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Posts tagged ‘Encouragement’

Good morning, good morning

I’m still reading yesterday’s lesson, “Begin each day with a renewed sense of appreciation”  the sun is streaming in my office window… I slept in late, feeling lazy and happy.  Nice way to start the day, don’t you think?  Had a short conversation of sorts with a young woman from Brazil (Rio) who didn’t speak English, and I don’t speak Portuguese, so it was brief, but enjoyable, we both grabbed a dictionary and did our best.  =^_^=

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In doing our best, in putting our heart and soul into what we are doing – being present/focused – we always achieve  a “connection.” In giving our best, we are rewarded with a result, it isn’t always the result we set out for, but it is a result never-the-less.  I’ve learned to appreciate the little detours that the Universe provides, makes learning my “lessons” much more of an adventure … after all…. Life is Art.

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The top photograph was taken in Japan, the magnificent sculptured Tower/building can be found on the Perfect Liberty campus in Tondabayashi, Osaka, Japan. (The PL Peace Tower)  The view from the upper rooms is breathtaking.  The second photo is part of the landscaping on campus.

Make today count!  

May your day be filled with warmth, happiness and love.  Always and forever.  Oyashikiri

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good morning everyone?

good morning everyone?

Are you snug and warm?
Today is going to be very cold…

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Is the partying all done?  You ready now to hit the slops and exercise?

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The turkey has been eaten, the desserts have been happily devoured … now you know its time to decide.

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Which road to take.  It is a brand new year, let’s set higher goals and work to improve ourselves.  The Joy of Expression is in the Process. When each day is a new canvas, goals are much easier to attain. 

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The flowers of summer bloom forever in our hearts.  Love is a constant in our lives, always and forever.  Blessings now and always – Oyashikiri

Another new year

We seem to hear and ask – Where does the time go? ” Time marches on”, yup, if you don’t live each and every moment of your life to the fullest, you find at the end of the year that there are  holes in your memory quilt, some of the patches lack colour, and others are simply blank.

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We all hope for colour in our lives, and if life was perfect, we would always live in sunshine.

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Making a quilt, we search out the material and patterns like a treasure hunter on the hunt for the elusive hidden  chest of gold.  Most quilters I think will agree with me, it is the hunt, or chase that is the most exciting.  Yes when we find our “prize” its nice, but 9 times out of 10, that prize once it goes into our”Stash”, we are off on the next exciting search for that piece that will just pull it all together.

Life overall is just the same.  it is one constant adventure after the other.  I’ve loved travelling through time with you .. and look forward to our next adventures in 2014.  January 1 is a special day in PL, Perfect Liberty, we celebrate with a special ceremony that marks the start of the New Year.  In this ceremony we dedicate ourselves to begin anew, living an artistic life according to the teachings of Perfect Liberty.

Oyashikiri – Blessings to you all.

Prayer of Protection

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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

http://www.unityworldhq.org

Courage

Have the courage to take the first step.

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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.

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Prayer

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Give your best effort with a prayerful Mind.

God Resides in a prayerful mind. The Universe responds to sincerity (Makoto)

Believe that even if you don’t have what you think you need, you WILL find a way!  If you are fixated on “what you don’t have” you will not be blessed with wisdom and a way to solve your problems.  Think creatively to get past any obstacles in your way.

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Feeling good

Feeling good

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

1 Lady Jan (janmargret)_002a copyjewelry is from Chop Zuey   >  shape and hair – Amacci        >skin/makeup  Style by Kira

gown is Purple Moon – taken at Frank’s Elite Jazz club

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Changing Seasons

Changing Seasons

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..    X nov 23a_004The 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.

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I love that little tree.   Share your world, share your dreams, step outside the box, make your dreams a reality.   Blessings.

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Inspiration – ginger or garlic

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Hmmm ginger or garlic, what has that to do with Inspiration. It is about choices, Garlic is such a wonderful little plant. Not only does it add flavour to food it is healthy for us. The same can be said about ginger, Each one has its own taste, and its own uses (as health benefits) and depending on how it is used, will determine our acceptance of use of it.
Interestingly, both are roots (bulbs) the most known remedies and uses are of the part of the plant that is underground.
When out in the woods, unless you know what you are looking for the wild garlic goes unseen.
If my husband comes into the kitchen while I’m preparing a meal, he reacts to the smell of garlic (in the negative) and it in turn affects his pleasure in the meal when it is served.
IF he does not see me cooking, he enjoys the meal with much more gusto and appreciation.

