PL Principle # 3 I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.
This bird is so beautiful so majestic -I look forward to the day, I get to see one myself
last photo here, NumOttawa
Be careful about saying “It’s probably good enough” Wholeheartedly do what you notice, when and how you notice it.
Perfect Liberty 2021.29
I want to say how much I appreciate the above photographers who so graciously allow me to share with you their awesome captures. My heartfelt thanks Kevin, Num and Ed, you are “tops”. See Instagram for more of their work.
Agility not being on my side today, I did make noise as I determinedly made my way through the brush along the shoreline to try to make my way to the end of the peninsula.
I climbed over fallen branches, dead trees, slipped down the embankment into the mud, even crossed a car length of water on a tree limb and a make shift stepping stone with a wooden plank to get to more of the peninsula. I was tired and getting weary, but I was determined to get to the end of the bit of land I was exploring.
My reward was that as I went the last few steps, I saw a Canada Goose out in the water, using my zoom I tried to bring him in focus, while keeping my balance on the uneven terrain. I was having a bit of a time, it was very uneven and full of overgrown brush and vegetation. Something made me aware that I was not alone, I cautiously looked to either side of me, but didn’t see anything… then I saw that the Goose was heading back towards me, and I looked down, just a few feet away from me, sat his partner.. staring up at me.
The queen herself, watching me, wondering what this silly human was doing in her space.
I know I like to explore, and I like being in places where I’m not likely to meet any other person on a walk, I suspect that they had chosen this place because it was far from human traffic, for sure, it was not an easy journey through the overgrown vegetation and dead wood that was everywhere. but, this crazy lady came to visit. They were both actually very calm about it all. You can see, when he got closer and saw that I wasn’t a threat, he stopped to primp himself. Needless to say, I was thrilled to the bone. I felt like I had just won the lottery.
Happiness is, a day out in the world, being ONE with nature, yes, I had to scramble over logs, deep holes in the ground, watch for branches that reached out to block my path, stumbled over dead roots reaching up out of the debris that littered the ground, but I was alive, and I was focused on every moment of my experience. The memory of that moment where her eyes looked into mine, will stay with me forever. She was so close, so near, and so unruffled … her serenity in the moment, was a gift//blessing.
Be very careful about doing things you really like. Do everything in moderation, when you overdo, you’ll lose your balance.
Perfect Liberty 2021.26
This is a good one for me to pay attention to. I have a tendency to get carried away if I start doing something that I really like doing. I can get lost in the project/moment, creating an issue or lack of time for something else I “should” be doing.
For instance today I was headed for Jack Pine trail, I wanted to add it to my list of nature trails that I have to too .. and to start a file on it… that I can expand on as the days/months roll by, Driving by Lime Kiln I thought to take a quick look at the cut trees that had been downed the other day. The quick moment turned into a better part of half an hour. There were black birds in the area I was .. I started to focus on getting a good picture of them.. then realized that if I did that, time would be taken from my trip to Jack Pine.. why did I have to watch the time… … I’d been to Costco, and had items in the car that needed to get to my freezer… like duh.. multi tasking has its own set of problems one has to watch for and pay attention to.
nothing erases worry/anxiety, like a walk in the woods
I found out when I stopped at a pharmacy before arriving at Dewberry that i did not have my wallet.! Worry or walk in the woods, I walked!
At every turn, every bridge, or detour over a swampy patch, there was something new, some wonder to exclaim at, to stop and capture to revisit later on my screen.
today would have been my husband’s 73rd birthday, I was a tad sad when I realized this, then I thought of how much he and I loved to walk and loose ourselves in the woods and back roads. He would have enjoyed today’s walk and the dogs would have had a fun outing, as it was, I was on my own dogs are not allowed in this part of the woodlands. They were with me in spirit. I found it fitting that I came across two young men and the youngsters they had with them.. they were teaching the children about the new growth and the excitement of discovery in the woods. I couldn’t help but hear as I passed them, that they were talking of their church and how the teachings they were learning there, harmonized with their visit today in the woods. Amen!
“I’ll do it later. No, I’ll do it now.” To make progress do anything while it is still fresh.
the fella has seen a lot and shows his history proud
there is something about a bird in flight – that sense of freedom it represents.
there are black birds everywhere these days. ( 2 bird photos Num Ottawa)
Today in PL we celebrate (21st of each month) A day of Appreciation – It is an important service, we give thanks and express our appreciation for the many blessings in our lives. We members humbly express our appreciation to God for all the blessings of the past month and sincerely ask to be guided and protected in the coming months, We renew our determination to follow and practice the PL teachings.
Due to Covid restrictions, tonight’s ceremony will be performed by Rev. Eugene at 7 pm. but the church itself will not be open. Instead we ask you to pray with us from home. If you wish to visit the church personally during the day, you may do so, please call ahead first.
