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Bruce Lee

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In my younger years, I remembered Bruce Lee as Kato, the actor who played along side the Green Hornet on a television show that I watched on the black and white telly we had, with the one station.  Being Chinese in Canada in years gone by meant you were a an oddity.  You stood out like a sore thumb and there was no way you could not know that you were “different:  from the other people in the community in which you lived.  My Father was a wise man who taught me to live life with appreciation. To accept and do my best to understand the difference we all have, and how unique each individual is.  By seeing those who taunted and rejected me without really knowing me, as a lesson, teachers of another side of a coin if you will. I learned to dismiss their actions as a part of who they were, and to move on.  These same youngsters were soon my playmates.  We are still in contact today.    I have been blessed with knowing that they feel that in getting to know me  they learned about an other culture and how it was a positive in their lives.

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During the early years of my practice, martial arts became the “new fad”  The buzz was to take up a discipline and become another “Bruce Lee”.. It was always an honour for me when  young man/woman would come to my door asking for assistance in his/her developement.  NO I was not teaching a Martial Art technique, I was a teacher of the TAO, and worked with students and clients to help them deal with the daily stress they encountered in navigating their lives.

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I soon learned that my childhood hero Kato, was Bruce Lee and that he had a lot of things to say about life.  I also learned that he had a huge following.  His wisdom,  dedication and focus on his craft was legendary.

bc3d9a0df3f80e6d654a0a48848454a8There has been so much written about him and his philosophy on life.  You can find all kinds of information by just typing in his name in a search engine, and reams of info will pop up.  I shared his thoughts with you today because so much of it is the wisdom of the TAO and the philosophy I was weaned on.  Asked the other day, why I am now with the Church of Perfect Liberty, my answer is … because it is the teaching of the TAO … that the church embodies.  I’ve lived long enough to know that the TAO is life itself, and not everyone wants to be a warrior, even though if you think about it, we all are in our own way.  What everyone does want is to find peace of mind. We all treasure those moments in our lives when life is uncomplicated and we feel totally at ONE with the world.

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Please, allow me one more.. on love. friendship and lasting relationships.  Thank you for sharing this trip down memory lane with me,  You are very special and kind, I truly appreciate your company as I travel along this journey called life.

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Namaste    –     Oyashikiri

 

in box chuckle

Every morning, part of the wake up routine is that before the dogs get fed and let out, I turn on the computer so it can do its thing and be ready for me when i get back into my office.  “efficient use of time”  I feed the dogs, and wander back into the office with my huge over-sized mug of very cold water. This was part of a message I got from a friend today.

!cid_part3_04090709_09020106@shawAt first I just stared at it, humour isn’t one of my strong points, then the funny bone kicked in and …… well …… I couldn’t resist sharing it with you.  There were several such pictures, I’m sure you are all familiar with this type of e-mail.. They must land on in your in- boxes as much as they do mine, probably more so, since I’m known for my lack of humour.  This is the only other one I’ll share with you, because it too, gave me cause for reflection.

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How we start our day, often sets the tone for the rest of the day/night.  If we get up thinking, omg! another day of sunshine and blue skies, it will be soooo hot  outside. and list off all the negatives of how you perceive your day will be… then you are programming your self to look for and “complain” about each new discovery you make.  On the other “paw” if you wake up and see the sun shining on the ice formed on the tree branches outside your window, and enjoy the beauty of the diamond like rays of light that reflect off the ice crystals, and see the floating hazy mist that is drifting by on a blast of wind and think of how nice and crunchy the snow will be underfoot while you trundle off to work, your mood will be much more positive.  When you  greet others you will be more likely to have a happy positive tone in your voice.  Guess what…. a happy greeting and a smile, will reward you with a cheerful nod or greeting back.

c5a363300e0ff83760f63b49e973ec7bOK … LOL this will be a most interesting day… I keyed in crunchy snow, and I got this… a recipe for snow pea pods   It wasn’t what I was looking for but it was so yummy looking .. this dish was grilled but  “me thinks” it will make a great salad.  Cherry tomatoes, Parmesan and GARLIC.  (erecipecards.blogspot.com ) .. below is the crunchy snow.. =^_^=

2d30d78bd2a092f0fd23044004a48993Where-ever you go, what ever you do today, Make it a day you’ll remember,  Make a determined effort to share sunshine and happiness with others.  A wishy washy attitude will not give you a good st art to the day.  Be proactive and positive.  YOU CAN DO IT!

