My Choice for Today?

I ran across this quote from Yoda in my morning roamings:
     Give off light, or darkness. Be a candle, or the night.
It's not easy in our fear-filled, perfectionistic world to be a beacon of light. In fact, with that very statement, I was being "darkness." It is possible, however, to be a candle. It takes a bit of effort, continually reaching for a better-feeling thought. We don't need to light the entire world, either, just our local path. My choice for today is to give off light, smile, be enthusiastic, live a "life is good!" attitude. 
     Shining,
           Leta

Playing with Art

     This is the year that the artist in me (not sure if it is tiny or big) escapes. I did a group painting experience with friends in January and decided that I want to paint (other than walls in my house). I have purchased all the supplies to get me started, but haven't yet dived in, because...
     I am busy having fun with Zentangles (zentangle.com). I am creating these to use in my forthcoming book for coloring.

 
     I bought the Zentangle starter kit, but you wouldn't need to. Google "zentangle" and you'll find plenty of resources online. I do, however, really like the paper provided in the kit. Doing this is a great form of meditation. I get lost in the creativity of it all.
     Who knew when I agreed to write the book that I would end up putting MY art into it? Had someone told me that when I started writing, I would have scoffed vehemently at the them. I guess I am evolving, even if I don't see it sometimes. Oh, yeah, that's part of being a Brave Broad!
      Getting artsy-fartsy,
            Leta

Eyes, Wonder and Milestones

     I am in awe even more now over the human body, in this instance, the eyes. The ability to heal, an amazing mystery, is very dear to my heart right now, as I had the cataract removed from my right eye just two days ago, Wed. morning, May 31. The general path regarding the lens implant is for folks to have their distance vision corrected, leaving the up-close vision requiring glasses, as most folks near vision has deteriorated significantly with age. I went into it with still excellent up-close vision, which I wanted to keep, and a willingness to keep wearing glasses for distance. Losing my great up-close sight would be traumatic for me. So that was the big question as I came out of surgery.
    First opening of the right eye on Wed. found everything slanted at 45 degrees. Weird and freaky! A quick call to the doctor's office let me know this abnormal vision is normal at first. I've rested the past two days, giving my body time to heal, and I've slept even more than usual. My body is using the rest time well to heal my eye. Scratchiness is gone. Last night I was able to do a drawing, seeing clearly up-close through my newly repaired eye. I am so grateful for all the talent, good care, technology and health insurance (thanks, President Obama) that made all this possible.
     Wait a minute. Did I say "drawing"? Yes, I have taken up drawing. I am doing Zentangles for my forth-coming book, which (happy dance!!) is now in the hands of my editor and friend, Jeanne Smith. Huge milestone accomplished! The drawings will be in the book for coloring. I love exploring my budding talent at this very fun art form. Check it out at https://www.zentangle.com/.
     Life is good!
        Leta

Fall Retreat Info Now Available

Check out the tab at the top of the blog: Leta's Next Retreat.
The theme is "Introspection and Inspiration." Look within and be inspired. Relax and restore your soul.
Guaranteed to be a great weekend!
         Leta

Where Have I Been?

     It's been a while since I've written on the blog. I was consumed for three months by my annual tax prep job plus my regular yoga teaching schedule. I have also been working on a book... more to come on that later this year.
     I do the tax prep job to earn travel money, so let the traveling begin. Colorado, Minnesota, Pacific Northwest, Chicago (Cubs baseball!!!), upstate New York and parts in between. These travels include working on my bucket list item of seeing a baseball game in every major league city. It's going to be a great year of exploring, both our beautiful country and my vast inner world.
     What adventures do you have planned for this great year?
             Leta

More on "I can't..."

     I'm a yoga teacher. For years I told myself, "I can't do side plank." One day as I evolved, I said to myself, "Maybe I can." So I tried it. I can do side plank. I had never tried it because for years I told myself I couldn't do it. Big lesson learned! Now I am very wary of those times when I hear myself saying, "I can't..."
     My brother (he's in Ohio, I'm in Kansas) has a medical condition that affects his ability to walk longer distances. It's extremely distressing for him, as he has always been very active. I believe I have some techniques and equipment that can significantly help him, plus he said, unprovoked by me, "I am going to beat this." I sent the equipment to him, and I'm making him videos (posted on youtube) to teach him how to use the techniques and equipment. Right away he started with "this is too complicated for me to learn." That's just another form of "I can't," and I called him on that bullshit immediately, encouraging him to not eliminate something that could vastly improve his condition just because he has to learn something new. I'm not letting him get away with any form of "I can't."
     Listen to yourself. What joy, adventures, empowerment, creativity and learning are you denying yourself with "I can't"???
          Leta

Highly-Recommended Fun

     Some friends invited me this past week to Paint the Town, a place in Wichita where groups can go and paint a picture, no painting talent needed. Since I have no painting talent (or so I thought), this was perfect for me.
     It was a blast. My friends and I brought snacks and wine and beer for the pre-painting gathering time. Then Mary, our painting instructor extraordinaire and extremely patient person, led us through the steps to create our flower painting. You can choose from many different pictures and all the canvas, paints, brushes, etc. are all laid out ready to go. It's a two-hour process.

                          

The photo on the right is my painting. I'm no Monet, but at least you can tell they are flowers. It was a super-fun learning experience. Even though everyone is painting the same thing, the pictures all turned out quite different. It was great to see and experience how a painting really goes together--all I ever see is the finished product. It was interesting and creative and fun, totally worth the $25 fee. Best of all, it turned a whole lot of "I can't" into "look what I did!" I'm sure this opportunity is not unique to Wichita, google it. Go do it, you'll love it!          Leta