Inner Resources

This item is from The Tao of Leadership by John Heider, based on Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching:
     "To know how other people behave takes intelligence, but to know myself takes wisdom. To manage other people's lives takes strength, but to manage my own life takes true power.
     "If I am content with what I have, I can live simply and enjoy both prosperity and free time. If my goals are clear, I can achieve them without fuss. If I am at peace with myself, I will not spend my life force in conflicts. If I have learned to let go, I do not need to fear."

     I have been presented in several ways recently with the idea of living simply. As I get older, it seems that there is too much stuff around me that requires either a little or a lot of care. I prefer experiences, interactions, free time more than stuff. A couple days ago I met a super-friendly golden retriever out on a walk with his master. I was instantly his new best friend (though he had never sniffed me before), giving me again the gentle reminder that life is all about love, and that pretty much covers it.
     Living in love, loving my life,
            Leta

Here to Live and Love

These are the words of Rev. Bob Luckin:
"While you are here in this body, love, laugh, smile, and ask millions of questions. Sing out loud, especially where there is an echo. Dance as long as you can and walk until your feet will no longer move. Swim in the ocean, a lake, and a pond. Walk in a stream or river. Climb a hill or a mountain. Play in the snow at least once. Imitate a songbird, kiss a dog on the nose, and rub its belly with both hands. Listen to the rain and clap when you hear thunder. Laugh with a baby. Hold hands with someone special. Greet a stranger like a long-lost friend. Buy a cup of coffee for someone you don't know. Share a box of homemade cookies. Write a poem about love. Write a letter to someone you admire. See as many sunsets and sunrises as you can. Fill your thoughts with love and watch as they lift you and others. Dream the grandest of dreams. Speak to everyone who smiles. Greet strangers with warm eyes. Make up amazing stories and change them daily. When things don't go your way, change your way. If you fall down, stay down until you realize that picking yourself up is a choice you get to make."

Loving life, spreading joy,
          Leta

Dancing in Church

     Say what? Dancing in church?!?!?
     I was at the Kansas City Center for Spiritual Living yesterday, and the Music Director, Monique Danielle, ROCKS! She has a voice that easily can transport one all over the emotional spectrum, from tears to leaping off one's chair to dance. She sang, "New Attitude," and trust me, this isn't a reserved, toe-tapping crowd--we jumped up to dance. What fun! Isn't Spirit within us a source of joy, energy, movement, celebration?
     What a blessed weekend I had, to be able to share the loving energy of this place and its inspired people. In case you'd like to check it out: http://cslkc.org/.
     Have an exciting week!
          Leta

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