Do we learn from our past. Can we move forward with peace in our hearts and the commitment and desire to live with respect/understanding and appreciation for others.??? This is a time to reflect and pause in our daily activities to remember and take notice of the positives in our lives.
Get things started with grit. If you work on things in daily life with the attitude of “let’s do it!” you will feel a power to accomplish things. People around you will rely on you.
Perfect Liberty 2023.29
The simplicity of a quiet morning – each day is a new beginning – a new chapter begins.
No taking a morning break, the destroyed bench is gone, but another has not appeared, when we get to the section of the boardwalk we are met with pylons.
With the pending heat of the day, even the ducks are retreating to find a place to chill.
Others are taking it all in stride. Enjoying the day come what may. That will be my focus for the day, start slow and simply let the moments flow one into the other. I’ll head out now while the morning is still fresh. Have a chill day everyone!
Put Makoto even into small things. Don’t let things go with “oh well”. You will have a different outcome if you put Makoto into everything you do. (sincerity)
Yesterday I stepped into the past. I was standing with the wild turkeys in the woodlands listening to the baby birds chirping and singing their little hearts out … the squirrels and chipmunks were chasing each other and racing up and down the trees where I had spread the nutty butter (made for wildlife).. we were happy in the moment of sharing under the wide open sky. When a thought clear as a bell, nudged me to pay attention….
I got back into my car, drove home, emptied my trunk of bird seed, peanuts, etc. took out unnecessary clutter, got my passport and headed back out the door to the highway. No advanced planning, no wondering why … I just followed my nose. (expression)
PL Precept # 19 Begin once you perceive
PL Precept #18 Each moment is a turning point.
As the miles slipped past me, the landscaped changed from sprawling city to the outskirts, and then towards the American border, I felt oddly at peace. A quiet settled over me, and I realized that I had turned off the radio, there was just me, myself and I alone with my thoughts. In an hour I was at the border crossing being welcomed and waved through by cheerful customs personnel.
When asked where are you coming from, why are you coming over .. where are you going… I had no definite reason or plan… I simply wanted to be there. The agent smiled at me and encouraged me to have a good time… Smiles go a long way, feel good too!
Move forward with confidence Experiences you have acquired through efforts so far are wonderful. Give it all you’ve got.
Perfect Liberty 2023.20
Not two hours past, I had been standing in a conservation area, with wildlife all around me, now I found myself standing in an American Walmart under construction. Was it busy, YES. Ahhh life in 2023. I had remembered to turn off my phone before crossing into the States (avoiding roaming charges).. how grand is it that I could start my day in Canada and be in the States for lunch. I did a no brainer.. drove through MacDonald’s for a big Mac and fries (hey! on a mini holiday here)… paid and happily drove right off without my food! Was on my way to search out the airport when I realized what I had done. Had to turn myself around and go back forit.
Again I was greeted with smiling and cheerful staff who were waiting for me… I decided to eat in and discovered a new experience. On the tables are big screens to play games on while you eat. I took my time enjoying my food playing mahjong and then a word game. What fun!
The news these days has been filled with negativity, when you stop to think about it, it is always about the anger, frustration and crises situations …senseless killings, neighbours fighting neighbours, natural disasters (they do happen)… yet here I was… people all around me, smiling, chatting, going about their business, courteous, oh and the temperature was warm and balmy, Everything felt so positive. I got the directions to the “international” airport that was advertised on PBS (television) and once again got in the car and headed off to “discover”
I found one of two old, very old cemeteries. I stopped to get pictures for a Thursday door feature and was drawn to the tall tombstone you see. Period 1816 -1863, it was not the oldest, but interspersed here and there were newer headstones. It was so tranquil ,.. there were old trees, the grounds well kept… I could feel the years, sense the history. Not far off when I took to the highway in search of the airport again, I saw the horse and buggy signs… and a big sign telling me if turned right I would find a national State Park.
I was searching for the airport, so after taking the turn, I turned myself around, that will be for another day. I was headed out of the city when I realized that I had to have passed the airport, I pulled over and turned around.. all I could see was farmland, big empty fields and older well loved homes. Then I saw a faded sign on a chain link fence.. saying to watch out for low flying planes. Ah Ha… I was close.. but I had passed here just minutes before the cemetery I had been in was just on the left. slowing down I saw a paved road that led to a big parking lot.. (almost empty).. with a commercial building looking very empty. Taking the turn unto the road, I saw the way was barred… just up ahead… so I slowed to turn around. It might be small, but it has a lot of good reviews. =^_^=
Ogdensburg International Airportthe sign is big enough, how did I miss it?
