Dear Mr. President – How could you sign the Monsanto Protection Act?

by
slide.001

Click photo to enlarge

Dear President Obama,

With LOVE and a sense of disbelief I ask, “How much pressure must have been put on you, Mr. President, to sign the Monsanto Protection Act? Did they make threats? What could possibly be worse than protecting the food supply of the American people, and eventually the world?”

I ask with LOVE, “has being the “leader of the free world” warped your perception about what was right to do in this situation? Or did the alternative to signing this bill pose some challenge we may never know of as a public, because Monsanto is mean… a bully.  Just ask any farmer on whose land their seeds have naturally migrated through wind or birds.”

I ask these questions, Mr. President, because I canvassed for you, voted for you, celebrated with you, have even cried with you, and today, I am disappointed in you. People are starving and don’t even know it as GMOs are now given a free pass, and the medical industry continues to profit from our folly with food.

I know Washington has been unimaginably difficult, and I can’t even begin to imagine putting myself in your shoes, dealing with daily congressional opposition, but this is a NO PASS, Mr. President… a NO PASS, and you signed it.  Four letters, V-E-T-O, are what put the responsibility on your desk for this one.  You could have used your power of VETO to protect our food from big business.

My heart feels sad in this moment to imagine what you might have been struggling with to actually sign a bill that I can’t image you would ethically support, and I have to wonder how Michelle is dealing with this since she is such an advocate for health and the growing of own’s own food.

We all make mistakes, Mr. President, and THIS is a BIG ONE. But you can still make this right. Somehow. Please BE the man I know you are, and stay strong for what is truly best for the people who elected you.

Do I sound like a naive, Pollyanna? Good! Optimism is more powerful than darkness, and I do still believe you can make better choices, just as I believe this for myself and all people. I believe, in part, because you had me hold a big, giant banner reading HOPE with your image shining as a symbol of goodness.

I believe, because I saw you up close in that March 21st, 2008 press conference in Portland, Oregon, the day Bill Richardson announced his endorsement of you as a presidential candidate.  After concluding answering questions and walking away from the podium, you were stopped in your tracks by a passionate question from the press core, about supporting the Dali Lama in Tibet.  That question came from my lips, my heart pounding as I asked it, and you came back to answer me, ten feet or so from the podium, you walked back to the microphone, and I felt individually heard by you, President Obama.  I could feel your concern for Darfur, Tibet, and other nations challenged by tyranny as you answered, and something in my heart opened to support you in a way I had yet to support any candidate, ever, for anything.

Forgiveness is Freedom, Mr. President, and if this really is the land of the free, we must all find ways to forgive, even as we March for what is fair and just in the world, so I forgive you, for this grave mistake President Barack.  And I will also be marching on May 25th, standing for the good of humanity.

With Love and a Belief in the Greater Good,

Leela

PS  Readers can learn more about the Monsanto Protection Act, which was signed into law March 26, 2013, “ignoring the scientific evidence GMOs have on human health,”  and the upcoming march on May 25th.

One thing I invite all of those concerned and/or marching to consider is this:  Instead of marching “against” Monsanto, place your focus on what you are marching “for” for greater impact.  ”Against” has little power compared to the power of “for.”  I’ll be marching for a pure food supply, the freedom of farmers, and the health of all people everywhere.  For what are you marching?

Love to Everybody, yes even the folks at Monsanto -

Leela

Leela at The Witzend in Venice, CA 4/30/2013

by

Presenting… my first poetry open mic in the Los Angeles area at The WitZend on April 30th, 2013. What a fun way to close out April…aka…National Poetry Month!

Thanks to Sean Mulvihill of Hollywood Happiness Films for connecting me with this open mic, and to all of the amazing poets and musicians who made this a night to remember.

Also thanks to my friend Leanne Wood for capturing the piece with my iPhone. =)

And heart felt Gratitude to David for making this trip to SoCal possible.

