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day 1 2018

card 1.1.18

First card of the new year.     =^_^= “Life Is art”  PL Precept #1.  Will head out to the church soon for our 11 o’clock ceremony.  We have four major ceremonies in PL, and Monthly ceremonies, today’s occurs on the 1st of each month.  Day of Peace.

Through this ceremony we gather and pray for World Peace.

Let us join in prayer today, that everyday will see us focus on working together towards, making this a better place, loving, caring and sharing.  Appreciation and gratitude being the foundation of our days.

Always and forever.. Oneness with the Universe…

Oyashikiri

 

Thursday doors -windows

houses 2x

Good morning everyone, the holidays are fast approaching.  We are busy trying to settle back into a routine, and I am once more running the roads on errands.  I am especially trying to beat the rush that will take place closer to the week-end, it will be impossible to find parking in the shopping mall parking lots.  Already there is a sea of cars as far as the eye can see in the bigger centers near us.

Norm’s Thursday doors, is a huge interest to me, doors being so much a part of my life over the years.  I am a keen  buff on older homes, doors, windows and all that go along in the inspiration of my creative spirit.

The I found this collection of hand stitched works of art, sitting waiting to be framed in a  thrift shop of all places.  Someone had spent hours carefully building these charmers stitch by stitch.  That to me is a true love of houses, windows and doors. Having attempted at one time this craft, I had full appreciation for the hours spent on putting these together.

If I have learned anything during the last few weeks, it is that what we see on the outside is not necessarily what is going on “inside”  Our bodies house our “souls” the vibrant and vital energy this is our “lives”.  The windows and doors, are the way we look out, and how we maneuver the in and outs of our journey through this life.  In some ways they reflect our personalities .. many times, they are merely shelters.  It is what goes  on, inside the house, that makes it a home.

PL (Perfect Liberty) celebrates every 21st of the month, with a Thanksgiving ceremony.  The service is dedicated to giving our appreciation and gratitude for the blessings we have received through the month.  Think today as you read this, just how many blessings you have received in the last few days.  There are always positives, we need only be receptive to them.

At first I was sad that the beautiful work someone had done was now in a Thrift Shop, then I realized that it was the joy in stitching that was the person’s pleasure, and now, I was happy in the discovery.  Sharing his/her work with you, is also a “happy”… May the many little windows and doors open for you today.

Find the sunshine, find the happy, in your day.  You will be blessed in many ways.

Oyashikiri

 

 

a door closes, one opens

Dec.13 in bloom

In life we pass through many doors, some close and never open again, others close for the moment, and then reopen slowly to let the sunshine in, and the air is fresh and clear.  Like a perfect sunny day in December should be.

dec 13th b

A favourite flower to watch bloom, when it opens is a joy to behold. I have been overwhelmed by your kindness and caring.  I felt it only right to share our news with you.  smiles out at her community of caring hearts.  The surgery was scheduled for 8, we were asked to be at the hospital for 6.  At 5:15 my amazing husband wakes me “Q it is 5:15 I am ready to go, I’ll be in the truck waiting, can you be ready to leave for 5:30”   Ladies  I ask you…  this is the faith he has in me. catch my wink and smile  You all know I rose to the challenge and was ready with my coffee with minutes to spare.

And NO.. I am not going to tell you what I looked like.. LOL …. Let us just say I was presentable

Bottom line, the surgery was to have been from 8:30 to 4:30 and I was told that I likely would not be able to see him till after 6pm.  I received a call mid afternoon, they were unable to proceed, they saw it had spread, did a biopsy and yes, it was more cancer cells.  Rather than put him through a major surgery at this time, they checked the tumour that was there, saw that the previous treatments had dealt with it in a positive way.  And “sewed” him back up.  GOOD NEWS and some not so good news.

However, we are happy, we will only be apart a short time, and he will be home. Yes there is more treatments to come, and he and the medical team he deals with, will be there to coach and help us.  ALWAYS GOD IS WITH US, every step of the way.

Myself personally, your consistent supportive encouragement and caring words have been such a blessing.  Know that we/I truly appreciate each and everyone of you for what you bring into my life. Personally, online, from wherever, I love you all. You are all so special in your own way.

dec 13th a

A flowers beauty will fade, but the last memory of the beauty in its BEING, will last forever.  PL Precept #11    Always be with God

Oyashikiri

 

The only constant in life is Change 

chop suey 12.11.

Dec.11

No, not my birthday, but I am sure it must be somebody’s birthday, somewhere.  With my husband’s surgery fast approaching, I am finding that playing in my studio is a distraction that I find “restful”   In the truck I have been listening to a story about King Henry the VIII’s last wife, Catherine Parr, and the court life she led.  Interesting enough I guess, but I have decided I can do without the court drama.

