Finding our own happiness…is a lifelong opportunity to live a life of ” Art.”…
We each have our own unique personalities and lifestyles. Therefore,the path and journey is different for each one of us.
PL Precept # 2.. To live is to express One’s Self.
PL Precept #11 Always be with God/Tao
Tired of all that snow, ice and weather roulette that Mother Nature has been throwing our way. In many places in North America, she has been having her fun doling out a droll mixture of nasty and nice. While cities and towns around NY city were being bombarded with a nasty snow and ice storm, NY city itself was a balmy 70 degrees. Totally unexpected for the unlucky tourists who arrived in their winter togs for Christmas in New York. That is what life is, isn’t it. One adventure after another. No matter how well we think we have prepared for the day, something usually crops up that is totally not in the plans.
Instead of snow, I went in search of some tropical holiday ambiance. Since it wasn’t practical for me to try to actually travel at this time of year, like you I’ve seen the television coverage of the over crowded airports and all the delayed and cancelled flights, I went into the virtual world of Second Life. In SL I can listen and watch the world go by in the comfort of my home. Today I visited Eliza Wierwight’s Art of Christmas at PATRON, it was my first time to visit her build , it won’t be the last. She is a gifted artist. Her art works are available for sale, with some items shown as 100% profit to one of her causes.
She not only creates an amazing world for you to visit, she has an interest in saving the elephants of Asia. There are places one can donate all through her build. Save the elephant Foundation. http://www.saveelephant.org/index.html (a Thai non profit organization)
I went in to escape from the snow and the constant talk about the weather. In doing so, I spent a pleasant half hour exploring the creativity of an artist till today that was unknown to me, and discovering a cause that was also new to me. In Canada, elephants are not top of mind.
December is a month of STRESS in capital letters. Whether it is happy stress or anxious, sad, worrisome stress, no matter how you cut the cake, it is stress. It seems everyone around me is being “stressed” about something, There are warnings galore about making sure you don’t over exert when shoveling, that seniors dress properly for the cold weather, children and adults are being warned about the dangers of catching a virus/flu, Of course a biggie is “don’t drink and drive”. My two cents. Remember to take time to pray/ meditate. Make time for YOU. Stay mindful and present. No one else can do these things for you. You are the master/mistress of your life.
It isn’t enough to just do things that make us happy, we need to find outcomes that include those around us. Like that little pebble that drops into pond. It creates a little plop, and slowly one ripple begins, then two, three and soon the pond has many expanding ripples that reach out and merge till all the water has felt the impact of the little pebble. Be the catalyst of a happy day. Share your smile, keep your internal batteries charged, stay tuned to GOD/TAO and bring your mega watt smile along with you in all you do. LIFE IS ART
The challenges we deal with in life make us stronger!
PL Precept # 11 Always be with God (PL Church of Perfect Liberty)
Good Morning everyone! How are you doing today? In my world the skies are overcast and the predictions of more freezing rain,snow and then more freezing rain is making for very unhappy holiday travelers. News reports tell of accidents, and cancelled flights, the worry and the frustrations out there have to be numerous. The Unity Church has a prayer that I love, I have kept it with me since I first came to know of it some 20 years ago. I’d like to share it with you today. (Unity offers a 24 hour prayer line,(Silent Unity) and has a huge campus in the States. if you are unaware of Unity, please Google it.) With the electronic age, I don’t know if they still publish the booklet “Daily Word” if they do, sample a copy, you won’t be sorry. I will give you the coordinates I have at the end of the post, i hope it is still current.Christianity
Prayer of Protection
The Light of God surrounds us,
The Love of God enfolds us
The Power of God protects us,
The presence of God watches over us
Wherever we are God is and all is well.
To a negative, there is always a positive, where the snow can give us a wonderland of white and crystals, it can be a very dangerous obstacle if we are trying to drive somewhere, or manouver through it to get somewhere. Please travel safe, be aware, and mindful in all you do. Even if you stay in, eventually you have to go out, shoveling is an activity many of us will be facing. In some areas, there may be power outages, be prepared.
Every day holds a new blessing……
Be open to divine inspirations….
“Strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way” – 1 Corinthians 12:31
Have the courage to take the first step.
Sometimes the world seems lonely and we feel a void. To some the world lacks sunshine, not just on occasion but often enough that they forget the days of warmth and sunshine, when life was full and happy. There are days when just getting up out of bed is an effort. We’ve all felt that emptiness that begs to be filled. Some find relief in a relationship, others dive headlong into work and stay buried there. The void may be filled for awhile, but friends come and go, jobs change, that craving/desire for the special “something” returns, often with an even stronger feeling of “need”
In PL (Perfect Liberty) we live a prayerful life, The goal is to live with God all day, everyday, morning prayer and evening prayer at home, meal prayers, before and after. To be thankful, appreciative,and accepting of God/Universe in us and in our daily lives. PL Guides us to work towards our goals. We all of concerns that cannot be resolved easily. PL has a unique way of responding to problems in our daily lives. Through consultations given by PL ministers you receive personal guidance tailored to your individual character and situation
You have to have the courage to take the first step. If you are timid, you will never be able to break free and start something new. BELIEVE in yourSELF and take that first step.