On the surface, life can be tranquil and peaceful, but when we look, really look, often what we see changes our initial perspective.
All this to say, there are so many layers in life, and often we are only dealing with the top layers.
When Inspiration comes to us, it is because the Universe has cut through the layers and has given us a quick glimpse at the heart or core of that moment and blessed us with an option.  I’ve used the word option, because. we are guided, it is up to us to make the choice of listening or doing something different.
Listen, accept the thought and if action is involved, do it. Go for it. Believe in your inner voice for it belongs to YOU, Have faith in yourSELF. me, myself and I, we are all ONE connected to the Universe, The Divine connection is always there, sometimes we simply are not listening. GOD/TAO is ever present.       A L W A Y S

PL Precept #18   Each Moment Is A Turning Point.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah   40:31     2013-03-22 9.9.2013 fall is coming 017

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Who am I

Who am I

Do you ever wonder who that person is looking back at you in the mirror. For years you have looked at that face, yet how often do you really see the face,and the eyes that are looking so intently back at you.
When we journey into the virtual world, we get to pick an avatar to represent us, it is the avatar that moves around and interacts for us with the other avatars in the virtual world.. Each avatar represents another person, who is sitting at a keyboard and looking at a screen. You can be talking to anyone, anywhere in the world connects to the Internet.
Each and everyone of us is in the game for a reason, to play, to build,design,educate, learn, the reasons are endless. So are the possibilities when it comes to what kind of an avatar you will use to represent “you”.
It is not until you are faced with the task of creating an outward appearance for yourself that you begin to realize that it is not as simple as it seems.
First we have to determine are we male or female. In the real world, we know the cards dealt to us, however in this virtual world, we can be whatever we chose to be.
We get to pick the colour of our skin, the shape of our bodies,, the colour of our eyes, and then when we do all of that, we have to dress ourselves, pick out the hair, finally we can have curly hair, and lots of it.
AND, because we get to pick our size and shape, we can then wear the shoes and outfits that we can’t wear in RL

The challenge can be so daunting, that many people give up before they even really start. I learned early on in the “game” that the choices we are asked to make, can be very helpful to us in learning to understand ourselves.

I’m only touching the surface here, we are only getting started. In this recent adventure, I have had to think long and hard about which avatar I would use. I already have established personalities and characters in SL. I realized that I did not want to use these characters because I liked who they are and the lives they have built for themselves over the years.
So, I dusted off the file on an avatar that I have till now only used when I needed a model. He/she had no defined personality and was simply an avatar. A dormant file/avatar in the game. Even the name of the avatar was non gender, Asia was especially used when I needed a male model for the ads/blogs.
Now Asia is a woman, and a Furry, (an avatar that is an animal with human characteristics) I started out thinking I would be a Neko (cat/feline) a Neko is a human with animal characteristics. But after several hours spent with the Neko I wasn’t connected to it. I felt no affinity.
Also what came into the equation is the other members you meet, who are also Neko,Furries, humans, Tinies,Dinkies, etc. Like in the RL the groups have their own culture, way of dressing, interests etc.
I have been absent from SL for some time, not playing as much as I used to, so I found that with the ever changing technology the products and items being offered, mesh, sculpts,animations etc.were different. Previous sources were no longer in business.
I thought I’d be a possat, I got the avatar put her on, but within minutes I didn’t feel right.

Nov2_001When I looked at myself as this avatar, I wondered to myself, what had I been thinking.  Where was I  “in my head” when I thought this is what I wanted to be?  this is what life is like, we do things, we purchase something because at the time, it was such a great buy or it really took our fancy, yet days later, it has lost its allure, and the search begins again.

Much like when I look in the mirror, I wonder who that is, and how she got to be where she is, what is she really thinking?  The person I have to ask is myself really, and the question again comes down to just who am I.  What am I doing here?  This could be a long meditation, a long on going chat with my inner self.  Meanwhile, life does go on, and I have another avatar in the making.  Does this mean that I have multiple personalities. Hmm stay tuned.

In PL we learn to continue and persevere to make our wishes and goals come true.  I’ve started this journey, I’m having fun working through my creative “wants” and the realities of my “self: images. I’ve been a lifetime getting to where I am today, guess I’m not about to stop the momentum now.  My friends call me a “shape shifter” (in SL)  I believe that is because, like in real life, I live the moment, and change is the only constant in life. =^_^=

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comments anyone? Have fun in life, take time to play, we are only here “now”   I am guilty of taking life far too seriously, even when playing… I’m working on it.. one step at a time.     http://www.secondlife.com                                                           photos -Q

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