Love All Over,
Leela

Anything but that, Love.

by

Yesterday, the mind played a game with my heart.  Standing in what would have been his favorite isle of the grocery store, I found myself reaching for a familiar treat.  I could see him in my mind’s eye, excited by my return with the little nuggets of sensory pleasure.

He would do anything for a treat, even exercise.  His peaceful sit ins could never outlast the temptation of a T-R-E-A-T so I’d dangle a baby carrot in front of him and soon we’d be walking in the rain.

Something within me thought, “If I buy these treats he’ll be there when I get home.”  The rational mind argued, “He’s gone.  He’s never coming back.”  “But… he could never resist these… he’ll have no choice.” There I stood, in the purgatory of knowing and wishing. ”He would do anything for a treat.”  ”Anything but that, Love.”

God, I miss him.

Grief is a strange, non-linear beast.  The “five stages” don’t necessarily happen in order, or even only once.  Today I found myself looping back to denial, though I thought I had already moved through acceptance.  Glad I’ll be connecting with my friend Georgena Eggleston today.  She’s not only a dear friend, but a gifted Grief Practitioner.

We all experience loss somewhere along the journey.  When you find yourself there, maybe you’ll think of my friend, Georgena… and my grief will have been able to somehow serve you both.

We experience. We share. We connect. And in doing so, we heal.

Peace.

Image

Manny the Pug
https://www.facebook.com/MannyThePug

Self Empowered Artists

by

Ah… It’s a new day in entertainment!  No longer do creatives have to wait for permission from a studio to create the content of their imaginings.  With current technology, one is empowered to  follow the promptings of the inner muse to allow the creative flow to move from idea to manifestation in record time in an affordable way that can be shared with a mass audience with a simple upload.  Wow!

One such example is my friend, Sonya Joseph.  From a related press release, “Sonya Anandi Joseph started thinking about writing a TV series.  She had written several screenplays for films but admitted to herself she was a television addict who rarely made it to a movie theater.  Her two goals were to write about something she knew about and something that wasn’t already covered on TV.  The idea came to her while driving home one day.  Church.  Motivational speakers.  Gurus.  An avid follower of Marianne Williamson, Wayne Dyer, Michael Beckwith and other modern day spiritual gurus, Ms. Joseph created the character of Josephine.  Her next question: “Who is a woman like that NOT supposed to be with?”  The answer, of course, Joel Osteen.  And the series was born.  She wrote 27 episodes in six weeks working 10 hour days in a cafe on Seattle’s Beacon Hill while shooting weddings on the weekends to pay the bills.”

Talk about self empowerment as an artist!  Sonya caught an inspiration for a series, wrote it, began shooting, and is now in the process of sharing her creation with the world through social media and YouTube.  Very cool.

Take a look!

“The series’ producers plan on releasing new episodes weekly.  Episodes can be located on YouTube by searching for the YouTube channel: ‘Sonya Joseph’.”

You can show your support for Sonya and her vision by liking the show on Facebook.

Maybe you already feel empowered in the manifestations of your visions.  If not, what would have to happen for you to feel so?  Is there a nudge of intuition calling for action?  A whisper asking to be heard?  A person you’ve thought of calling, a road you’ve thought of taking?

Whatever it is, you are WORTHY to listen and follow the direction of your dreams.  When we get still, listen, get out of the way, and then ACT accordingly, we are setting ourselves up for miracles to occur to such a degree they become the ordinary happenings in our extraordinary lives.

Here’s to YOU and the direction of YOUR dreams!

Love,

Leela

City Of Angels, Indeed.

by

Los Angeles is often referred to as the city of Angels. I find this to be absolutely true! I seem to run into angels everywhere I go, including today.  

First, there was my friend, Annabeth, who got up extra early to take me to a job, shooting some “audience work.” I had planned to take the bus, which would take about an hour for an otherwise 15 minute car ride.  What a gift.  Thank you, Annabeth!  This gave me time to finish my make-up in the car and arrive in easy-breezy comfort.

