Good morning everyone, these were the colourful blooms outside the window of the social room at the church yesterday. The lovely pink flowers on the left were the subject of much conversation. No one remembers planting them, or seeing them before. In fact, everyone present remembered t hem as being an orange before? So dear readers… do these flowers have a habit of changing colours as they make their way through the growing cycle? I know that many of you are plants wonders….thoughts?
When you face difficulties, start with anything you can do. When you are able to grasp the situation, you will surely be able to notice something that you can do.
Perfect Liberty 2022.12
I am reminding everyone early, that on August 1st. we will be celebrating Founders’ Day (Kyososai), watch for announcements. Service is usually at 10 a.m. through this ceremony we rededicate ourselves to the teachings of PL (Perfect Liberty) and the realization of World Peace.
Hognose Snake from Texas – Yeah.. how about that, a snake. In a conversation happening around me, I heard someone say they saw a hognose.. I had no idea, when I said, what is a hognose, that someone would send me a link and a picture(s). OK. I who walk across the road to avoid a small little garter snake, was slightly taken off guard. Not something I would go out of my way to see, or know about.
I’m a city gal, and I tend to live and frequent areas where if there are snakes they are not where I come across them. Plus I live in a climate that doesn’t encourage snakes to be part of the landscapes I visit In reading about this little wonder .. it seems that to some its so cute they have them as a pet. Yeah. that is something wouldn’t come to mind if I saw one near me. It is known to be a bit of a “drama queen” it seems when it is threatened one of its defenses is to play dead.. I’m not going to link you to that video, but it is interesting .. the snake does put on a performance. While its playing dead it is giving off a putrid awful smell to add to the deceit that it is rotting/decaying/dead.
If I am to transform my negative thinking, try to be more positive and open to new ideas/thoughts etc. then taking a moment to read about this little critter is a step in the right direction. I learned that this “animal” has a personality, it thinks (not like we do), it has some kind of intelligence that keeps it going during its lifetime, helps it hunt and survive… Aren’t we, also daily doing our best to adapt and survive.
Express yourself clearly so others can understand you. When you can’t communicate clearly, it can lead to problems. Always express yourself carefully to avoid any misunderstanding.
Perfect Liberty 2022.9
Till soon
Service tomorrow July 10 will be at 10: a.m.
service Monday July 11. Ancestors day, there will be a ceremony at 10: a.m.
A beautiful sunny day, the entrance to the site is still closed to visitors. The trees lie where they have fallen, the exposed roots lay bare for all to see. There is no access to the paths or the outdoor facility. Destruction is everywhere. The birds and wildlife are back to singing and going about their business, but to the human visitor, the paths are littered with fallen trees and branches. Very dangerous.
As I wandered on the outskirts of the debris.. I heard a chain saw. Curious I made my way back to the entrance, where a young woman had backed up her truck and was cutting away the limbs that were within her reach. She explained she was gathering up wood for the winter… some of it was obviously too green, but she said, it will be dry for next winter.
I am not an official of the conservation area, I could only caution her as to the risk she would be taking if she ventured into the woods.. I could understand her wanting to gather up the dead wood, her logic was that as people cleared up and put the fallen branches and tree parts to the curb.. there was so much of it, often it could not all be gathered up in one go. So she was in her own way, helping declutter. (her logic)
Since I myself collect fallen bits and pieces for my wood carving and whittling.. I could do nothing but smile and encourage her to be cautious. Life… is what it is…
Start by thinking “let’s do it” Once you decide to do something and put your whole heart into it, things will start moving forward.
Perfect Liberty 2022.8
Yes there is potential danger we had such a severe storm, and damage in areas is brutal. However, life is what it is and nature will continue to grow and recycle. I am drawn like a moth to a flame. I find comfort in being near and part of what IS. What will be, will be.. No more, no less.
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.