God is the power,source and law of the Universe. Everything that happens in this world is God’s Act. in PL we call God, Mioyaookami.
This is one of the seasons where it seems a lot of money is either being spent, or credit is being used. We all know that when we use credit, the debt is one more thing added to the financial stress we carry most of the year. Many do it anyway. It is very hard to resist all the marketing and highly paid for advertisements that bombard us from all directions. If you live in an urban area, and visit any shopping center or mall, you are blinded by colourful lights and beckoning elves and snowmen. I must get a zillion sale notices starting in November about just what I need added to my already cluttered life if I am to enjoy a good “Christmas”
The truth is, we don’t need anything from a retail store to make us happy. Happiness is a state of mind. Happiness that is acquired through a purchase soon losses its luster and appeal. That electronic must have soon is replaced by something fancier and more sophisticated. The dress or outfit once worn a few times is no longer to be seen in.
The Value of Money and Things Depends on How you Choose to Use Them. (PL teaching) Money and things are materials for your self-expression. Use them to their fullest for the sake of others and society. (Church of Perfect Liberty)
World Peace starts from Peace at Home and in Our Hearts. Inner Peace is the greatest gift of all.
Have a wonderful day everyone, be happy.
Blessings, Oyashikiri
photography – Q
Live with Passion – Sowing the Seeds of PL Faith, is a book by Rev. Yumiko Tsuyama, I bought this book because it was there, I’ve talked about it before in a previous blog. I really did not spend much time thinking about it. It has become my “spend a quiet moment to reflect” companion. I can’t recommend it enough.
How often in your life time have you gone looking for a “self help” book, or picked up a magazine and enjoyed an article that “spoke” to you … The content just stood out, and made you think.
Rev Yumiko was dedicated to her “craft”. Each of her “lessons” are short little testimonies of events, memories of her experiences. You know this little book has me charmed because I wrote about it just the other day. I open the book and read the lesson she speaks of then close the book and reflect on what I’ve read. Not everyone wants to read volumes in one go, this book is done is such a way that we can pick it up and trust/believe that it will open to the lesson you should be reading. =^_^= ..It is written in a way that every time you read it, you will find it will speak to you.
Copies are available at the church, if you live in the States, we have churches in the States, pickup a copy, if you have one already, consider gifting one to a friend. I don’t usually promote books, forgive me, I’m just very enthusiastic about this book. Have trouble find a source, contact me I’ll be happy to direct you to a church.
My lesson today was about Hosho Spirit… this has been a lesson for me .. it takes faith for me, and it will be an ongoing lesson for me, reading her “teaching” today, spoke to me, even though I’ve heard it expressed before, in many ways, her words today, her simple story, gave me an AH! moment.
(Hosho = sincere offering of money to the church, whereby the person is blessed physically, spiritually and financially by Oshieoyasama’s Shikiri.)
(Shikiri = PL’s unique way of prayer, asking God’s blessing with a sincere promise to accomplish what we have to do)
Love and Blessings, today and always – Good Morning everyone!!!!
An evening out, no an evening in listening to a DJ(Zzephyr Windgate) play “oldies” bringing back memories of another time. After weeks of feeling blah, the Universe broke through the gloom with sunshine and promise.
Have you read “Live with Passion” it is a Church of PL book, and can be had from the church. It was written by Rev. Yumiko Tsuyama with the forward by Rev. Margaret Stapleton (PL in CA.) Starting in 1994 until 2007 Rev. Yumiko Tsuyama made over 50 one or two page teachings in English. By using her own testimonies she did her best to share PL in a very simple and practical way. The book was published to share these teachings with English speaking PL members around the world.
I chanced on the book while standing in the lobby of the church. (everything happens for a reason) It was a spur of the moment purchase, it was written by a woman, it was in English, it was on a topic I love, I had the $10. I bought it.
When I got home, it was put on my desk and more or less forgotten with other “things” taking up my time and attention.
This is one example, but I don’t have to stretch far to find others of “impulse actions”.. you do something, and find out down the road, that there was a reason, you were “nudged” to do something.
God speaks to us in many ways.
God is everywhere, and all seeing.
The Universe/TAO is beyond definition
The Divine transcends all understanding
I found the book earlier today, it is wonderful, Testimonies are a wonderful way to absorb the teachings of PL
Believe in PL, PL Precepts are the truth. Never forget this. No matter what happens, trust and believe. Have faith. God is ONE and we are ONE with God.
my thanks to Gunnar Wetherby a gifted SL photographer who took the candid pictures of me
jewelry is from Chop Zuey > shape and hair – Amacci >skin/makeup Style by Kira
gown is Purple Moon – taken at Frank’s Elite Jazz club
What church you attend, and how you pray, this is very personal. Only something you can decide. What is important is that you pray. That communication with the Divine/Universe is a constant part of your life on a daily basis.
Always be open to the words/direction/guidance of God/TAO
Call it meditation, call it prayer, call it anything you want, but make the time every day to keep in touch with your “inner voice” Whether you believe it or not, you are connected to the Universe, in all you say, do, everything.
