This bench is where I did my sunbathing. I cleared off most of the snow, gathered my coat around me and lay down.. closed my eyes and basked in the sunshine. There was a gentle warmth that warmed my face. I was in a happy space. It was so quiet, there were no birds singing, no little critters running about. I had the place to myself. Where was I, in the middle of a bog. It was at least a twenty minute walk to the spot where I was lying down. The boardwalk you can see still has snow packed on the boards, but with the use of my walking stick it was doable. The first bench I came to, (boardwalk photo) was totally covered in hard packed snow. Make no mistake, this area is still in its winter wardrobe.
Sun bathing in winter is not something I usually do. This was a first actually. Would I do it again, yes… it was pleasant, and I liked the silence. If you look at the bench photo, you can see where I dropped a peanut in case a little critter wanted to join me.. I had no takers. What time was all this, somewhere between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30..
“Make today a memorable day. Let’s try to put our whole heart into whatever we say or do, as our unique signature.
A hideaway, a secret rendez-vous.. somewhere some place, an idyllic get away, I couldn’t resist when I saw this bit of landscape, I wanted to go up and be part of the scenery.. sit under a tree, enjoy the breeze coming off the water’s edge. But … it was not my place… someone else lived there. I was a passerby … who fell in love with that moment in time.
Of course this would have made a wonderful post for my Thursday Door challenge that I participate in, but today is not Thursday, it is Sunday, and this is when the picture fell out of my file … I couldn’t pass it by. I wanted to share the moment with you. Life gets so busy at times, that what happens is we react and respond to what is before us. In my studies last night, I listened to a lecture given at one of the universities on coping and living through the many challenges and opportunities we are given in life. Believe me, they can be numerous at times.
The picture above was one taken a couple of years ago when I was exploring a part of the virtual world I had not been in before. It was another artist’s creation, another person’s vision, i was just lucky .. I saw it and captured it … Now I wish I had taken the time to see who the architect was that had the vision to produce such a welcoming environment.
If you have an adventure in your nature, there is a new build in SL called the Golden Place, (A tropical photogenic island, it has many hideaways where you an enjoy some awesome views if you love taking photos, or just being on a beach listening to music, you might enjoy transporting your avatar to the island to explore, http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Golden%20Place/99/156/22
I had a personal experience recently that showed me that I can be vulnerable and my feelings and “comfort zone” can be turned topsy turvy… life isn’t always the same old, same old “stuff”. I can’t just call up a travel agent and board a plane for Cuba or some other far away destination. I am at the moment living in a world that is smack in the middle of a snow season. Sometimes come March, spring is in the air and the world is breaking free of the winter “blues” not so this year.
As a photographer, I love the virtual world for the many opportunities I have to see and visit the creative builds of artists/builders/designers/from all over the world, The Golden Place was put together by I believe a visionary from Germany. As a music lover I can hear and experience talented performers from all over the world. I noticed the other day that there was a whole afternoon of Brazilian music being presented on another Island (Isle Du Noir).. a Brazilian guitar player from Sau Paulo … after Wes, there were two other entertainers, I believe singers (also from Brazil) who delighted audiences with their music. I was already covering the new travel location, I missed it. Still haven’t figured out how to be in two places at once.!!
I share this with you because I know I’m not alone at looking out into the snow filled world and wanting a change. We are not in a position to pick up and go anywhere at the moment, it is tax time, we are facing several more weeks of “winter” weather… exploring new possibilities within easy reach… could be an option
Meanwhile today’s calendar reads…
Always be humble. If you work on things with the attitude of asking a favour, people around you will advise you what they have noticed. there is something in fact you are not aware of that you do.
Perfect Liberty 2023.5 translation to English done in Japan.
A recent conversation with another writer/photographer was about -being alone- the comment that stuck out because I hear it so often, “I love what I do (photography) especially when I can be on my own in nature, wandering and searching out ‘possibilities”…. If you were asked your preference, do you like your alone time. is being on your own where your creativity shines through?
The ambient sounds, the birds calling, the wind, the sound of the waves … you had to be there!
This was yesterday ..and we are due to get a whole lot more starting tonight into the day tomorrow. It might have been relatively mild winter, but it has not been lacking in snow. We have had a lot of snow… so much so that the contractors who clean up the roads, laneways etc,. will exceed their contracted amounts of snow and patrons will be facing additional charges this year for snow maintenance.
To all our Brazilian readers, this is the area to the side and back of the church building. You can see how much snow has accumulated. In Japan there are areas that get snow, but in the parts where no snow falls, you can see what the church grounds are like here in Canada at this time of year.
minister assigned to Canada, his first winter.
Put Makoto even into small things. don’t let things go with “oh well” You will have a different outcome if you put Makoto (sincerity) into everything you do. Perfect Liberty 2023,27
Smiles are the world’s treasure. If you smile more, there will be more smiles in the World. Be one of those who make more smiles
Perfect Liberty 2023.26
Is it so hard to smile? Sometimes… yes sometimes I just don’t think of it.. not because I’m unhappy, I am just not a person who goes around with a smile on my face. I can be deliriously happy, still no smile on my face.. it is an internal happiness.. a contentment. However, having said that… when I come across someone and smile when I greet them.. I hear it in my voice, it does sound friendlier. AND for that second when strangers pass/meet on a path… and a smile is exchanged, I do feel a pleasant glow after the exchange.
