Faith is something that is very personal. Believe and your faith will stand the test of time.
Let Go
Embrace the changing seasons
Go with the flow, Allow the light of God/TAO to be your guide
With every season, comes new life, new challenges and adventure
Embrace it all, Freedom comes in Letting Go.
Blessings everyone, have a wonderful day.
Now back home in Canada, in the middle of Nature’s awesome exhibit of her Fall colour palette, I find myself drifting off to memories of my all too brief time in Japan.
Japan had never been one of my travel destinations, so when I decided to go, it was pack up and go, no research or prior reading was done on the country, their customs, attitudes and behaviors.
For instance, I had no idea that in Japan public toilets did not supply paper towels, or hand dryers. I would have known to bring with me my own handkerchief.
Western tradition, we say “Ladies first”… Japanese tradition is “you first” the other person is placed on a higher social level than oneself… BUT… interestingly, going through a doorway, the senior male is expected to lead the way, and on a crowded train or bus, there is not need for a man to give up his seat, no matter how many packages or children a woman may be carrying. (social expectation)
When invited for lunch, a visitor usually leaves by 3 pm. while for an evening meal, visitors do not stay any later than 8 pm, even if encouraged to stay, the polite response is to leave. Host and family will often even go as far as the transit station with their guests. At the least, they will all stand at the door wishing the parting guests, safe journey etc.
The Japanese language is rich with special ways to express gratitude ie..
O-machido-sama deshita, -Thank you for waiting.
Go-chiso-sama deshita – Thank you for the meal.
Go-kuro-sama deshita – Thank you for going out of your way
O-tsukara-sama deshita -Thank you for your hard work.
Think how often we hear or say Thank you in our daily lives.
What I did experience and loved was the underground streets (Chikado) (areas of shopping) that are built in conjunction with major subway stations (train stations) in the larger cities, ie. Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya in particular)
Every eating place (shokudo) and resutoran (restaurant) has an outdoor display cabinet that contains shokuhin sanpuru, (life size plastic replicas of dishes being served in that location). I understand that in most cases, what you see outside is a very close duplicate to what you will actually get in the shop, down to the number of slices and size of portions.
I came back home with a yen for more of the fabulous food offerings I had while in Japan.No, this taste delight has not been satisfied. I will have to continue in my searching. chances are I’ll do better in a larger city, i.e. Toronto. If you have any suggestions, please send them along to me.
In PL we say…. Saying Thank You creates a heart to heart connection. If you don’t put your thoughts into words and actions, you will not be able to express how you truly feel. By expressing your gratitude in words, you can really get your feelings across.
Blessings to you all, now and forever
I had such a happy excursion yesterday. My husband with the two dogs, did some touring around the countryside near home. It was a simply fantastic day! What can I say, not much, I’d rather some the pictures with you…
Even in the last days of its bloom, this flower is an expression of nature’s glory.
Nature’s colour palette is filled with the richness of the shades that so brilliantly say “autumn”
Old markers in a newly discovered (to me) historic cemetery beckoned to me from the road, I had to explore. The older the cemetery, the more serene. With the dazzling sunshine, and dappled shade this one was lovely.
A tribute of another time, still sits proudly on a marker, its beauty may be faded, but it still exudes pulchritude and charm
The riot of colour that filled my day had me exhilarated and filled with a joy that was near to bursting. I love Canada and the four season it offers.
God resides in a prayerful Mind….. Evidence of the “Master’s” creativity was on full display yesterday. From pictures I saw being posted yesterday on FB
(Facebook) we were not alone in our rediscovery of the knockout day available to us yesterday. Every day is filled with new discoveries.
Let me leave you a thanksgiving greeting I got this morning, I’m sorry the graphics did not copy paste, but the verse is cute. click on pumpkin pie)
“the pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!”
TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN’T SLEEP.
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.
THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED –
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.
TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION,
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.
GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.
I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
‘TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.
I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY,
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES….
HAPPY EATING TO ALL – PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.
MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES ‘N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALLBlessings – Matthew 5:1 and 6photos -iPhone -Q Kemptivlle, Mountain and surrounding areas.
Shudder.. I heard that word so often while I still worked in a Corporate Health Care setting. (Teaching Hospital) When newsletters/memos came out with “downsizing” as the featured item, or, even when it was an statement tucked down further in the reading material, we all saw it, and we all felt the little frisson down the spine to the tail bone.
Downsizing comes up again in later years, when a family looks at the house they are currently living in, and realize that where it suited n active growing family, times had/have changed, and the remaining home dwellers find it “too much” to look after.
As our life changes occur, we find that the decor, “trappings” we have surrounding us, often, are redundant. We can keep adding, making changes, but what happens then… you look around and find you have no “breathing” space. there is too much clutter.
It is hard to pass along objects that hold memories, or are simply “stash” tools, inventory for those “to happen” creative expressions, that you have yet to get to. My Mother, had a loom and boxes of wool and materials for when she retired. they took up all of one room. She finally retired, but by then, her interest and activities in her day to day still kept her too busy to get to the once loved hobby she had so long planned for. When she downsized, guess what was still waiting, and what we (the children) had to find homes for..
I’ve been downsizing for years now. Really and truly I really have been. I’m enthusiastically pulling out, packing and preparing boxes for the goodwill, and giving this and that away to friends. It is amazing the “material objects” I’ve acquired over time.
