Doorways by Dave RenzDoorways by Dave RenzDoorways by Dave RenzDoorways by Dave RenzDoorways by Dave RenzDoorways by Dave Renz
The charm of doorways found in Quebec City.
I don’t get to travel around as much as I used to … or would like to… I’m so grateful to have friends who know of my love of doors and send me smiles when they are away. Blessings come in all shapes and sizes, I am blessed with friends who are thoughtful and caring.
Today on Thanksgiving (PL day of Appreciation) I give thanks as I do every month on the 21st. for my valued friends. It is impossible to tell them everyday, but I pray every day and keep them in my heart always. Friendships are gifts that are treasures that enhance our lives.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Let’s live with gratitude towards everyone and everything all day today.
Perfect Liberty 2022.21
PL Service of Appreciation (Thanksgiving) is this evening at 7 pm
Come on … let’s go.. last one to arrive, catches dinner. – ever notice, we are always on the move, there is someplace to be, something to do, someone waiting…
Start today with a fresh outlook. even though people and situations may look the same, they are constantly changing, Start each day with a fresh mind.
Perfect Liberty 2022.17
Let’s look at and listen to others with an open mind. your judgment becomes clouded when you look at a situation or person with preconceived notions. Observe them for what they actually are.
Good morning everyone, these were the colourful blooms outside the window of the social room at the church yesterday. The lovely pink flowers on the left were the subject of much conversation. No one remembers planting them, or seeing them before. In fact, everyone present remembered t hem as being an orange before? So dear readers… do these flowers have a habit of changing colours as they make their way through the growing cycle? I know that many of you are plants wonders….thoughts?
When you face difficulties, start with anything you can do. When you are able to grasp the situation, you will surely be able to notice something that you can do.
Perfect Liberty 2022.12
I am reminding everyone early, that on August 1st. we will be celebrating Founders’ Day (Kyososai), watch for announcements. Service is usually at 10 a.m. through this ceremony we rededicate ourselves to the teachings of PL (Perfect Liberty) and the realization of World Peace.
Hognose Snake from Texas – Yeah.. how about that, a snake. In a conversation happening around me, I heard someone say they saw a hognose.. I had no idea, when I said, what is a hognose, that someone would send me a link and a picture(s). OK. I who walk across the road to avoid a small little garter snake, was slightly taken off guard. Not something I would go out of my way to see, or know about.
I’m a city gal, and I tend to live and frequent areas where if there are snakes they are not where I come across them. Plus I live in a climate that doesn’t encourage snakes to be part of the landscapes I visit In reading about this little wonder .. it seems that to some its so cute they have them as a pet. Yeah. that is something wouldn’t come to mind if I saw one near me. It is known to be a bit of a “drama queen” it seems when it is threatened one of its defenses is to play dead.. I’m not going to link you to that video, but it is interesting .. the snake does put on a performance. While its playing dead it is giving off a putrid awful smell to add to the deceit that it is rotting/decaying/dead.
If I am to transform my negative thinking, try to be more positive and open to new ideas/thoughts etc. then taking a moment to read about this little critter is a step in the right direction. I learned that this “animal” has a personality, it thinks (not like we do), it has some kind of intelligence that keeps it going during its lifetime, helps it hunt and survive… Aren’t we, also daily doing our best to adapt and survive.
Express yourself clearly so others can understand you. When you can’t communicate clearly, it can lead to problems. Always express yourself carefully to avoid any misunderstanding.
Perfect Liberty 2022.9
Till soon
Service tomorrow July 10 will be at 10: a.m.
service Monday July 11. Ancestors day, there will be a ceremony at 10: a.m.
A beautiful sunny day, the entrance to the site is still closed to visitors. The trees lie where they have fallen, the exposed roots lay bare for all to see. There is no access to the paths or the outdoor facility. Destruction is everywhere. The birds and wildlife are back to singing and going about their business, but to the human visitor, the paths are littered with fallen trees and branches. Very dangerous.
As I wandered on the outskirts of the debris.. I heard a chain saw. Curious I made my way back to the entrance, where a young woman had backed up her truck and was cutting away the limbs that were within her reach. She explained she was gathering up wood for the winter… some of it was obviously too green, but she said, it will be dry for next winter.
