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Wednesday’s greeting

Wednesday's greeting

Isn’t this a great quote. I read it once, then a second time, 10 words, well put together. Another way of say “Life is Art” the first PL Precept.
I dearly want you to meet Sensei Fukito Kimura, the minister I told you about in an earlier blog. From PL Holy Land in Tondabayasghi, Osaka,Japan. He found a way to communicate with me even though neither of us spoke the other’s language. No, not through a translator, on a one on one. ( I was in Japan for Rensei training, blog(s) would be back in early August for those of you wanting a re read)

I was so impressed with his sincerity,kindness and overall demeanor I asked Rev. Goto to ask him if I could communicate further with him once back in Canada.  He graciously agreed.  It has been a challenge, but I did manage to ask him to tell me how he became a minister with PL, and why.  He did write, (Rev. Euguene) our minister here in Ottawa) kindly did the translation for me.   Now here dear reader, is where one of my lessons in life, has to be put into practice. Somehow in the getting the file from the church to my computer it got corrupted.  Patience is one of the virtues, I have had to learn and practice, and to do it creatively =^_^=.  (Rev. Eugene is away)

Rev Kimura

Meet Sensei  Fukito Kimura, a young family man dedicated to his craft.  He had not thought of being a minister till well into the last years of his schooling.  Once that decision was taken, he never looked back.  He had a church, but was called back to the Holy Land headquarters to  work there.  He is the Coordinator of Rensei Training.  He derives great joy and sense of reward in what he does.  On the shy side, he at first appears reserved, but when you watch him in action, ensuring all runs smoothly for the many many attendees,  you realize he is focused on what he is doing.  He is living in the moment.  His words when he wrote were gentle and wise.

When I get the translation again, I will post his response in Japanese for those of you who read Japanese, because I believe that it will be a true reflection of Sensei Fukito’s words.  And the English translation.

I know today’s teaching was on the Value of Money and Things…  but I wanted to talk about the value of Friendships and how  a real connection with another person will always be through a sincere desire to reach out and embrace that person with a love that speaks from the “heart” 

Become a peace maker in life, a smile goes a long way, not everyone is lovable, we don’t always succeed at being gracious or kind, but we can all work towards a happier day. It begins with one tiny step at a time.

Emphasize on the inner spiritual energy of love and peace… Blessings all…

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Begin your day with Appreciation

Begin your day with Appreciation

Welcome each new day,
start today with a renewed appreciation for the world
around you… and the people in your lives.
With the world rapidly changing, we need to continue
to evolve, that sometimes means changing how we see things.
At one times their was a family structure that very different from what we see in a lot of families today. Especially here in North America.
In Canada and I believe in the U.S.A. we have something called Mother’s Day, which is one day set aside to celebrate our Mother’s, or the women in our lives who are Mothers, GrandMothers Great Grandmothers, which is nice. It really is.

However when I look around, I see that many women today are not just stay at home moms. They more often then not are wearing multiple hats, mother,sometimes they even have to be the father too (single parent family). They hold down one and sometimes 2 jobs not including the role of being a Mother which is full time. It is hard work being independent and self sufficient,

PL Principle #11 – Realizing that children are God’s children, I will raise my child to become a useful citizen for others and society. Realizing also that children are mirrors of their parents, I will not raise my child indulging in my own emotions and just wanting to satisfy my feelings of love.

The quote I’ve used today by Dorothy C. Fisher is a statement to be applauded.

Let’s be in Tune With the Times.   -Begin your Day with  Appreciation

Blessings and love to each and everyone of you, Now and Always.    YOU are my Sunshine!!!!

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Accumulate Virtue and Pass It On

Accumulate Virtue and Pass It On

Today the 11th in PL we celebrate Ancestor’s day. Service today at 10 a.m. Through the ceremony we express our gratitude for the love and virtues of our ancestors. We ask for their protection and guidance so we can continue to live the PL WAY.

Accumulate Virtue and Pass It on to Your Future Generations. Always be thankful for the blessings you have received and pass those virtues on. Let’s pay our respects and give sincere thanks to those who came before us.

Blessings from the heart ..today and always

photo -Q’s garden 9.13

Fresh from the farm

We are lucky where we live, during the summer, there are always fresh produce stalls in the outdoor markets.  However, even better is when we drive a little out of the city and get the produce directly from the farmer.  That is what we did yesterday.  I was a tad restless, my son’s heart surgery was  postponed till today.  I wanted a distraction and it was a lovely day for a drive to the St Lawrence. (a  major waterway that borders Canada and the United States)  We packed the two dogs into the car and off we went, the best part of the drive for the dogs is that there is a wonderful dog park in Morrisburg, well maintained and gated.  On our way back we stopped at one of my favourite farms for fresh corn, this farm always has the sweet golden nuggets, they do have the peaches and cream too, but I like the succulent gold.  The plums called out to me and of course I munched on fresh plums on the way home.  At just the right time of the year, the flesh of the plum is delicate and sweet, even the skin is nice.