Sunday service will take place like it did last week, please check in with us, we will have limited capacity. Sunday service will be at 10 a.m.
A thankful heart leads to happiness. When we really pay attention, we are surrounded by many things we can be thankful for; society we live in, the kindness shown to us by others. You will be able to find true happiness when you can see and appreciate these things.
Perfect Liberty 2015.21
Express your appreciation with enthusiasm. Appreciation is the driving force for progress and development/
Sometimes, my mind is not always present. This was my first visit to Petrie Island in a long time. I parked and walked across to the inlet, and was startled by a black bird who few right up to me and landed just a heart beat away. He puffed up his chest opened his wings and I was delighted at his welcome, managed to grab a picture, and then took a few more of the water behind him and the activity in the bay. Guess who had not put her memory card back in her camera.
I grabbed for my cell phone but of course, by the time I did all that the bird and his partner were long gone. I continued on the trail chastising myself.. mutter mutter… I did get some pictures with the cell, but the cell is not my Nikon or the Canon .. The two ducks I came across were no interested in me, they basically ignored my presence. I am not standing all that far a way from them when I was taking their pictures.
I will go back. I went out today because the forecast calls for a nice temperature today, and sun, the rest of the week till Friday, is overcast with rain, and in the low 40’s. This was the first time I’ve ever not returned my memory card to the camera when done with the transfer of pictures from the card to my PC. Hopefully it will be my last.
In the summer, this location is full of people enjoying the island and the waters around it. Today it was quiet, there were people but not too many. It was ideal for a relaxing wander … I could hear all kinds of birds over head, but I lack the zoom lenses that my wildlife photographer friends have, so .. I just took my time walking the trail and listened.
It is truly a blessing to be able to enjoy such beauty minutes away from my home.
meet the robin that walked along with me for part of my journey.
Weak tired and weary, I took to my bed early. The activities of yesterday had drained me physically, and left me wanting to do nothing but take myself to bed. I was almost settled in, when I heard my phone ping. Usually I have it turned off, or down but I hadn’t done it yet. I checked my Instagram since that was the last app I’d used. Walloping kadoodle.. Num had posted these pictures of an ermine he’s spotted in the woods. I was so excited I got up and came into my office to see them on the big screen. I had to write him and congratulate him on his captures. I’ve seen them now a couple of times, they are fast, they move with the speed of light and are so agile and graceful… that he was able to capture this little one with three good pictures .. I was delighted, couldn’t wait to send him a message. Thank you Num you are amazing.
Isn’t she/he just the most darling of creatures. The one I’ve seen has been at Dewberry in the east end, if I recall he found this darling in the west end. I had been heading for Sarsaparilla trail on my way to church but had gotten sidetracked, and ended up at Beaver Trail. Ottawa is a delight for nature & wildlife photographers, we have dozens of woodlands, forests and green spaces within and all around the city.
It’s Okay! God is watching over you. things turn out for the best. Don’t be captured by momentary troubles but continue doing everything with sincerity.
Perfect Liberty 2021.19
you can see more of Num’s captures on Instagram – NumOttawa
Succulents, I remember when they were a passion and I scoured every nursery around for miles to acquire another variety for my indoor garden. Where I live in Canada, they were an indoor plant, could be put out in the summer months but for sure had to come back in come fall and winter. Eventually I moved on, but I still stop and admire them when I see them being offered in the plant section of a shop I’m in.
Interests, hobbies, change over the years, at least for me they have. I always said, I don’t have time for hobbies, but I am sure that friends who have been around me for years, will rolls their eyes and simply give a snort, should I be heard giving voice to such a statement now. Of course I don’t see all my creative interests as a “hobby” I see them as simply a part of my every day .. a way of expressing a thought, expression or to make “statement”. Words, can be so ambiguous. Mean one thing to one person, and something else entirely to someone else.
I think I am a visual person, I like to create with my “tools” for the visual results. Yet someone will argue, you are a writer, you love words and use words to create and tell “stories”. hmmmm that is true, I do that. Still I think I lean more towards being a visual person. Any thoughts on this? Are words not visual?
Today is Sunday, we have service at 10 a.m. with LIMITED capacity. I know Rev. Eugene sent out a notice earlier in the week, for those of you who will not be attending physically due to the limited physical seating, please join us in prayers this morning, from the comfort of your homes. If you are able to connect to the service in Brazil, use the link provided by the church Hokyoshi and enjoy!
Do everything willingly and joyfully. Your upbeat attitude will make things more cheerful and enjoyable.
Make today a different day. Instead of doing the same old thing be creative and do things to improve your day.
Perfect Liberty 2021.17
No effort is ever wasted. Even if no one witnesses your actions, God is watching you. No matte how small your effort, your Makoto (sincerity) will always be rewarded
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.