Leela Music Newsletter, January 2010

Michael Stribling
Leela Music, BMI
Newsletter, January 2010

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***

The new CD, The Promise, has placed in the top 5 of the Zone Music Reporter Top 100 List for three months in a row. That's gratifying.

Additionally, the CD has qualified for nomination in several categories of the Zone Music Reporter Lifestyle Music Awards for 2009. The nominees will be announced in February, and the winners are scheduled to be announced in March.

IKYP (I'll keep you posted).

***SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING***

Just as there's a difference between avoidance and indulgence, there's also a difference between catharsis and indulgence.

We have a tendency to approach some life activities (like food, for example) in one of two basic ways: avoidance or indulgence. Depending on the values we hold, we avoid certain foods because they're fattening or unhealthy, or, on the other hand, we indulge in the tasty treats that we just can't say no to.

Often enough, when we indulge, although it seems like a good idea at the time, we pay for it (sugar hangover, carbohydrate crash, expanded waistline, etc.).

We also have a tendency to process our feelings in one of two basic ways: we either stuff them (avoidance) or "let it all hang out" (catharsis).

Here's the point of this discussion. Sometimes, when it comes to expressing feelings, catharsis (letting it all out) is no more effective than avoidance (holding it in). That's because the big emotional release that comes through catharsis is not really a release at all; it's more of a drama field day for the ego. Big emotional displays can, at times, just give the ego a great big drama-juice fix, without releasing or resolving anything.

How do we know the difference? If we've spent some time "getting in touch" with our feelings, and we don't feel much better after we've done it, chances are we were just keeping the embers glowing rather than putting the fire out. In all likelihood, we're still holding on to something because of the emotional "pay off" that the emotional drama provides the ego.

Somewhere, there's a balance between the extremes of avoidance and over-indulgence. And, at the end of the day, there may be a fine line between healthy catharsis and ego indulgence.

Just as there's a difference between avoidance and indulgence, there's also a difference between catharsis and indulgence.

***POINTS TO PONDER / IN OTHER NEWS***

Things my Mother taught me

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."


2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."


3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"


4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."


5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."


6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."


7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."


8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."


9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"


10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."


11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."


12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"


13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."


14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"


15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."


16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."


17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"


18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."


19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"


20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."


21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."


22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."


23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"


24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."


And my favorite:

25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you."

*** 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 Manuela Wyatt. Congratulations!

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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 Leela Newsletters page.

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

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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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