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follow your dreams

d1b4adbea337aa9847344093fcb89c9bBelieve in your dreams, and follow them, trust in your heart, and never give up.  Today, NOW is always a new beginning.  Every day you wake up to a brand new day, and new possibilities. The past belongs to yesterday, YES it is part of your fabric, it is in the weave of who you are…. but today is new, it is the present, and you only get one chance at it.  Use today as a starting point,  move forward on a path towards improvement and progress.  Cherish your dreams, they belong to you .   

Love, being loved, and loving are Blessings, sweet wonderful moments of ONENESS      Oyashikiri

Welcome another Sunday =^_^=

a52c8280d299ef8f3f0b8b4c11a1efd3In the last couple of years, many churches have closed their doors,  Driving in the country we  will often drive by a deserted church.  I’m happy to say that I have seen none in this sad state the above church was in when this picture was taken.  Here, in Canada, and I hope in other countries, some of these smaller churches are being bought and rejigged to house a family and or be a home for a couple or a single person….Whether  home or studio, they are reborn, given a new lease on life.  In my research it was a rather poignant discovery that there were just so many of these wonderful buildings now in a state of ruin.

From the state of many of these buildings, the changes happened over a period of time, not overnight.  Life is amazing when you think of just how many skills you once had, are now perhaps not as honed.  Take letter writing for instance,  I was an avid pen pal correspondent when I was younger.  In school we were encouraged to meet and write to new friends in another Province, State or country.  I loved writing a letter, drawing and enclosing small pieces of artwork to share with my friend.  Looking back I’ve had several from Holland (Nederlands)  with the age of social  media, and internet, our letters became less and less as we discovered the instant gratification of an e-mail.  Soon my mailbox took on a look much like the above picture.  If I didn’t write a  welcome letter did not come back. where once my penmanship was art in itself. now my husband has trouble reading my grocery list.

Small town Green_004When we stop doing something, the joy/fun and learning from that activity begins to recede, other activities take its place.  Are they as fulfilling?  Only you can answer that …For me I think I will sit down and write a few letters today.  I will do so with enthusiasm, my journey is coming full circle, I am again interested in the Nederlands, and I am reminded of my earlier friendships ones that, shame on me, I let fall away.

determinationThis is a picture that someone titled – Determination – it shows how “Nature” will always have its way, we may struggle in life, and feel that we are locked in a place we are not happy with, but in time, you will reach through the windows and doors of your confined space and  find open skies and warm sunshine. It is the “Way” (Tao) “God” – What will you do today… whatever you decide to do, walk with God! Be ONE with the Universe.

Friendships like gardens need to be tended and loved if they are to survive.

smilePencil  Oyashikiri

photographs >Pinterest

virtual photo >Q in SL

PL Principle #2

Good Morning everyone..  How are you on this lovely Saturday… Each day when I wake before I start my day, I like to read the PL lesson of the day, and after prayer and reflection, let my mind wander to what my personal meditation should be. Today I found that of the 21 Principles in PL, ,my mind’s eye caught #2.. and this is where it stopped    PL Principle 2  reads – I will not have complaints about others, matters, nor the weather.  Rather I will always be creative and will look for short comings in my own thinking and actions.  a9395a7285c43a211e4ec647f8727819

The lesson for those of you who have not read it today, or do not have the calendar itself, is about valuing those who are nearest and dearest to us.  They are so close to us, that often we forget just how wonderful and special they are to us.  We may even take for granted the love and caring they bring into our lives (smiles) My life is very blessed with a caring,understanding  husband who is a real partner in life, and friends that I treasure for the many wonderful memories and the genuine caring they have shown to me over the years.  Some friends we seldom see, yet we visit often in our hearts, and when we meet it is if we have never been apart.  I saw on FB (Facebook) the other day, that one friend had renovated her cottage this past summer.  It brought memories of all the trials and challenges she faced during the first years she and her husband bought the cottage.  What lovely memories. (mental note to self)  Call Sue =^_^=

