Reminder- Founders day (Kyososai) is this coming Sunday, August 1. It is when we pray our appreciation and honor the spirits of our Founders, and rededicate ourselves to spreading and sharing the philosophy we live for the realization of world peace. If you have not heard from your minister, contact the church or a Hokyoshi in your area for how, when and where it is to be celebrated in your area.
We welcome everyone to share in this day. Even if it just in saying a silent prayer with us that the world we live in will continue towards a better understanding of our unique natures, and that each in our own way will work towards World Peace.
PL Precept # 1 Life isArt Vida es Arte. Vida e Arte
PL Precept # 11 Always be with God Confie todo a Dios Faca tudoconfiando em Deus
I still wasn’t early enough, it was a beautiful start to the day, the radio said, cooler than expected, but to me, it was heavenly. Already the kayakers were inflating their rafts, the joggers were started on their morning runs, dogs were being walked, it was busy enough. I had hoped with a long weekend coming up, people would be waiting for the week-end, no such luck. It was alright, still too early for it to be “crowded”.
There is something about being out in the early morning with the sunshine making its appearance casting shadows that play against the trees and leaves that make me want to catch it … just the right place to be can elude me, but I keep trying. I saw two birds that thrilled me, I didn’t know them, I prepared to take a picture while the two looked back at me.. and then.. it happened, one flew off, as I heard the sound of running footsteps behind me. A runner was on the path and coming up to where I was.. by the time I got the camera up to take the picture, I was looking at empty branches.
Although I scanned the skies, and tree tops during the rest of my walk, I didn’t see one other bird, not a one. heard them, but I didn’t see a feather or outline at all. What I was looking for were signs that the leaves were changing, I did catch a glimpse here and there… but alas it is still too soon.
Being attentive makes life more enjoyable. Live life paying careful attention to every detail, be it big or small. By doing so, you will be able to experience the subtle joy in things.
Good morning, it has been about 3 and a half years now since my husband passed away, for about a year prior to his passing, I had begun the process of downsizing, packing and taking away the excess, passing items on to the Goodwill type of charities that recycle items to add to their $$s for serving the community. I have continued this practice with the exception of during the “shut downs” when the charities could not receive or process the items. As soon as they opened their doors again, the morning ritual beganagain.
Every morning I take a box(s) and or bags and fill them with items to be dropped off. ( we have a 1.5 bungalow,) my husband had two offices on the upper floor. Having been in the news media and a communication/editor he had the upstairs set up pretty much like a news room and office. From his days of being a reporter, photographer and on air newsman for the various media outlets, he had an accumulations of supplies. Till his illness became too invasive, he kept records and notes about anything that was of interest to him. that included documenting the weather changes etc. “Once a news hound, always a news hound“
I have not taken down his white boards,/black boards, or even tackled his desks yet, but bit by bit I’ve taken away books, maps, reference materials, DVDs, recorders, speakers, microphones, notebooks (ones waiting to be filled) his clocks, one for the different time zones etc. It is amazing how over the years, we accumulate odds and ends, what seems like little bits of information, ie. maps, books on various subject matter that is being researched etc.- it is 1, 2 pieces at a time, but over the years, it just becomes “stuff”
No, its not only his offices that have been slowly worked on, but my own living space… I take things out, carload at a time, and there is always more. Today, I noted, progress has been made.
“I’ll do it later. No, I’ll do it now.” to make progress do anything while its still fresh.
Perfect Liberty 2021.25
On my part, I am doing my best to weed out my closets, drawers and shelves etc. It is a cleansing process. and NO I am no longer bringing more in, something does come in, means something has to leave.
With one thought, “the world” will change. changing your way of thinking will make a difference on how you perceive the world.
Perfect Liberty 2021.24
What a joy filled day. A friend came by, she drove, we went to Arnprior, I got to just sit, enjoy and take in the beautiful scenery along the way. There are no words for how much I enjoyed visiting the retreat we went to. There was a private beach that I got to visit and bask in the sunshine while she conducted her business. How far out fantastic was that! No one around, just me and the waves gently rolling into shore. Heavenly!