In my journey yesterday, I looked for open spaces. There is always so much to see when visiting a new park/trail … Keeping in mind I have been trying to observe my reactions to everything, noticing my feelings, negative, positive and neutral… the mind get can get so cluttered, I thought.. create spaces where the mind can simply BE. It is an exercise. I’m working on it. =^_^=
There was a space with sunlight, I was just aiming ready to click, when a little squirrel jumped unto the log. .. he made me smile.. so click… bless his little heart, he stayed to share the moment.
Your smile is what’s needed. A smile invites happiness and cheer and is essential to energize others as well as yourself.
take center stage – play out a fantasy – express your individuality
Discover each person’s unique qualities. When we approach people with respect, we can understand them better and see their special qualities.
Perfect Liberty 2022.2
What are you watching now, how are you reacting. Do you have a secret desire to do something different, to be someone else for a day, to just get away, to have time to your SELF. In days past, we were entertained by going to hotels, bars, nightclubs, we met friends in cafes, restaurants, we gathered in the park, attended sporting events, we mingled with our neighbours and friends.. We said hello to people we saw daily, we expressed genuine interest in what what going on around us.
So often I see people, rushing from one place to another, we drive around in cars, get out, go do what we need to do, get back in our cars go to the next destination, do what needs doing and then often head back to home/office and we have not had a social interaction all the time we were out. Except to say what we need to say to the clerk helping or the cashier on the way out.
It is about routine, schedules, appointments, deadlines, obligations, bookings, err… where does having fun come in, or just chilling.. we plan for our vacation, then rush to the destination, try to fit in as much as possible in the few days we are there, collect postcards, take photos, and then look for something else to do so that are “holiday” isn’t wasted. busy busy busy
Are you feeling motivated, relaxed, are you having fun right now.. are you rested? Are you doing something you want to do because it makes you happy, pleases you, makes you feel special and content inside and out just because life is ooooh sooo good!
I know there are events taking place all around the city its Canada Day long week-end here and in the States, its the 4th of July. There are a lot of places to go .. there are concerts, there will be huge gatherings .. lots of people… What are you doing to celebrate? (if you celebrate).. celebrate YOU.
It is easy to focus on negatives in life, but it is important to make time to acknowledge, and appreciate the positives. Find gratitude. Explore all the different facets and dimensions of YOU.
Oyashikiri
social interaction/people skills, is that a lost art?
Simplify your routine – be gentle to yourself. Listen to the the sights and sounds around you. Eat more mindfully, tone, stretch breathe, and relax!
In Canada, .. July 1. is Canada Day!
Brighten up your day with happy thoughts, shared moments. Its been a long time since I’ve been inspired to just sit down at my computer and put together a visual thought. A thought /verse or moment that pops up in my head and simply needs to be visualized.* If you are a writer/artist, you know about those moments when “inspiration hits”… we say.. “Oh, great idea” and then we move on to doing something else or finishing what we were doing when the “idea” came to us. –hours later we have forgotten, that “moment” has disappeared, we vaguely recall some of it.. but the “bright light” has dimmed.
In trying to be more observant of my reactions, I am doing my best to notice my feelings – positive, negative and neutral… I know when I am mindful … I get a sense of freedom. The mind is always chasing who, what, why of our experiences. Today during service, I will do a mindful meditation .. to reconnect with the spaces between the many thoughts that bounce around in my head. I will let a thought come, notice it, and let it go.
Instead of immediately chasing after a pleasant idea, or instantly running away from something unpleasant, I’ll step back .. notice what is happening.. and simply observe. LOL sounds easy.. believe me it takes practice.. but so well worth it. Join me?
I was in Japan, studying .. it was an experience of a lifetime. Teachers like this one, spoke only Japanese, for International students like myself, we had a translator, English for those of us from North America, Spanish for those from the countries that needed Spanish, and Portuguese for members from Brazil and Portugal. Here it is 2022.. and I am still assimilating and processing the experience and the lessons,
Yes, I was back again, and yes, the experiences were always a total immersion in the culture and the philosophy. Nothing was familiar, similar but different…
Now many years later, I look back and reflect on the journey that led me to today, I woke with a sense that I had somehow been away and have just come home again. Looking at the clock I see it is barely after 4 a.m. and I am awake with a mind full of questions and … and what…
PL Precept # 19 Begin once you Perceive.
