lack of self awareness and a desire to satisfy the people that mattered most at the expense of self. (from Indominable Spirit, or "S")

The reason why I asked this question is because it gives us a destination to reach, a goal. Very often, we feel stuck, frustrated, confused, and we don't know where we want to go. If we have no destination, we simply remain in the same place. I think that if you're reading this blog, you are looking for ways to gravitate towards more peace, happiness, balance, joy, meaning and love in your life, correct? Who doesn't want these things! 

Thinking back of a time when you felt your happiest is a very powerful exercise because it shows you that it's entirely possible to feel great, you've been there before, and you can get back there. I think you are probably very aware that "there" is not so much a physical place or a certain set of circumstances, but a state of mind. So let's continue the exercise, if you're willing...

1) Close your eyes and go back to that time again. Immerse yourself back into that experience as much as possible. Allow yourself to see, smell, taste, hear, touch and feel everything that is going on. Notice how your body is responding (because it remembers!) Notice what your mind is doing. Breathe in deeply and continue doing this for a few minutes.

2) Once you have really allowed yourself to reconnect with this experience -this state of mind- ask yourself honestly what it would take to recreate that feeling right now. Not tomorrow, right now! If you are game, write in the comments below what your list of secret ingredients consists of. What do you need to get yourself back to that place of bliss right now? Try to do this exercise in the present, not the future, because feeling good happens now, not tomorrow!

I encourage any readers to jump in and participate in this blog exchange that will be going on for a little while. You may learn something about yourself in the process.You can simply comment as anonymous if you like (click on "comments" below). The more, the merrier!

I look forward to hearing from you,

Lise

Health Coach / Reiki Master

www.lisevilleneuve.com

I Feel Completely Inadequate...

Disclaimer:

I hope I'm not getting too annoying with the increasing frequency of my blogging, but lately the inspiration has been pouring out of me, so I'm just allowing it to take form here. I really do enjoy writing, despite the fact that English is my second language and words don't always come as easily as French. Yet, something is pushing me to continue in this direction right now.

I want to take this time to thank you for being here, whoever you are! I really have no clue who reads my posts, all I know is that the numbers are increasing daily and I'm honoured that you're here. So don't be shy to contact me directly if you feel inclined to, I'd love to hear from you! (my contact info is on www.lisevilleneuve.com or you can post comments directly on this blog.)

**************************************
I Feel Completely Inadequate...

After having worked with many different people as a coach / counsellor, I can say with certainty that most of us feel like we are inadequate, myself included. We feel like there is something fundamentally wrong with us. We just don't fit in, we never have, and we're afraid that sooner or later, someone will figure us out! So what do we do? In order to avoid facing this threatening feeling of lack and these dark emotions that rest at the core of our being, we run like hell. Your ego is probably denying this right now!

Many of us spend our entire lives running away from our true, whole, Selves, because we (our egos) believe that we are not enough and never will be. Bullshit. We run from the pain of our past that we refuse to feel and instead bury deep inside, naively hoping that it will never resurface. We are experts at keeping ourselves distracted from our inner-world by finding something, anything to DO. Standing still is not an option because once our mind gets bored, it starts to wander into our forbidden zones. Being alone often presents the same threat. Does this sound familiar to you?

From this false premise that we are not good enough just as human beings, we build a lifetime of protective layers -such as the roles we hide behind, the career that defines us, the daily dramas that allow us to point the finger out there, the various successes that make us feel like we are temporarily important. But do they really make us feel like we're worthy? For how long? The ego is never fully satisfied. Before we know it, we're craving the next new thing, thrill, relationship...etc. There's nothing wrong with wanting these things, but few of us realize WHY we really want them. If we're brutally honest, we'll see that it's to keep ourselves distracted from this deep, unconscious belief that we're simply inadequate. Maybe by doing more, by being more, we'll feel better someday? What will it take, what will you have to do to finally get there? When will it be enough?

If we want to feel happy and at peace with ourselves, the first step is to realize that we've probably been looking in the wrong direction -outward. We have to come back to those disowned parts of ourselves and gently embrace them again. We have to find the courage to face our demons from the past. Emotions get stored in the body and can turn into discomfort or disease if they are not released. The truth is, we are already whole and worthy right now, even with all our imperfections. Don't let the ego fool you! The bulk of our healing work has to do with peeling off our multiple protective layers and allowing ourselves to feel ALL our emotions -especially the unpleasant, frightening ones.

