A fine WordPress.com site

have you ever…

38444747-8822-4882-9e46-9e80604958a0Have you ever dreamed you were in a wonderland

A place surreal and yet familiar to you at the same time

Has part of you been full of bubbly emotions

like elation,  joy, happiness and  contentment

or on the other hand

does the land you travel feel tarnished with a sticky grime

no longer does the sun shine..  you are agitated and feel a constant niggling commotion

life is serving up over or underdone moments with no amusements

at least none that you understand

it happens, and it happens often

where life and dreams collide

 when we look inside, we find ourselves actually inside looking out

and instead of tumbling down a rabbit hole

we are launched into space

travelling at the speed of light

with no known goal in sight

oh dear, I’ve dropped the book and lost my place

what a way  to end the night…

have you ever?

dac53b09879abd4809fcc125695669c7

There really are times in my life when I am so full of love and happiness that life becomes upside down, worlds do collide, and still, I’m happy!

My wish for each and everyone of you, is that such joy fills your moments, and that no matter your state of health, or  where you are in life, you feel and know the contentment of a happy heart.       Namaste – Oyashikiri

                              

you don’t say

b7bb90a6ba22cc61ff8b36acf61bb2f3

A meandering mind

Stuck in time

ponders the question

of not feeling well and happiness…

can you be unwell… and still be happy

It is really anyone’s guess, wouldn’t you think?

since happiness is a state of mind

and, when the question is asked,

you’d have to factor in your perspective at that moment in time

I believe that one can be happy, and physically unwell at the same time..

really… you don’t say?… what road are you on?

me, I travel  ” a road less traveled “..(M Scott Peck).

Happiness is being who we are

24/7 and loving it.

Yep, I do say!

Namaste – Oyashikiri

 

 

 

 

 

 

*artodyssey1/blogspot.com.es   z z wei

Inspiration…

03d9bbff-2085-49ec-bb83-2f1359c6261e

Inspiration comes to us in many guises … this picture from a clip on “things one sees only in India” had me reaching for pad and pencil.  That donkey looks pretty relaxed… considering… my dogs trust me, but if I tried to get one to ride on a motorbike with me in such fashion, I don’t know how laid back they would be. In fact I doubt that anywhere here in Canada could someone get away with riding such a small bike with two adults and a good size animal.  The gentleman is happy, seems like an everyday occurrence to the onlooker.

019940-sparky-the-miniature-donkey

This was a story on a rescue of a miniature donkey (Herald Sun, Jan. 18.2010 – Kelly Ryan)  the picture of contentment.  born the size of a small beagle, a miniature donkey will not grow as big as a great dane, and will weigh in at 130kg.  Animals inspire me, they are guileless. Life is!

75435dcad87de4f928fa3669bd5b7f94

Some of their expressions are priceless.  When I am inspired, I feel it, there is an excitement within, a connection to a power that transcends words/logic, it simply is.  Other writers, artists, creators, tell me the same, we don’t sit down and say this is what we are going to do, we may have an idea, but when it gels, or takes “definition” we are often just as surprised as everyone else at what we have accomplished.

When listening to a good musician do a set, something he has done over and over for months on end, its good. but when he looses himself in what he is playing and simply “let’s go” there is a difference to the song/melody the music takes on a life of its own, it happens when man, the instrument and the music come together as one.  It is amazing.  When we try to force a thought or idea, we might communicate a message, but when it is allowed to flow and happen with sincerity and love, the message will be totally different.  Received a  lot differently too.

Mother and child.  Jonathan Palmer 4/7/06

Affection is a very important part of life. A warm hug from a loving friend, a smile of recognition across a crowded room,  saying hello to a stranger who looks tired and alone… often we are polite, but are we caring, do we care?  Do we have or need affection in our lives?  Now is the perfect time to show those we care about, that we do really and truly care…. I close my eyes and hug each and every one of you.. Know you are loved.

