Surrender who you think you should become

For the last several years, I've always had a vision board on the wall above my desk.  Vision boards are collages that you create on posterboard and hang on a wall to remind you of your goals and dreams.  You cut out photos from magazines and words or phrases that are important to you.

The idea of a vision board is that you look at it every day and subconsciously you see yourself in that role, living the life of your dreams, until it becomes reality.  The idea was popularized in the book and DVD The Secret by Rhonda Byrnes.

I was updating my vision board about once a year and found it very helpful in staying on task with the direction of my life.  But a few weeks ago my vision board fell off the wall (it was attached with poster putty).  I thought it was strange since the weather was not particularly humid and there were no windows open so I reapplied the poster putty and hung it back on the wall.  Two days later it fell again.

Hmmmm, I think the Universe was trying to tell me something.  I had no idea what it was all about so I stored it away in the back of my mind for a few days.  Then I had a very sad day where everything I thought was important to me just went away.  I received a disappointing email, a letter rejecting one of my speaker proposals, and didn't get the support I had hoped for to publicize The Autism Spirit.  

It was a long and very healing conversation with my good friend that finally put it all together for me.  She very simply said, "surrender who you thought you should become".  The words struck me right in the heart as I thought of very image and label on my vision board which screamed, "this is who you should be!"  OMG, if I can't be who I thought I should be, then who am I?

Just the awareness of how much pressure I had put on myself to be HER, that woman who fulfills all the roles she's supposed to with ease and grace, had allowed the responsibility to lift from my shoulders.  A sense of relief washed over me, filling me with the ease and grace I had worked so hard to "achieve" through my actions.  And there it was, already within me, requiring no action on my part whatsoever.

Now I am not trying to become HER, I know that I already am.

The Autism Spirit: Pathways to Connection through the Heart

For parents and caregivers of those on the autism spectrum and related disorders:

Meet me at the EMARC Family Center in Reading, MA on Monday, September 26th at 7:00 PM!

The autism community is flooded with information about the science and behavioral aspects of this prevalent disorder but there’s something missing.  The Autism Spirit fills the gap and brings a new aspect to a deeper, more loving connection with the autistic person in your life.

In this presentation, you’ll learn:

• ·               Why it’s important to have a deeper connection with your loved one
• ·               Easy ways to understand what’s behind autistic behaviors
• ·               How to create pathways for communication that go beyond verbal or written words
• ·               The most important thing that your child with autism is here to teach YOU!

You’ll leave with practical tools that you can implement right away!

Tickets are $20 prepaid online at www.LeaMHill.com/Events or $25 at the door. 

*The Autism Spirit is open to those of all spiritual and religious practices and beliefs.  The information presented is in no way meant to be a substitute for traditional therapies and treatment for autism. The information provided does not constitute legal, psychological, medical, business, or financial advice. The attendee assumes responsibility for all of his/her own choices and/or actions.

Exciting New Things Happening

Gosh, it's been so long since I've posted a blog but I'm happy to be getting back to it now.  The last few months have been astonishingly life changing but in many good ways.  

First of all, the most exciting news is that The Society of Sylphs is complete and being reviewed by publishers.  I'll let you all know as soon as I get a pub date as I'm planning a big party and lots of promotional events!

Other news is that I've been getting involved with some amazing autism advocacy programs such as Autism Tomorrow, which is a handbook for parents of autistic children to help their child get ready for adult living.  It includes important topics such as career, living arrangements, and dating.  

And if you're in the vicinity of Bristol, Connecticut, please join me at Sheriden Woods Health Care Center on Sunday, Dec. 5th at 2pm for my talk about autism and the spiritual work that I do.  I'm excited to have the opportunity to combine both my passion for autism advocacy and my spiritual work all in one presenation.

Hope to see you soon!

Lea

The Spirit of Autism

Hi Everyone,

I normally don't use this blog to post the links to my radio show, The Spirit Connection, but I had to make an exception in this case for all my Sylph Society friends.

I've received so much positive feedback from my interview with William Stillman, who spoke about the spirit of autism and "Demystifying Autism from the Inside Out", that I'm posting the link here so you can listen to the show.  It will be on the main page until March 23rd and after that, can be found in the Archives listing.  

As you know, the main character in my young adult fantasy novel is a non-verbal autistic boy, so you can probably tell how passionate I am about this subject in the interview!

The Spirit of Autism on

The Spirit Connection

Lea M. Hill interviews William Stillman 

http://webtalkradio.net/shows/the-spirit-connection/ 

Feel free to respond to this blog post with your thoughts about the show. 

I look forward to hearing from you!

Living in Limbo

I feel like I’ve been living in limbo for the past several weeks.  I can feel changes coming, but don’t know when or from where they’ll approach.  It’s a strange feeling and, being the highly organized planner that I am, not a comfortable one. 

I’m seeing clues come to me from a variety of directions, but not sure which ones are most important for me to spend time and/or money on. 

One thing that’s come together recently is my new radio show called, The Spirit Connection, on WebTalkRadio.net.  I love the experience of interviewing fascinating guests who can offer easy, practical advice for people looking to expand their spiritual connection. 

I have lots of ideas as to where The Spirit Connection can take me, but also want to continue promoting the Sylph Society site as well.  I have a strong desire to continue my work with people on the autism spectrum and to fulfill my role as an autism advocate.  There are so many things I can do, but just need to find the right outlet(s) for them.

I’m hoping that soon Spirit will nudge me in the direction (or directions) that I need to take to move forward.  Until then, I’ll continue living in joy while waiting to be launched out of limbo.

Happy New Year and best wishes to all!