The radio is either Holiday music, or if it is talk radio… the news, happenings of the day, budgets, politics and again, not what I call ambient for a soothing companion while I travel around doing last-minute errands.

skyline card started 2.25.17

On Sunday, the church was all festive with a decorated Holiday tree, even had lights. That was a nice surprise, I realized that each year, my husband has put up coloured lights on the garage, of  course, this year, that hasn’t been done.  Seeing the lights, reminded me that yes, it is the holiday season… but… for us… we will miss it all, it will be a quiet and hopefully healing one.

The Tree 5.20.17Snow is in the forecast, starting early evening, and, on into the night and most of tomorrow.  For everyone wanting a white Christmas, looks like you just might get your wish.

May the joy of the holidays fill your homes with glad tidings.  The merriment of shared laughter and tender moments be the ingredients of your days, and peace and serenity the balm of your nights.

Oyashikiri

 

art work and photos- mine

PL Church

Dec.5.17 Olinda

Good morning everyone.  Tuesday, Dec. 5, and it is a mild day with rain.  I heard that the mild weather will stick around for a couple more days.  Somewhere I saw a big sun in one of the forecasts showing on most of the days of this week.

To me,  our  church here in Ottawa is beautiful.  Clean lines, no clutter, you could be walking into a clinic, it seems so bare compared to the buildings I am entering especially at this time of year.  As I walked towards the front of the church to pray, I caught a glimpse of colour.  I paused to looked over.. WOW simplicity making  a statement.  Whether it was just the time of day, sun streaming in from the large windows but the play of light and shadows was such, that I rushed to get my phone.

A minister’s wife is someone in the PL ministry that supports and works with the minister at maintaining and providing a “home” for its members.  This current minister’s wife is very quiet, speaks little English and never misses the opportunity to give you a warm welcome when she sees you.  She is also creative and talented, there are little touches everywhere that turn up like the arrangement above, when you least expect it to.  These little offerings are not only “a breath of fresh air” they brighten a day, and for this we really appreciate her silent gifts.

Her understanding of how to help a worn out or troubled “soul” whether with a cup  of coffee, in my case, unlike everyone I only drink iced coffee, black.  Yet, like magic a cold glass of ice with coffee will appear where I am working/sitting. It is humbling to experience such generosity of SELF.  Over the time I have known her, I appreciate her goodness more and more.  Could I be so selfless, so caring, to live every day for the good of others, in a country where the language is so different, never mind customs and cultural differences.

She makes me realize what I know, but don’t always practice, that “actions speak louder than words”  In PL, it is said.. “Church is a spiritual home away from home” and a “place to find your Inner-Self”.  I was at the church to  pray and to ask for help in the coming days.  I came away with such a wonderful feeling of “happiness”  yes the praying was good, but the flowers touched me..  the knowing and recognition of what a blessing she is…Today is about saying thank you to a beautiful lady.

Dec.5.17 Olinda x

Without saying a word, this arrangement, spoke volumes.

Oyashikiri

PL Precept # 21 Live ink Perfect Liberty

 

 

 

 

the door, the fence

airplane 3

You can see it, you can hear it, but you just can’t get to it.  The door is there, it opens, but even when it is just a short distance away, there is no access.

Life holds such moments at every turn.  We can look at attaining access to the door, there is a way in, but the time, or the moment is just not right

airplane

You can walk closer, but the fence is still there, the door is still there, but at the moment in time while you are standing there …you can only look and contemplate. How badly you want access to that door, will determine what actions you will take.  Even if you obtain access to the door, what then, the operation of the plane is in someone else’s skill set, not yours.

Such situations when they occur, bring to our attention how well we do with waiting, being patient, and learning to appreciate that this is a lesson that is important.  We may not know why it is, not at the moment, we are looking through the fence… but as sure as night follows day, why the delay, or why the opportunity presented itself, will be known.

PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point

PL Precept # 5  One’s Self is lost by being Emotional

Being upset by something we have no control over, nor change is a waste of energy. Instead, be grateful you are alive to live the moment, and that in doing so, life is progressing, and from the experience, you will gain inner strength.. focus on the positives… the fence will stay there, but you will find a way, it is only at that one moment, that access is not possible.  If there is a fence, there is a gate, if there is a door, someone will eventually come to that door.

Change is the only constant in life.

Oyashkiri

 

Warning ##|\!

