The Big Leap--a "Love Your Life!" Class

This fall on Thursday evenings, I'll be hosting a book study on the book, The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks.  There are two spots left, including the option to participate via Skype.

We have a wonderful group of folks collected who are committed to living the fullest life, supporting each other through the adventures and pitfalls of creating lives we love.

Here are the details:

When: Thursday evenings, September 6 through October 25, 7-9 pm (Central time)
Cost: $150. A deposit of $25 reserves your place in the class.  The balance is due by the END of the class.
Where: My home in northwest Wichita, Kansas, or via Skype.
You are responsible for purchase of the book. There are no prerequisites for this class, and all are welcome! Contact me to register or for information.

Choose Happiness

The following is the Daily Guide (a daily meditation) from the Science of Mind magazine for Monday, August 6, written by Rev. Bob Luckin:

The time a friend interrupted my depression to tell me that I could choose to be happy was the time I became angry and walked away from the friendship. Eventually, I discovered that choosing to be happy meant that, if I was willing, I could take off the blinders I had been wearing. I learned to make room for more light. I found my depression was a kind of filter that distorted things. I had been seeing eyes as a source of tears instead of windows to the soul.

As I allowed myself to see more life, I found that there was much more to see than I had imagined. I had a profound awakening. I saw that both depression and happiness are decisions we make that create the conditions in which we live. I also discovered that many of the decisions were small ones and hardly noticeable. It wasn't until I added up all my little decisions about life that I discovered I had built a wall separating me from much of it. I suspect that, at the time, living behind a wall had some value. I just didn't realize I was doing so.

Your thoughts are things that create the conditions of your life. Choose your thoughts wisely, for you are the architect of your happiness. You are always building walls or gardens, opening or closing off to life.

Affirmation: Happiness is not something accidental that happens to me. Happiness is the result of my thinking. 

Joy in Silence

This coming weekend I get to experience the joy and wholeness of meditation and Forrest Yoga in the mountains of Colorado. I can hardly wait!
In the spirit of this long-anticipated trip, I offer these words of Thomas Moore from his book, Meditations:
"Silence is not the absence of sound. That would be to imagine it negatively. Silence is a toning down of inner and outer static, noise that occupies not only the ears but also the attention. Silence allows many sounds to reach awareness that otherwise would go unheard--the sounds of birds, water, wind, trees, frogs, insects, and chipmunks, as well as conscience, daydreams, intuitions, inhibitions, and wishes.
One cultivates silence not by forcing the ears not to hear, but by turning up the volume on the music of the world and the soul."
Peace,
Leta

The Universe is "Multiple Choice"

A quote from Mike Dooley: Options multiply when insistence lessens. 

     When my sons were young, I told them they ALWAYS have a choice. Even if they had to do something they didn't want to do, I reminded them that they could do it with a good attitude or a bad attitude--up to them. 
     So many times we think that there is only one solution, and we get so focused on that, we miss other options. This happened to me recently with our Chicago trip arrangements. I was totally focused on getting good airfares.  When I expanded my vision to look at flight & hotel packages, I found a deal that was truly exceptional and perfect in every way. The Universe had to practically 2x4 me to get me to expand my vision!
     Another time to note when we are missing options: if something is difficult, it's because we are missing an easier way.  We are not meant to struggle--that happens when we limit our options with insistence (see quote above).
     Brainstorm!  It's an awesome practice. Come up with ideas and let the Universe figure out the "how."
Lovin' life,
Leta
 

Baseball Heaven AND Art Heaven!

Chicago was awesome!  The Broads had a great time, and jam-packed 3 days with fabulous adventures.
The Wrigley field tour was everything I hoped for, and more.  We covered it all from the dugout to the press box. My new profile photo on Facebook (Leta Renee Miller) is my feet right next to the infield grass.  Keep off the grass! But I did touch it. And I got a photo of the CUBS on-deck circle before the guide hollered at me.
Art Heaven... The Blue Man Group was outstanding, I would recommend the show to everyone! Knowing one of the Blue Men personally only added to the coolness.  Another recommendation--the Art Institute of Chicago. It would take days to see everything, but don't let that deter you. I saw, in 1 1/2 hours, some of my favorite Impressionists, Picasso, Grant Wood, a giant Buddha, and way more. Did you know that the models for "American Gothic" (the famous painting with the farmer & his pitchfork next to his wife) were the artist's sister and a DENTIST!?!?!  Yep, it's true.
Create an adventure for yourself--you'll be glad you did!
Joy and fun,
Leta

Chicago - here we come!

The Brave Broads are heading to Chicago!  One of the highlights is seeing the Blue Man Group. The grandson of one of the Broads is a Blue Man, and we have front-row seats. 
My personal highlight is getting to tour Wrigley Field.  I am a die-hard Cubs fan, I've been to two games at Wrigley, and now I get to see the "innards."  Words cannot describe my excitement!
Think of something that would thrill you that much, and go do it! 
Check back for more on "baseball heaven!"
Joyfully,
Leta

Sometimes It Pays to Whine

A couple weeks ago I was whining to some friends that my laser printer had died. I did not realize how dependent I am on a printer until this much-beloved super-deal screeched to a halt. Long story short--my friends had a nearly new laser printer packed up in storage that they didn't need, they gladly passed it on to me, and I'm up and running again. I am super-grateful.
Actually, my point isn't about whining.  My point is that the Universe is always seeking ways to help us.  If I hadn't expressed my need to my friends (ASKED!), this heckuva deal would have never made its way to me.
It's not only OK, it's essential that we ask for help.  We are creatures of free will, first and foremost.  If we ask for help, we get it. If we don't ask for help, oftentimes we struggle. Asking for help inspires all sorts of magnificent synchronicity. It makes life easy, as opposed to the 2-year-old mentality, "I do it myself!" With an infinite source of support at our beck and call, why do things the hard way?
Happily printing away,
Leta