Namaste   –   Oyashikiri

Thank you Miss E for the funnies

last picture  -choulyewtan.blogspot.com

 

complaining vs observation & reactions

Good Morning everyone.

Today I’d like to discuss PL. Principle 2 ” I will not have complaints about others, matters, nor the weather.  Rather I will always be creative and will look for shortcomings in my own thinking and actions.”

23dbee890ee8f315dd46ad9ec995bdf4This is a lesson that I reappears in my life over and over again.  I don’t see myself as a complainer, however, there are times when I feel that my feelings or work is not appreciated.  It is true, that I do things because I want to.  I also love what I do.  why then do I seem to want some kind of feedback, or acknowledgement of my creativity. Please dear reader, understand these are musings.  In Principle 2, as you read above, I am to work at not having complaints about others, yet, there are times when I definitely feel that someone or others are simply not responding to a request I’ve made or given feedback on a subject that pertains to something we share or are both involved in. I ask myself, is it complaining to speak up, put my thoughts and feelings on the table? Or, is it being honest and open about something that bothers me?

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PL Principle 6 I will not be stubborn, being captured by my own thoughts.  

PL Principle  17, I will not say or do things that hurt others.

PL Principle 14,  I will not have a mind to be lazy, I will not have  complaints while working, nor be overly concerned and complain about others.

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Some days, when not sure just where to “land”…. when you feel that your head is in one place and your thoughts in another… I do what makes me feel better, I meditate and pray.  I remember that PL Precept 18 reminds me that “Each Moment is a turning Point”

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Be with God

Today, and everyday

Namaste   –   Oyashikiri

 

* stone arch bridge over trouble waters – 1st place winner FAA Optical Illusions.  fineartamerica.com

** paloma81.blogspot.com

*** cuteoverload.com

**** booknvolume.com

 

Sodalite

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If you are a believer in the power of gemstones, their healing properties, then you know of the Sodalite mineral.   Information gathered from folklore,other writing sources gives this mineral alleged powers.  Prior to being tumbled, they mineral looks something like the picture above.  After the rock is tumbled and polished it can look like this palm sized specimen shown below.

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Favourite for wearing or carrying it close to you, is of course  jewelry.  Because of the various claims, how you use it will depend on what you are wanting from the mineral’s energy force.  Below is a lovely piece set in sterling silver.  since Sodalite is associated with the thyroid, a pendant would be nice, worn on a necklace.  One source lists Sodalite as being helpful when a person is wanting to lose weight.  You can see it is believed to be a very versatile and powerful mineral.

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In books on gemstones, Sodalite is said to bring inner peace, if you keep it in your pocket so that it with you at all times and in rooms you spend a lot of time in, the peaceful properties will flow all around you.  A dark stone, it  is interspersed with white calcite.  Largest deposits are from Brazil.  It is said that Sodalite will harmonize the inner being or the conscious and sub conscious mind, promoting peace and harmony. =^_^=  fellow bloggers it is supposed to be extra lucky for writers.  For  those of you who are active in athletic endeavours such as sports that require endurance, Sodalite is the stone for you.

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A beautiful display of Sodalite rock in Namibia, also found in the lavas of Vesuvius, Italy.  although massive sodalite samples are opaque, crystals are usually transparent to translucent.  Above photo was taken by Charlie Waite, you can see his work on his web page, http://www.charliewaite.com.

sodalite in natural form

The above natural raw sodalite gemstones were found on etsy.com    Here I know that I can go down to the museum and purchase  another small specimen, that is if I can’t locate what I’ve done with my own pieces.  It was my desire to search out my piece that got me started on this particular blog. =^_^=.    When opportunity knocks open the door!

