August 31--The Ending Perspective

When you consider things like the stars, our affairs don't seem to matter very much, do they?  --Virginia Woolf

    For my 58th birthday, I gifted myself with a red infinity symbol tattooed on my left wrist. It took a while for me to decide what I wanted, and when I saw an infinity symbol on another person, I knew that was it. It had to be red, my favorite color. Why that particular symbol? I'm an infinite spiritual being having a human experience. I've always been a math nerd, and proud of it. One of my favorite movie characters is Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story movies: "To infinity and beyond!!!!!!!!" I've been blessed with a deeply moving experience of the infinity of the universe within me. I smile each time I see this tattoo. My sons never expected that Mom would be the first (and to date, only) one in the family to get a tattoo. 

    Here is one of my favorite posters:

One might say that fairly well sums up the Woolf quote in a picture. It may cause one to roam into thoughts of the complete insignificance of our lives and affairs. 

    I choose, however, to look at it this way: There is some organizing power that takes care of this infinite universe and all within it. It's bigger and been around for longer than my human brain can come close to comprehending. In our solar system of otherwise rocky, uninhabitable planets, there is the one magnificent jewel--our Earth--that is astoundingly different. Since that organizing power seems to have a pretty good handle on things, I elect to trust that power can handle my affairs. 

    Thus end's August's theme of "perspective." Tomorrow begins September with the theme of "balance."

    "To infinity and beyond!!!!!!!!"

        Leta

August 30--Baby Steps

A goal without a plan is just a wish.  --Antoine de Saint-Exupery

    The plan can be big or the plan can be small, but it's essential if we truly intend to accomplish something. I've achieved a lot of goals in my lifetime, and I'd say the one big takeaway from all of it is "baby steps." Small steps, taken consistently, are the key to completing a goal. I have a dear friend who dreamed of moving to Bali from Chicago. We spoke a lot about baby steps. He started figuring out those steps, completed them all over a couple of years, and now is happily living in Bali. That's no small goal, moving to the other side of the world. Baby steps, baby!

    Anyone who has ever had the goal of starting a business knows you don't just walk into a lending institution and get a loan without a detailed business plan. One works with an advisor to create a proper curriculum plan in order to get a college degree. One doesn't achieve the goal of recovery in the 12-Step programs unless they work the plan, i.e., the 12 steps. 

    Oh, yes, I've had wishes too. One has been to have a second home on a body of water. That's not happened, because I've never made any actual steps in that direction. Clearly it hasn't been all that important to me. Our priorities are clearly shown by our willingness to make plans and take baby steps. 

    One step at a time,

        Leta

August 29--Dreams

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams. 
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

    We can't fix a problem with the consciousness that created it, wisely stated by Einstein. We can become mired in difficulties, battered by problems, focusing on what we don't want, which just brings more of what we don't want. Being led by one's dreams, however, brings the focus on creating what we do want. I have found that when focusing on my dreams, what I choose to create, that problems tend to resolve themselves and fade away.  

    During 2020's pandemic time, I have been fairly successful at focusing on consciously thriving (dream) rather than succumbing to fear, anxiety, and loneliness (problems). I've used the time to do a lot of online learning, developed a painting process I love, expanded my meditation practice, taught MELT and yoga online twice a week (keeping me in shape as well as my students), and cleared a lot of clutter from my home. We have invented safe ways to have fun. I believe the majority of humanity is dreaming of a better world to birth from all this upheaval. 

    In joy, expansion, freedom,

        Leta

 

August 28--Everything is Twice Created

Some things have to be believed to be seen.  --Madeleine L'Engle

    I disagree. Everything has to be believed to be seen. Ernest Holmes, founder of Religious Science, stated that everything is twice created. First it is seen in thought (believed), then it appears in form. We create with our thoughts. Jesus, his own self, stated, "It is done unto you as you believe." Everything has to be believed to be seen. 

    Given this universal law, I'd suggest that it behooves us to pay diligent attention to our thoughts, keeping them focused on what we want to create, rather than what we want to avoid. Since we are once again experiencing the advertising horror of an election year, it's a good time to remind us all that we need to focus on those folks we want to be elected, not those we want to be defeated. This is a challenge for me. 

    Consciously directing our thoughts is an inside, solo job. No one else can do it for us. If we choose to accept this great responsibility, we immediately have an equally great sense of empowerment. I like that.

    Believing in good,

        Leta

August 27--Potentials

Most new discoveries are suddenly-seen things that were always there. 
--Susanne K. Langer

    The potentials are infinite, always there. Think of the light bulb, the automobile, the airplane. The potential existed long before they were actually "invented," i.e., suddenly-seen. Creating something new requires seeing in new ways. This is especially relevant in these times of civil unrest, political corruption, and absurd violence against fellow human beings. Maybe we can "suddenly-see" that we are all one and discover a world that works for everyone. 

    Please vote. 

        Leta

August 26--It's All Funny

Life goes by fast. Enjoy it. Calm down. It's all funny.  --Joan Rivers

    AMEN! Much laughter has come into our lives over the past nine months by way of our dog Barney. He's been an angel for us through this very strange year. For the first week or so, we were wondering if he could bark, because we didn't hear a peep out of him. That quiet state ended quickly, and he's become quite the "talker." My favorite thing is when we are walking and he encounters an operating yard sprinkler. He goes after the water with a vengeance, "fights" with it, and always manages to get a drink and get soaked in the process. No matter how many times I see this, it makes me laugh. The other great joy is being outside when Dennis and Barney are returning from a walk. Dennis unleashes Barney at the end of the court, and he runs to me with wild abandon. What a joy for him to run free! 

Barney, angel doggie

    I love the Rivers quote because circumstances these days are trying so desperately to make us worried, angry, fearful and hopeless. Sometimes I think that my sense of humor is the only thing saving me. Life is going by so fast, and I can usually remain calm. I could certainly expand my capacity for "it's all funny," and that's a worthy goal for me. Joyfully, Barney sets an excellent example. 

    Life is good!

        Leta

August 25--Let Go

Let go of the battle. Breathe quietly and let it be. Let your body relax and your heart soften.  --Jack Kornfield

    Over the past few months, I have intensified my efforts at self-healing. I just completed some Step 5 writing ("Admitted to God, to ourselves and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.") and sent it off to a trusted advisor. Having just done that, I turned to this blog writing, and noted with pleasing wonder the synchronicity of the day's quote. While it's not an easy thing to let go of some messy past stuff, the battle is over. I'm more relaxed, and yes, my heart is much softer. I know my advisor will look on this with compassion and help me finish any processing necessary to completely let it go and forgive myself. I feel lighter already. 
    Are there any battles you are willing to let go? Let your heart's inner wisdom, guidance and courage lead you. 
    Freedom is priceless, 
        Leta