Praying, do you?
“life is not always a bed of roses” note.. roses have thorns.”
Praying before taking action changes the outcome… Have clear wishes and do your best. then something new will open up for you.
Perfect Liberty 2022.27
Archive for the ‘teaching’ Category
relearning…
Good morning.. I went back through my files.. to find this picture that Num took some time ago, this rabbit, (ok one like it) gave me a very pleasant visit yesterday. I had come back from my “mindful” walk earlier that I expected to. The mosquitos/biting insects* were just to hungry. Cloudy overcast, off and on drizzle kept the film crew away, so I was totally alone in that stretch of woodlands. I was feeling a tad grumpy I had been viciously attacked during my walk, through my clothes and despite the “keep away” bug sprays and lotions.
Once I took off my rain gear, put away my carving knife and the piece of wood I was working on, I felt watched. Closing the trunk I turned to walk around the car to get in .. and found that I was being watched. At a safe distance sat this young rabbit just watching me. I had seen him/her earlier as I came closer to the parking area.. running in and out of the tall vegetation that lined the path I was on. I was surprised that it didn’t turn tail and run.. it just sat there as if it was wondering what this odd two legged creature was doing..
The birds that had been feeding and going about their morning routine had also taken an interest.. was it because I was alone, there were no other beings around, certainly the film crew was not around, nor were any of the regular “bird watchers” or dog owners .. it was just too damp and muggy. I got in the car, started the car, and watched as the rabbit hopped away when the engine started. For some reason, I turned off the motor and just sat there… he/she reappeared peaking out from the brush. With the motor off, I simply sat there, turned the radio off and just watched to see what would happen.
LOL I got a taste of what the animals must feel like when humans come around pointing cameras /binoculars etc. at them. The rabbit boldly came up closer to look up and into the car at me.. then ran around so it could see from all sides of the car.. I won’t swear to it, but I think it was being playful, it began to run across the road down into the little gully and around the outer rim of the parking lot, showing its stump and long legs as it ran, pranced and explored the grounds all around the car. Always checking and looking back to see if I was watching. (fyi this is a dead end road that is only used by people who know this area exists)
I am not a person who just sits in my car. but here I was.. just sitting and watching the antics of my little friend who was obviously keeping me company. This took place for a good 15 minutes, till my phone came alive.. and broke the “spell”. I was given a reminder.. that one need not always be “doing something” or “on the move”.. maybe an old dog can be taught “new tricks” or reminded of past lessons that have been put aside or not practiced.
During my walk, even tho’ I was being bitten and bothered by flying dive bombers*… I did notice that my mindful walking has been improving.. I walk slower, quieter and even though I’m whittling, I’m finding a way to be present in a way that blends in with my surroundings. The birds along the way, were not flying away when I approached, they were accepting of my presence. I’m a long way from having the “stillness” and mindfulness that I am wanting.. but progress is being made.
Be cheerful and friendly with those around you. Other people* can sense how you are feeling. So be cheerful
Perfect Liberty 2022. 24
- just because we don’t see .. doesn’t mean there are no “eyes” on you.
- * I had huge big bites/welts on upper arms and neck that itched like crazy (through my layers of clothing!!!
determination
In life nothing is ever “simple”… the lake may look calm, but under the surface there is a multitude of activity in all shapes and sizes. Decide what it is important, and let it happen. Find a way. Stay positive.
Does the past ever walk up to you and say…”hi” “remember me” – when you clean up/ clear out, boxes are found, files, old correspondence, pictures. There are a couple of you that have traced your families back, I am fascinated when I read the detail and the wonderful stories you uncover. In my world, I live in the moment (most of the time)..so when my extraordinary friend (she loves organizing, sorting and the like) (like.. there is such a person in my life…!!!) came down and said,” you should look at these”(she had opened an old briefcase** she came across when trying to put some order to what remains of my husband’s offices …
Like the plant, I just keep on trucking… I like space to move ahead, explore, to live each moment as it comes. Sometimes these is a lot of “happening” all at once, and then there are dry spells… always there is change.
I have around me, beautiful gardens and landscapes, I appreciate them, I do… but I am the plant that grows in the cracks along the roadside, or in unwanted/unused spaces. “When there is a will, there is a way”.. the picture brought back memories.. long road trips to hotels/nightclubs in distant places. We played 6 nights of the week, traveling on the 7th day to the next gig, unless we were booked for 2 weeks. We were a “show band”.. lead guitar, bass, and drums.. side men were added depending on the lounge or club we were playing and what the venues wanted. At one place, we even arrived to find that there was a stripper booked at the same time.. her back up didn’t show. we got to play for her… now that was a hoot!
Today is the 21st. there is a service this evening at the church 7 pm. Service of Appreciation. – When we live each day doing our best, and being “present”… there are few regrets.. just memories that help make the person you are today.