So whenever you hear that little voice that pressures you to DO more, BE more, GET more, KNOW more, just tell it to ph*que off. Pardon my French. If whatever you desire is coming from a place of passion, enthusiasm, and joy, then that's your heart speaking to you. Go for it! You are beautiful just the way you are. Always remember that.

Warmly,

Lise
Health Coach / Reiki Master
www.lisevilleneuve.com

Are You On The Express Way To Lasting Happiness?

I had a vivid flashback from my past life yesterday!

I'm not talking about a past life in a different body from this one, I'm simply referring to my past as a singer-songwriter and touring artist...and let me tell you, it does feel like it was in another lifetime! As exhilarating as it was, I would NOT go back to that lifestyle as I feel much more balanced and content now. Have a look at the video above, you'll see what that looked like. Why am I even writing about this topic, you may ask?

Well, yesterday, we helped my parents move some junk out of their basement. There was a large box of my old stuff, and in it, I found a thick file of emails my dad had printed and kept. They were all emails I had sent him during my "I'm-trying-to-make-it-in-the-music-business" years. Wow. I can't believe how much clarity I gained from reading those old messages! It almost felt like putting a puzzle together. I told Rob, as I was reading one letter after the other, that it felt as though I was reading someone else's life, not mine!

I almost felt nauseous, as my body was flashed back to some of the predominant emotions I felt back then: insecurity, anxiety, confusion, powerlessness. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad. My life was like a giant, exciting adventure that brought me all over the globe, but when you're on a roller-coaster ride, you have to expect extreme highs and extreme lows. I was fully embracing the polarities of life, completely unaware that my ego was in the driver's seat!

What I found the most difficult - but probably didn't have the hindsight to realize back then, was that my success depended on everyone else's approval : the record producers, the tour organizers, the radio stations, the judges at the music competitions, the people who approved the grants, even the public who listened to my music! Talent, discipline and determination were just not enough for me to keep moving forward. I had to scramble from job to job, never knowing what was coming up in the next few months.

I considered myself to have been one of the lucky ones, too, since I won some competitions, had a unique opportunity to do a solo tour in 8 countries, worked on cruise ships and received funding to produce my CD and music video. Despite the exhilarating ride, what started out as a love and passion for music turned into pressure and high expectations of perfection from myself and everyone. What I really wanted was to feel loved, appreciated, special and validated -just like everyone, right? However, it took me awhile to realize that I would never find those things through a career, no matter how successful I'd get.

When I came back home to Montreal after my whirlwind world tour, things fell apart. At least, that's what it looked like on the surface, but now I realize it was the beginning of true sanity. Nothing made sense to me any more, I was pregnant and I went through this deep, dark depression. It was sort of like a "dark night of the soul". I thought I'd never snap out of it, but I did after a few months, and it was the beginning of my gradual awakening. For the first time ever, I discovered what the ego was, and I understood how it had been a major driving force in my life. Although part of me had been seeking truth through writing and songs, the lifestyle I had been living didn't make sense to me any more. Seeking happiness externally was futile.

I am so thankful to now have this clarity! I am much more aware of the many superficial, yet alluring ego traps society offers us. I know there is nothing wrong with pursuing projects, goals and ambitions, as long as we don't expect to find fulfilment through these secondary roads. I now know that the Express Way to lasting happiness, peace, joy, harmony and love is Consciousness. It will drive you right back to your heart and spirit.

Warmly,

Lise
Health Coach and Reiki Master
www.lisevilleneuve.com

Learning To Trust Ourselves Again...

As I'm defining my holistic health practice a little more every day, things are starting to become very clear for me. It's an incredible sensation to tap into this knowledge of what I need to do next because I truly feel like I'm being guided every step of the way. It just feels right and everything so far leading up to the creation of Conscious Living Solutions has been completely flowing and effortless. I've been experiencing so many beautiful synchronicities, and the information I need somehow always presents itself at the perfect moment. 

What's even more incredible is that the ease I'm currently experiencing in all aspects of my life is exactly what I wish for others to experience. Eureka! That's it! That's what my holistic health program is all about : getting people to experience flow in their lives by learning to trust themselves again.

