Leela Music Newsletter, May 2009

Michael Stribling
Leela Music, BMI
Newsletter, May 2009

Here's an overview of what you'll find in this issue:

• Musical Memos
• Spiritually Speaking
• Points to Ponder / In Other News
• And the Winner Is ...

MUSICAL MEMOS

Just when I thought the next CD was almost completed, the Muse came calling and beckoned me to write new music, some of which seems suitable for the newest project. It looks like the release date is being pushed back a bit. (Maybe Spectrasonics' new Trillian bass module will find a way to contribute after all.)

I'm thinking about adding voice interviews to the new website. Initially, I guess it will just be interviews with me; hopefully, in the future we can add interviews with other artists. I've already recorded one interview (which needs to be edited, etc.), and some of it sounds pretty good, if I do say so myself! What do you think about this idea? Please let me know.

I'll keep you posted.

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING

Do all things out of love and gratitude.

Sometimes I look at my to-do list and grumble, "Do I really have to do this? I don't want to do this!" Maybe you have that experience, too. At times like that, I remind myself that how I approach those tasks makes all the difference in the world.

I can undertake a task begrudgingly, with resentment, or lovingly, with devotion and love. It's my choice.

David Hawkins writes to this idea:

"... Karma Yoga ... means that all actions can be sanctified by their dedication to God. ... Even the most simple actions, such as peeling a potato, can be accompanied by resentment or by devotion to life out of joy, knowing that one is supporting life through life. In gratitude for the gift of life, one dedicates that life back as a gift to God through selfless service to His creation as all of life. With this dedication, one validates the sacredness of all life and treats it with respect" (David R. Hawkins, The Eye of the I, p. 237).

"One makes a gift of one's life and endeavors by sanctifying it with love, devotion, and selfless service. That is the way of the heart to God. In that way, domestic life becomes a form of worship and the source of joy to all. When one seeks to uplift others, we are uplifted in the process. Giving is therefore self-rewarding ... Every kind thought or smile is therefore spiritual and benefits oneself as well as all the world" (David R. Hawkins, The Eye of the I, p. 252).

I've tried taking this approach and find that it really makes a difference. Doing everyday things out of love and devotion sanctifies the task, and you, and the recipient who receives the gift of your service. It changes everything!

Do all things out of love and gratitude.

POINTS TO PONDER / IN OTHER NEWS

THE 10 THINGS IN LIFE THAT YOU CONTROL
by Jim Allen

We humans spend much of our time trying to control every aspect of our lives. Unfortunately, too often we waste time trying to control things that are simply beyond our control.

Having an understanding of what things you do control can make it easier for you to gain control of your life and everything in it.

1. What you do. Your actions are yours alone. You choose to make them or not make them and you are responsible for the effects of those actions.
2. What you say. Likewise, the words you speak (or write) are also consciously chosen. Like actions, they have an impact on your life and the lives of those you contact.
3. What you think. Yes, there are some subconscious thoughts that you can't control. But the things that you really think about, your beliefs, your ideals, etc., are concepts you have chosen to accept and believe in.
4. Your work. Many people like to overlook this one, it being much easier to say, "Oh, I'm trapped in my job because I don't have a degree, experience, etc." Hogwash! That's simply a way of denying one's responsibility in having chosen the job in the first place. It's your job and you chose it. If you stay (or go), that's a choice as well.
5. The people you associate with. There's a famous t-shirt that states, "It's hard to soar like an eagle when you're surrounded by turkeys." Colloquial is very often correct! Your friends can either lift you up or bring you down. You make the decision which type of friends you wish to have.
6. Your basic physical health. Much about our health is a factor of genetics, environment, and exposure. Much more of our health is simply a matter of the decisions we make about our health, such as diet, exercise, drugs, sleep, routine physicals, check-ups, etc.
7. The environment you live in. Your house, the condition of your home, the town you live in, the amenities available to you are all things you can control, although some to a lesser degree (i.e., you decide to tolerate them or move someplace else).
8. Your fiscal situation. Having or not having enough money is a factor of what you make versus what you spend.
9. Your time. You choose how to "spend" your time and how much of your time to give to various activities. You'll never get more time than the 24 hours you're given each day.
10. Your legacy. All your actions, words, and knowledge that you share while you are living become the gift that you leave when you are gone.

AND THE WINNER IS ...

Every issue, I give away a free CD (autographed, of course :-). If you're on the mailing list, you're automatically entered in every drawing. This month, the winner is Richi Seth. Congratulations!

That's it for this issue. Feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you liked, or didn't like, in this issue, and any recommendations or requests you have for future editions.

If you're new to the mailing list and/or you want to read some of the back issues of this newsletter, just visit the new Leela Radio site.

Thank you for your support. Please invite your friends to visit my website and sign the guestbook. Oh yeah, it's okay to order some CDs, too! They make wonderful gifts :-).

I also have a page on MySpace.com. Have a look and join the list of friends at www.myspace.com/leelamusic.

And please visit the new website.

I wish you peace, joy, and love.

Namasté,

Michael Stribling
www.leela-radio.com
www.leela-music.com
info@leela-music.com

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