Kevin Baldelli is a nature photographer who I met several years back, who has moved from still photography to getting pictures of the animals in their natural environment. He has put together clips from his films taken in 2022. Thought you might enjoy spending some time with the animals in their habitat. This is the link to the video I’ve taken a screen shot from. https://youtu.be/cs3ZsPL6KkE
View your difficulties as a chance to make rapid progress. You grow by overcoming the obstacles in front of you, one by one, look at your problems as opportunities for growth and make the best of your situation.
Perfect Liberty 2014.9
Others are others … I am I. If you force your values about anything on others, it can be self-righteous. don’t be overeager and haves a sense of “others are others. I am I”
Perfect Liberty 2023.13
In life we face many challenges. Yesterday I started out with my usual routine, I went into the woods to feed the birds.. enjoyed the fresh air, the time with the wildlife and headed back into the city to attend a service at church. Two of my fellow hokyoshi’s are back in Brazil for a holiday, even though I had been in on Saturday I thought to go in and make sure all was well. It was a lovely sunny day, I had time to make a stop at the Asian supermarket, so I did a quick in and out (only place I know I can get my garlic stems)… On leaving I saw the door to the Time Foot Bar was open http://www.timefootbar.ca/
Need I say more…. I went in for a reflexology session, I didn’t think much about it, I drove over to that end of the parking lot, got out, walked in, and…… the rest is history … I did not go to church … I booked a session, fell into a light sleep while there, left. came home and went to bed. Sometimes the best laid plans go awry …. the rest of the day was spent in a bit of a trance.. I had not ambition to do anything, not even watch the telly. When the body needs to relax, it reaches a point of no return… and I had hit the zone. I did go out and try to clear some more snow off the deck.. so I got more fresh air.. but then I came back in… and you guessed it… my need took me back to bed. I listened to a Simon Brett talking book and slept again.
I could beat myself up for missing church. But that is not the PL WAY. I obviously needed the “time out” … Sometimes we have to listen to our “inner voice” if we continue to force activity when we are overtired, overextended, we suffer the consequences. Be honest with yourself, when was the last time you did something called “nothing”
Oyashikiri
Do you like being on your own, can you remember when the last time was you did something for no reason at all but because you felt like it…….
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.
PL Precept # 2 To live is to express One’s Self. – Each day is a new beginning.
“Is there anything I can help with?” Enjoy a feeling of happiness to contribute to those around you. It will give you confidence that you have something you can do for others.
In every garden there lives a dragon. They come in many sizes shapes and colours, mine is rare and elusive. He has the uncanny ability to show up in the darndest places. always he is watching, he never really lets me out of his sight. He is so good at it that I often forget that he is there. He though, does not forget, dragons are forever, and nothing is going to happen on his watch.
Today with all the snow, I had to exert myself probably more than I should have… I was feeling faint, having just cleared an area again for the third time (that is how much snow fell overnight and during the day) that I had to lean on the shovel, my breathing was quick and almost harsh.. I knew I was over extending, but I wanted it done. Besides I told myself… neighbours are all at work, no one is going to hear my laboured breathing…
Then I heard the hissing sound… it was soft but there could be no doubt that it was a warning, not a gentle purr, but a hissing that stopped me still. I looked over the mound of snow towards the tree where the dragon has a den… and there covered in snow he stood glaring. Whether he’d come out of the den or had just returned from one of his celestial journeys… I didn’t know.. but I knew the silent command, Stop.. enough!
Of course he was right, I was light headed now.. I came back in, looked around at the mess in the kitchen and decided, it would have to wait. I went to lie down… it took a bit of time, but the breathing calmed and I fell into a light sleep. (On waking I did take my blood sugar level to make sure my number(s) were not too high or low.)
I am blessed to have a dragon in my life. the dragon symbolizes power, change, and spiritualty, as well as good luck, fortune and prosperity. In many cultures the dragon is a protector. For sure mine is. He guides me and helps me tap into my power. A dragon has potent and auspicious powers.
Am I being fanciful .. still dreaming… who knows… all I know is that having a dragon in my life is super fantastic. Gives a whole new meaning to unconditional love.
Having the whole area to myself, meant I could be a little silly. OK, well maybe a bit more than a little… I had a great time, I could run, jump, spin,turn and do a stretch and bend, I tried a few high kicks.. and discovered that I no longer have that can can kick I used to be able to do. hmmm. was it because of my big winter boots*, my 2 winter weight vests, my big winter quilted coat.. or… was it plain and simple I’m not in the same condition I was 10 years ago. (* I blamed my cleats that I have put on my winter boots for stopping my ability to glide and spin properly..)
I made the time to walk the whole area, making sure I put makoto (sincerity) into every step. I had no excuse, no diversions.. I was alone… even the birds had other things to interest them.. they were not following me or wondering what I was doing.. I got about 20 minutes of walking, skipping, etc. before another car came crawling along the road and into the parking area.
Today’s little “time to myself” moments were needed. Why I think I have to be out and at the feeders at a given time is beyond me.. I need to work on my “I’m retired” skills. Yesterday I did the walk (the trail that winds its way through the evergreens at P23) and today I “played” in the parking lot. I’d say it is a good start to the new year. Keeping active will ensure that my “body/mind” will not get lazy.
Don’t rush or allow yourself to get flustered. When you rush, it limits your ability to pay attention to detail, and often leads to careless mistakes. With a prayerful mind, take a deep breath and act calmly.
Perfect Liberty 2016.22
See the dragon looking up, waiting to be fed?
Playmates are everywhere… one just has to be watchful, and aware … they are lurking waiting to be seen/found.
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.
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