TED Talk by Timber Hawkeye--a great start to your week

"Your beliefs don't make you a better person, your behavior does." Timber Hawkeye
Here's the link to his TED Talk--an excellent reminder of the power of gratitude. It's definitely worth the 10-minute break to listen and watch. Enjoy!
     http://youtu.be/LIFTxRJfLTM
                   Leta

Reminder for "the Holidays"

     There is a very common tendency to set all good eating habits aside during "the Holidays," possibly starting as early as Halloween. I have been no stranger to such wild abandon, and let's just say, the results were unsatisfying.
     What I routinely remind myself this time of the year is that Thanksgiving Day is a holiday and Christmas Day is a holiday, but all the other days between and around them are NOT holidays. This is a strong motivator to eat in my usual healthy manner on those non-holidays, so that when I do indulge on a holiday, it's not months of recovery to get back to normal.
      Also, I have a few (2-3) Christmas-party type of events this year. At those I allow myself to eat whatever I want, with the goal of simply not making myself uncomfortable with quantities. That way I don't feel deprived through the season, which is a real danger mode for me.
      We take care of what we value, and I value my great health. Today is not a holiday, and I will eat well. And as a result, I will enjoy Christmas Day more than ever.
      Happy non-holiday to you!
              Leta

Who Knew?!?!?

      Holy cow! My car grieving period was quite short. Here's the photo of my new car, a 2013 Nissan Altima. I never would have thought I would utter these words, but I love this car even more than the BMW! An amazing sequence of events happened, and it was less than 48 hours from the first time I saw it, till I was driving it home to stay. I am feeling awesomely blessed and outrageously thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!
   Leta

There She Went...

     Yesterday was the first time I saw my car drive away and I was not in it. My "baby" of 10+ years, my dream car, headed off yesterday to her second home. I cried, a lot. There are very good reasons for selling her: high miles, maintenance hassle and EXPENSE, wanting something way more fuel efficient. But then there was parting with her, which my head was ready for, but my heart was not. I don't know if I'll ever have another one. (I don't know if I even WANT another one!) Everything else, including whatever I get to replace her, is just a car (not necessarily a bad thing).
     So now the search for another car begins. Photos forthcoming...
                Leta

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