June 30--Fun With Thoughts

You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate.  --Elizabeth Gilbert

    This weekend I get to crawl around on the floor with my grandson. He's a speedy crawler now, taking his first steps, and ready to run! He's a very happy boy.

    I also get to play golf with my sons. I'll be heading to the golf course shortly for a cool morning tee time. 

    Last evening when we were driving to our hotel, we saw the item pictured below. Usually rainbows are nicely striped; this one was more of a rainblob. 

    Life is good!

        Leta    

June 29--Joyful Youngsters

Isn't it wonderful the way the world holds both the deeply serious, and the unexpectedly mirthful?  --Mary Oliver

    I am so grateful that it does! 

    On Tuesday I went to the YMCA to play pickleball. I'd guess that the average age of the folks who randomly show up to play is somewhere in the high-50s or low-60s. I was treated to playing with a 10-year-old boy who came with his parents. He said, "I have been playing since I was 4, but I wasn't very good then." He played very well, was a great sport, and we laughed so much while he was on the court with us. It was so much fun to play with a youngster who is so agile, quick and joyful. 

    Our neighbor girls are promoting an "Odd Job" business for the summer. I am referring to them as "the entrepreneurs." Proving that one does not need fancy advertising to grow a business, I present below their business card. Already I have hired them for a lawn mowing while my husband was away, and they will be watering our flower and herb pots while we are on a short trip. I'm sure I'll find more work for them over the summer. Their parents appreciate the opportunity for them to learn while doing the various jobs, and they oversee the girls to make sure they do the jobs well. It's a win-win for all. 

    May we all find joy in this day,

        Leta

The pencil is for privacy protection.

June 28--Imperfect Love

Most of the time, all you have is the moment and the imperfect love of the people around you.  --Anne Lamott

    The first time I read this quote, I cried. I realized that I have been expecting perfect love from folks who are not capable of measuring up to my standards of love, and I cannot expect that of them. A wise friend said, "You just have to take what they give you." Enjoy the brief moments and imperfect love when offered, and move on with life otherwise. 

    The ability to love is hampered by trauma, addiction, busyness, resentment--the list is endless. No one gets through this life unscathed. Unconditional love is a fine ideal, but few can manage it consistently. Being a parent certainly shines a spotlight on ways our love is imperfect. (And once the children are old enough, they will most definitely bring it to a parent's attention.) 

    Let us continue to spread love as best we can,

        Leta

Pets can be our example of perfect love.
This is Barney focused on a bunny.

June 27--A Comfy Pace

It takes courage... to endure the sharp pains of self discovery rather than choose to take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives. 
--Marianne Williamson

    I have had, and continue to have, "sharp pains of self discovery." I do believe those are ultimately part of the healing process. I have also had the "dull pain of unconsciousness"--that's what led me into addiction recovery, and I am so grateful for that. 

    I have been doing a lot of garden weeding and tidying this week. I have filled our trash dumpster with the weed population that exploded while I was away. Even though my efforts get thrown away, caring for my little spot on earth, getting sweaty with my hands dirty is good for my soul. A friend reminded me to focus on what I can do rather than what I can't. There was a time when I could spend many hours at a time in the garden. Now I pace myself due to heat and physical limitations. Some jobs take longer, but they get done eventually. 

    Let us pace ourselves and enjoy life, rather than forcing it.

        Leta

 

Colorado beauty

June 26--Does It Matter?

All that happens means something; nothing you do is ever insignificant. 
--Aldous Huxley

    That's one perspective. Another is that each of us is not even the size of a pinpoint in this giant universe. I think it's likely that we all go through periods of feeling life is infinitely meaningful and other periods of feeling "what's the point?" 

    One of the things that my exploration of anxiety and depression has brought up is the feeling that I am not needed. In my heart, I know this is not true, but my head can lead me there. That's part of my shadow self. I offer these words from Richard Rohr about that:

I am afraid that the closer we get to the Light, the more of our shadow we see. Thus, truly holy people are always humble people. Invariably when something upsets us, and we have a strong emotional reaction out of proportion to the moment, our shadow self has just been exposed. So, watch for any overreactions or over denials. The reason that a mature or saintly person can be so peaceful, so accepting of self and others, is that there is not much left of the hidden shadow self. 

    I know that I have a lot of "out of proportion" reactions, and my shadow self is alive and kicking. I take too much too personally. 

    Progress, not perfection,

        Leta

June 25--Beauty Is Happiness

The measure of your life is the amount of beauty and happiness of which you are aware.  --Agnes Martin

    I'm a lifelong gardener, and I tend to see weeds before beauty. During my recent two-week vacation, wherein we had a lovely amount of rainfall at home, the weeds in my garden went hog-wild. I have taken several tubs of weeds to the trash this week, and I'm still not finished. I am very pleased with the beauty I am leaving behind, for the rain blessed the flowers and herbs with abundant growth, too.

    Let's get light-hearted for a bit. I've written here about the usefulness and need for the human biological function of crying. (See the May 22 post.) I have also mentioned the TV series "Ted Lasso," on which I am totally hooked. Here is my favorite quote from the show so far, spoken by Rebecca Welton to Keeley Jones: 

"Crying is the best, isn't it? It's like an orgasm for the soul."

    May that give you a new perspective next time the tears flow!

        Leta

Three have left the nest, one remains 😉

June 24--Are You Offended?

Nothing ever becomes real till it is experienced.  --John Keats

    Nowadays it seems that everyone is offended by someone else's behavior. I am offended by this--it is one of my pet peeves 😉😉

    Truly I am dismayed by freedoms being taken away because someone is offended. Here's the deal--I cannot offend you. You CHOOSE to be offended. That's taking the issue personally, which we know from The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz) is not a good plan. If you don't like drag shows, don't go. If you don't approve of abortion, don't have one. My religion (or lack of) is none of your business. I could beat this to death, but I'll stop. 

    Let us recognize that being offended or going with "live and let live" are choices we make. "Don't take anything personally" is a much more peaceful way to live. 

        Leta

AMEN!