Finding the airport, having spent my time wandering the Walmart, enjoying a quick lunch in a clean bright Macdonald’s.. Hey! a wonderful interlude. AND not once did I feel alone, YOU were with me all the way. we can cross borders, travel great distances, but always…. WE, me, myself and I are constant in my head/heart.
It was an adventure, and what made it all that much more special, the people.. the army photographer I met in the morning, the customs personnel, the staff in Walmart, the cheerful clerks at MacDonalds, the man who held the door open for me at the store,, the gas attendant when I stopped for gas.. It was a positively glowing day…. all because life IS good and there are opportunities always presenting themselves. we need only be open and willing to participate.
What will you do today?
MC I bought pickled eggs!!!!
Cheers everyone! Tomorrow Sunday service will be an early ceremony Day of Appreciation.. followed by another service in the evening at 7 pm.
Enjoy what happens. People who can enjoy anything happening to them receive wisdom for the next step. try to work on things without being overly concerned.
Good morning dear friends… It is a sunny day in the woods, and the little squirrels are up to their usual mischief. This little one, is determined to show me her skills and determination at getting at the bits of suet she can get at. We have an ongoing conversation, with her ignoring me most of the time, she no longer natters at me but she does come right up to me and give me the twinkle tease.. in other words . . I can almost hear her saying.. “OK watch, I’m going run up the tree, I saw what you just did” and then she whips around and dashes up the tree on the back side of it only to show up in seconds hanging from the suet feeder. She IS funny, she could just run up the tree and do her thing, but no she actually comes over to where I’m standing leaning against my car… looks up at me and then dashes off to show me her “stunt”.
The location is on NCC (National Capital commission) land, and maintained by the NCC staff and their contractors. The wildlife in the area is protected, much of the land is conservation land.
Not so for the shameful display I’m going to post next.. please skip over if you are sensitive to trash and misuse of public space.
Disgusting, you bet.. .. I found out yesterday by speaking to personnel on the other side of a fenced off area (the tracks are actually in use by VIA rail), trains go by daily for passengers to see this eye sore. I was also informed that the city has been called with complaints numerous times..to no avail.
Today’s calendar…
Perception is important. Take immediate action once you suddenly perceive. You might discover something important in what you perceive.
Perfect Liberty 2023.9
How many people are turning a blind eye to what is happening in this small area of the city. (Not far from the airport, and in an area that is very much travelled daily by commuters) Would you care if this was happening near you? These pictures are not made up, they were taken yesterday morning. This is minutes away from a public beach and park one of the city’s tourist picture post card areas. yes, really.
PL Precept #15 All is Mirror
could this happen near you?
Who is responsible, the city of ottawa… ??? our mayor is Mark Sutcliffe for anyone interested.
Under the clearest of blue skies yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting a new photographer, we were standing on a lookout watching beavers sleeping in the sun. So unusual to find two beavers, happily having their morning siesta on a big comfy nest they had made for themselves. They were totally undisturbed by the humans who were standing feet away from them (separated by 10 – 20 ft. of water.)
Matt had his camera at the ready and got this great shot of the beaver when she/he turned over to do a bit of grooming. (Matt’s Instagram link is above) The other beaver had a different shade of colouring they were such an adorable sight.
I am often asked why I get up every morning and head out into the “world” to spend time with the wildlife and various other “wanderers” like myself. It is because I am blessed when I do with meeting and interacting with wonderful like minded humans who enjoy nature and follow their dreams/instincts and roam and explore the world around us.
I saw my first red fox yesterday, I was off on a side road looking for more rocks for my rock garden I am working on… when I saw a movement at the side of the road, I slowed to a crawl, et voila, out came a beautiful little fox. She/he was out for a morning stroll.The car now stopped, I waited and watched as it ran across in front of me and then slowed to sit by the fence of the business it was now in front of. We casually looked at one another…. it was very early barely 7 a.m. I tried talking to it… not understanding a word I was saying, it decided i was not worth spending more time on and moved on.
The encounter made me feel good tho’… I had seen my first fox of the year. I have known them to be around when I am walking the trails, but this was my first sighting. Then to later come across the beavers sun bathing… well … it was a good day. Add to it I heard Matt telling another photographer about the picture he got of the bird taking off.. (I asked to see it too… seeing it I knew I wanted to share it with you all..) I had such a sense of freedom … the sun, the drive, new sights, sounds and people, It was a feel good moment, the bird taking flight was a great visual.
Today’s calendar…
Give importance to listening, looking, thinking, doing and speaking. Look and listen carefully before making a judgement. Assumptions and hasty conclusions can lead to misunderstandings.
Perfect Liberty 2023. 7
Have a great day today everyone. remember… PL Precept #1 Life is Art!