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Not all memories are fantastic, but all of them were of value in my personal development, in my “growing pains”.  It is not only our physical bodies that “age”but our mental /spiritual selves.  When we remember to value and respect one another, life takes on a more positive energy.  Oyashikiri

photograph- Pinterest                                            

PL . church of Perfect Liberty (Japan)                                       smilePencil

Perception

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In conversation with a friend, she asked me a question about feelings, and hurts, something that had been bothering her for some time.In PL fashion, I replied “life is  mirror”  Intelligent and thoughtful, she was quiet for some time, then she said, I have heard that before, but I don’t know that I understand“.  Then I had to pause, reflect and meditate on her response.  My reply had been simple to me “life is a mirror” but in fact when I thought about it.  I have had years of living with this perspective, and each time the challenge crossed my path, I learned a different lesson.  fortunately our relationship is such that we converse over a period of days and even weeks sometimes.. so I have  had time to “chew” on this one.

When we are hurt, sad, perplexed by the “perceived” action of others,  we own the reaction, we own the thoughts.  No one else is feeding them to us, they are ours, and ours alone.  It may take some time, but at some point in time, we realize that the choices we made were our own.  What takes longer is choosing to accept and own the situation you are living. The strength and courage to remove ourselves from the cycle of hurt, vulnerability and dependency.  OOOHH OUCH did I actually say that word,  write it, (takes a moment to read back a few lines)… yes I did, I said dependency, not a word I liked to associate with, but over the years I’ve learned to accept that it has been a lesson I’ve had to address more than once.

Mirrors, they can be our friend or our hardest task master.  Melody Beattie in one of her books, said “Go with the flow” let go of fear and your need to control.  Relinquish anxiety, ”  I read those words many many years ago,  I’ve never forgotten them, I remember highlighting them and reading them over and over again for weeks.  She talked of being present, accepting where you are and who you are. Taking ownership of your emotions, actions and thoughts.  Mirrors are a tool, they will only project to you what you are “seeing” in that moment.

When we look into a mirror, the only eyes looking back into ours, belong to “ me,myself and I.”  Express your appreciation for your SELF today, look in the mirror, smile and say “thank you”  ..Then find someone else in your world to say thank you to, saying it out loud is empowering, and a very nice sharing of a moment.  Not only will the person you are thanking feel a smile, you will too  One smile at a time we build a better future!

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makoto

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One challenge that always seems to reoccur in my life, is recognizing and accepting that I am not perfect!  My type AA personality often gets in my way.As I mature/age I’d say that I’m doing better, at one time I would have been a triple A. I’m working at whittling it down. =^_^=.  A devoted and 100% practicing Taoist, I was overcome with a wonderful emotion of community when I first attended a PL service. (Perfect Liberty)  I was very fortunate that the minister at the time I visited the church was one, Rev. Takashi Goto.  I was never a church goer but over the years I had attended Christian services before and was very interested in finding out that this was nothing like I had ever experienced before.

For the first time ever, I heard and felt my beliefs and connection to God/TAO expressed in a way that spoke to me and said…”The philosophy here is mine”.  I was able to have meaningful and thought provoking conversations with Rev. Goto, that expanded  and nourished my connection to the Universe.  The encounter dusted off some of the forgotten lessons I’d learned in the past, and swept out the dust bunnies in corners of the “room” I was residing int.  He had words in Japanese that were totally unfamiliar to me, but explained, I understood.  I began to revisit places in  my mind that had been forgotten or neglected.  My connection with God/TAO grew stronger, and continues to grow stronger each and every day.  He would say ” we must put “makoto” in everything we do and say”…  he reinforced something I’ve tried to do all my life (not always succeeding)…  No matter how small the task, or light hearted the conversation, when we practice makoto in everything we do and say, when a challenges reappears in our lives, we will handle it with a new perspective.

a02e1753ae4d6670f5d173129e1134fbPL is  non denominational.

Rev. Goto is now Senior Minister with the church in NY City    goto@perfectliberty.ca

 

Welcome another day!

Yesterday I found myself at the bottom of the steps in a beautiful environment,  in reflecting on my post, I realized that not all steps are a welcome sight.  That there are days when our thoughts and emotions are in a different place.  Or should I say, in wandering through the hallways of the brain, we come across a scene perhaps like this one.