Some of us pray in a formal church, and many of us, have our own private places where we find our quiet and calm. The formality of a church can be daunting, and to some boring. In life I have found that no matter where I’ve gone, or what the circumstances, the people/souls I’ve connected with, no matter the outer appearance, were spiritual in their own way. ie. in SL, behind every avatar is a human being with a heart that lives and breathes. In life, everyone we meet has a heart that beats, they live with feelings, hurts and bruises, and have loved and lost just like you and I.
This church in SL is open to everyone. It is run by a church in the States. when you arrive at the church, you can obtain a notecard that gives you the information on the how and why of the church. I’ve cut and paste the first part of the note card for you.
“I hope that you will find sweet kindness here. My SL name is Pelagius Friend (see the note on Pelagius at the bottom of this notecard). My RL name is Benhardt Fraumann and I am a Presbyterian Minister who serves a RL church just outside New York City. My RL website…if you ever want to hear a homily is http://www.communitypc.org. ” He then goes on to explain the concept of the church and talk about Monk represented in their build, it is very interesting. Pelagius (350-418 A.D. Approximate)
This is not the only church to provide a place for the many thousands of players in SL. ( PL is also present in SL along with many many others)
Offer sincere words and demonstrate acts of kindness, today and always. Live with World Peace in your hearts. Blessings today, tomorrow and always.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Born/178/63/29
photos-Second Life,Church of the Dawntreader, Q
Adult – very inviting landscaping. You know I’m always drawn to the little cottage off in the distance. =^_^=’ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hot%20Bodies/199/243/22
The Xmas tree has been put out, but there is no snow yet, the water is clear and inviting, the mountain off in the distance speaks of worlds to conquer, yet here on the deck, the birds and crickets sings, all is peaceful.
In the background I hear the voice of Edith Piaff singing songs from a long ago time. It is very tranquil here. I may stay and visit awhile. The outside world is so busy, everyone is in a hurry. The radio must be on in that little chalet I saw, it was, the room in the chalet is a little oasis of comfort and charm. I left the SL(Second Life) to attend to every day errands, when I returned this evening, there was a couple happily enjoying the sharing possibilities provided in the cabin. I left =^_^= 3 is company.
When we venture down paths we’ve not traveled before, we are more likely to encounter new experiences, and new people. In this build I discovered a world that is very sensuous, the designer has applied her skills to recreating a place that is inviting. Her woodlands, home and furnishings are brought together in a piece of virtual art that is pleasing to the senses.
I bring this approach to my adventures in life, Life is Art,(PL, Precept #1) how we interact with the tools and canvas provided will influence the outcome of our day and lives. Choose to use words and gestures that are kind, polite and courteous. In this way, we help shape our day in a very positive way.
PL Precept #15, All is a Mirror to recreate an environment such as the one visited today, the builder has to have lived, or experienced the “virtual world” they wished to share with visitors. The site is group owned, it was founded by Leesha Azara (Pearl.solano)
PL Precept #18 Each moment is a Turning Point I love this Precept, it is so positive and gives such hope. Think about it, it is NOW, EACH moment is a Turning Point.!
Living in Perfect Liberty is so amazing. Blessings everyone
Caverns of Aleval – you’ve seen pictures now taken from this location in the last few blogs. This is a build by Asa Vordun in Second Life this is the taxi to click on to explore the place for yourself. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caverns%20of%20Aleval/243/90/21
This morning I took an online survey for a University in South Carolina on the experience of teaching,or being a student in SL, until about 2009 may of the major Universities and Learning Institutions had a presence in Second Life. Now it seems less so if I am to believe the document I read this morning.
As an artist and teacher, I have found Second Life to be invaluable for my own development and those who have ventured in with me. Some stay only a little while, others have stayed longer, some couldn’t handle it at all. It is a learning curve in one way or another for all who give it a try.
Fear of the unknown, insecure with technology, lack of time, for whatever reason, there is a time and a season. =^_^= Being in Second Life, requires a desire to be there, if you decide to visit and explore, you world will open up .. especially if you are creative person, the options are endless.
Caverns of Aleval is going through a change today, snow is falling and the land is taking on the charms of winter. Our lives also go through changing seasons, sometimes we feel the gradual change, and other times, plop, it is in our face.
PL lesson for today says. Once you Make up your mind things will begin to happen.. Once you decide, “I’m going to do it” your enthusiasm and courage will begin to rise, if you give it your best effort, God will give you aid when you need it most.. 
The attention to detail in this build is amazing. (I caught Asa doing some add ons this morning, she closed the door to this darling little home, if you peak inside, you will find it warm and cosy, simply touch the door for it to open)
Attention to detail is what we need in our lives … We need to practice mindfulness, if we want something to happen or desire a change, then we need do more than think and want it, we have to work towards that goal, being present and mindful of our journey is key. I’ve taken a close up of her work, this is virtual art at its best. Her place is welcoming and heartwarming.
I love that little tree. Share your world, share your dreams, step outside the box, make your dreams a reality. Blessings.
dymoonblog 
Written
on December 27, 2013