I seem to have something I want to do, think I should be doing, but… it is not gelling… not clear what it is my subconscious is trying to make me aware of. I have been doing a lot of clearing out, cleaning up, could this be a by-product of the new spaces opening up around me?
PL Precept # 15 All is a mirror
What am I seeing? The 21 PL Precepts reveal the true path of life for all humankind. Beginning with Precept #1 Life is Art.
Today I will try to Grasp what is most essential – Precept # 17
Each Precept is written in simple and clear language, but the truth revealed in their words applies universally to all humankind. To be mindful today, I will do my best to continue to observe and try my best to declutter more of my “inner” thoughts so that I can progress in a meaningful manner, and do my best to live today with “good intentions”
PL Precept # 7 Everything exists in relativity.
It was years ago, and I am sill there today – the sight/sounds became part of me
What happens when something happens that is out of your control. One minute there is a familiar and welcoming environment, and suddenly with a roar of a raging, angry, demented winds and torrential downpour, years of happy memories are wiped out. boom, crash, what was, is gone. Like a ripple in the calm waters. one casualty causes a domino effect.
The forest floor is littered with fallen trees, some have been standing for years, their arms had reached high into the sky, now… they lie broken, no longer able to stand, so damaged there is no way to heal. Because these trees are in areas that are frequented by humans, not all, but some will not be left as they have fallen, but will need to be removed, in most cases, relocated or repositioned so that they are not a safety hazard.
The damages have been so extensive (we are blessed in this Province with a lot of green space.) it will be not weeks, but months , maybe even years before there is a sense of “normal” again. People with special training from the Forestry dept. have been called in.. It is a huge project.
blocked path by a tree that finally fell – yes there is still danger of falling trees!
Some areas might look safe, but if the NCC has danger /caution tapes up, and the sign says THIS SITE IS CLOSED … there is a valid reason for this. I am amazed at just how many times these tapes need replacing because “some people” feel the need to rip them down, and enter when there are clear signs that the area has not been cleared yet and is still a potential danger/risk.
There are ways around the tapes, one can go under or walk to an area that is not barred, people determined to go in, do so at their own risk.. When you take down the caution tapes and rip away the signs saying the site is closed, that puts other people at risk.
It is not fun to be stuck in one place. Instead of being captured by what’s in front of you strive to broaden your horizons.
Perfect Liberty 2022.28
Please be aware that what you do, could have consequences for others.
Think /pause before acting out. or doing something that can impact a decision someone else may make.
PL Precept # 20 Live maintaining equilibrium between mind and matter.
Make today a memorable day. Let’s try to put out whole heart into whatever we say or do, as our unique signature.
Perfect Liberty 2022.26
When I see the picture …I remember the many times we drove there to let the dogs enjoy the water We had Canaille (Portuguese Water Dog).. she absolutely loved water.. On hot days like the heat/humid and sultry weather we’ve been having, we felt it was an obligation to find her water to swim in. At that time our other dog was a Labrador mix, the two could wade and swim while the human parents sat on the big rocks along the water’s edge and enjoyed their antics.
Fast forward to 2022.. could I find it today, I don’t think so… I seldom drive out to that part of the Province anymore, in fact, I think if I get over to the Quebec side a couple of times a year, that is a lot. I have become a creature of habit, and I stay pretty much “local”. My eldest dog now is Velcro who just turned 15 (whippet) he, nor Keeper (10) (whippet) have no interest in swimming and I of course am now a widow…. “THE ONLY CONSTANT IN LIFE IS CHANGE”
Someone asked me the title of a book the other day, it was Atlas of the Heart (Brene Brown) the book takes us on a journey through 87 of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. “We cultivated love when we allow our most vulnerable and powerful selves to be deeply seen and known”
“Love is not something we give or get; it is something we nurture and grow, a connection that can be cultivated between two people only when it exists within each one of them – we can love others only as much as we love ourselves”
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 