Namaste   – Oyashikiri

b91f88eddea847c8cefa64521a793808

Fried Calamari as served up in Sausalito California at the Trident Restaurant.  The restaurant has been revived, anyone remember it from the 70’s when it was all about live entertainment and psychedelic ceilings.  (Photo John Storey, The  Chronicle).  It is only in the recent years that I’ve developed a fondness for well cooked and presented  calamari.  The dogs and I have an agreement, I eat the calamari,  they get to sample the batter. Works.  Husband is happy not to be included in our feast, same applies if we are going to have shrimps,,??? So be it… more for us.

It is only when I went online to look for a picture of the breaded calamari that I discovered that t his is a food eaten and enjoyed by many, there were pasta dishes, and several mouth-watering and tempting dishes with a mediterranean  flavour.  Myself, I seem to like the taste, plain, with little seasoning, same with shrimps.  Shrimps I like the big fat juicy ones, and the scallops don’t bother unless they are about the size of  toonie (a Canadian 2 dollar coin) after they are cooked. I’m also happy to just sit and eat one item till I’ve had my fill.  Next meal I will gorge on a green veggie or a variety of vegetables.

Yay I’ve finally broken from what others what me to do, to doing what I want to do, I do it happily and joyfully and  with plenty of enthusiasm.

This is the song playing in my head…   I want to share it with you because, just because…. =^_^=  I so appreciate that you take the time to share these few minute with me when I post.

Life is to be lived dear friends… let’s travel together… Have a day that is filled with all the  richness in life that you so deserve.

Till next time…            Namaste – Oyashikiri

 

awake and dreaming

1379283_10151660669196945_790223400_n

It happens to all of us.  We are so tired we can barely stand, and long to go to bed.  We get to bed, slip eagerly under the covers only to find that our eyes are wide open, and the moment of sleep has gone on leave.

How about this one… by Robin Williams

ba8b59c6a56a8b0e4d8b7f5ae993251f

The last couple of days, I’ve been completely immersed in being sick.  That phase of sick  where your brain is just too tired to create a feel good moment,  your physical body has taken over and you are wallowing in chills, fever,a cough that won’t quit and a throat and chest that are battling for attention.  You don’t walk you stagger and shuffle, the b ox of tissue is never far from your reach.  If you could record the sounds you are making, you  would have a new ambient CD for the Halloween party in the barn.  Fortunately the fog receded and energy levels have increased.  Somehow the timing is off.  it is now after midnight and the brain has come alive, even though the body still wants to sleep

 

573fe02c62a5368c59b62bed0b7fd6b3

 

Now I lay me down to sleep………………………….

Namaste   –   Oyashikiri

4eb623704a3ea8d6d4c9f2d9754cc71f

“The best  teachers are those who show you where to look

but don’t tell you what to see”

Alexandra K Trenfor

A turtle day

a5af37145413a2c598e3eb044df0540fTo the Chinese and other Asian cultures, the turtle is a symbol of longevity.  My Mother had a collection of turtles,  I remember he coming home from her travels abroad with another turtle for her charm bracelet or for the collection that was growing in leaps and bounds in the curio cabinet.  When the turtle comes to mind for me is when I am having what I call a “Turtle Day:”…   Usually a mental health day, a day where I know I want to retreat into my “make believe” shell and just sleep or day dream.

Today is the 21st of the month, the day that in PL (Perfect Liberty) we gather to show our appreciation , saying Thank you, for all that we have experienced in the previous days and weeks.  We pray for guidance and renew our dedication to live with full Makoto (sincerity)  following the practices and instructions as laid out in Perfect Liberty.  Just as we must eat and sleep regularly to refresh our bodies, so too must we  pray and give thanks to God on a regular basis and say Thank you for the blessings of life.

d164c5750e42e61eae978a6d14f28a96

Whatever is meant to be, will be.  The results may not be what we expected or even wanted, but we are open to what life brings our way, we will be truly blessed.  Feelings of appreciation become real when you express them and mean them.

