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Archive for May, 2014

Kindness

kindness

I reach out to lend a helping hand, the stranger looks at me and I feel the inner battle that shows in her tear filled eyes.  The woman had fallen, somehow she had missed the step up to the sidewalk and lay hurting on the ground.  I stopped my car and ran over to where she now sat rubbing her ankle.  I could see the indecision, she was hurting, but I was a stranger and her first reaction and words were ..” no-no thank you, I am fine”  My background is health care, I took in her now swelling ankle area, the tear-stained face, her headscarf had fallen askew with the fall, she was elderly, I could not leave her on the road.  I heard my therapist to client/patient voice speaking, it was instinct and years of experience talking.  My voice and actions knowing where  gently to lift and help her stand were automatic.  Something inside her responded to the  experience in my voice and movements.  Once standing, she was able to lean on me to get off the street corner an up onto the sidewalk.

While this was happening, another car pulled up, with a lady driver in similar dress attire as the lady I was helping.  She too stopped her car and got out.  The relief at seeing someone from her own community flooded the lady’s face.  The other woman was  able to speak her language.  I explained what happened, the newcomer thanked me, and took over, helping the woman into her car.  I got back in my car and drove home.  Yes I am one of these people who some call a “do good- er”   if I can help, I offer.  I make time.  The learning curve for me is that not everyone wants my help. That is very humbling.

peony -flickr

A Peony is a beautiful flower, when I had them in the garden, I would “lust” after them,waiting for the flower to open and bloom and then stand close, drinking in their fragrance.  At first I was hungry to bring the beauty inside, so that the room would be permeated with the scent.  When I realized that no matter how carefully you examined them, often you brought in the ants too..  I decided that leaving them in their own environment would be better. =^_^=   Sometimes what we want, and what is best, are not the same.  This saying is worth sharing with you again.

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We have a neighbour who is in his mid 90’s he still goes out, cuts the lawn, he sits down in lotus fashion to plant and weed, he walks without a cane, goes up and down his steps, he really is truly amazing in what he accomplishes. (he travels and works at his own pace, but he gets it done)  We know he does these things because we are right next door and see him out and about.  Someone passing the other day, rushed to help him when they saw him trying to fix his lawnmower, his voice,old and worn came through loud and clear, “no thank you, I’m fine”

peony bouquet for you

A floral bouquet for you dear reader.  May your day be blessed with sunshine and lots of happy moment.  Thank you for the visit.           Namaste   –   Oyashikiri

Chinese Proverb

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The person who says it cannot be done, should not interrupt the person doing it.

love knows no borders

Good morning everyone

 

 

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I was asked a question last night by someone who is just getting to know me.  He said “who are you anyway”, simple question I guess, but it was not an easy answer.  I’ve been reflecting on it since it was such a direct question, and I did not have a simple 1 liner answer.  For those of you reading this who have followed my many blogs and lived, experienced my numerous discoveries with me, I doubt you could come up with a one word answer yourselves, because certainly over the years I have rolled along life’s roadways simply living what the Universe put down before me.  That what life is to me, a journey in which I am always traveling  through the moments life presents to me.

When I was actively teaching lessons of the TAO through Chinese art forms, landscaping,martial arts, meditation, body work etc. it was always very interesting to me how different the reaction or answer would be when I asked a potential student why they had come to the Center.  How they had arrived at my door.  Answered varied, chronic pain, their doctor’s had recommended  something I was teaching/offering, anger management, wanting more  from the martial arts training they were getting.  Health care professionals who needed a release from the day to day pressures of their jobs.  Golfers wanting to improve their game.  It was a joy each day to work with people who had a thirst for more.  We wanted to take back control of their lives, to be more connected.  Yes I have been very blessed in  this life. I so appreciate all of my life experiences, for without them, I would not be the person I am today.

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In schools you are taught lessons, techniques, in life you learn to use these lessons.  It is not how much you learn, it is how you learn, it is not in the quantity of things you do, but in the quality of what you do.  In the last 20 years I  have seen a change in Massage Therapy. I was in one life a certified RMT (Registered Massage Therapist) why because to practice that Taoist  ”WAY” of body work, I required certification in the discipline as required by whatever State of Province I was working in.  Each geographical place had different levels of competence required. ( I’ll save my comments on this for another visit.)  Over my years I’ve had to acquire certification for this and for that, lots of useless pieces of card stock, that in time get grey and time worn and really serve no purpose except put $ into the accounts of the groups/associations that give out the renewal stickers.  I never put them up.