I am not an official of the conservation area, I could only caution her as to the risk she would be taking if she ventured into the woods.. I could understand her wanting to gather up the dead wood, her logic was that as people cleared up and put the fallen branches and tree parts to the curb.. there was so much of it, often it could not all be gathered up in one go. So she was in her own way, helping declutter. (her logic)
Since I myself collect fallen bits and pieces for my wood carving and whittling.. I could do nothing but smile and encourage her to be cautious. Life… is what it is…
Start by thinking “let’s do it” Once you decide to do something and put your whole heart into it, things will start moving forward.
Perfect Liberty 2022.8
Yes there is potential danger we had such a severe storm, and damage in areas is brutal. However, life is what it is and nature will continue to grow and recycle. I am drawn like a moth to a flame. I find comfort in being near and part of what IS. What will be, will be.. No more, no less.
Simplify your routine – be gentle to yourself. Listen to the the sights and sounds around you. Eat more mindfully, tone, stretch breathe, and relax!
In Canada, .. July 1. is Canada Day!
Brighten up your day with happy thoughts, shared moments. Its been a long time since I’ve been inspired to just sit down at my computer and put together a visual thought. A thought /verse or moment that pops up in my head and simply needs to be visualized.* If you are a writer/artist, you know about those moments when “inspiration hits”… we say.. “Oh, great idea” and then we move on to doing something else or finishing what we were doing when the “idea” came to us. –hours later we have forgotten, that “moment” has disappeared, we vaguely recall some of it.. but the “bright light” has dimmed.
In trying to be more observant of my reactions, I am doing my best to notice my feelings – positive, negative and neutral… I know when I am mindful … I get a sense of freedom. The mind is always chasing who, what, why of our experiences. Today during service, I will do a mindful meditation .. to reconnect with the spaces between the many thoughts that bounce around in my head. I will let a thought come, notice it, and let it go.
Instead of immediately chasing after a pleasant idea, or instantly running away from something unpleasant, I’ll step back .. notice what is happening.. and simply observe. LOL sounds easy.. believe me it takes practice.. but so well worth it. Join me?
I was in Japan, studying .. it was an experience of a lifetime. Teachers like this one, spoke only Japanese, for International students like myself, we had a translator, English for those of us from North America, Spanish for those from the countries that needed Spanish, and Portuguese for members from Brazil and Portugal. Here it is 2022.. and I am still assimilating and processing the experience and the lessons,
Yes, I was back again, and yes, the experiences were always a total immersion in the culture and the philosophy. Nothing was familiar, similar but different…
Now many years later, I look back and reflect on the journey that led me to today, I woke with a sense that I had somehow been away and have just come home again. Looking at the clock I see it is barely after 4 a.m. and I am awake with a mind full of questions and … and what…
PL Precept # 19 Begin once you Perceive.
I seem to have something I want to do, think I should be doing, but… it is not gelling… not clear what it is my subconscious is trying to make me aware of. I have been doing a lot of clearing out, cleaning up, could this be a by-product of the new spaces opening up around me?
PL Precept # 15 All is a mirror
What am I seeing? The 21 PL Precepts reveal the true path of life for all humankind. Beginning with Precept #1 Life is Art.
Today I will try to Grasp what is most essential – Precept # 17
Each Precept is written in simple and clear language, but the truth revealed in their words applies universally to all humankind. To be mindful today, I will do my best to continue to observe and try my best to declutter more of my “inner” thoughts so that I can progress in a meaningful manner, and do my best to live today with “good intentions”
PL Precept # 7 Everything exists in relativity.
It was years ago, and I am sill there today – the sight/sounds became part of me
Good morning.. I went back through my files.. to find this picture that Num took some time ago, this rabbit, (ok one like it) gave me a very pleasant visit yesterday. I had come back from my “mindful” walk earlier that I expected to. The mosquitos/biting insects* were just to hungry. Cloudy overcast, off and on drizzle kept the film crew away, so I was totally alone in that stretch of woodlands. I was feeling a tad grumpy I had been viciously attacked during my walk, through my clothes and despite the “keep away” bug sprays and lotions.