Thank you thank you, thank you. Let’s live with gratitude towards everyone and everything all day today.
Perfect Liberty 2022.21
wish I still I had the dress to see if I can still wear it.. yeah sometimes the ego just won’t shut up.
** I have yet to really look at all that is in the briefcase, I will..
Pine Grove Trail
I was so sad this morning when I visited P18 otherwise known as PIne Grove Trail. You can see the destruction of this beautiful location .. it is completely torn up. My husband and I walked the dogs there years ago.. it was such a beautiful serene area. The story I wrote about the woodland creatures was set in this location. Seeing the devastation was heart wrenching.
Times like this brings home.. nothing is forever. Forever is now.. in that moment. The trees were like cathedral walls, their canopy was magical. Now as you can see, what was, is no longer. When the crews finally do get in to start clearing away the fallen trees, the landscape will be forever changed.
Much like my world without someone I thought would be in my life “forever”.. was called away into his own “forever” – life IS. only we (me, myself and I) can make changes within our “selves”
Start today with a fresh outlook. Even though people and situations may look the same, they are constantly changing. Start each day with a fresh mind.
Perfect Liberty 2022.17
dragon
Start by thinking “Let’s do it” Once you decide to do something and putyour whole heart into it, things will start moving forward.
Perfect Liberty 2022.8
Good morning, I am slowly getting my feet back on the ground after the big storm and being without power for 7 days …The city is still in recovery mode. I was speaking to a friend who lives in Oklahoma in the States, she was saying in her State they often have hurricans touch down.. and herself was without power for over 2 weeks one time. I just can’t imagine.. but it was nice to speak with someone who could relate to what I went through without a lot of explanation.
I had never ever experienced what I went through when this storm in May hit. According to news and articles written .. this city has not seen such destruction and upheavel in decades, it was said to be worse than the big ice storm we had. I did go through that, and I did have damage to property at that time, but this last experience (perhaps because I am older) I am not bouncing back with a hip horrah… Also so many around me, friends and acquaintences are still reeling.. AND so many are going to be dealing with the damages to their properties for a long time to come.
Due to this ..my response time to the backlog of e-mails and correspondence .. I apologize, but there was just toooooo much.. and a lot has been lost or deleted. I have been reading posts.. thank you all.. your pictures, stories, blogs.. all appreciated...
There are positive aspects in sadness… I am looking. Previous moments have taught me acknowledging and naming our sadness is critical in the “recovery”…. I’m working on that too. so saying I’m going to get dressed and head out for my walk. Yesterday I walked in the rain (wearing full protection,including a head/face net) the biting insects were out in full force. Humans had the good sense to stay home, all but yours truly…
For those of you who will “get” this. I have been visited by ravens.. they keep appearing close by me, flying past me, coming close and calling… ravens/crows I love them. they sense my need and come to encourage me.
June 6
Eyes wide and staring – mouth open in horror – what happened to the rest of me !!!!
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
I’ve collected bits and pieces of this wonderful big old tree that was downed during the storm. I’m using some of the pieces in the storm art . (mixed media) I’m working on… so far.. I’m experimenting.. this tree had a long life, it was home to many many wildlife, insects, fungi, it will be missed.
….. when nothing is sure, everything is possible …..
survival
These little gems are delighting the viewers by peaking up along the trails between all the many shades and hues of greens/browns/grays that are in view as I amble along the trail looking for wood to carve. I am searching out smaller pieces of wood that I can use on the “storm art ” I am visualizing and want to put on canvas.
After the storm there are twigs, branches, all kinds of debris to sort through.. the need is to slow my pace and explore each side of the trail as I make my way slowly along. Everyday I walk (sometimes the same trail) and every day it is always different.
***** Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful ****
Take action without thinking too hard. No matter how hard you try to foresee the future, you really don’t know how things will turn out. Do your best and see how it plays out.
Perfect Liberty 2022.4
**** Dwell in possibility****
new beginnings yes/no
Have a prayerful mind to love yourself and others. Open up your heart fully when praying to God. It will help you sort out our feelings.
Perfect Liberty 2022.31
The power came back on for me after being off for 7 full days plus. That was the beginning. Yes it was a great relief to have power back in my house. But something had changed, not only in the structure of the house, but in my “head”… my body had only aged 7 days… but the stress and anxiety of the many hours spent in a “kind of limbo” had yet to reveal itself.
Yesterday I did what I routinely do, I headed for the woodlands. I met an entomologist who is working on a research project on biting insects.. in particular yesterday he was going to tend his tents of horse and deer flies at the research station some two miles + down one of the gated areas at one of the conservation areas that I frequent.