For teachers like myself, it isn’t about the numbers or the money, it is about the connection you make with another human being.  That said I soon learned that $ does for some reason  have an impact on the perceived value of the sessions.  I am generalizing here, but often when something is given free or at little cost, less value is put on what is being shared.  For most of my adult  life, I lived alone by choice. Work was my passion, and my life.  Work was something to do to earn money to live, but for me, I loved what I did, and so yes I needed the money to live, but I sure loved the experience of working. When I would get publicity, an interview on television, radio, or newsprint, the phones would go wild.  However I am one person, and I can only do so much, so…. in time…. the Universe worked it out for me…. and life settled back to a comfortable pace.

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I did not do combat sports, I did work with students of the art at perfecting what they were striving to do.  I did teach meditation, active and passive, but with each student I worked out what was best for them.  The land and nature were  and will always be, part of the teaching.  We gain strength through our hardships.  It is in repeated and often simple movement that we achieve great things.  There are no mistakes, only learning curves.

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CHANGE IS THE ONLY CONSTANT IN LIFE – the TAO

pictures .Pinterest

applause + praise

evolution

This photo sparked a lot of comments and not always pleasant back and forth between persons with various backgrounds arguing  about evolution, theory, science etc.  The picture itself was found on flavorchemist.livejournal.com.  LOL I did read a good many of the comments, and have to applaud each and everyone of the readers because they were really into it. EAchd held strong views, no one wanted to back down, and each was determined to make his/her point.  One picture, one issue, one statement  can illicit so many different reactions.  Applaud the differences, praise TAO  that you are blessed with a mind to focus on what is right for you, appreciate the blessings you have in your life, /Evolve spiritually on a daily basis.

Do we always have to have just one right-wrong.  In Tao, there cannot be one without the other.  There is not only one side to a coin.  We can only look OUT from with IN.

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Meditation

As long as one has 3 square feet of space

one can take a trip to paradise

You need only close your eyes

and follow your breathing to inner peace.

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Smiles and wishes you all a very  happy day!

Oyashikiri

pictures>Pinterest

words Q

Warm embrace

warm embrace

The warmth of the summer sun.

hugs-words

Words can comfort, but give someone a real hug today!

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Give someone a real hug today – share the love!

Oyashikiri

pictures -Pinterest

Shoes

SHOESOk you know  this is going to be a heavy when I bring shoes into the equation at this  hour of the morning. =^_^=  And NO, this is not just for my women friends, since knowing my friend Derek, I have been educated on the fact that some men love their shoes too. What is it about shoes that turn our c rank so much.  LOL how often have I heard that men love to see women in heels.  How the shoe can be the perfect foil for bad hair days, and days where you just don’t know what to wear. I only a few women friends who really don’t care about shoes.. most of us drool, and lust even after a new pair of shoes.  I have a Pinterest board with just shoes, its called 4 the love of shoes.  I amaze even myself on the choice of shoes that I am drawn to.  I have shoes tucked away that I will never wear, but I love knowing they are there.

shoe vintage 1930

 

This ad dates back to the 1930’s for as long as I can remember, I have loved shoes.  When I was younger of course, i spent a lot more time finding and wearing shoes, they were important to “my look/style”.  It wasn’t so much comfort but how they looked.  Although thanks to a very determined Mother, I did grow up with a strong sense of needing to wear and have a proper fit.  Mother I do still remember the brown lace up shoes you had me wearing when all my friends were in pretty feminine sandals.  Were they called Oxfords.. whatever, such shoes were not worn again once I was buying my own shoes.  OK everyone, here is the flash news.. now in my more “adult” years, guess what… I don’t wear Oxfords but I do wear what most call a sensible shoe.  Hand crafted, made in Germany Finn Comfort shoe. leather, good arch support, this is my go to shoe for at home,I could live in them 24 hours of the day.

shoes - finn comfort

 

I still love the heels, the glamour of the shoe, but I no longer spend oodles and oodles of dollars to have them in my closet.  Now I find then and put them on my Pinterest board .. I am not alone for I find them by the bushel full on the Fashionista pages.   Have you gone shopping for a good running shoe (sport training shoe) lately.  It is very hard to find a conservative pair that don’t shout out at you.