Once I took off my rain gear, put away my carving knife and the piece of wood I was working on, I felt watched. Closing the trunk I turned to walk around the car to get in .. and found that I was being watched. At a safe distance sat this young rabbit just watching me. I had seen him/her earlier as I came closer to the parking area.. running in and out of the tall vegetation that lined the path I was on. I was surprised that it didn’t turn tail and run.. it just sat there as if it was wondering what this odd two legged creature was doing..
The birds that had been feeding and going about their morning routine had also taken an interest.. was it because I was alone, there were no other beings around, certainly the film crew was not around, nor were any of the regular “bird watchers” or dog owners .. it was just too damp and muggy. I got in the car, started the car, and watched as the rabbit hopped away when the engine started. For some reason, I turned off the motor and just sat there… he/she reappeared peaking out from the brush. With the motor off, I simply sat there, turned the radio off and just watched to see what would happen.
LOL I got a taste of what the animals must feel like when humans come around pointing cameras /binoculars etc. at them. The rabbit boldly came up closer to look up and into the car at me.. then ran around so it could see from all sides of the car.. I won’t swear to it, but I think it was being playful, it began to run across the road down into the little gully and around the outer rim of the parking lot, showing its stump and long legs as it ran, pranced and explored the grounds all around the car. Always checking and looking back to see if I was watching. (fyi this is a dead end road that is only used by people who know this area exists)
I am not a person who just sits in my car. but here I was.. just sitting and watching the antics of my little friend who was obviously keeping me company. This took place for a good 15 minutes, till my phone came alive.. and broke the “spell”. I was given a reminder.. that one need not always be “doing something” or “on the move”.. maybe an old dog can be taught “new tricks” or reminded of past lessons that have been put aside or not practiced.
During my walk, even tho’ I was being bitten and bothered by flying dive bombers*… I did notice that my mindful walking has been improving.. I walk slower, quieter and even though I’m whittling, I’m finding a way to be present in a way that blends in with my surroundings. The birds along the way, were not flying away when I approached, they were accepting of my presence. I’m a long way from having the “stillness” and mindfulness that I am wanting.. but progress is being made.
Be cheerful and friendly with those around you. Other people* can sense how you are feeling. So be cheerful
Perfect Liberty 2022. 24
You never know who is watching or paying attention to YOU
just because we don’t see .. doesn’t mean there are no “eyes” on you.
* I had huge big bites/welts on upper arms and neck that itched like crazy (through my layers of clothing!!!
In life nothing is ever “simple”… the lake may look calm, but under the surface there is a multitude of activity in all shapes and sizes. Decide what it is important, and let it happen. Find a way. Stay positive.
Does the past ever walk up to you and say…”hi” “remember me” – when you clean up/ clear out, boxes are found, files, old correspondence, pictures. There are a couple of you that have traced your families back, I am fascinated when I read the detail and the wonderful stories you uncover. In my world, I live in the moment (most of the time)..so when my extraordinary friend (she loves organizing, sorting and the like) (like.. there is such a person in my life…!!!) came down and said,” you should look at these”(she had opened an old briefcase** she came across when trying to put some order to what remains of my husband’s offices …
Like the plant, I just keep on trucking… I like space to move ahead, explore, to live each moment as it comes. Sometimes these is a lot of “happening” all at once, and then there are dry spells… always there is change.
I have around me, beautiful gardens and landscapes, I appreciate them, I do… but I am the plant that grows in the cracks along the roadside, or in unwanted/unused spaces. “When there is a will, there is a way”.. the picture brought back memories.. long road trips to hotels/nightclubs in distant places. We played 6 nights of the week, traveling on the 7th day to the next gig, unless we were booked for 2 weeks. We were a “show band”.. lead guitar, bass, and drums.. side men were added depending on the lounge or club we were playing and what the venues wanted. At one place, we even arrived to find that there was a stripper booked at the same time.. her back up didn’t show. we got to play for her… now that was a hoot!
Today is the 21st. there is a service this evening at the church 7 pm. Service of Appreciation. – When we live each day doing our best, and being “present”… there are few regrets.. just memories that help make the person you are today.
Thank you thank you, thank you. Let’s live with gratitude towards everyone and everything all day today.
Perfect Liberty 2022.21
Oyashikiri
wish I still I had the dress to see if I can still wear it.. yeah sometimes the ego just won’t shut up.
** I have yet to really look at all that is in the briefcase, I will..
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.
dymoonblog 