Namaste   –   Oyashikiri

 

Decadent

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If you are a chocolate lover, is this cuteness enough for you =^_^=  All my bunny lover pals, will find this sooooooo cute.  On the other hand, I know that my chocolate buddies will want a little more drool …=^_^=

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This brownie pie takes an hour and a half to make, and serves 10 – 12 people.  I look in awe at such a decadent delight,  #1  I’m diabetic and can’t indulge, #2 a whole hour and a half to prepare something that even if I tried would never look like that ( I am not a baker) I can still admire the talent and  dedication it must have taken to put this together, and then artfully display it. Wow. Same applies to the pancakes, that is so creative..ba2ee34c49b8dfc4e6aa8f6130116269

A picture says it all,  Angel food cake French Toast, cream cheese and strawberry syrup.  Says it serves six, now is this one serving that is shown here? or do we have to share???  Have I found your taste buds yet?  I know all these decadent offerings and all before lunch time.   below This is what I had in mind when I started my search. Noodle dishes! big fat juicy shrimps! Bonus if its spicy. I know, I know,  noodles/pastas are not good for the blood sugar counts. %>(

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Do I  cheat, yes I do.  There are days when I just can’t resist the urge to have something that is totally decadent and sinful.  I’ve learned that it happens, and once I feed my determined taste buds, they are satisfied I didn’t ignore them, I allowed them “voice”, they are content to take a back seat.  Moderation.

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This is what I call truly decadent, this dish and versions of it, I’d eat everyday .   Crunchy Asian Salad with peanut dressing,   Why all this talk of food, I guess it’s because the last few days I’ve heard so much talk of people wanting to lose weight, go to the gym more often and and and. It almost sounds like they are unhappy with  what they have become….    Starting a new year, or new day isn’t about depriving yourself, it’s about living your day to the fullest and being as happy as you can be.  Happy people, tend to be healthier, happy is a stare of mind and BEING,.

Every morning when we wake up, appreciate that you are alive, we have a day ahead to enjoy.  If you wake up and already you are pushing negative thoughts out into the Universe, then you are more likely to have a crappy day. I agree it isn’t always easy to be cheerful and positive, but if we truly want to be happy, we will look at creative ways to make happy happen.

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Enjoy the moment, get out there and let the happy happen…

Namaste   Oyashikiri

 

* handmadecharlotte.com

** ladybehindthe curtain.com

*** carlsbadcravings.com

**** gimmesomeoven.com

v – juliasalbum.com

v* inspiredbycharm.com

hello…bonjour…alo

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hello out there

how are you today

I’ve been thinking of you a lot these days

have you been well… are you alright…

has time been good to you…

is your world sunny and bright

a lot of questions, I know

it is just that when my thoughts drift in your direction 

I remember the fun we had

&  how you made me laugh

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life is good, I’m very happy

every day I’m presented with a brand new day

and I hope in my heart that you are happy too

the world is such an amazing place…

that our hearts connected is such a gift

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love is such a powerful and amazing gift

it transcends all and everything

we may never understand it

but as long as we believe and trust in God

we will always be connected

for we are…. ONE

Namaste    –   Oyashikiri

* man-and-camera.com

** magicalnaturetour.tumblr.com

*** photofrom the world.com

enthusiasm – opportunities

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This is the Aqua dome hotel in Austria, don’t know about you, but I find it very inviting. Today I watched people jumping into cold water where the ice had been chopped away for the annual polar bear dip (fund-raiser) we are not talking one or two people, there was a large gathering.  All for a good cause, they put on their swim trunks and other festive costumes to jump into the freezing water while a crowd gather to watch the antics.  Weather here was below freezing at the time of day they took the plunge.

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I have since learned that this is not uncommon .. the above was the picture of the day 7 December 2012 (Telegraph.co.uk), a winter swimmer drove into freezing waters, Beijing Lake in Shenyang China.

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The Huffington Post, posted this picture along with a story on how in an effort to help a family in Missouri, thousands across the country took a dive into freezing waters across the USA.  What kind of determination and hardiness does it take to prompt a person to take this challenge?  In our daily lives we might not take such extreme actions, but we do have to gather our inner strength to tackle some of the difficulties/problems that drop in on us.