runner, Under Armour Shoe  Micro G. .Mantis

 

Where once I walked a cat walk, or strode down corporate corridors, now I hike the trails. Our feet take us everywhere, and travel the distance with us.  We don’t think with our feet, but we think on our feet.  Yet often I’ll notice inappropriate footwear and see it at the root of some of the physical ailments in today’s society.  Like seeing someone with asthma still smoking.  Now  especially now, when those around me are nearing their more senior years, or  in their famous  “mid years”, where the bodies that once took them everywhere and r covered quickly from various falls, knocks and bruises are being slow to mend.  Shoes are a really important component to staying in good health,  Keeping you mobile.  I still hear the little girl’s voice saying.. “I can’t wear those shoes to school, they’re ugly”  But today , this little girl, is a mucho  happy person with feel that still get her to where she wants to go.  Unlike many around me, I don’t suffer with back pain, sore legs, and fussy sensitive feet.

hiking trail, North Carolina

Now when I’m faced with a hiking trail that is rocky and uneven, I can move forward knowing that my feet (footwork) and balance will allow me to tread with confidence that I will make it up the hill and into the vista beyond.  That’s life, we need to prepare, we need to live today, so that our tomorrows whatever they will be, will be something we can handle easily.  Enjoy each moment of your day, build your “self” with the knowledge that good planning will benefit you in the long run. You can still enjoy a passion, you just may have to redirect and be creative on how you enjoy it  Life is ART.

shoes, runners

 

 

Welcome the day

silent - annewenzel.nl     moonriver on flickr

 

Yin/Yang – Black/White

we met, we talked, we danced,

the world went from dark to light

explosions came and went

and,   just like that

one life ended

another began

mystic silence - snake eyes Lou

Tender are the moments shared

Silent in my private world

I’ve waited for you

Today is brand new

I welcome you

.

*photo  found on annewenzel.nl

** photo pinned by Snake Eyes Lou -Pinterest

Funny how time slips away

places time forgot -monica roberts Pinterest (central coast)

This picture* was taken somewhere along the Central Coast, farmland,ocean, ocean, farmland with some nice mountains thrown in along the way for good measure.  I talk a lot about quiet, contemplation and the living life as it it presented to you.  Being unique each and every one of us, experiences life in a different way.  No matter how grown up I get,I never cease to be amazed at how much I am touched by another human beings courage, or determination in the face of challenging news or obstacles that are put in their paths.

places time forgot 2 peter young1 flickr

No matter how difficult today seems, when you have that piercing moment of stabbing pain and doubt, remember that it is only a passing segment in you life, and that tomorrow will be another day.  Actually in an hours time, this moment will be part of history.

LOL how often of late do I hear, darn I forgot what I came in to do, or I know I left my glasses somewhere, for me its my car keys, they turn up, inanimate objects get put down, or left behind when something new (thought/phone call/distraction) comes along.

places time forgot - found on 28dayslater.co.uk

In PL, there is a Principle that I have to work hard at everyday to do my best to live in this way.  It is PL Principle #2, I will not have complaints about others, matters, nor the weather. Rather I will always be creative and will look for shortcomings in my own thinking and actions.   Principle #6 – I will not be stubborn, being captured by my own thoughts.  There are only 21 principles in PL (Perfect Liberty) but by golly, each one packs a mitt full of lessons to work on …  My challenge every day is to try and bring each one into my life as my journey through the day progresses.

It helps me to be reminded to leave the past in the past, and to remember that what is important is what I am doing right now, this very moment. ( I smile thinking of you as I write this knowing that you will be reading my words sometime later today.)  A friend asked me who I am speaking to when I get personal … I’m speaking to each and ever pair of eyes that wander through my thoughts with me. I feel very blessed to have met you through this blog.  And believe me when I say that I appreciate each and everyone of you, I’ll never tire of our friendship, it will change, it will flow, and it will grow.  That is what life is all about.

places time forgot - blogs4fun271.blogspot.com  Thanh Bath

WE are not inanimate objects, we are a life form, part of the Universe, we survive and regroup, we are like the moss and the lush green forest that reclaims what time forgets.  It is a slow process, but the growth is life.  Life is beautiful in all its stages.