008f52f7dc2ae27006b9dbda17d3d386

 

*turtle totem wisdom teaches us about walking our path in peace and sticking to it with determination and serenity

( *Lena Townsend)

57de586b0c7e025f76cff3e39ff68986

BLESSINGS 

Namaste -Oyashikiri

*green sea turtle swimming among coral -Lee Rentz – Flickr

** found on contentinacottage.blogspot.ca

****pictures. furkl.com

 

 

Monkey Wisdom

5fd07f4457e65d44a8ad8a32328a6205

I have Rev. Goto (NY PL church) for this expression.  He had my complete attention today while explained to the members PL Principle #9. I will not have a mind to be dishonest.  The set of 21 Principles are there for us to help us live our lives following the 21 Precepts.  Today Rev. Goto talked about Principle #9. He always like to give us an example of the lesson so that we better visualize and understand the teaching.  Like all good teachers, he doesn’t talk forever, he says what he has to say, and then cheerfully leaves us with an embedded image and lesson to ponder and assimilate.

He related a story to us that came to him through another PL Minister, Rev. Ono.  The story takes place years ago, in a different time.  An elder in a small viillage decided to organize a festival that would take place in the square at the village shrine.  For the occassion he had asked that everyone come with one item of food, and one bottle of sake (Japanese rice wine)

This was a time before bottled sake, villagers made their own sake, and kept it in traditional jars or containers made f wood or ceramics.  The idea was that each villager would bring a container of their sake, and it would be poured into one large sake barrel, for the enjoyment of the community.  This ‘sake cocktail” would be a sharing and each member participating would be honoring their fellow neighbours.

Once the mixture was prepared, the party started.  The village elder took a sip from the barrel to start the festivities, took a sip, and stood back in surprise, calling out…”oh m God, what is wrong with the sake?  It tastes like water!”    Hmmmm. how could sake turn into water?  It was clear that the sake had not changed into water, but that it had been water in the first place.  Each guest at the party who was to bring sake, had decided to bring water instead.  It was a precious commodity, and they thought no one would notice.  However,  they were not the only ones to have that thought and to act on it.  Monkey wisdom… since the majority thought to be deceitful, the few who did bring sake, had their sake diluted by all the water.

When we live with a pure and honest mind, our actions and our thoughts bring a joy and satisfaction to what we do, for us and those around us.  We should live with one mind, a mind that says “there is nothing to hide between God and myself”  Just because you think no one is looking or will know, God knows.

This story although told with humor, shows us that as humans our ego does not always motivate us in the “right” direction.    All people have a mind capable of thinking in a manner that is not always “honest” –  Let us do our best to live with a mind that will apply makoto (sincerity) to being honest in all we do and say.

ced97e78ff24cb329806fde1a5e96abc

SMILE

sorry I couldn’t resist.

Blessings to each and everyone of you.  You are so Loved!

Namaste – Oyashikiri

 

 

 

* found on iso.500px.com
** found on huffingtonpost.com

this is worth a listen…. how positive virtual worlds can be..

Inara Pey's avatarInara Pey: Living in a Modemworld

The single image Jay Jay The single image Jay Jay Jegathesan used in his 3-minute presentation on his PhD research on community and collaboration through virtual worlds

I’ve frequently blogged about the work of the University of Western Australia in Second Life; with an active presence in SL since 2009, the University has gained a first-class reputation for sponsoring and promoting art in virtual worlds through initiatives such as the MachinimUWA competitions, and activities such as their current Transcending Borders challenge, the Freedom Project, and Project Homeless, as well as supporting the LEA’s Full Sim Art series, all of which I’ve had the privilege of covering in this pages.

