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Posts tagged ‘gratitude’

Learn from everything – aprender que tudo

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In life, if we are present in our daily activities, we soon discover that all in life is a mirror. When we are faced with a choice, the easiest way is not always  the choice that will make you happy.  Just because you think you know something, doesn’t mean that you do.

I took my camera to Japan, intending to come home with pictures galore.  I barely had time to think of having my camera out, nor had I the inclination when time was available to me. C’est la vie.  I had a wonderful time, even though the long traveling time and the change in atmosphere/weather proved to be a challenge for me. More once the jet lagged has moved on. With no internet I have missed your visits, I will look forward to catching up when I can.

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Till soon

Oyashikiri

 

all about me

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some days, we see something

and we relate

am I the thorns

the flower

or the leaves

yup… one of those days

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Today is the 11th of the month

we celebrate Ancestors’ day

through this ceremony, we express our

gratitude for the love and virtues

of our ancestors and those who have

helped us along the way

Have a good day everyone,

I’m off to pray.

Monday, yay another week!

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Sunday morning found me standing in gales of wind, trying to capture this beauty without being blown away.  A chain like fence wasn’t making it easier for me, but I wanted to capture the iron bird waiting to fly.

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A different plane stood by, they both looked like the were waiting.  I searched the area for signs of life, there were vehicles in the parking lot, but no signs of humans.  This training field is near the Asian grocers where I shop, so I do often see small planes waiting for their next chance to soar up into the clouds.  I had a service to be at, so didn’t get to stand around, one day I’ll have the timing right, meanwhile, I will enjoy them at rest.

A plane did soar through the skies above … but t was a big commercial plane heading off into the yonder.  The main airport is not far from the location where I was standing…  Unless you live or are near an airport, or a flight path… you seldom see or hear a plane these days.  Just because we don’t hear or see them, doesn’t mean they are not there.

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Later, in the afternoon I found myself out in the other end of the city, travelling down a road where this factory or industrial building caught my eye.  During the week this place would be busy with big cement trucks and other industrial machinery working away … I would not have been drawn to the place.  Probably driven by without giving it a glance.  But yesterday it was the shapes and colours that drew my attention.  It was a must that we drive down so that I could get out and walk to where I could get a better look.

There is something wonderfully appealing in the creative world around us.  It is so diverse.  How can we not marvel at the minds that pulled together to create so many of “hard core” ART around us in our everyday lives.  I drive a truck, I enjoy getting in and being able to drive to where I want to go.  It is important to remember  and appreciate all the things we so easily take for granted in life.

The pilot might fly the plane, but he had to train, someone had to build the plane, it didn’t build itself, the hours of testing, the research and developement for the bet materials, the combinations, the safety standards, so much goes into our being able to live the lives we do.  Let’s remember to give thanks, and to appreciate not only the people around us, but the many things in life that make our lives easier.

giving thanks, gratitude

appreciation

Namaste        –          Oyashikiri

taken in and around Ottawa, Canada

prayer

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what will I do today

I will pray

I will walk in the sunshine

feel the sun on my face

and I will pray

when I am too tired

to walk, I will sit

in the shade

and I will pray

everything I do in life

is done with a prayerful mind

thank you God for the abundance

of love and joy in my life

thank you for the bounty at my table

and the gift of friends that care

please watch over

and provide for my friends & family

it is with gratitude in my heart

that I am beginning another day

namaste

oyashikiri

Time was

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Time was…. when we all gathered to listen, learn and enjoy the experience of sharing new products, new techniques, new ideas.   Then we would have time to process the information with an informal gathering around a light refreshment table…

Having worked in a large teaching hospital, I often got to speak in such rooms,lecture rooms, or auditorium.  Talking to the assembled group, I could watch their faces, and body language, I often knew the ones who would be full of questions, and interested to know more.    lt was fun, we all got to know more about the other person, and we could talk right then and there about what we had seen or heard.