Ireland,heavens trail alianne Heemslerk

Ireland – Heaven’s Trail – every two years, (June 10-18) the stars line up with this path. Time – Funny how it slips away =^_^=

Now is always the start of something new. – Have a greet Saturday everyone! You are in my prayers – Oyashikiri

 

* posted by Monica Roberts -Pinterest

** the land that time forgot, by Peteryoung1 on flickr

*** found on 28dayslater.co.uk

**** blogs4fun271.blogspot.com

**** – Ireland, via Alianne Hemmsherk

Happiness is Contagious

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How often have you driven by such a scene and wondered, what it was like when the sounds of laughter echoed through the halls. The steps covered with layer of leaves, that lead up to the house remind me of the area on the front lawn where we had similar steps that led from the top of the lawn down to a second lot.  We were lucky we had a lot of area to play in.  Even though just across the street up  two houses was a playground, where in summer we ran around and used the swings and expanse of field to play ball, and in the winter, we watched hockey almost every night.  Those wanting just to skate had the side of the rink, and the   boys playing hockey used the other end of the rink and the inside.  Certain nights were  just for hockey practice, and other nights it was family night.  We all knew winter was on its way when we saw the rink boards go up.

rink boards

There was no social media,  you were outside with your friends, enjoying whatever activity was happening.   When old enough, we got to walk down to the juke joints, where we could have malts, egg rolls, fries and dogs while we gathered to “catch up” and dance. Most corner hang outs if there was a juke box had a small dance floor.  On week-ends, we often had local bands.  Every table (booth) had a small juke box.  In the summer we roller skated (not like the roller blading of today) We waltzed, two stepped and jived to organ music, in my case, the musician sat in an enclosure in the middle of the rink.  The last hour, hour and half was for the older skaters, kids under a certain age had to leave, so we could couple dance.  Good night sweetheart was always the last song played.

juke box

Oh what memories.  I loved my roller skates, even flew down to Santa Monica, California to skate along the board walk.

roller skates

 

WOW a trip down memory lane.  I was happy, happy, happy when I started to write and now I’m even happier.  Happiness is a state of mind and I truly enjoy being in this state.  “How can you say you are mostly always happy,” I’ve been asked this many times.  Its easy,when you like being happy this is your go to state of being.  Work is not a drain when you love what you are doing.  Love is good when you are happy to be IN love.  If you are going to do something, do it joyfully, enjoy it.

“I’m sick I don’t feel well, what is there to be happy about.”  hmmm easy answer, what is the alternative.  AND, what are you calling sick? I can be a big baby myself when I am in the throes of a knock down and dirty battle with a flu bug.  I accept it. Drown in it if I must, but I always know that it is a passing event.   I choose to be a grumbler or to be happy.  Guess what, when we are happy, we are more apt to draw others closer to us then when we are being negative.

 

 

 

 

 

Guten Tag ! Buongiorno!

awesome place -PinterestSometimes I just have to share with you some of my finds.

Sometimes I find a photograph that leaves me without words to express what I am thinking, or the wonder that fills my mind,  Is it real,  how did it happen or come to be…   It was posted on Pinterest by a Nathan Eames. (Poole,UK)

Every day I have such moments in my life.  Moments where I am simply overcome with an emotion that carries me away.  It could be something as  simple as walking outside with one of the dogs and seeing a squirrel run across the hydro or telephone line as easily as I walk along a sidewalk.  The other day I noticed a small purple violet peaking out from a small clump of freshly unfurled moss green leaves.  There are crumbling pieces of broken concrete from a weather worn bird bath that somehow seem to give character to the  sprawling juniper.  If I look even harder I see the faces of long forgotten art dolls looking out at me wondering if I’ve forgotten them.  I have.  There is just so much to see, explore and experience right here at home, yet when I see the finds of others. like the picture above.  I truly am amazed.   Isn’t technology wonderful. How blessed we are to live in an age of “social media” where artists can share their works, visual and otherwise by simply posting it for others to see.

awesome moon - via Jane Abernathy Hahn

 

Value your time here, actually see the world around you, listen to the sounds of life that fill your day. Most of all, appreciate the true worth of those around you.  Family, friends, tell someone you care, don’t assume they know.  We all need to know we matter in someone else’s world.

No matter how big or small the part we play, we are all ONE under the moon/stars/sun.    Blessings…      Oyashikiri

bear hugs

 

bottom photo via Jane Abernathy Hahn -Pinterest

 

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