Diet is such an important factor in our well being, yet we forget at times that there is a difference between fresh from the farm, and store bought.  I confess that even for me, it is hard to always get fresh and consume it while it is still in that  very fresh stage.  I bought yellow wax beans and green beans, when I prepared them for supper, they were so fresh, they snapped clean when being prepared.  The smell or fragrance if you will of the vegetables was alive ..unlike a packaged vegetable that lacks any smell when you take it from the sanitized packaging.  The corn was “out of this world”  I do mine in the microwave, it is steamed in its own sleeves. this way, when it is peeled, it is ready to eat, no salt, no butter, just the yellow meat of the kernel.  Delicious.

Having tasted one of the best veggie dinners I’ve had in a long time, I then found myself thinking of preparing a stew for my meat and potatoes hubby.  Using the fresh ingredients, I would start  from scratch.  So today I went to the butchers to find stewing beef.  There was none on hand, so had to settle for a piece of steak that needed to be tenderized.  The anticipation of cutting up the meat, and preparing the vegetables was wonderful.  I bought turnip, parsnip, yellow flesh potatoes, and I knew I had red onion, and fresh garlic at home.  Usually we are so busy, that dinners can be something quick and easy.  It was nice to chop and prepare, then get things going on the stove.  The aroma that filled the kitchen was familiar and relaxing.  Since I was in a cooking mood, I put a pot of water on and started a pork stock with garlic and ginger (used for making different Chinese soups).. yes I had purchased pork bones to do this while I was out.  It is like a ripple in the water, the fresh produce from the farm started a need for my creativity to explore and satisfy my taste buds.  My son loves to cook and has done several cooking videos on a number of dishes he likes.

I want to thank the many of you who are praying for him today, it means a lot to us.  A love for cooking and good food is something that we share.  Brigitte his wonderful partner in life told me he went into surgery at 7:30 this morning feeling and looking very relaxed.  Food nourishes the body, love and prayer nourish the soul. My son and I are marinating right now in God’s embrace.

Blessings everyone.

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Divine Order connects me with others

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God’s order is at work in all my relationships.  I am a peacemaker who honors the diversity of all life.  Attuned to divine order, I notice evidence of a divine plan unfolding in my connections with others.  Even with those I meet only briefly.  It would seem that life could be much more peaceful if everyone thought and acted alike.  Yet in my heart, I know that harmony does not require sameness.   a single note played simultaneously through several different instruments  doesn’t take advantage of the beautiful music that emerges when different chords and notes are played.

To honor the diversity of all life, I trust in the divine order to lead me, help me build  and connect with others in a network of sharing and support.

“From the state of mind of being one with God, Oshieoya-sama teaches us the path of happiness, how to progress and elevate ourselves, and find true freedom in our lives, based on the truth of “life is Art”  He gives us individualized teachings through “Mioshie” to show us our own unique paths.” Church of PL

The light of the soul is  bright, dense clouds of human ignorance/doubts obscure it.  Where are you in  terms of effort to make life brighter?

Have a grand day everyone… open your hearts and minds to new possibilities, smile, every minute you are angry or sad, is 60 seconds of missed happiness.

picture – Holy land taken by Ana (Spain)  The First Founder’s Tomb (Rev. Tokuharu Miki)

part #2 Bathing in Japan -pictures

Bathing in Japan, is interesting, when it is so unlike what we do here at home (USA and Canada).  Keep in mind that I was also in a teaching/conference facility.  I would also like to add that the place was clean, VERY clean, outside the building and around the grounds, the roads gave the appearance of being swept they were so clean.  I am a cleanliness freak when it comes to public washrooms etc. believe me when I say to you that where I was in Japan, it was clean without  giving the appearance of being sterile and antiseptic.

Bathing and the art of doing our daily “getting ready” might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is a part of life that can be very enjoyable.  a bonus gift for me was the re- learning to do what can be a mundane daily task, into something leaning towards spiritual.    Enjoying a bath ready filled with just the right temperature of water, silence (when I had the place to myself, or almost to myself) being nude in the bath and not caring or worrying if someone came in. Now that for me was a “zen” moment.  Being totally one with myself in a bathroom ,several thousand miles from home, was really a double WOW, if not a triple.

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This is the bath itself  At time of the picture, it had been emptied to be cleaned prior to refilling.

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Opposite this little area is another where there are sinks for doing our daily this and thats  Hairdryers are provided.  I will see if I can find a picture in my many snaps.

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This picture is where you pull back a sliding glass door and walk into this little area where one leaves shoes/sippers.  When busy, all those little shelves you see are full. Totally.  The next is the area where we put our clothes, see the little wicker baskets in each block.  Can be accessed from either side.

