Happiness is where?

"Stop looking for happiness in other people. Our source of happiness and well-being is not inside others; it's inside us."  Melody Beattie, Codependent No More
I'm re-reading Codependent No More.  I think I should keep on re-reading it for the rest of my life.  Not only do I continue to recognize more codependent behaviors in myself, but I also see that many of the issues experienced by friends and clients are rooted in codependency.  This book offers good practices for modifying behavior to keep us focused on ourselves and our own lives, and staying out of others' lives.

It's a prescription for disaster to let one's happiness depend on other people, their behavior, or any other outer circumstance, acquisition or event.  If we aren't happy with ourselves, we'll never be happy, because we are always with ourselves--as Rev. Michael Beckwith says, we can't divorce ourselves.

Where do we start?  First of all, think of one thing you enjoy doing, make plans as needed to do it, and DO IT!  Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. Enjoyment breeds more enjoyment.
Blessings,
Leta

"Get to..."

Think of every single thing that you "have to" do to get through a day as things you "get to" do... before your turn is over.  Notes from the Universe by Mike Dooley.

 

This quote jolted me for several reasons.  The first is "every single thing..."  Not just stuff we like, not just good stuff, but everything!  It's all good.  The second is the reminder of "get to" rather than "have to."  We always have a choice, so everything that we do is something we've selected to be part of our day, so yes, it's always a "get to," never a "have to." The third jolt is in the phrase "before your turn is over."  What a great way to look at life, eternal life, that is--it's all a very long game, and each lifetime here on earth is our turn at the "earth game."  Truly I think the reason so many folks love sports, i.e. games, is that we know on some level that all of creation, eternally, is a game, and we are created and born to earth to play.

 

Let's lighten up, and not take things so seriously!

Livin' joy!

Leta

In a rut?

“…we all have the guts to leave the ruts when we are motivated.”  Linda McNamar

Whoa!  I took a literal flying leap out of my rut by ziplining in Costa Rica last week.  What an experience in trust—trusting the support people and equipment, trusting my body.  Not only was the zipping an exhilarating and terrifying experience, but the climb up the mountain and launch stations took stamina I didn’t know I had. And I chose to ask for help, also not a routine practice in my rut. 

My main motivation was that I don’t know if I’ll ever have this opportunity again, and I’d kick myself if I didn’t do it.  Another motivation was conquering fear—thousands have done it, no reason I can’t.  It’s another opportunity to say, “Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.”  

Life is great!  Peek outside your rut and find an adventure! 

Love,

Leta

Slow down!

"There is little in our lives we need to do that we cannot do better if we are peaceful. Few situations--no matter how greatly they appear to demand it--can be bettered by us going berserk." From Codependent No More by Melody Beattie.

Chances are there are way too much rush, panic, pressure and demands for immediate reactions in your life.  There's the issue--we react, instead of taking the time to consider and CHOOSE our responses.  I am (slowly!) learning from my husband the calm, thoughtful, "just the facts, ma'am" approach to handling situations. It's a good thing to ask for time to consider your response rather than emotionally jumping into quicksand!  Been there, done that, plenty of times! 

So today, when pressured, give some thought to slowing down and considering options--there are always at least two--good attitude and bad attitude.  :)
Blessings,
Leta

Gracious Hosts

'I wonder what would happen if we all acted as gracious hosts in our world in every moment. In order to do that, we would have to consider ourselves "at home" wherever we are.' From Rev. Dr. Linda McNamar
This is an invitation to be so comfortable in our own skin that wherever we are, we are focused on the grace that lives as us and how we can practice it in our world.  Simple acts of kindness practiced regularly uplift the entire human consciousness. Some examples: smile; help a fellow shopper; be patient waiting in line; say "please" and "thank you"; surprise someone with a flower and uplifting note; silently bless harried travelers and workers in an airport.  What other ways can you live as a "gracious host"? 
Blessings and grace,
Leta

Holy Gardening

I spent a couple hours on Mother's Day morning sitting on the front steps transplanting seedlings into bigger pots.  It was a beautiful morning and it felt very meditative and holy.  The basil plants I was moving into bigger pots started out as seeds about the size of the period at the end of this sentence.  In that tiny seed was the pattern for the shape and size of leaves and how the plant grows, the smell of the leaves (not rose-smell or orange-smell, but basil-smell), and the glorious taste of the leaves.  I see yummy pesto in each plant's future.
All I did was plant the seeds and give them the proper conditions to grow.  The Universe took care of the rest.  What seeds might you plant today?  Can you trust the Universe to provide the details? 
Truly, gardening is a holy pursuit!!!
Have a great week!
Leta

Choosing what to celebrate...

While I understand the relief of some folks that Osama bin Laden is no longer on earth, I do not see his killing as an event appropriate to celebrate.  Do we want to teach our children that murder should be celebrated, especially when it's someone we don't like?!?!?
What I AM celebrating is that so very many folks are NOT celebrating this event.  Hatred and violence only breed more of the same, and the human consciousness is realizing this on a more massive scale every day.  Now THAT is worth celebrating!  Let's be the peace and love we want to see in our world!
Blessings,
Leta