Now I’m told that often if there are still such rooms in use,  the audience is head down with technology that allows them to be miles away, even if they are sitting in the room with you.    Often there is little dialogue between the group, rather questions are asked and answered online,   Therefore others in the room do  not benefit from the exchange.

Time was when we could help one another because as individuals we all see and think in our own unique way.  Often, a different view point leads to a greater indepth understanding of a topic or situation… and in some cases, makes us even more comfortable and confident with our own decision, and chosen path.

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Time was, and time is… always going to be changing.  we exists today because of the past. Today in the PL churches across the world we are celebrating Ancestor’s Day.  It is a time we have where through ceremony we express our gratitude for the love and virtues of our ancestors… Services on the 11th. are at 10 a.m.. We know people cannot always attend at that time of day.. closing your eyes for a moment and silently sharing our prayer, goes a long way in bringing a peaceful moment to your day. =^_^=

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Namaste     –     Oyashikiri

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bonjour, good morning! buen dia

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Do you pray, is a very personal question. As individuals we are all unique and our way of expression, and faith is something that is ours and ours alone.  Or is it?  What is it that we are told growing up, try not to talk about politics, or religion, stay on safe ground.

When we become friends with someone, it is a process that happens over time, some people you may feel an immediate kinship towards, and others, well, let’s say, we have to warm to.  Some we never connect with at all.

With the passing of time, the friends that stay in our lives are the friends that accept the changes that  happen in life and with our personal evolvement.  And of course vice versa. No one stays the same from day-to-day, the changes may be subtle at first, but change we do.

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Happiness  happens when we establish goals and work towards achieving them on a daily basis. Living in Perfect Liberty means we pray not only daily but all the time, it is a way of life. We connect with a higher power and do our best to stay connected in all we say and do.  When we can do this every day with true appreciation, we will be filled with a genuine feeling of joy .. this will radiate and envelope those around us.

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I believe our faith and good intentions will resonate with the friends we make along the way, some will stay a long time and others will be move on towards their own destiny and purpose.  What is important is that you remain true to yourself.

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pic boat,Blue Lagoon, Jamaica

Days gone by

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The other day I drove past a small Baptist Church.  I couldn’t help but wonder, what it had been like several decades ago.  The town it is in is not all that big, and it has several churches.  This is one of them.  Back in its day, the town was active, and bustling with activity.  There are still many working farms in the communities.  Do the small churches still  fill up and bubble over with the voices of growing families and animated children?

Jeep and trip to Embrum 160 This is one I found on the back road as I wound my  way down the quiet highway towards another small town in the townships.  I stopped the car in both instances, and walked up to and around the buildings.  You can see that there is a cemetery next to the Presbyterian church.  Reading tombstones is a wonderful way to pass the time and take in the history of a place.  There is something very valuable in remembering and giving thanks to ancestors and their contributions to what “is” today.

Jeep and trip to Embrum 169My journey that day took me past miles of tended farmer’s fields, plowed and ready for the next growing season.  It was a relaxing drive, I found that my mind emptied as the  landscapes changed.  The beauty of being on an open road with a clear blue sky above, and the zillion shapes and colors of autumn formed  a gallery of unique artwork just for me.  I was on a natural high.

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Monotone you say!  no way, it is a master piece I say..Never take for granted the food on your plate. Think back to days gone by, when farmers came from all around to pray in the small churches in the towns and villages.  Working hard all week, then Sundays gathering with friends for shared community and song. Traditions are being lost and forgotten.  Remember when you drive along a country road,  to look at the vistas you are passing.  When you look and see a barn that has lost part of its roof, and the walls are falling in on themselves, remember that at one time it had a purpose, it is a testament of another time.  One that got us to where we are today.

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I left home with no expectations, and was treated to a day filled with wonders, and amazing moments.  I felt deep gratitude, the Universe blessed me with a precious gift.   A glimpse of life in another time,, an appreciation of days gone by.

