July 31--Hope Sustains Us

The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance, but live right in it, under its roof.  --Barbara Kingsolver

     I would have to say that most of the things I have hoped for in my life have been fulfilled. I am very fortunate indeed. Just the tiniest bit of hope has pulled me through some rough times. When I "hit bottom" on my addiction, a thread of hope led me to a 12-step program, where I have lived gratefully "under the roof" of recovery for decades.

     Being the only daughter born later in my parents' lives, I will say that I am spoiled. Unlike a lot of folks, I consider "spoiled" to be a compliment. Looking back, being indulged did give me the enduring hope that if I wanted something, I could have it. I don't remember a lot of "admiring from a distance," i.e. that others could hope for such-and-such, but not me. If I set my mind to it, I generally accomplished it, "living under the roof of hope." Examples are an MBA degree, a variety of jobs I enjoyed, marriage and raising two sons, yoga teacher training, and teaching and coaching in assorted ways. 

     I wear a lot of "Life is Good" brand clothes. Living that sentiment is, for me, living under the roof of hope. 

     This is the last of July and the topic of "mindfulness." The theme for August's quotes is "perspective." 

     See you tomorrow,

           Leta

July 30--What is the Real Problem?

Often in life, the most important question we can ask ourselves is: do we really have the problem we think we have?  --Sheri Fink

     Looking over my life, it seems that when I have experienced a problem, it took a while to get to the real "root" of the problem. The apparent problem of being overweight was due to eating too much, which was due to childhood traumas and issues, which led me to recognize my food addiction, which illuminated my lack of spiritual sustenance, which stemmed from my lack of self-worth. Eating too much was not the problem, but a symptom of the problem. 

     Given a problem, are you looking at the root cause or at a symptom of the problem? This can be a powerful and enlightening question. While treating symptoms can be helpful in the short run, the only real solution is to get to the actual root of the problem. It can be a lengthy process, sometimes equated with peeling an onion--removing layer after layer till you reach the core. 

     Physical issues are a manifestation (symptom) of something going on in our consciousness. It behooves us to explore and expand the consciousness to alleviate those physical issues. Most folks don't want to do this. I speak from personal experience. This can be a lengthy, messy process. Taking a drug can relieve the symptoms much more quickly, but the drug doesn't solve the real problem. 

     Digging deeper,

            Leta

July 29--What We Do Naturally

To forget one's purpose is the commonest form of stupidity. --Friedrich Nietzsche

     This is a bit harsh, I think. I've known folks who have beaten up on themselves mercilessly because they felt they could not figure out their purpose. The pressure to name one's purpose is just another neurosis in our culture.
     Having a purpose, on the other hand, is a very valuable and motivating thing. I've labeled a variety of purposes for myself over time. Probably my favorite is bringing people together. I was going to say that's not happening right now with the pandemic, but I am still accomplishing it via Zoom. It's simply a thing I do, it's natural for me, so I don't dwell on "purpose."
     My favorite purpose is the one named by Abraham-Hicks, and it applies to all of us: we are here for joy, expansion and freedom. Another take on that is Joseph Campbell's "follow your bliss." If we all do that, bringing the best we have to life, wow, what a world we could create. Gone would be the angst and misery of so many living a dissatisfying life.
     The way I see it, if you are mostly happy, you are living your purpose, whether or not you can name it. If you are not happy, probably some changes are in order.
     Joyfully expanding freely,
          Leta

July 28--Soul Color?