Standing in line for the job I was reminded by the coordinator, “ABSOLUTELY NO cell phones are allowed on the set.”  “I understand,” I affirmed. “I’m without a car today, new to LA, and need my phone to find my way around the city after the shoot.  I can keep it off until the end of the day if that works.”  Surely she would understand this reasonable request. “No exceptions.”  It’s a gift to experience this kind of challenge.  It reminds me who I really am, and the kind of work I am here to create.  I also respect the studio’s need to control the possibility of folks on the set taping behind the scenes and posting it online.  I’m guessing the rule was made after a boundary was crossed.

Being in LA without a car appears to have some challenges, this kind of situation being one of them.  If I use the phone to navigate the bus to get to a gig, but if no phones are allowed into the studio…  Hmmmm.   It’s a head scratcher, but I’ll figure it out.  =)

Which brings me to the second angel of my morning, Teny, a kind, young biology teacher standing in line for the same job. I’d never met her, but she was willing to share her glovebox with me as a place to store my cell phone during the shoot.  The timing didn’t work out to make to Teny’s car and back to the line before the call time, but I was touched by her willingness to help a stranger.  Thank you, Teny.

I took the opportunity of missing the day of work to embark on my first LA bus journey.

My handy iPhone GPS showed me where to walk to find the bus stop.  I must have looked a little lost as I stood on the corner looking at my phone, then to the street signs, then back to my GPS, then back to the street signs again to find my bearings.

When I looked up the third time, I saw a smiling stranger across the street.  There was compassion on his face.  Maybe he was remembering being new to LA himself.  Who knows?  In the next second, I saw the bus stop with the bus moving closer in it’s direction.

I began to run, flip-flops clicking, high heels in hand, in the direction of the bus.  As I ran past the friendly stranger, he shouted, “How are you?” I smiled and shouted in passing “I’m well, thanks!”  When I got to the bus I heard him cheering for me, “You made it! You made it!”  When I turned to smile at him, he was no where to be seen.  =)

How cool is that?!  It felt as if The Universe was cheering me onward to my goal.  It was a subtle confirmation of what I have been affirming for years; that I am supported by the Universe; that there is a positive conspiracy moving me forward into a greater expression of who I came here to be.  Beautiful.  THANK YOU kind stranger if you find this, and thank you to anyone who has been that voice of encouragement for a stranger.  In doing so we become wind in each other’s sails and create a more Loving, supportive world.

Later on my bus journey, I met a lovely couple Ute and Loren, at my next bus stop.  They were a delight!  Married for 30 something years, I think, they shared the story of how they met years ago at the Port Authority in New York City.  Having spent some years in New York myself, I was delighted by the thought that I had likely walked very near the place they had once caught the first glimpse of their future Loves.  So sweet.  I just fell in love with them, and felt connected at once.

They gave me their card and invited me to, “ come over and join us for a glass of wine sometime.”  My heart was so opened by this couple, still obviously in Love and so welcoming to an out of towner and stranger.  I look forward to connecting with them soon to share in more stories and community.  Thank you, Ute and Loren, for making LA a warm, friendly place.

Here we are heading toward North Hollywood in our “stretch community limo.”

It’s been a day of Love in the City of Angels, and there is still plenty to encounter. Wherever you are, may you be seeing angels all around you, including the one in the mirror.  Muah!!! xoxo

Love,

Leela

Yes To The Dreams

by

To blog or not to blog is the question of the day. For months now I haven’t been able to bring myself to write a single word on this site, though my private writing has been strong and consistent. I’ve questioned my personal motivations for blogging extensively and contemplated why any of us feels the need to express our journey on the web.

What I’ve come to thinking, at least for today, is that it’s really about feeling connected with one another. We are connected whether we like it or not, and the Internet is a beautiful external expression of that inner connectedness.  It has always been so, even in the Pony Express days.  It just took us longer to remember and get a sense of it.