 

Namaste – Oyashikiri

Pictures by Q (driving from Winchester to Embrum)

Thank you, Merci, Gracias, Obrigado,Grazie xxxooo

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Thank you all for your wonderful messages of love and friendship… I was overwhelmed when I got back at the birthday greetings and kind words. The road weariness evaporated  under a blanket of amazing heartfelt gratitude.  Many of you I have only met and interacted via social media and the virtual world, I really truly love and appreciate each and every one of you.

It was a wonderful birthday journey, filled with sunshine and balmy weather.  We got to explore, visit and rest, my husband once again shone with his thoughtfulness at ensuring that everything went well and that we were safe at all times.  To my fellow vintage buffs, this was the find of all finds, 100% silk, pure vintage, with beads that appear to be all hand sewn   ..=^_^=

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Friendships are God’s gift to treasure for all time

Thank you again for taking time to share this special time with me.

Namaste -Oyashikiri

Makoto on Ancestors’ day

timeGood Morning everyone, how are you today?  For those who are new to my blog, welcome.  Today is the 11th, of the month, in Perfect Liberty, the 11th is a day for remembering and expressing gratitude for the love and virtue of our ancestors.  In China and other countries, it was a natural and everyday part of life to honour our elders.  It is thanks to our ancestor’s virtue and Makoto (sincere effort) that we are here today.

The above picture, evoked a moment of tranquility from my memory banks.  A summer day, visiting in the country, playing in the tall grass, and escaping from the heat by playing by a creek that ran behind the old country store a relative had in the Algonquin Park area of Ontario.  For a city brat, this was so different and a totally new experience.  When you are young, you simply live the moments, you aren’t analyzing  or looking at your new friends with a ton of baggage in your head, you are taking life in, and responding to it with an innocence yet to be tested. You are living the moment, building your experiences in life, finding new emotions, discovering more of the world around you.

In my research this morning, I came across a picture of Betty White (actress) and a loaf of bread, interested in the connection I delved further into the post.  “Did you know that Betty White is older than sliced bread?” was the the sentence that went with the picture.  Of course, I know of Betty White, I’ve seen her in many sitcoms, but to be honest, I never really thought of her as a person of age, probably because in my journey through life, I have been entertained by her talents over the years, and have simply accepted her as “Betty”.  We all do it in some way form or other..  we take someone or some thing for granted….

Today, lets take a moment to give thanks with Makoto to our past, and our present!……. Let us ask for guidance and protection so we can continue to live the PL Way.. (a life of Perfect Liberty) (life with God/Tao)

Iireland x

 

photos – Pinterest, bottom photo id. Ireland,castle  

11th of the month, Ancestor Day

0937d5820779f8bd829694415e8398ddWe are who we are.  No amount of cosmetic surgery, make up or fashion styles we make will change who we are, or where we came from.  What does change is the way we use the skills and  God given talents we have (understanding of life).  This is an old Japanese print that I found, and thought it was a very appropriate visual for today’s greeting.

The clever and subtle messages of the artist are wonderful.  I see so many possibilities of interpretation. He/she has captured the happiness of the cat being worked on, the little claws are  out as it kneads its contentment into the carpet.  How one feels when enjoying a wonderful relaxing massage. =^_^=  the look of face on the “giver” is focused and mindful of what it is doing.  The signer stamp of the artist is an artistic sign of the TAO.. Yin/Yang.  Male/Female, Active/Passive and this is what the picture is a balance .  Harmony of two energies.  TAO – complete ONEness in the moment.

You are here today, thanks to your ancestors.  Their actions, lives were instrumental in your being here at this very moment.  On the 11th of every month, through ceremony, we express our gratitude for the love and virtues of our ancestors and ask for their protection and guidance so we can continue to live the PL WAY. (Perfect Liberty)   Service is at 10 a.m.  today..             Life is Art       ( PL Precept #1 )

Happy Tuesday to you all………. May the sun shine its warmth on you today &, bless your night with the happy twinkling of the brilliant stars that dress the moonlit night.           Oyashikiri

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