The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts. --Marcus Aurelius

     This is another good reason to keep a good handle on what we are thinking!
     Sometimes I like to just sit and look at people, for instance while waiting for a flight. It's interesting to ponder what they may be going through, their general demeanor, their interaction with those around them. A particularly sour-looking or cranky person makes me feel sad. Dark soul thoughts are coloring their behavior. I do believe most folks to be kind and good souls, with mostly lighter colors shining through.
     Being humans with free choice, we all have the full color palette within our souls. None of us are immune to the occasional darkness of black and grays. But what is the dominant color of my soul? Is it a jaded, bland palette of dull pastels, or the bright colors of enthusiasm for life? I'm a person who loves color like some folks love music, so this wisdom quote encourages me to keep my thoughts bright, bold and loving.
     Today's soul color--bright red, my favorite,
              Leta

July 27--Magic

The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
--Eden Phillpotts

     I love this quote! Just the word "magical" makes me happy. There are so many magical things around me. It is so much fun to practice noticing more and more of them. Here are some examples:

Any flower
My dog's total joy at trying to get a drink from a yard sprinkler
A weed growing through concrete
Any smile
Visiting a foreign country and talking with the locals
Airplanes that take us many miles very quickly
Colors
Christmas lights
Music
Art museums
Books
Computers
My husband
My husband's fabulous cooking
My sons
And on and on and on....

     Have you ever taken the time to watch a spider spin a web? Speaking of magical! And it's a very practical thing--that's how the spider feeds itself. Yet a spider web is an intricate work of art.
     Let's see if we can't sharpen our wits a bit today, shall we?
             Leta

July 26--This Is It

The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes--and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.  --Laura Ingalls Wilder

     I could certainly say that this has been the great lesson of these pandemic months. With the many ways of distracting and entertaining ourselves stripped away, we've had to learn to be content with much less activity. Hopefully, this has enabled us to "wake up," pay attention to our lives, and see beauty in everyday things.
     Sometimes my thoughts get into "when this is over" mode. In truth, I don't know if I'll be alive "when this is over." This is it. This is my life, and it's my joyful task to appreciate it as it is right now. Yes, someday I may get to travel again, and eat out in a restaurant. I've learned that I can live without travel and dining out. It's important to see this time as an opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive. Just like any time in life, we get out what we put into it.
     Having been denied the opportunity to swim at the YMCA for almost three months, I no longer take that exercise for granted. I love every moment in the water. I'm enjoying painting, gardening, and golfing more than ever. I've had a lot of time for online learning. Our dog, Barney, is the angelic epitome of "the beauty of life." He brings us loads of delight and laughter. I don't know what we'd do without him. Everyday life, everyday beauty, everyday contentment--that's living.
     Thriving,
           Leta

July 25--Thinking Makes It So

All that we are is the result of what we have thought.  --Buddha

     James Allen, in his 1903 book, put it this way, "As a man thinketh, so is he." Jesus indicated that it is done unto us as we believe. I remember very distinctly when this principle was brought home to my heart. I was sitting in a church service led by my beloved former boss and minister, Rev. John Martin. I had pretty much been of the mindset of "I'll believe it when I see it." Give me the proof, then I'll believe.
     Rev. John was able to get through to me that no, first you believe (think it), then the results show up. WOW. Turn my world around. That led to an in-depth study of Science of Mind principles, becoming a practitioner (spiritual coach), and a vastly expanded, even better life. I can sum it up in the word "empowerment." We all have control over our thoughts (whether or not we believe it or consciously use it), so we all have the power to create our lives.
     My mother-in-law, Shirley, in response to someone praising the sons she raised, would say, "I don't want to take credit for how great they are, because I wouldn't want to be blamed if they were awful." If our thoughts have created a life we love, we are happy to take credit. But if something about life is not to our liking, we have a strong tendency to blame it on God, bad luck, karma, etc. Alas, when we do that, we give up our power.
     I immersed myself in the study of this very basic principle identified in Buddha's quote at the time when my sons were teenagers and still living at home. I remember talking about it to them and getting the looks of "Mom's out in left field again," complete with eye rolls. Several years later, my older son said to me, "Mom, it's so cool... I just think something, and it happens." Really? Amazing! Yes, indeed, we do rub off on our kids some way, some how.
     Keeping my thoughts on the upswing,
           Leta