9a98ec7ae23e621913bcac5743154dc4Pause for a moment.  Look at the picture that the photographer of this shot captured.  I’m not sure I know his/her intent, but to me it speaks volumes.  Much like this one does.  Again it was a toss up on which picture I would use today.  Both spoke volumes to me and had me meditating on my thoughts for some time before I took to the keyboard.

339939f9024c0c5082a0d995848a9bcdBoth of these pictures (for me) capture the essence of life at given moments during certain cycles we live through.  When all around seems dreary,painful,lost, when our hearts are heavy, and our laughter barely a whisper, it is in such times that we have to call on our faith, know that the beauty is still there, that the sunshine is merely behind a cloud.  The moment will pass, and the light of love and happiness with shine through once more.  To love, to care is to allow yourself to feel vulnerable.  Mother Nature is ALWAYS present.  WE cannot know happiness without sadness, they go hand in hand, when you hold out your hand, you only see one side until you turn your hand over to see the palm. They are ONE.

db1dbddd00387b6a1ce711435e689d69A sun filled path of flowers for you today.

Love and Blessings……thanks for sharing this moment with me.   Oyashikiri

negotiating feelings

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But…… When you suddenly have an Ahhh moment, when your gut feeling is so loud you can’t ignore it,( it is always a surprise that so many of us do just that).  We push the thought, or emotion back into the safe area of our ‘brain”.  Trying hard to wish it away.  If we have lived long enough to build walls around our “hearts” we go into protective mode.

6acda2b35799 Butchart Gardens, VancouverThis picture I use as an example ….. the moment can be beautiful,  fresh and alive, but we see only the stairs that we will have to climb to truly enjoy the moment/view.  Past memories float to the frontal section of our brain.  We flounder, we hesitate, and lose our way.  The lessons that happen in life, usually keep recurring, there is a reason for that. Each time the Universe puts the challenge on our path, we make  wrong choices.  If the challenge appears, it is because there is still something to be learned.  We still have yet to really learn the lesson.

Our lives our shaped by the way we express  ourselves each and everyday.  If we go through life not paying attention, living half heartedly, ignoring our intuition, we cloud our vision with illusions.  We are missing opportunities to live to our fullest potential.  It is important to find one’s own happiness, but it is also wrong to live selfishly so only you are happy.  Looking beyond our “selves” towards our friend/partner’s happiness, builds a stronger and healthier relationship.  It is a very difficult lesson.  One we need to master to achieve world peace.

…. God, help me choose the path that is right for me… Help me understand there is no wrong or right.  Help me learn to  detach with love . I will surrender to the good of the moment, and get through the discomfort. One step at a time.  I will practice acceptance, and believe and trust the magic that acceptance will bring into my life.    Oyashikiri

picture is Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC. Canada

 

0997bc7c08ba Africa

 

Where will your path take you?  Wherever your footsteps lead, be someone who can share Joy with others.  Strive to truly understand the feelings of others.  Let go of your ego and express yourself fully.

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This hug is just for Y O U  …….. may your day be full of inner joy and contentment……    Walk with Godbear hugs

 

Love is for sharing……     Oyashikiri

Amen!! this lady (Mary Harris -aka Ken & Mary’s Blues Project) who is singing needs our prayers, she is in hospital (lung collapsed) in the States, a fellow blogger (kenne turner) wrote about it today.  The video he shared with us, I am sharing with you.  I am very blessed with wonderful caring internet connections,the picture I will share after the video was from another friend that I have never met in person but have spent many hours sharing time with in SL (Second Life)  She is an awesome possum and I know some of my readers here will know of exactly who I speak.  Life is so good when we share it with friends

Thanks Kenne for the video, and sharing Mary’s music with us.

Because it is Monday and I see a holiday in the United States – here is your smile for the day, it comes from the Tiny possum – she got it from Australia – Happiness shared around the world will continue to grow –  amen

Gum shoes - Australia

Life is Art !! ladies and gentlemen have a spectacular day!  and remember to pray!   Oyashikiiri

This is how it is done!  Just amazing what can be done when one is determined and has a goal.  Thank you Rev. Goto!!

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