I was searching for the the Northern Flicker, it was persistent with its calls, It wouldn’t let up, the Blue jays, Chickadees even the red winged blackbirds were having something to say, after all, finally a morning of sunshine and no rain. A white throated sparrow joined in along with a Snow goose.. I was wandering, listening and searching through the tree tops for the flicker when another voice joined the cacophy of sound. my reader told me it was a red tailed hawk, this had me really searching the trees. AND then I saw that in all the singing there was a black billed cuckoo joining us.
The purple finch, the house sparrows, evening grosbeaks, yes.. I had a lot of company, but the black billed cuckoo, that was totally new to me.. I began my search in earnest. Alas.. except for a flash of movement and a receding tail end…. (without my Nikon or binoculars) I was doomed to listening. I’m off again this morning with the binoculars this time… to see if it is still there.
I spent over an hour at one site, clearing dead branches and preparing the area for next fall. I needed to get some clearing in .. the new growth once it starts will be strong …. the rain has kept this season a little behind. My Magnolia I saw yesterday … is not enjoying this start to the season. I saw few buds, I hope it pulls through.
If you are wondering, I use a sound recorder, The Cornell lab, Merlin .. I have the ap on my cell phone. It has helped me a lot.. it is very educational.
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.
Perfect Liberty 2023. 6
observation. I spent over an hour clearing dead branches, fallen logs, etc in a public area, a nature trail, yet I can look at a messy counter in my kitchen and not do dishes till I’m good and ready. when I got home I even got real comfy and lay outside in a new deck chair watching the buds slowly drink in what was left of the afternoon sunshine. A lazy ME moment. Keeper joined me (female whippet)…. the mood and moment carried on into the evening. I call it turning off. Do you do this from time to time? Its healthy for us!
Northern Flicker has been dropping in now and then.. There is something about this woodpecker that makes it adorable. but then I’m a woodpecker “fan”… however, I now know from its calls yesterday… it can be very vocal.
On the 1st of each month in PL, we have a service at 10:a.m. Through this ceremony we pray for World peace and dedicate ourselves to live as peaceful human beings in our own worlds which include our home, school, work and community.
Let’s pray for world Peace. The path to World Peace will open up with each person’s prayer for peace.
Bouts of forgetfulness? You find yourself wanting to test your cognitive skills. Do you identify with articles that talk about memory issues. Do you have trouble staying focused. How do you do with retaining or learning new information/technology? Something that we are all experiencing at some level if we are now “adults”…
Every magazine has some kind of article in it that wants to educate us, on healthy habits, diet changes so that we are getting more legumes, whole grains, eat fish for more omega etc. the list goes on and on. there are articles and “people” who specialize in studying and passing on information about how to age gracefully.
A doctor once told me when I asked him the question..”am I over weight, should I be on a diet” his reply was to ask me, 1. how do you feel? do you feel good? Are you experiencing any symptoms that we need to look into? I had to think, but no I had no aches, pains, or discomfort, I was eating well, I wasn’t having headaches, my arthritis was not acting up, my diabetic numbers were good, maybe I could fall asleep faster, but in the grand scheme of things, I was in good working order. So health wise, I was fine, yes I was overweight (in my opinion) I wanted to be back at the weight I had been in my 20’s.
In his opinion, I was doing really well, my blood pressure and all the other factors he concerns himself with were good. So I was 20 pounds maybe even 25 pounds heavier .. so what, I was also older and less active than I had been in my younger years. He suggested at the time that I get out more, walk, get fresh air, spend less time worrying about my weight be thankful for my good health, and appreciate that I was healthy and able to get out and do things.. in other words.. practice a positive attitude.
I have taken to making sure I get out every day, I may miss a day here or there, but basically I go out every day and walk, or sit/commune with the wildlife in various locations… It is MY time… I allow myself the pleasure of taking in “nature”.. “seasons” “weather”… I interact with the wildlife and other people I meet along the way. I spend time in the present. Over time, being present/focused and being in the moment has become natural for me. It didn’t happen overnight, its been years in the “doing”.
I don’t worry/obsess about my estrogen levels, I don’t go looking for middle age problems, i simply enjoy whatever the day brings my way, and move on … Sometimes it works like a charm, other times I may come across a hiccup or two, but…. I know… this is now.. and it will pass. If I am tenacious about anything, it is about learning to”let go” to live my life the best way I can.. and move on. So brain drain becomes just a cute catch phrase to grab attention… did it work?
Get things started with grit. If you work on things in daily life with the attitude of “let’s do it!” you will feel a power to accomplish thigs. People around you will rely on 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.
dymoonblog 