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I did not go into a man’s bathing area, but I would assume they are all the same.  In the area where there are the toilets, there is a rack to dry the face cloths you are given.   I was told that in Japan, the choice for drying clothes is sun shine (outdoors)

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Before I got to Japan, I never would have thought that one of my most favourite and remembered times  would be the “bathing”  In PL there is a teaching – Take a Good Look at Your Preconceived Notions.  It is good to reexamine those things that you think are “normal” or “valuable” in your life.  You are sure to find something new.  I certainly did.  I would go back to Japan in a heartbeat …

Thank you dear readers for your concern, saw the doctor today, confirmed virus infection in the bronchial tubes, an unwanted souvenir from the trip.  I was getting lots of sleep, I’m on the mend.  My seat mate in the lecture hall was from Brazil, my symptoms are mirroring hers I suspect I’m experiencing a touch of Brazil. Oh the joys of life never end…. Blessings my friends… E N J O Y !

Live each day with excitement

PL teaching – Live Each Day With Excitement  > Challenge everything with enthusiasm.  You will be rewarded with joy and encounter happy occurrences.

I am back from the most amazing time away, where each and every day was a new challenge.  The rewards were many and the happy encounters and memories made, endless.  There is no way that I can begin to tell you, or share with you all that has happened to me in the last 9 days.  As I took in the country, the people, the environment, and all that went with the days and nights away in this remarkable country called Japan, I knew that it was a new chapter in my journey of self discovery. the images and sounds, the friends made, in one word, it was all profound.  A simple egg – became not just an egg, but a “wow”, the taste was different and the colour of the yoke was as bright as the sun.  Telling you this is so mundane, you had to be there, I thought a dye had been used, but I was assured that no this was the colour of the yoke in Japan.  Certainly in every other instance I had to see a yoke it was the same intense orange.

Be assured that as the days progress and my mind recovers from the jet lag, I will be recounting the many moments/insights and learning, much is still being assimilated and processed.  I was there to learn, I was on a pilgrimage, the Director of the International Office of PL – Rev. Tokuo Itagaki, and his team of assistants and staff did an amazing job.  the Rev. Fukito Kimura who coordinated the Rensei Training was outstanding.  It was a phenomenal experience.

There were hundreds of people there trying to communicate with one another, The main languages being Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish (Castellano), we were only 5 English, 4 USA and 1 Canadian (yours truly), we came together because of our faith and dedication to PL (Perfect Liberty).  

For the Founders Day Ceremony ( Kyososai), August 1. PL followers came by the bus load. We are talking of thousands of people who came to worship/pray and celebrate.  During service, as promised I held you all close to my heart so that  the blessings could be shared with you.  Oshieoya-sama’s presence brought total silence and reverence, it was totally awesome.    The flames spell out LIFE IS ART

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Sometimes,it takes awhile

2013-01-19 July 8 misc 005Sometimes,it takes awhile

I once was wild about working with gourds. I built or created a bird house with one. It hung from a tree in the back garden. with time and weather it fell and the neck broke off. For some reason I was loath to just throw it away. The main body was rehung, but I kept the neck saving it till I could get back to it. I know that each and every other artist out there has done this in some way, the part of a song that you just can’t finish or get that special riff for. I moved this broken piece of gourd from one place in my work space to another.
Finally this past spring, it was just what I needed to try a new product with.
Once I had made up my mind, things just began to happen.
I can turn it in different directions, and each side gives me a different “story” “view”.. I had no idea what it was, or what to do with it. but.. the finished product made me smile and made me happy.  It was a visual tactile expression I needed to express at that time!  No more no less.

There is a teaching in PL. Once you make up your mind, things will happen. Once you decide you are going to do something, your enthusiasm and focus (mindfulness) will bring forth results. God/Universe will give you aid when you need it most.

Living life as Art, means, go with the flow, create and express yourself, the challenges in life are there to allow us to grow and stretch our talents.  God/TAO is everywhere, and in all things.  Always.  Strive to live in Perfect Liberty  (PL)

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God Resides in Your Prayerful MInd

God Resides in Your Prayerful MInd

PL teaching day 13 > God Resides in Your Prayerful Mind. In addition to making heartfelt and continuous effort, Let’s pray to God. He/She will surely respond to your Makoto (sincerity)

Mioyaookami -God> is not a person,male or female. God is the power,source and law of the universe. (In PL we call God, Mioyaookami.)

Just as we know that our bodies must be fed, and renewed by having a good night’s sleep on a regular basis, so must we connect with the “Divine/Universe” in a constant orderly “way”
PL faith grows not only through intellectual understanding but through heartfelt prayer on a daily basis.

” The ultimate Tao is called absolute. We cannot know it directly because it has no definitions, references or names. Our normal minds are incapable of perceiving where there is no contrast. Yet is it precisely this colorless infinity that is the underlying reality to this life. Deng Ming-Dao

PL Precept #21 – Live in Perfect Liberty

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Good Morning Everyone

Good Morning Everyone

My favourite song to start you on your day, the melody keeps me humming all day.

Spread the love and sunshine, our dreams, come true when we believe and Let Go..

Blessings everyone

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