Life is a buffet of moments. WE decide how much, how little effort, we put into being happy.
Make happiness with willingness. People who like to make an effort can enjoy anything. Those who spare no effort for anything and anyone know the joy of making art. Make an effort with willingness.
Perfect Liberty 2023.6 translation to English done in Japan.
Listen to others until the end. If you put your thoughts first, you will not be able to listen to others until the end, firstly listen to others to the end and understand them well.
Let’s Pray for world Peace. The path to World Peace will open up with each person’s prayer for peace.
Perfect Liberty 2023.1
Let’s look at and listen to Others with an Open Mind. your judgement becomes clouded when you look at a situation or person with preconceived notions. Observe them for what they actually are.
There is something so magical about watching the sun make its appearance . A brand new day. New beginning, a fresh perspective, how wonderful the moment is when you see it between the trees teasing and tempting. There is no way I can ignore the majesty of it all.
There isn’t another car in sight, I slow down, looking for that perfect moment to stop the car… of course when I get out of the car, my view is different, and I have to walk around the car and walk up or back down the road to see if I can catch the glowing ball of fire before it drifts out of my sight.
The birds are quiet today, ok, well not all of them, the nuthatch are not carrying on, but the Jays are being absolutely silly. I’ve spoiled them, usually as soon as I get out of the car, I throw out handfuls of peanuts in a shell. LOL … now they expect it.. The evening grosbeaks are being patient, I can hear one or two of them begin their song. But… I’m still focused on getting a picture… which I did.. and only then did I dutifully go tend my charges.
Get things started with Grit. If you work on things in daily life with the attitude of “let’s do it!” you will feel a power to accomplish things. People around you will rely on you.
Perfect lIberty 2023.29
I have been tired a lot of late. So much so, it has been a bit of a worry. YET the Vitamines D and B the magnesium and and and.. that were recommended sit on my counter. Not being opened or used. What is it with me (part of me) anyway! What I have been doing, is still cleaning up (per Chinese New Year tradition) and yesterday…. finally…. I took out the “brasso” (cleaner) and cleaned my prayer bowls.
Little steps right….
Oyashikiri -love, gratitude and appreciation everyone.. there is no me without you.
In every garden there lives a dragon. They come in many sizes shapes and colours, mine is rare and elusive. He has the uncanny ability to show up in the darndest places. always he is watching, he never really lets me out of his sight. He is so good at it that I often forget that he is there. He though, does not forget, dragons are forever, and nothing is going to happen on his watch.
Today with all the snow, I had to exert myself probably more than I should have… I was feeling faint, having just cleared an area again for the third time (that is how much snow fell overnight and during the day) that I had to lean on the shovel, my breathing was quick and almost harsh.. I knew I was over extending, but I wanted it done. Besides I told myself… neighbours are all at work, no one is going to hear my laboured breathing…
Then I heard the hissing sound… it was soft but there could be no doubt that it was a warning, not a gentle purr, but a hissing that stopped me still. I looked over the mound of snow towards the tree where the dragon has a den… and there covered in snow he stood glaring. Whether he’d come out of the den or had just returned from one of his celestial journeys… I didn’t know.. but I knew the silent command, Stop.. enough!
Of course he was right, I was light headed now.. I came back in, looked around at the mess in the kitchen and decided, it would have to wait. I went to lie down… it took a bit of time, but the breathing calmed and I fell into a light sleep. (On waking I did take my blood sugar level to make sure my number(s) were not too high or low.)
I am blessed to have a dragon in my life. the dragon symbolizes power, change, and spiritualty, as well as good luck, fortune and prosperity. In many cultures the dragon is a protector. For sure mine is. He guides me and helps me tap into my power. A dragon has potent and auspicious powers.
Am I being fanciful .. still dreaming… who knows… all I know is that having a dragon in my life is super fantastic. Gives a whole new meaning to unconditional love.
The moon is known to have a calming and serene presence. As we enter the new year, it is good to keep in mind that today is just the beginning. We are blessed with the opportunity to visit with the moon every night – to let the soft glow of its light bathe and heal the constant chatter/activity of the day. On nights when the moon rays shine in through the open window, curtains are pulled back so that the shimmering light will give just enough light for your eyes to gently close… and your mind rest.
Always have presence of mind. If you overexert yourself, you will get easily swayed by emotion. Always put the best Makoto with presence of mind.
Perfect Liberty 2023.25
Use Dissatisfaction and complaints as a springboard to improvement.
Having the whole area to myself, meant I could be a little silly. OK, well maybe a bit more than a little… I had a great time, I could run, jump, spin,turn and do a stretch and bend, I tried a few high kicks.. and discovered that I no longer have that can can kick I used to be able to do. hmmm. was it because of my big winter boots*, my 2 winter weight vests, my big winter quilted coat.. or… was it plain and simple I’m not in the same condition I was 10 years ago. (* I blamed my cleats that I have put on my winter boots for stopping my ability to glide and spin properly..)
I made the time to walk the whole area, making sure I put makoto (sincerity) into every step. I had no excuse, no diversions.. I was alone… even the birds had other things to interest them.. they were not following me or wondering what I was doing.. I got about 20 minutes of walking, skipping, etc. before another car came crawling along the road and into the parking area.
Today’s little “time to myself” moments were needed. Why I think I have to be out and at the feeders at a given time is beyond me.. I need to work on my “I’m retired” skills. Yesterday I did the walk (the trail that winds its way through the evergreens at P23) and today I “played” in the parking lot. I’d say it is a good start to the new year. Keeping active will ensure that my “body/mind” will not get lazy.
Don’t rush or allow yourself to get flustered. When you rush, it limits your ability to pay attention to detail, and often leads to careless mistakes. With a prayerful mind, take a deep breath and act calmly.
Perfect Liberty 2016.22
See the dragon looking up, waiting to be fed?
Playmates are everywhere… one just has to be watchful, and aware … they are lurking waiting to be seen/found.
Not a soul did I meet on the trail. One young lad came along on a winter snow bike (wide tires made for biking snow trails) he disappeared within seconds, only to be seen in the distance later on when I was on the trail that loops back to the parking lot. It was overcast, skies were rather dull and the clouds were plentiful, never-the-less it was like a mini winter wonderland. The birds were quiet, it was a tranquil walk that led me past the familiar and loved winter white evergreen and trees, along the trail.
Look.. this is the red belly woodpecker, .. sorry no. it is not the one hanging around the feeders, but one that Photographer Hien T. Nguyen ( Neihtn2012) took, I have permission to share it with you. https://neihtn.wordpress.com/2023/01/22/five-seconds/
Yes, patience is a virtue. Birders at P23 yesterday found our little guy flying around enjoying himself yesterday. Be aware that the feeders have also been drawing a few sightings of not so welcome guests… but then… to meet the very diverse community, you’ll have to drop by won’t you. =^_^=
Being asked for a favour is a chance. When someone asks for a favour from you, this is a chance for you to help others. Face the chance proactively.
TAOIST Life is Art (Perfect Liberty precept #1)
contact info.- via blogs
--- there are two energies, Yin and Yang = ONE
---to have balance we must live each moment
of our lives.. with Makoto (sincerity)
The only constant in life is change. I am grounded in the reality of Living.
This is true, in all worlds. RL or virtual. I am me and only me.