Opportunity and Respect

     Each week in my yoga classes, I read a segment from the book "Meditations from the Mat" by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kennison. It is a very insightful look at the whole system of yoga, an eight-limb system teaching humans how to live in a state of well-being on every level. Yoga postures (asana) are just one limb of the eight-limb system.
     Yesterday I came upon this sentence in the book: "Give the opportunity you have been given the respect that it is due." In context, it was referring to the opportunity of attending yoga classes. However, I see this as a powerful guiding statement for all of life.
     I let my mind start roaming about in "opportunities" so worthy of respect:

• being alive in these amazing bodies
• using our talents
• loving ourselves and others
• living on an extraordinary planet
• having machines (washer, dryer, dishwasher, car, A/C, etc.) that make life so easy
• supporting oneself (and maybe others) via working
• voting
• learning
• eating good food
• travelling

     Those are just the ones that "floated to the top" as I was writing this. The sentiment of the above quote adds a reverence to daily life and all the things we get to do, be and have. Please ponder this and feel free to add to the list from your own life experience. It feels good.
     Enjoying opportunities,
              Leta

Relief for Procrastination

This is a quote from spiritual teacher Abraham via Esther Hicks...

Don't beat up on yourself about procrastination, for this reason. When you are focused upon what you want and you are in a place of really expecting … in other words pure creation … you will be inspired to action and the action comes easily. But if you are not really clear about what you want or if your expectation is not quite yet in alignment, then it takes more action. But even in offering the action it is counter-productive because you are working against yourself. In other words you are splitting the energy. You are following? So procrastination is nothing more than your physical realization that you are acting too soon, that some mental alignment is in order. Or that the fire isn't there yet so don't spray the hose in the house! Procrastination is not a bad thing!! It is the realization that the Universe has not sufficiently aligned. 

It is the same thing as saying, "Abraham, I went out to the garden. I looked at the bush. I saw that great big green hard tomato and I just didn't feel like plucking it and eating it." We would say, "Of course you didn't feel like plucking it and eating it! You'd rather wait a few days until it becomes soft and delicious and ripe and ready for you." And in the same way we say don't try so hard to bang your way forward. Allow, or trust that the laws of the Universe will brings things into the perfect alignment. And you be one who is at the right place at the right time, and you will be when you are looking for reasons to feel good.

Feeling good about feeling good,
        Leta

Reading Fewer Books?

     Here's a fine article about the fact that fewer people are reading fewer books, and why. It describes me all too well, I'm bummed to say. Hopefully it will lead me to more discipline and more book-reading time. http://philipyancey.com/reading-wars
     It won't take long to read it! 😉
         Leta

Freedom

"When we become love and cease having anything to prove, we are finally and exquisitely free."
                                  - Rev. Karen Wylie

     The combination of freedom and flexibility is one of my top five core values in life. I love having a flexible schedule so that I can travel when I want. Having that flexibility gives me a great sense of freedom.
     The quote above, however, inspires me to dig deeper into the idea of freedom. I am in the process of releasing some obligations from my schedule. As I look on those things I have let go or plan to let go, I see it's because in those areas, I have ceased having anything to prove. I am letting them go easily and gracefully, not with any angst of incompletion or failure. I am opening the way to be more love, by being able to do more of the things that I love. Yes, it does feel very free and heart-opening.
     Happy Monday!
            Leta

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