The Freedom Project, one of many community-focused activities undertaken by the UWA within Second Life The Freedom Project, one of many community-focused activities undertaken by the UWA within Second Life

The UWA’s involvement in Second Life came about as a result of PhD student Jay Jay Jegathesan (), who founded the University’s virtual campus in…

View original post 280 more words

 

The first time I saw this artist, I was in awe, I had never seen anyone work in sand that way.  Today I once again found it in my mailbox and thought to share it with you.  Kseniya Simonova was on Ukraine’s Got Talent.  The upload to YouTube was done in June 2009

Stream

Another person (Shirley Castillo Vanderau) has filled in the details on this fascinating performance by Ukrainian artist, Kseniya Simonova:

“In the semi-final of «Ukraine’s got talent», Kseniya Simonova was going to perform a sand story about the Great Patriotic War which she created in the memory of fallen soldiers who saved her country Ukraine from the Nazi. Kseniya refused the proposals of the producers to choose a more popular theme. She said: «I just want to bring some immortal sense to this show. Not just pictures or video clips. Something close to all hearts… It was also a tribute to my great-grandfather who heroically died in 1943 defending his Motherland». The sand story Simonova presented in live TV shooting of the semi-final was called «You are always nearby». It was an 8-minute live sand story of a young couple who were separated by the war. The young Lady and little Son were waiting for the Man to come from war, but he was killed. In the end he came to their window and watched them with a sight of love and hope. There was not a single emotion on the face of the performer. Simonova’s hands worked incredibly fast. Nobody knew what was going on in her soul. From the interview of Simonova: «It was so emotionally hard, and I now still cannot think about those minutes without pain… My hands were dyeing and reviving making the images.» Kseniya was hoping to get a little advertisement for her as an artist, but it turned an emotional bomb explosion. Almost the entire audience was in tears. Applause came down just after a minute after she finished her performance. Everyone in the hall applauded standing. Kseniya passed the semi-final and passed the final of the contest. In the third round, at Final, the sand story of Kseniya was about parents who gave birth to a son, the son has grown up, became successful and adult and forgot his old parents. Kseniya wanted the children to remember their father and mother — people who gave them lives — and call them. The resonance was enormous — people came to her in streets saying: «After watching your story, I took the phone and called my mom. I haven’t talk to for her a year. I called my mom after your story. Thank you very much! » Simonova said that these words were more than winning the show. During the interview with the judges in super-final, she said: «I’m not sure I want to win the show. But if a single person who didn’t call his Mom, will do it after my sand story — I will be more than a Winner!» the performance..Call your parents. ‘Don’t be late to see your parents alive.'”

We find inspiration in many ways, I hope that you found this sharing interesting and inspiring.
Namaste – Oyashikirti

Road Block

dce39eeb1c4c7a6b213931cdbc41009e

Good Morning everyone…..

It happens to all of us, at some time in our lives, we come across a “road block”… as a writer, writer’s block, when I’m in a creative mood with my sculptures, and suddenly my creative moment goes on sabbatical, it is another form of “road block”    In PL we are taught to take a step back, and to look at how we have been tackling our “challenge” (task at hand).   If I walk away do something else, then come back, I am often able to “see” with a different set of eyes.  When I was painting, I’d find that there were some forms of expression that I just couldn’t agree with.  I would keep wanting to add more paint, or take some away, make adjustments, this would go on till my canvas looked like one big mess of colour. Instinctively I would know that I had “missed” the moment…. the ah ha… of the expression was gone, no matter how much I was to persist, it would not come back. It was time to acknowledge that I had not been working with my full makoto, and the result was before me.  Like it or not,  what I had achieved was putting my “mixed emotions/feelings” on the canvas, there was nothing to do but accept it and move on.  Trying to accept the abstract mess of colour was never satisfying, especially if I tried to convince myself that this is what I must have been trying to express.  What is the expression, you can fool some people some time, but you can’t fool all of the  people all the time???   And, you may try to fool yourself, the reality is, your inner self always knows what is real and what is not.

8136637c772f794daa7657d2dfed5272

In Norman Rockwell’s print, you can see that everyone is giving their full attention to getting the “road block” to move out-of-the-way. (found on imachild.wordpress.com)  When we are faced with a difficulty,challenge, obstacle, if we step back and think about how we can creatively get around our problem… usually with patience, the obstacle will move along.

9f61f26f7d6c2565406874139bf10031

Have a wonderful day today, may your day be filled with calm, serene and beautiful moments!!

Namaste  – Oyashikiri

Tag Cloud