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This is more “me” – a Japanese Snow monkey settles in to a hot spring  (Jigokudani,Nagano, Japan) for a warm soothing lazy laid back, meditation, (private time).. The enthusiasm in which we tackle our challenges, can often lead to opportunities that bring about positive results into our lives.  Especially when we put our whole effort (Makoto=sincerity) into our actions.

sleeping squirrelA day of activity leaves us tuckered out and ready for a good sleep, especially when we have applied ourselves to the day’s events, living each moment to the fullest….when we finally find that quiet patch, we can easily lie down and effortlessly sleep.

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Namaste    –    Oyashikiri

Pinterest +

last picture roberitatesac.wix.com

Life is Art

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Artistic expressions are what makes life a work of art.  Your life is your very own unique work of art.  If you cut corners are miss important details, you will not be able to live up to your fullest potential.  If you ignore truths, and live life half heartedly you will not live a full life.   Life is full of  an accumulation of small moments.

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Where-ever you are, you are a living person, you interact with others, and situations, circumstances that come you way.  In order to do so you express your feelings.  Your life is shaped by the way you express yourself, each and every day.

In PL, Perfect Liberty, on the 1st day of every month we celebrate – Day of Peace – through a ceremony where we pray for World Peace.  We rededicate our purpose in life to live as peaceful human beings in our own worlds.  January 1, is not only the first day of the month, but the first day of a new year.  In PL this is one of four major ceremonies.  We affirm our sincere desire to begin anew, living an artistic life according to the teachings of the PL.

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PL Precept # 3. God appears through One’s Self.

Namaste   –   Oyashikiri

 

 

 

* Pinterest

** Camogli,liguria, Province of Genoa, Italy – Flickr.com

*** losgraficosdelgato.blogspot.com.es

Tuning into tomorrow

d76d3ccfda1e00bf599e4fd88ad7e809Another time and place – Cloud People of Peru.  These figures balance on the ledge of cliff, their gaze fixed where the first rays of the rising sun will appear.  They wait for a new day to dawn.  The Chachapoyas were an ancient Andean people known as the Warriors of the Clouds.  They inhabited the mist swathed rain-forests of what is now known as Northern Peru.   These figures stand as remnants of a civilization that was wiped out some 5  hundred years ago. They look out over the vast Utcubamba Valley  (sourced disclose.tv)

civilizations, come and go

nature and its natural wonders

constantly evolve

reminders of another time

echo unspoken wisdom

and  for true seekers

the stories unfold & knowledge is shared

digested and recreated

for the pilgrims of tomorrow 

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These Celtic figures on Boa Island,  have stood the test of time… (irishmegaliths.org.uk) these stone aged megaliths show a tender embrace.  Love is what transcends all the realities of today, and  fine tunes our lives for tomorrow and ever after. 

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The Universe is what it is,

and we. are part of it,

no more… no less.

 

 

 

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Namaste   –   Oyashikiri

self expression

Your environment and the things that happen to us and around us, are the materials/tools of our self-expression.  In living the PL “way” we  learn that it is with God’s blessings that we are able to freely express ourselves using these materials.

4fead84ae78e442b65208bc3535b2d14By doing our best to live a life that is filled with happiness and good health, we have to begin with the basics in life. We have to believe and trust that our connection to the Universe is a constant force in all we say and do.  We need to strive to maintain, respect and acceptance of the  difference in others,  And, to recognize that hardships are the challenges in life that give us strength and character.

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There is only one you, individual, unique and very special.  You are the “artist” who creates the story lines in your “book”  Make them joyful and meaningful.

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Live each day to the fullest, never regret what was, celebrate the experience and move on.  The photographer who saw this moment in time, captured it for us, what a beautiful sharing. From the state of mind of being one with God, we learn the path to happiness, how to progress and elevate ourselves to find true freedom in our lives, based on the truth, ” Life is Art”

Namaste   –    Oyashikiri

* Epic house, TNW, the nextweb.com

**buzzfeed.com  Barios,Ecuador

*** amongraf.ro  Jacaranda trees in bloom, Pretoria South Africa

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