This bench is where I did my sunbathing. I cleared off most of the snow, gathered my coat around me and lay down.. closed my eyes and basked in the sunshine. There was a gentle warmth that warmed my face. I was in a happy space. It was so quiet, there were no birds singing, no little critters running about. I had the place to myself. Where was I, in the middle of a bog. It was at least a twenty minute walk to the spot where I was lying down. The boardwalk you can see still has snow packed on the boards, but with the use of my walking stick it was doable. The first bench I came to, (boardwalk photo) was totally covered in hard packed snow. Make no mistake, this area is still in its winter wardrobe.
Sun bathing in winter is not something I usually do. This was a first actually. Would I do it again, yes… it was pleasant, and I liked the silence. If you look at the bench photo, you can see where I dropped a peanut in case a little critter wanted to join me.. I had no takers. What time was all this, somewhere between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30..
“Make today a memorable day. Let’s try to put our whole heart into whatever we say or do, as our unique signature.
Wander happily through the open landscape, enjoy the clear blue skies.. today is another day!
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.
Good morning… It isn’t just what you see when you wander the woodlands early in the day… it is what you can hear. The other morning I arrived just as a coyotes were making their way behind these trees. They were just beyond the farthest row of trees… yipping and yelping enjoying the fresh albeit cold morning air. Not long after they passed the blue jays began to call out and give their “go away” “scoot, you are not welcome” cries, then the crows chimed in, it was a free for all in the skies (with vocals)… suddenly we saw what they were screeching at… a huge shadow flew over head… the wing span was wide… it was too high and going at a good speed that meant it was travelling through… how graceful .. and how thrilling to see it soar past. We ( on the ground near the feeders ) were relieved it was heading somewhere and not interested in our little gathering…
The scene on the ground was idyllic, soft white fluffy snow coving the landscape gave everything a peaceful, lazy ambience, but the sounds and activities of the wildlife in and around the visitors area began to pick up again …once the warning and shouts of the bigger birds had subsided. There is a spirit of community between the regulars that share areas where I go. Every day I learn something new,I go every day, around the same time give or take, and always there is something new to appreciate. or something I pick up on that I recognize that I would not have noticed 3 years ago when it all began.
Over the many days/weeks seeing the wildlife, standing in their environment, letting them do what they want to do, just appreciating the space … preferably I am standing still, or sitting… just observing.. they are use to me (most of them) I get to visit with them …up close .. at times they are less than an arms length away from me. It is awesome.
Do things joyfully instead of taking it easy. Enthusiastically engage with what’s in front of you. You’ll enjoy it more
Perfect Liberty 2021.30
Be a messenger of Peace. always think “for the sake of others and society” and express yourself for the happiness of all people.
Perfect Liberty 2022.1
A photographer friend I met years ago in my “woodland journey” said to me… standing still .. in one place.. enables you see so much of the world around you. I agreed, and it is why I find it so important to stand still and simply BE whenever I can. From one spot, you can see and capture (photograph) hundreds of interesting and thought provoking moments.
You hear me say this often… two people standing side by side can be looking in the same direction, and both see something completely different. Add to that. we all interpret what we see in a unique way. what we see will be based on our own knowledge and personal experiences.
PL Precept #15 All is a mirror
Oyashikiri
Have a sunshine day everyone! Bom dia a todos! Que assim seja .
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
Sometimes we try to retain or do too much. We can be over achievers. Seems a good idea at the time, but suddenly it dawns on us… “we are not where we want to be” …………… that is a message from your inner voice… We are .. and can be … stubborn without realizing we are …
Free yourself from being overly attached. Overthinking hinders ideas and actions.
Strive to live with a positive outlook everyday. Put your whole heart into whatever you do. With motivation you will feel joy and excitement.
Perfect Liberty 2017.20
When I was younger, my Dad would take me to Chinatown with him … there I would see the dragon’s performing outside a new restaurant or shop that was opening. It was always so festive and at the same time solemn – the gods were being asked to surround the new venture with good fortune and prosperity.
Dragons can fly, breathe fire and are extremely powerful, strong and intelligent.they have an extended range of supernatural powers. They breathe clouds, move seasons and control the waters of rivers, lakes and seas. Linked with Taoism, yang masculine principle of heat,light,sun and action as opposed to the feminine principle of coolness, darkness, repose, softness and moonlight.