And how do we do that? By learning to trust our Selves, our hearts, our guts, our intuition. There lies the answer to finding balance and harmony in all aspects of lives.  It's really that simple. Of course, the mind, the ego, they like to complicate things for us, but once we develop our awareness of these little "sabotage factories", then our potential is limitless. 

Too often, we look outside of ourselves for solutions to our questions. What's the perfect diet? What should I do with my life? Why can't I find a partner? How can I heal this disease? How can I make more money? Why don't I have more energy? The truth is, all the answers lie within. If we can perfect our ability to hear our inner wisdom by diving under the layers of our minds, then we will be able to find that perfect balance in our lives without struggling all the time. Health, prosperity, joy, creativity, love...they are all within our reach if we are willing to listen to our hearts and trust the process.

I really want to help clients tap into their inner knowledge and wisdom. I want to help them discern which part of them is leading : their head or their heart. I can show them techniques that will help them get in touch with their true Selves. I can get them to recognize how beautiful, worthy and complete they are and how much they are deserving of self-love. I want to remind them of the incredible healing properties of their own body. I want to help them unblock their energy, their creativity, their inner-joy. I would like to remind them how to break free from their limiting beliefs and their personal prison. I can encourage them to release the pain from the past that's holding them down. I want to support them in redefining their comfort zones to allow them to live the life they REALLY want.

I know it's possible because I'm experiencing this flow right now for the first time in my own life. What a rush! I know It will bring me great joy to help others break free from the conditioning of their minds. How do I know this? Because my heart told me so. I'm ready to get started!

Warmly,

Lise
www.lisevilleneuve.com
Join me on Facebook: Conscious Living Solutions

The Best Christmas Present...

It snowed for two days straight here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The fluffy snowflakes were dancing around the sky joyously. I had the pleasure of watching this beautiful display with my two little elves from the warmth of our living room. We listened to classical music while cuddling under a soft brown blanket. Time stopped as we lost ourselves in these precious moments together. But let's back up...

My daughter (9 years) called me from school on Wednesday shortly after lunch. She was crying over the phone "maman, je suis malade, peux-tu venir me chercher?". Translation: "mom, I'm sick, can you pick me up?" My heart immediately went out to her and I drove to her school with my son (4 years) as fast as I could. The roads were treacherous, we saw a car that had just smashed into a tree on the way there. Emma came out of school looking pale and feverish. When we finally got home after swerving here and there, Emma put herself to bed and slept for 6 straight hours until I woke her up at 9 pm to see if she wanted to have some supper. I told her I had no doubt she was really sick because it's only in these extreme circumstances that she ever wants to sleep this much! She giggled and agreed to eat something.

On Thursday, she felt a little better but still needed to rest. We cancelled my son's activities for the day (Indoor Playground in the morning, Preschool in the afternoon). Then, we let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Staring into the distance, my heart started to fill with love and gratitude. Gratitude for not having to step out into the frigid air. Gratitude for not having to drive hurriedly to be on time somewhere. Gratitude for Emma's health that was improving. Gratitude for the fun we had making Christmas ornaments together. Gratitude for the warm, delicious smell coming from the oven (apple crisp). Deep gratitude for these beautiful, inspiring, enlightened little beings more commonly referred to as "our children" that remind us how to truly live in the present. I'm so very thankful that I get to spend all this time with them, and I just can't wait to start homeschooling in January 2014! What could be more important than spending quality time with our little ones and showing them how much we love them? Nobody knows how much time we will have to offer this priceless gift to our loved ones. They deserve to know how incredibly special they ARE, regardless of what they DO / accomplish (or don't do). 

That goes for us adults too, by the way. Can we learn to love ourselves just as we are, without judging what we consider to be success or failure? Can we offer ourselves true compassion, just like the one we so easily show our children? In this whirlwind of activities before Christmas, perhaps the biggest gift we can give ourselves and our close ones is just to stop, breathe, watch the snow flakes twirl around and be at peace, just for a moment. Can we find our inner joy, just for a second? Can we let love radiate out of our beings, even if it just cracks out as a shy smile? Can we be grateful for something today? Gratitude is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Why not unwrap it in the present?

Warmly,

Lise
www.lisevilleneuve.com