I will admit the climb back up from the beach to the retreat area.. tested my stamina. Going down was easy, the climb back up, LOL its called exercise….
I am a happy camper.. hope to sleep soundly this evening.
The further you walk into the quiet of the woodlands, the more serene it gets. There are places along the way where one can sit a spell. I have found a fallen tree to sit on, where I can hear the sound of a babbling stream, as it merrily makes its way through the dense forest carpet, some days I m may hear another traveler off in the distance, but that is rare. (week-ends it might be different)
Each season brings a different decorated theme. Each passing day there is something new to discover. the landscape is forever changing.
Please let me explain that the quiet while in the woods is not without sound. There is a constant singing and chatter of the birds and other residents of the forest community. Their voices blend to create a soothing lullaby to the ears of an urban traveler.
In PL when we are faced with a problem, we work at resolving the “issue” by looking at how we, ourselves can change , what we need to do, to change our thinking to redirect negative energies towards more positive vibes. For me, my daily time spent in or near the woodlands helps me to focus, to listen to my inner voice. To replay and consider conversations with my friends. God (Nature) will always provide. We have to learn how to “hear” “be receptive” mostly, we have to “let go and let God”
There are 21 Precepts in the PL Philosophy, each one is a guide, or a “key” to help us through our journey. The first one, Life is Art.… is my mantra…. I am the artist, and life is my canvas.
PL Precept # 2… To live is to express one’s self.
I share my world with you, why, because, I see and feel love when I am in Nature, and we all need love.
precious moments spent near the water with the birdsI see you looking back at me, I was thrilled you didn’t fly away
Free yourself from being overly attached. Overthinking hinders ideas and actions.
Perfect Liberty 2021.22
I took today as a ME day … I spent the day visiting with nature, even drove out to Shirley’s Bay and the Firing Range, it had been a very long time, it was good to revisit, and reacquaint myself with places I haven’t been to in years, now I can plan to go again. Sometimes we do the same things over and over .. visit the same places.. there is just so much more to explore and discover. A big thank you to my friends who are encouraging and being supportive. Actually to each and everyone of you… you inspire me, I appreciate you.
some mornings there are no words for just how the day begins
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
Each moment is a new beginning. ” this is where the changes take place, right here and right now, in your own mind!” Only YOU can heal your life!
Now is always the start of something new. Leave the past in the past. What is important is “What you are going to do now”. Using the present as a starting point, move forward on a path towards improvement and progress.
Perfect Liberty 2014.24
Oyashikiri
photo is from an SL installation back around 2015? (Second Life)
Oh dear, I opened my mail to find a photo from my friend who has a large countryside hide-a-way where she goes fishing, riding and exploring. Isn’t this a little cutie .. I’ve never been in one, but I can imagine it can take you into a lot of places. I do remember with great fondness of a day out with a gal pal who has a couple of Jeeps, It was a few years back, well ok, maybe over 5 years.. but I can still feel the exhilaration riding the jeep over big huge boulders and then down the other side into a ravine… it was slow and easy, the human controlling the jeep as it slid and eased its way over the rough terrain. An adventure I treasure, that I’ll never forget.
It was a totally different way to see and explore the woodlands, and for sure they travel in areas, that now as a hiker I am not seeing. Someday, maybe in the fall, I’ll find out more about the other outdoor experiences, where other modes of outdoor fun is had.. I know there are clubs and special trails they go on, another mode of enjoyment I’ve only caught a glimpse of, but not seen or know anyone who has done it, is mud trials?? races?? I think they test their skills and vehicles driving in mud??
What is “normal” is different for each individual. Everyone has a different way of thinking and doing. It’s important to understand others’ feelings.
Perfect Liberty 2021.16
Currently I’m caught up in watching a show about “catching the waves”.. yesterday I saw them doing white water kayaking in the Ottawa River, “running the rapids”. There are so many different ways to enjoy the outdoors, thanks Sharon for reminding me of that.
I love my circle of friends, I truly do, each is so unique and special in his/her own way, I can’t do it all, but through my friends I can experience so much more of the world around me. Sharing, caring, loving, all acts that make the world a better place.
YOU light up my life! Smiles back at you. YES YOU.
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.