PL Precept # 1 Life is Art…
PL Precept # 15 All is a Mirror.
How many dragons do you have in your life?
In Mythology, a female dragon is called a drakaina…. but, I just look in the mirror. wink.
Life is fragile at the best of times.. Ever since I found the Merlin and got to admire the beauty of her markings and her head I have been haunted by the experience. A small member of the falcon family she often hunts on the fly, catching her prey in mid flight. Today while at the feeders I could hear the crows going ballistic in another part of the woods, I attempted to follow the “noise”.. looking up as I took to the trail. I have never been able to use binoculars without getting a headache.. thinking I might try again with these newer and lighter models. I gave up as the noise grew louder but seemed to be moving further away from the area I was in. I didn’t have my camera with the powerful lens, I wouldn’t be able to see the bird if it was high up in the trees.
What I learned from this incident was that I “knew” and thought it was a Merlin when I saw her lying peacefully on the snow.. but when someone else told me no it was something else, I doubted my knowledge. I have since found out, I was right, this /that angel was a Merlin. I am unhappy with myself that I didn’t 1. take a picture, and 2. take better care in burying her. In PL one of our lessons in life is to learn to trust our inner voices. Here is an example of my not following my instincts, and then living with the consequences. Every life is important.. /has value.
Why am I finding it so hard to shake this little bird’s demise. I don’t know..I can only guess, it was a loss of life and I was privy to the passing on, of this life, Thankfully I didn’t settle for an answer that I got that I felt in my heart was wrong. Every life should be recognized and acknowledged. I have since said a prayer for her little spirit..
Discover something new today. Have a willingness and an interest to start your day with excitement.
Perfect Liberty 2023.22
I have to practice – letting go.. The little bird is at peace, now I have to find mine. Wishing and hoping won’t bring her back.
Kevin Baldelli is a nature photographer who I met several years back, who has moved from still photography to getting pictures of the animals in their natural environment. He has put together clips from his films taken in 2022. Thought you might enjoy spending some time with the animals in their habitat. This is the link to the video I’ve taken a screen shot from. https://youtu.be/cs3ZsPL6KkE
View your difficulties as a chance to make rapid progress. You grow by overcoming the obstacles in front of you, one by one, look at your problems as opportunities for growth and make the best of your situation.
Perfect Liberty 2014.9
Others are others … I am I. If you force your values about anything on others, it can be self-righteous. don’t be overeager and haves a sense of “others are others. I am I”
Perfect Liberty 2023.13
In life we face many challenges. Yesterday I started out with my usual routine, I went into the woods to feed the birds.. enjoyed the fresh air, the time with the wildlife and headed back into the city to attend a service at church. Two of my fellow hokyoshi’s are back in Brazil for a holiday, even though I had been in on Saturday I thought to go in and make sure all was well. It was a lovely sunny day, I had time to make a stop at the Asian supermarket, so I did a quick in and out (only place I know I can get my garlic stems)… On leaving I saw the door to the Time Foot Bar was open http://www.timefootbar.ca/
Need I say more…. I went in for a reflexology session, I didn’t think much about it, I drove over to that end of the parking lot, got out, walked in, and…… the rest is history … I did not go to church … I booked a session, fell into a light sleep while there, left. came home and went to bed. Sometimes the best laid plans go awry …. the rest of the day was spent in a bit of a trance.. I had not ambition to do anything, not even watch the telly. When the body needs to relax, it reaches a point of no return… and I had hit the zone. I did go out and try to clear some more snow off the deck.. so I got more fresh air.. but then I came back in… and you guessed it… my need took me back to bed. I listened to a Simon Brett talking book and slept again.
I could beat myself up for missing church. But that is not the PL WAY. I obviously needed the “time out” … Sometimes we have to listen to our “inner voice” if we continue to force activity when we are overtired, overextended, we suffer the consequences. Be honest with yourself, when was the last time you did something called “nothing”
Oyashikiri
Do you like being on your own, can you remember when the last time was you did something for no reason at all but because you felt like it…….
Everyone has their own way of seeing and thinking. There are different points of view and ways of thinking, which make it interesting and creates new ideas. try to enjoy others’ expressions.
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.
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