Since it's November...

     Despite the fact that there is already Christmas stuff prominent in every store, I am still generally focused on Thanksgiving. And it wouldn't be November without a blog on gratitude.
     I'm thinking of the less obvious (tend-to-take-for-granted) stuff that I am thankful for:

• ability to read
• so many magnificent vacation places around our world
• the opportunity to brighten another person's life
• ability to sew
• ability to walk without aids
• ability to use both hands and arms
• 12-step programs
• young people, new ideas, new inventions
• I have everything I need and most everything I want
• healthy, happy sons
• outstanding husband
• even more loving family

     Most of all, I am grateful for a loving, close relationship with my Higher Power that sustains me through all the adventures of life. I am loved, always and all ways, and so are you!
     Thanks for reading!
              Leta

"Good Death"

     I've just finished reading the very interesting book titled Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematory. It was written by Caitlin Doughty, who has also created the website, Order of the Good Death. In the book, she states:

“For me, the good death includes being prepared to die, with my affairs in order, the good and bad messages delivered that need delivering. The good death means dying while I still have my mind sharp and aware; it also means dying without having to endure large amounts of suffering and pain. The good death means accepting death as inevitable, and not fighting it when the time comes.” (p. 222) 

This is Ms. Doughty's definition of a good death. What is your definition? 

     Oh, wait a minute. We don't like to think about such things. Trust me, there are a LOT of things in the book that I would never have thought of. We as a culture tend to hide death away and like to pretend it doesn't happen. But as Ms. Doughty wisely says, "We cannot possibly live without a relationship to our mortality..." It's in knowing that we'll be leaving here someday that we have the inspiration to live and love full-out. 

     I highly recommend the book! 

         Leta

"I think I can't..."

     For years, I've told myself I can't do side plank, a shoulder and core challenging yoga pose. I just told myself I couldn't do it, didn't even try. As a yoga teacher, I KNOW BETTER!!! I remind my students frequently not to tell themselves that they can't do something. In a small way in my defense, I don't care for plank pose, so I figured I'd like side plank even less, so I didn't care to try. I can do regular plank pose just fine.
     This morning, with thoughts of teaching side plank on the wall (a beginner version, or good for folks with some sort of shoulder challenge), I decided to give side plank on the floor a try in the privacy of my woman cave, so if I truly couldn't do it, I wouldn't be "on display." Geez. I did it, no problem, piece of cake. I like it way better than regular plank. Who knew!?!?!
     So I challenge you--what is something you've been saying you can't do? Give it a try, maybe you CAN!
      Life is good!
              Leta

For your contemplation...

The root of sorrow lies in the dearth of heroism and courage in the character of the average man. Paramahansa Yogananda

Our Children

I love this passage from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, and I love it when it appears before me, "magically," when I need to re-read it.
"Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you. You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you. For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday. You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The Archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far. Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness; for even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable."

Legacy

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier."                   --Mother Teresa
      I'm reading a very interesting book by Caitlin Doughty titled Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and Other Lessons from the Crematory. She's a young, licensed mortician taking a historical, serious, and humorous look at death. She is the founder of The Order of the Good Death. Her website is http://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/ and there you can find some VERY entertaining videos.
      As Caitlin indicates, the chance of each one of us dying is 100%. We don't much care to spend a lot of time thinking about that. I surely don't. But when I do, it leaves me considering my legacy. That leads me back to the Mother Teresa quote I started with. Our greatest power is to love. Let's use it, and live as Mother Teresa suggests.
      I love my readers!
               Leta

Have a FIRST today

    I am currently working with a group of awesome women, and one of the assignments I have given them is to experience some sort of "first" in their lives. It doesn't need to be anything earth-shattering, like walking on the moon (but it could be!). It may be something as simple as smiling at someone you don't know. A "first" involves paying attention, because we probably experience more of them than we realize.
    One example is that a few weeks ago I had an airbnb guest (www.airbnb.com--I am a host) who is an artist, and he did a pencil and watercolor portrait of me while we chatted in the evening. Having a portrait done was definitely a delightful first for me.
    Regarding a "first," I offer this suggestion of encouragement from author Jane Beach:

Make a list of all the times you've broken through fear to do something new. Then ask the questions:
--What is Spirit calling me to do now?
--Am I willing to listen to the voice of my inner wisdom?
--Am I willing to take the next step? 

Have fun with your FIRST today!
           Leta