Finally, I say with optimism, I’m seeing a light at the end of the long hallway. I hear myself explaining to my patient, loving husband, how getting a new iPhone will help me to downsize even further. In getting this new “desired tech toy” I will eliminate having to carry around with me a relatively new Samsung Tablet that I just had to have when it came out, my efficient little Sony Cyber-shot camera that never seems to be with me when I want to snap a picture, and of course my pay as you go phone.
Hmm my inner voice says in my other ear… are you making sense On one hand it sounds good, in my little purse, I will only have one item, the iPhone My other ear, is hearing my husband mentally calculating this new “downsizing” venture of mine. (years of marriage does this, once we are open to this little exchange, they are very helpful) I have been going on and on about an iPhone for a year or two now. Somehow I have always managed to get “something else” so that the iPhone has remained a “want to have” item.
The Samsung came home with me, instead of the iPhone,(iPad) my HTC (Windows phone) was another purchase that came home instead of the iPhone. I think the reality is that I’m tired of wanting product X and always settling for something else. I get the iPhone, pass along the other items (husband waiting for the them with a not quite hidden gleam in his eyes) and SIGH, I get back to the serious business of downsizing in other areas of my life.
As Rev. Eugene would say ” does that make sense”? We always nod our heads in the affirmative when he says that, and of course we smile while doing so. we all know that sometime in the near future, we will be reviewing his words and then wanting to have discourse about them.
OK.. the Enthusiasm is there, Will it lead to new opportunities. I say YES. Why, because if the mind is caught up on a subject and it just won’t “let go” there is a message that you aren’t listening to, or hearing.
Chances don’t just fall into our laps, They come to us when we are putting our full effort into something.
When the downsizing happened at the Hospital, and finally my position was affected I was immediately filled with a sense of fear at what lay ahead, BUT biggest feeling of all was RELIEF. when it first became known that Management positions would likely be the next to be slashed, I could have been proactive and simply tendered my resignation and moved on, but like the above iPhone situation, I kept trying to dodge the bullet.
It happened, life went on.. and it actually started to get better and better. I was no longer encumbered by “how” “when” I was free to build my own future, my way.
Listen to your inner voice. Follow your enthusiasm, Let it lead you to new Opportunities.
Wow look at the time, I’ve had a great time visiting with you. I love time spent with you. AND I love hearing from you. Have a great day, be Happy, Let the sun shine on your day, smile….
Start with a good breakfast…. =^_^=
Love and Blessings – now and always….
photo credit – Darren, CA
Wake up and have a great day!
Everyday is a new beginning…
For me it is off to church to receive Oshieoya-sama’s blessings and to deepen my faith in PL…
Sharing in community is rejuvenating. PL faith grows not only through intellectual understanding but also through actively participating in PL activities.
It is a way of life. One I embrace with all my BEING
LOVE and BLESSINGS where ever you are ENJOY your day, fill it with meaningful moments! You will smile in your sleep all night =^_^=
song is Com Quem Contar (Ana Maria Miranda Coelho Rios) Who To Trust (song is sung in Brazilian Portuguese)
The translation of the song, the English words don’t fit the melody so much but this is the songs wording in English.
I was unhappy – Not knowing what to live for – I knew not how to smile. Life just wasn’t worthwhile – not knowing what I could do – Not knowing who to trust. **** I sought, I sough, At last I found – Oshieoya-sama, Oshieoya-sama *** chorus (twice)
Now I know – realizing what life is for – I always live with a smile. – Life is no longer a trial. I now know who to trust, Oshieoya-sama – ***chorus four times ***
Tuesday in some retail areas is senior’s day!
Tuesday is a double Happy day…
Rain today will wash all your blues away..
Sunshine will brighten the dullness away
Don’t even try to have a bummer day
It is just not allowed, on this most memorable of days.
YOUR smile can spread cheer to those around you
We are joined in the spirit of PL,
our smiles will transform the day……..
PL teaching… A person who is always pleasant and cheerful can spread their joy wherever they go.
From Honolulu to Tim buck too…
PL is here for you.
Blessings of the day everyone! I love you!
photo – Japanese puppet used by PL Japan to bring PL teachings through theatre, video,media. Young and old are captivated by the stories and plays.
Today’s teaching on the PL calendar, couldn’t be more perfect!
Just Be Yourself
Relax and express yourself freely without hesitation. This allows you to live your life to the fullest.
Where-ever you are, What ever you are doing
Be Happy- make good memories.
Blessings…
Just because you succeeded in the past it doesn’t guarantee that things will go as smoothly this time around. Every day each moment, there is a new challenge to face.
Don’t be captured by the past. Live in the Now.
Blessings … as the blessing moves across my lips, I feel both energized and serene. I wish and pray for you, health, peace and well being. My soul celebrates with the joy of sharing.
music-round midnight >Junko Onishi Trio
the above clip didn’t work, this is the song done by Miles hopefully it will play for you.
I thought I’d sneak this picture in of this delightful car. I saw these cars zipping around everywhere in Japan. No I don’t know what it is, do you? One of my quirks I like “cute” cars.
Our weather today is sunny and balmy, I plan to enjoy the day, what about you. If your day is almost over, I hope you had a good one. If like me it is just starting, have a blast. Create a heart to heart connection with someone, call a friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile, whatever you decide,I”m sure it will be the right one for you.
I believe in YOU.
Blessings …
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)
dymoonblog 
Written
on November 4, 2013