Springtime, green grass, heaven!

     I finally started the spring garden cleanup. From inside it looks like work, but once I get out there, I love it. It is work, but I love being outside in the sunshine and the satisfaction of physical labor, even though most of my effort goes into the trash (weeds, etc.). The earth has blessed me again with beautiful daffodils and the greenery of tulips I planted last fall. I can hardly wait to see what colors I bought! :)
     Even more bonus! Yesterday was opening day of baseball season. I LOVE baseball, primarily following the Cubs and the Royals. I feel great joy and gratitude at being here for another opening day. I'm excited to get to see a few games in person again this year.
     And yet another delight of this April--I begin next Tuesday teaching yoga at The Body Studio (it's the former InnerWorks yoga group) at 4800 West Maple, Suite 124, Wichita. With a new, permanent location, the directors are expanding the yoga class offerings, and we will be doing workshops, yoga series, and private lessons. Much potential there, just like the garden in springtime! The Body Studio's website (under development) is wichitabodystudio.com.
     What about springtime is heaven for you?
                        Leta

More from Tama Kieves: What's your story?

      Tama was once encouraged to pay attention to the kinds of "stories" she told herself. The reason being, "We live the stories we tell ourselves. When you really start to get conscious about this, you realize there are no neutral viewpoints. ... A loving narration leads to a loving life."
      One example that makes me giggle (now) is that my dad said multiple times, "There is NO musical talent in the Miller family." Looking back, I see that he probably didn't want to bear the ear-trauma of musical instrument practice. I proved this "story" several times when I failed the chorus try-out, and later attempted with no success to take piano lessons. I gave up and scored the musical talent by marrying a very skilled musician, and our sons are quite musically talented. (I didn't tell them what my dad said till after they were well on their way musically.)
      Pay attention to the stories you tell yourself and tell about yourself. Since you are the author of those stories, you can change them at any time if they don't support your joy and happiness.
      Have a glorious spring-time weekend!
                  Leta

Set them free.

      Here's a quote from Inspired & Unstoppable by Tama Kieves:
“But here’s what I want you to do with all the people you meet. Set them free. Love their decisions. Love their indecision. Love their spirit. Love their fear and rigidity, their skepticism, frugality, or imperfect choices. Set them free. … You can’t judge people and touch their souls at the same time.”
     WOW, some mighty words there. It is possible to set people free. I use my brother as an example. He and I differ quite a bit on political and military (he's a West Point grad) topics. Yet I adore and love him so much, I can let all that just blow on by. I set him free and focus on the love I feel for him. It's quite useful to find an example of setting someone free, and I'm guessing we all have such an example, just to prove it can be done. Then we can move ahead and set others free. What a relief, not to be dragging around those judgments and annoyances!
     Ah, freedom. Have a great weekend!
              Leta

Thoughts on Eating--Simplify!!!

Good morning!
     I've been doing quite a bit of reading lately to support development of a yoga workshop I'll be offering later this spring. I especially enjoy the blog Yoga for Healthy Aging (http://yogaforhealthyaging.blogspot.com/). There is a variety of professionals who contribute to this blog, and it's very informative and gives me great ideas for my yoga practice and teaching. It doesn't matter how old you are now--healthy aging is something you might want to enjoy as the years fly by (and they do fly!).
    One article I read was on healthy eating. It made my head spin. There are so many studies and recommendations and do's and don'ts and shoulds and shouldn'ts. In my opinion, it's all exhausting, tiresome and unnecessary. It's MY body, my body is intelligent, it guides me to what's best for me, especially regarding fuel.
     My husband and I, over time, have named and use these two simple guidelines: 1) know the ingredients and 2) eat food that spoils. Knowing the ingredients of your food means that you don't need a chemistry degree to understand what's in the food. It also means that we make lots of things from scratch. Eating food that spoils means it's fresh and not overly processed. We strive for "simple food done well," and we have quite happy tummies. Best of all, we FEEL good and we are healthy.
     So I'd offer this suggestion: don't let anyone tell you what is the "right" food for your body, including me! Relax, figure it out for yourself, and enjoy!
     Leta

Old Fart Friday

     Happy Old Fart Friday! That's a Friday evening when no activities are scheduled, and I can hang out at the house and relax. This is a particularly celebratory OFF, because for the first time in eons, I'm getting a net tax refund, which I learned today from doing our taxes. Big chore accomplished!
     So this is my OFF: made a home-made personal pizza, am enjoying a margarita, and I'm going to watch college basketball till I drop. Yep, I'm in heaven.
     Do you allow yourself, without guilt, to do what you really enjoy, regularly??!?!? I sure hope so!
Love,
   Leta

A Quote in Tribute to WSU Men's Basketball

     Yes, I'm nuts about college basketball--I follow six teams closely.
     Wichita State Shockers men's basketball made history yesterday with a 31-0 undefeated regular season. The attitude and coaching of these players has been an honor and joy to behold. Even folks who don't care about sports have been digging it.
     This quote is from ancient Chinese military general and philosopher, Sun Tzu:
"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war and seek to win."
     These Shocker young men and their coaches are winners first, then they go play basketball. Please think on this quote a bit. There's a powerful life lesson there.
     GO, Shockers!
         Leta

A little mad, no, a lot mad!!!

     Imagine this...I'm a crazed college basketball fan, but my first (sports) love is baseball. I need no further proof of heaven on earth than March Madness, and before the Final Four even happens, opening day of baseball season is March 31 this year. I've cleaned the "woman cave" because that's where I'll be the next five weeks, watching basketball and baseball.
     There is absolutely nothing necessary about basketball or baseball, yet they are big dollar operations, and they've captured the hearts (and vocal cords) of millions. Let's hear it for fun! We take life WAY too seriously. Sports may not ring your chimes, but get out there and throw yourself into something that brings you joy! Life is good, celebrate it!
     Mad and loving it,
              Leta