McDonalds 5.31.17I have stopped listening to the audio recording of Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosserr I simply could not listen to another CD.  Not because it was awful, the truth is, it is an interesting and well researched book/CD. “Part investigative journalism, part social criticism,” it was a New York Times bestseller and has been critically acclaimed.

On the back cover, it says ” a fine piece of muckraking, alarming without being alarmist”..  my sensibilities just couldn’t take anymore.. I got up to CD 5 and couldn’t listen to anymore.  “the dark side of the all American meal”  The laws in Canada are not the same as the USA, never-the-less…   There is a lot of common sense, and ah ha  moments. If you are not aware of this book, or this author,  then if you are  interested in something different.. please check it out.  I got mine at the public library, I thought it was something else, I really didn’t peruse it… I just thought it was a quick and easy…. NOT!

The news these days has been so repetitive, bleak and often shake your head, sad.. that I thought it would be a change.. NOT!

Time to find a feel good holiday movie to watch, or simply listen to music, if I thought I could go to sleep, wake up and the world would be different… nah.. that is wishful thinking…

Dickens project.11.25.17_001

Time to find a quiet world, where the air is clear, thoughts are able to chill, and time for a while, floats in a happy space.

Oyashikiri

 

2nd pic, SL Second Life

audio by Rick Adamson (excellent)

 

orange tree

orange tree xI loved this little orange tree.  Every year I would prune it back and bring it inside so it could survive our Canadian winters.  Circumstances were that it grew very big, and we simply were unable to bring it back in.

Fortunately, our niece knew of just the right home and the little, now larger orange tree, went to live somewhere new.  Happiness is letting go, knowing when it is time to say good-bye so that life can continue to grow and bring joy to someone else.

For months now we have been trying to declutter.  We have been finding things we forgot we had.  They are leaving to begin their lives again. Going where they can be rediscovered, and enjoyed and used in the light of day.  Not stored away and forgotten.

When I see piles of this and that.. I’m heartened knowing it is temporary, every day a  bag or box leaves for somewhere else.  It is a work in process.

What are you working on today? Strive towards a positive outcome.  Life is good!!!

“Happiness is giving it away”

Oyashikiri

PL Precept #15  All is a Mirror

 

 

Monday – reflection

 

IMG_4257

I came home from church yesterday to find out that Keeper had gone missing.  She had slipped out the door before my husband could close it. He tried to follow her, but in his weakened condition, she proved to be more determined then he, and for his efforts he landed on the curb while she ran merrily on her way.  Of course, new to the area, she got lost.

As fate would have it, I had gone out without my cell.  He had no way to reach me, I was doing errands on my way back  home.  In brief, I was devastated, crushed beyond measure, every death in the last year, every parting that have visited my life this year, came crashing down on me.  The damn opened and I have never in my life known such emotional ripping apart of my “soul”  I cried, screamed, wailed, I scared myself.  Never in my life have I had such immediate pain and felt so ripped apart.

All I could think of was NOTHING, the grieving in my total being had taken over and all I could do was allow the emotions to express themselves.  Prayer, Pray Pray, Pray… in the  quiet spaces before the wailing began again & again, I called the church, the Humane Society, the Police…. my common sense prevailed, I did not use 911.. but called their main number.  my voice cracked I could barely speak my vocal chords were in shock, I’m sure.

Keeper is home.  Someone called animal control, they came brought her back to the shelter, checked her microchip, called the breeders*, who like knights in shining armour from days of old, jumped into their car and did their best not to speed into the city.  They  got the call at 3:15 or so,  the shelter closed at 4 pm.

It was a harrowing day, Keeper and I were in bed very early,  we slept till this morning, glued together in relief.  Poor Velcro, didn’t know what was happening around him, he is such a patient, and caring soul. The dogs commiserated happily when they met up.  Big brother was welcoming to his delinquent sister, he didn’t scold for the anxiety she unwittingly caused, in all four of her humans.

I don’t know why it was deemed necessary that I experience such a torrent of emotions, but… it did certainly allow for an emptying of any and all emotions I may have been holding back.  Life IS.

I am so grateful and thankful for the kindness of the strangers, that due to their caring  and good intentions, made the choices that brought Keeper home.

PL Precept #18  Each moment is a Turning Point

Oyashikiri

 

*Hounds of Freckashpeng

 

Reflection

Darren 2015 Monterey Bay Ca

quiet reflection

a moment of silence

a prayer for peace

a prayer for understanding

join in prayer today

reach out

show you care

kindness, love and compassion

communications that come from the heart

is how we start

to do our part

world peace

begins with us

we can make a difference

Believe, have faith

it can be done

seasons come and go

“life is art”

Oyashikiri

 

top photo – Hillwalker (D.Su)

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