It was cold enough that there was a layer of ice on the water. I was the only human there, it was a delightful walk, I was able to take my time and just wander in and out off the main trail.
Of course it wasn’t long before I heard the sound of voices coming up behind me. I moved over to let the people by, I didn’t want to be rushed. I took my time and walked all the way to the ruins of the old Kiln. The trail continued on to another entrance off another road… from the signs I could see it would be a long jaunt. I’ll do it another time. I got my two miles in, and that was my aim.
Good morning it is now very early 16th. and we’ve had a blanket of snow… I will be leaving soon to see what kind of pictures I can get after I feed the birds. Have a good day everyone… Today’s calendar quote follows.
Have a joyful day by being a little more creative. You will enjoy your day more by adding a little creativity to your daily activities.
“I wanted to be home,” he said.. …we both smiled because of course we both knew he had never left my side.
Imagine being everywhere at the same time…. the breeze rustling through the grass, or dancing across the surface on deep blue waters… it is not the physical space but the “moment” that captures and teases the imagination The “energy” the “BEing”
“Listening is also a form of expression. Listen with Makoto (sincerity) ” PL 2022.15
Face the speaker, make eye contact and listen carefully
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
We can see crows everywhere these days, they are gathering along the roads I travel, I see them in the trees, I hear them… Their calls, and greetings fill the air … Mornings are filled with their chatter. At the feeders yesterday the evening grosbeaks were singing, how can one not rejoice at the sound of such “community” spirit. Actually it wasn’t just the Grosbeaks, the Blue jays, Doves, Chickadees, Nuthatches, and the Woodpeckers were all enjoying the start of a new day… the pesky squirrels needed to join in.. no one wanted to be left out.
When it is just you and the moment you are in. When the calling of the sea gulls and the questioning crows is the sounds that you hear. Off in the distant horizon where one would usually see a big steamer slowly making its way down the channel, there is nothing but emptiness. This was a time for quiet reflection… I actually parked myself down on one of the benches and just enjoyed. (this was a memory from 2017)
The leaves are gone now, but yesterday was spent touring one of the X country ski trails that doe a loop near where I have the bird feeders. This is done to check for big roots that could be dangerous on the trail, hanging branches that are too close to where people will be skiing/walking/running… trees that are leaning over and could prove to be dangerous should they topple.
Being in Nature is one of the easiest ways for me to “chill”… to loose myself in the shadows and the intrigue of the forest itself. WE all have different ways of finding what “works” for us.. Whatever it is that reaches in and connects with you… try to find some time in your day to enjoy that “space” It is important to our “well being” … to find time to regenerate…recharge…
Today is the 11th. in PL. it is a special day where we have service (ceremony) each 11th of the month to express our gratitude for the love and virtues of our ancestors and ask for guidance so we can continue to live the PL Way. I also make time during the service to do special prayers for all that have asked for and that require special prayers. YOU are all part of my day… service will begin at 10 a.m.
Today is also a day of remembrance – in Canada we call it Remembrance Day in the USA I believe it is called Veterans Day… Silence is observed at 11 a.m.
You can be with God by having a prayerful mind. Let’s pray for World Peace. we are all one big family. Let’s start by praying for the happiness of those around us.
It is easier to adapt to something when we find it interesting. No matter how enjoyable a situation is, a slight change in our attitude can make it boring. Let’s face any situation with curiosity and enthusiasm.
Perfect Liberty 2022.10
Sometimes there is more said in silence than with words.
Today I forced myself to return to Pine Grove Trail .. it has been cleared .. above is what it looked like after the storm.. below is what I explored today.
At first I confess I was filled with a sadness, my feet were reluctant, and my whole body tensed as I made my way through the gate to walk along the once familiar trail Then I began to notice the new growth that was bravely dealing with the coming of winter. The young shoots were bravely waving their fall colours.
I was reminded that in nature, there is always tomorrow, and another day. Out of the broken, devastated remains of what was, there was new growth, Strong young shoots reaching up into the clear blue sky, their leaves a riot of colour showing their pride at having attained a place in the world.
The message was loud and clear, never let a set back, deter you from your goals or purpose in life. It may not be the easiest path, but it is your path, and you are here, live it… experience all of what life sends your way… if you come face to face with it, it is because the Universe knows you can cope/deal with it.
When you let go of what was… you are blessed with new opportunities .. you face new potential … you will make new memories … and you yourself, will grow, you open the door to new possibilities.
What began as a simple walk, turned into a moment of discovery, I feel so blessed, and that you are here to share it with me, makes it a pure delight.
Treasure each moment in time. Life is a continuation of “Now”. Treasure each and every moment as it comes, so that you can live your life as fully as possible without regrets.
My third attempt at writing this blog… too many thoughts, too many different interjections from within my own thought process. Japan (head quarters for the PL church) has made a decision that they are imposing on the churches in North America.. (USA and Canada) In Japan and Brazil and all South American churches I am assuming will also follow suit. In Brazil tho’ they already have their own way of dealing with things.. their culture is so different from Japan, that over time, they have developed what works for them.
However in North America we are not in the thousands, we are a much smaller group, with churches in California NY and here in Canada. Actual physical churches number less than a dozen, our members though are scattered across the States and Canada. Still by comparison we are few. So Japan has decided without consultation with any of its members that we will no longer be able to have service on Sundays, but must operate like they do in Japan where the culture is different and there is a church in almost every corner of the city, town, village etc. Oh we will be allowed to still “gather” on Sundays, but we must no longer call it a service, we must call it a “gathering” and how we get together must be as they dictate.
I love the philosophy of the teachings (PL) but I do not agree with the corporate decisions that are being dictated to us, or how they are communicating with us. It is a very male dominated organization, and tho’ they talk of equality, there is a way for women and a way for men. (so it is written) … these are words … the teachings are so profound and so universal, ONE with the Universe, Peace on earth for everyone etc.. in the past I’ve been able to simply ignore I guess the parts of the “church” that I found sexist, (mainly telling myself it was set up at a different time when times were different, and ..oh.. it is in the translation from Japanese to English…. but.. this last slap… I can not just sit back and accept…)
Of course it is not as simple, it is not black/white.. never-the-less… it has given me serious cause for pause.
Don’t let circumstances sway your decision. It does not help to overthink things. Sometimes we just need to make up our minds and move forward.
Perfect Liberty 2022,6
Do you know that I am English speaking, I am Canadian, if I have an issue or problem and want to talk it over with a leader in Japan, they do not have someone who I can dialogue with in English. and when there I was given a name tag that said I was from the USA. When I said “excuse me, I am from Canada,” I was seen as a nuisance, my tag got changed but only because I insisted, maybe I’m just slow .. and maybe I am a trouble maker, but I am Canadian and I paid a small fortune to get there to participate, in my view it was a lack of respect on their part. oh dear.. oh dear.. time to shut down and go find my birds,
These were taken, some time after I arrived, the fog had been so dense that it was too dark, Driving I could only see one car length ahead … fortunately I know the road, even so.. I was very cautious. My appreciation only deepens for the photographers who do this on a regular basis. If you want the pictures you have to be prepared to get up and out, so you are at where you want to be when the light is just how you want it.
It’s about being at the right place at the right time.. sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t.
Take action without thinking too hard. No matter how hard you try to foresee the future, you really don’t know how things will turnout. Do your best and see how it plays out.
Perfect Liberty 2022.4
Have a great week-end. In Canada, this week-end (Sunday) is when Daylight savings ends.
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.