He graciously allowed me to drive with him to the research station (he was concerned and wanted to make sure I knew I would have a long walk back) I assured him I knew the distance and had done it before. For me it meant I only had to walk back,. not the distance to get there and then back. I knew it was going to be a hot muggy day…. this area is an old road, some of it is old pavement, the rest of it is overgrown dirt road Actually all of it is overgrown, the area has a gate that is kept locked with only authorized vehicle and personnel having keys.
What I have found intersting is that a fallen tree is no longer just a damanged tree, I have walked the area for a long time now, I know the trees, when I see them hurt and injured, I “feel” it. As I walked back after being shown his project, and had a brief intro into the research he is doing, I headed back, taking my time … I don’t often walk down this far during the heavy mosquito season. He did show me what he uses to ward off the little critters, he lathered the product liberally all over his neck face and head. They were in great abundance out in that field… My “Off” worked for me, but I was covered from head to toe, long sleeves, long pants, hood/ hat, gloves… as I walked the sun smiled down on me… letting the full force of the heat/humidity add to my ambiance.
No skeetos bothered me, even when the discomfort of the heat finally got to me and I took off the gloves, then the hood, then the hat.. thankfully a playful breeze dropped by to give me a bit of a break. It was draining. there were birds cheering me along, I even saw a hawk, he swooped by across my path, startled me.. he appeared out of nowhere and then vanished just as quickly.
I have a lot of angst to sort through. My thoughts/feelings are jumbled and I am bordering* on being exhausted. My wonderful long time friend who helped keep the generator going during the power .. outage.. when we talked last night.. said he too was feeling the “imbalance” in his life. He didn’t loose power … but spent his time driving back and forth to my place trying to keep my fridge cold to save my insulin. The generator we had was old and sounded loud, it was loud… how he sat working it for days on end it beyond me.. he was a real trouper.
He had to manouver past the fallen trees, accidents, (traffic lights were out in so many places) plus he had his family to worry about, (they had come in contact with covid) No one really got to sail through this disaster without being affected.
Another friend send me this picture.. I do not know what the words say… does anyone out there know?
Enough for now. I have another delivery to make for the food bank. If you are in an area that is dealing with the aftermath of this last storm… please… if you can help….. it would be greatly appreciated.
I heard the song of the cowbird this morning.
*I probably am exhausted
update 5/30
Good morning, the news and media are full of pictures of the destruction and havoc caused by the storm, I’m sure many of you have googled or seen on the news the ravage dealt the province when the storm hit.
This is the large tree that was uprooted at the church, thankfully it did not fall towards the church or the seniors residence.
What to do………… What can be done …..
PL Precept #1 – Life is Art. this is a challenge for sure. We can only go forward. We cannot rewrite the last weeks.
PL Precept # 4 Being annoyed imits your expression. Tough one, how can one not feel the stress/anxiety that this force of nature has delivered. So many people are still without power.. yes.. you read that right, especially those living in more remote areas of the province, or outside the central core of the city.
PL Precept # 18 Each moment is a turning point
What can we do. The storm has forced us to sit up and take notice. Even those of us who now have power, we are left to cleanup, clear up, face the daunting task of rebuilding .. finding our “balance” our sense of “normal” … of course nothing will ever be as it was. somethings are gone forever.
It is important to remember that while we are coping with whatever “issues/problems” that have been put in our “in” basket… there are men and women who have been working around the clock .. rebuilding, rescueing, repairing and doing their best to make the city and our homes safe again.
” Let’s have a humble mind. Once you think, “That’s good enough” you become blind to the opportunities to be more creative.” PL day 30 of 2022 calendar
While I made the many trips up the stairs with the food that was wasted .. trekking down the laneway to the recycle bin.. (today is garbage day).. I thought… “ok, you are getting exercise, this will add to your daily step count”
Then I was inspired to get a big box and fill it with staples from my over stocked kitchen cupboards to take to the foodbank this morning..
What can you do today to help someone else…
The skies seem overcast and gloomy.. have not heard the weather forecast for today…. I hope the weather holds so that the construction and hydro crews can continue to work in safety…
PL Precept # 16 All things progrss and develop
Take each moment a step at a time… Till soon.
“everything happens for a reason”… “everything”
May 13th.
I see this fallen tree every time I walk the trail at Mer Bleu.. and always I stop and ponder… could I walk across it. I want to try, I’ve looked at the distance I would fall if I lost my balance, not that far a drop, altho’ I am no longer in my twenties.. 30’s even.. so I hesitate. Maybe if I have someone with me when I attempt it… we shall see.
You can only change yourself. Before you start telling peple how they should do things, think of how you can be more flexible.
Perfect Liberty 2022/13
Today was today, how profound is that..!.. tomorrow will be a brand new day…
dymoonblog 