I’ve been tempted to avoid sharing what’s going on in my life these days, but it feels so significant to me personally I’ve decided to open the door and say, “y’all come on in.”  You’ll set your own boundaries and read if you like, or close the window.  Either way, I’m feeling the Love of connection with every one of us, and I don’t need to know you to be completely in Love with you in this moment.

It’s easy to be in Love with Life when we choose to listen to our intuition and follow the visions that guide us.  We’ve all heard, “follow your bliss,” and I’ve given myself permission to do just that, which is why I’m sharing this message from Southern, California.

Several months ago I began to have dreams that I was in California; Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Hollywood.  I’d feel the sun on my face, smell the sea as I drove down the Pacific Coast Highway, and the energy of Spirit in community.

I remember dreaming that I was at the Agape International Spiritual Center, taking in the music and message, feeling uplifted and full.  It was yummy.  I’d then feel myself sitting on the Beach, taking in the ocean, just feeling the breath and connection with Divine Presence.  I also dreamt of working as an artist.  I felt the rush of sharing my spoken word poetry with an audience, feeling the lights on a film set, and the energy of an audience in a theatre.

As the dreams persisted, I shared with my husband, “I’m feeling such a pull it feels painful to ignore.”  In his loving and supportive way, he championed my joy, “Do what you feel called to do.  Follow your Guidance.”  That is Love, wanting fulfillment for our partners, even if it means we may need to miss them for a time.  He has witnessed me come alive as an artist in recent months in Portland, and wants more of that for me.

Allowing the artistic expression of my BEing to shine through brings me tremendous joy and a sense of living my Life on purpose.  Among the many facets of this rich life, I am an actor, a writer, a spoken word artist, yes.  It’s important to share this publicly with you.  No more hiding my secret desires of expression.  This is Leela allowing an authentic Life, allowing Presence, and the Truth of a moment to live through me.  It’s about allowing myself to taste so many flavors of Life through the embodiment of characters who take me places I’ve never been or places I wish to express more fully.   Acting is not about putting something on… it’s about allowing something greater to animate my BEing.  So, I’m saying yes… yes to the visions, yes to my heart, and yes to Life.  And I’m cheering you onward to know your heart’s desire.

A request of those who Love me is to send me positive energy and to know the highest and best for my journey, that something magnificent is now unfolding.  Liberation from limitation, allowing magnificence, abundance overflowing and pouring out to share, full expression of personhood, joy in the work I play in the world, discovering the depths of my BEing, living as a beneficial presence wherever I go… Please affirm this vision with me, friend.  I know this and so much more for you, and for all of us.  This is the call of my Life.

If there is one gift I intend to give YOU in all this, it is that you are reminded that, “You are worthy of your dreams.”  Be still and know.  Listen and follow.  Magic ensues when we do.

Love,

Leela

P.S.   I know this journey is enriching not only my own Life, but the lives of those I serve in community, like the women I’ll be with at the NTCSL women’s retreat in Oregon in September.  My workshop is about the Divine Courage of living an authentic Life.  I couldn’t authentically share that workshop without first taking a courageous leap myself.

David and our little pug, Manny, are both in my heart, so please give them an extra hug if you see them.  There is no Love like that which holds with an open hand and affirms the pursuit of personal fulfillment for their partner.  I am Grateful beyond expression.

Order Leela’s First Book

by

A Poetry Book with Thought Entry Pages

Get your copy of Leela’s first book, “EmBody, with Mutterings of a Teenaged Girl in her 30s.”

$20.00 + Shipping and Handling and $1 for credit card orders by phone.

Just copy and Paste “ATTN:  BOOK ORDER FOR EMBODY” into the Subject Line in an email with your address and number of copies desired.

Please include a phone number so a customer service representative (Leela) can call you to take your order.

AUDIO OF THIS BOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON! =)  PLEASE INDICATE IF YOU’D LIKE THE VERSION WITH AUDIO FOR AN ADDITIONAL $5.00, BRINGING THE COST TO 25.00.

Many Thanks for your support,

LEELAVOX@MAC.COM