Thoughts on Happiness from Dr. James Rouse

When you are happier, you will be healthier, and you will most likely live longer, too.  The majority of our happiness is created and sustained by our daily behaviors and habits.
What makes you happy will make you happier.  Get clear about what turns you on and light it up now and often.
The work of happy requires that you dig deep.  Happy lives when you are giving large. You will be most happy when you see life with the eyes of gratitude and passionately express your appreciation for every miracle moment unfolding in you, as you, and all around you.
And so it is!
Happy blessings,
Leta

The Lorax

      My son and I went to see the movie The Lorax this week. I used to read this Dr. Seuss classic to the boys when they were little. I loved the movie, and I highly recommend seeing it. I leave you with the theme quote from the book:

“UNLESS someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...

nothing is going to get better...It's not.”

Practice kindness, see beauty, open your heart.

Blessings,

Leta

 

Being Authentic

From Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Insist on yourself, never imitate. Your own gift you can present every  moment with the cumulative force of a whole lifetime's cultivation..."
I had the experience this week of taking over as yoga instructor for a teacher who is quitting to have twins soon. It could have been a highly stressful experience--new, unknown person who does things differently--yes, CHANGE!  I set the intent going into it to simply be myself, and let the experience unfold as it may, knowing that being authentic and true to myself truly is the best I can offer. 
The result...I'm happy with how it went, and I have no attachment to the ongoing result. If no one comes back next week, I'll know that someone else is better suited to lead them.  I really doubt that will happen.  I'll show up again this week and be me, and let Spirit handle the details. That's easy!
Be yourself--you ARE a gift to all of creation, or you wouldn't be here!
Love and joy!
Leta

Lovingkindness

Today's blog comes from Joan Borysenko's Pocketful of Miracles (Feb11/12):
We can only love others to the degree that we have opened our hearts to ourselves. It is not selfish to bless ourselves first, because if our heart remains closed we have nothing to give. The most selfless prayer is to awaken so that we can serve others and help alleviate the suffering that comes from ignorance of our unity with the Big Mind of God.

The lovingkindness blessing process:
Breathe and be still. Imagine the light and love of the Divine Beloved pouring over you and washing through you, revealing the purity of your own heart, extending beyond you and merging with the Divine Light. See yourself totally enclosed in the egg of light, and then repeat these lovingkindness blessings for yourself:
May I be at peace, May my heart remain open,
May I awaken to the light of my own true nature,
May I be healed, May I be a source of healing for all beings.

Repeat these blessings for yourself anytime during the day when you feel alone, afraid or out of touch with the Light within.
Love and joy,
Leta

Sing!

Joan Borysenko: Everything in the Universe has its own song.
Think on this a moment... the chirp of the cricket, the howl of the wind, the roar of the lion, the purr of a kitten, a baby's giggle. Music is infinite, and we each have our own special sounds within us.
I LOVE the movie Happy Feet (I haven't seen the sequel yet), and the concept of each one of us having our own heartsong. I don't remember the person who said this, but I've often heard the quote, "Don't die with your music still inside you." What's your heartsong? What does your heart really want to say and do and be? What makes you sing or dance with pure joy?  How about humming as you explore these questions?
Doin' the happy dance,
Leta

Let It Be Amazing!

Sometimes in my affirmative prayers, I get a bit too into the details of how I want something to show up.  This is part of my control-freak nature, but I must say, this desire to control IS lessening over time!
We are created of the same Source that hangs the stars, spins the galaxies, and makes each single cell in our bodies do its amazing work without our conscious control.  Let's give It credit for knowing what It is doing!
Here's a quote from Rev. Cynthia James: "Invite Spirit to expand you and give you the highest and best for your life." I'll grant you, that does take considerable trust, but I certainly know that Spirit's "highest and best" is WAY more amazing than anything I could outline for it!
I've used the phrase "trust the flow" for many years, and life has become better and better as I let Spirit guide me.  Recently I've changed it to "trust the overflow" because, as I've become more trusting and allowing, Spirit has been more and more amazing through me.
So let's invite Spirit to be amazing and pour on the good, and we get to celebrate and circulate it!
Blessings,
Leta

3 Questions to Consider

I was blessed yesterday with the opportunity to attend a Sunday celebration at the Kansas City Center for Spiritual Living, a mere 3.5 hour drive from my home.  In his message, Rev. Chris Michaels offered these three questions to consider from the standpoint of knowing your death is soon:
1.  What is my legacy?
2.  What was my greatest impact in this earthly life?
3.  Will I be missed?
Do enjoy this "food for thought."  Inspiring questions, they are.  Thanks, Rev. Chris!
Blessings,
Leta