With the lunar new year not far off… I let my thoughts drift to another place and time… in my youth, I dreamed of being able to wander the grounds of a monastery high in the mountains. I knew I would feel at home .. looking out into the distance… hearing the soft chanting of the monks… the sweet smell of incense and sandalwood wafting through the air. I never made it to China but my Mom and sister did… . no their interests were not mine… but they did get to explore and bring home memories of a land that was very different from the world we knew. My time abroad was spent in Japan.. smiles with a soft stirring in my heart as I recall the cherry blossoms… and the rice fields as i wandered and took in life in Japan. I loved it there, but I missed hearing English and French, oui, je suis Canadianne …
We can’t always do all the things we want to… but we can explore and take in the world around us, every day there is something new to discover. We need only look around, and reach out, be open to try something new, something different, try something you have never done before. It’s a thought, think about it.
Once upon a time .. we used an expression, “arm chair traveler” have you heard it? do you know it’s meaning? Now I am an “internet buff” I use different platforms to explore my interests. In person, travel to far distant places is no longer a possibility for me, I’m just not interested in airports, long lines, customs, politics.. I simply want to enjoy life and the pleasures available to me. I am thankful for the experiences I have had, and the many wonderful people I’ve met along the way…. now I make no apologies for making time for ME… my interests, my joy at being able to explore places via the creative efforts of others.. I am learning and appreciating the talent and skills of creative minds that impact my world in a positive way.
I discovered I like being happy. I like sharing that happiness… and if it isn’t what others want who are in my space.. I move on. simply said. life is to be enjoyed.
Always express yourself for the happiness of others as well as yourself.
The happiness of those around you can lead to your own happiness. Cultivate a heart to always wish for the happiness of others.
PL2015.12
Oyashikiri
virtual landscape in SL (Second Life) http://www.secondlife.com
Even if there is snow, the little critters still have to eat.
Even if someone totally disagrees with you or does things differently, you may learn something from them. Avoid getting trapped in the mindset, “this is the way it has to be,” and free your mind to consider other possibilities.
PL2019.9
It is a winter wonderland of sculptures…
Oyashikiri
Bitter cold yes… wind chill had it between -38 and -35 depending on who you were listening to on the radio. Did I care.. no… the air was frigid, Time stood still. The birds came to eat, but they were not going to hang around…. I went back to the car to warm my hands before going back to do the suet. I don’t wear gloves, it makes it too awkward to open the suet cages. I brought some lettuce leaves and I had some soya sprouts left over.. I took them further into the bush, closer to a big fallen tree… and half buried it so that rabbit could still find it… I included an offering of rabbit pellet food…. being he/she is wild they may not be interested in the pellets.. but I left them anyway.
When it is as cold as it was, there is a crispness underfoot when you walk over the snow… I could feel the icy fingers of the wind as it found a way to my bare arms under my sweater sleeves. I didn’t have to explain that I wouldn’t be lingering… After putting out the food, and giving the jays extra peanuts… I got back into my car to warm up. I knew I would be stopping to capture the pictures you see above.. the woodlands are so beautiful with the sculptured snow on the out stretched branches.
Winter is a beautiful time of the year, right now the Winterlude festival is on in the city. If you are near, and can make it to where the ice sculptures are… you are in for a treat. It is cold yes, but you can dress warmly, the ice castles and winter ice slides, the skating on the canal, all make for an winter adventure that is exciting and rewarding…, After the fun of exploring all that is being offered .. you can sit with a hot chocolate, or a beaver tail, and simply bask in the wonders of life.
LIFE IS FILLED WITH MOMENTS, SOMETIMES HAPPY AND AT TIMES INCONVENIENT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO FIRST ACCEPT EVERY SITUATION AS IT OCCURS AND TRY TO ACCEPT AND UNDERSTNA IT FOR WHAT IT IS.
PL2019.8
Oyashikiri
Instead of worrying do something about it
It doesn’t help to overthink situations such as, “what if this happens?” or, “Things might end up that way” Instead be proactive and change how you see and do things in each situation.
PL2019.3
Oyashikiri
Sometimes looking out into the distance, I wonder what it would be like to simply be able to point and magically transport myself to the top of the mountain, and look down. I see the snow .. it looks so pure so pristine…
I have had friends who recently went on retreats, silence, meditation, they had to leave their electronic gadgets … there was no writing paper, no reading…. just… time…. and quiet reflection.
The world is such a vast and interesting place… and the people who inhabit the various corners of the world are diverse … does today’s technology make for a better improved world, or… is it causing unrest and strife.
PL Precept 20 – Live maintaining equilibrium between mind and matter
PL Precept #21 Live in Perfect Liberty
Oyashikiri
Cold you say! Here is a brave young man testing the cold.. He took a soaking wet towel and swung it in the air …in a few minutes.. hello… frozen towel… the last picture, his big success, was putting a banana out in the cold, leaving it out overnight till it froze… then using the frozen banana, he hammered that nail you see into the board. Who says we don’t know how to have fun in cold weather.!!!
Good morning everyone, yes we had a cold snap, a very cold one.. but temperatures have been more reasonable the last few days and the sun has been brilliant high above, bathing the world in wonderful sunshine.
Here we are the 3rd day of February, the heart month, Feb. 14th is Valentine’s day … Feb. 17, is the Chinese lunar new year… (Horse) … AND… you will find Mardi Gras celebrations happening mid month as well….Lots to do, hope you are able to get out, in Ottawa, Winterlude is happening, ice sculptures, skating on the canal, beavertails, exhibits, snow slides, snow shoeing, X-country skiing… performances, live entertainment, tobogganing… just too many activities to list.. Guaranteed winter fun,
Instead of worrying, do something about it
It doesn’t help to over-think situations such as, “what if this happens?” or, “Things might end up that way”. Instead be proactive and change how you see and do things in each situation.
PL2019.3
Oyashikiri
beavertails, are sweet offerings, pastries, snack. a Canadian treat that originated in the Ontario, Ottawa Valley in 1978. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BeaverTails
In the forest deep – it is thought I sleep
but if honesty is the order of the day
then I must confess to always be at play
for I have been here so long and my roots run so deep
that while I look like I am standing still
every molecule of my being is alive and unafraid
of whatever mischief I can display,
For living is an art I have honed well
See if you can look away
when I deign to display
my perfect blending into the landscape today.
Oh and by the way
Life is art is PL Precept #1
wanna come play
you can be the sun, I will be the moon
together we will make it a perfect day.
Q
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