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Posts tagged ‘inspiration’

Top of the morning !

Ireland,druid trees,enchanted forestDruid Forest, Ireland..  What an enchanting photograph. Today being St. Patrick’s day, I’m sure there will be a lot of wearing of the green today.  I know that my experience has been, Irish or not, many people celebrate the day, and share in the ancient traditions.  Did you know that  the ascending  series of  green- white- red-  formed the favourite symbols of the Egyptians and the Celtic druids, Dante who knew his traditional symbology, had Beatrice appear dressed in green,white and red,  which expressed, hope, faith and charity.  Did you know that green is a colour of antithetical tendencies…. it is the colour of life, (growth) and the colour of death.. Similarly green takes the middle place in the every day scale of colours.  LOL  I’m sure that today you will soon loose count of all the different shades of green you see, not to mention the many creative ways green will be shown, or adorned.

Oshieoya-sama (head minister of the Church of PL, Perfect Liberty) wrote an article (May 12, 1984) which was  reproduced for us and distributed in the Perfect Liberty newsletter  volume 7, issue 1, March 2014, in which he talks about the similarity and the differences in PL and other religions.  He talks of how the objectives of religions are all similar , in that they all strive for World Peace, then goes on to talk about how each religion  has its own unique way of  sharing this with their members.  One of the most important things taught in PL is to put the teachings into practice, on a daily and regular basis. For a copy of this article (it is short one page),i n the States, contact Rev. Takashi  Goto     goto@perfectliberty.ca    In Canada   Rev.Eugene Hayashi       ethayashi@perfectliberty.ca  for other countries, either of these ministers will give you contact information.

 

Ireland's Cliffs of MoherThese cliffs in Ireland bring tourists from far and wide.  When I saw them I thought of how majestic and beautiful they were, how nature over time had carved out each and every crevice in her own way as only she can do.. each section is a story all of its own, yet together they present the viewer with a formidable challenge, could they be climbed?  I know myself, I would want to study all the nooks and crannies to discover the secrets that they would hold.  while I gazed at the shear beauty of the cliffs, I wondered if the photographer had taken close up shots of any of the different rock compositions, and plant varieties…….  Guess I’ll never know =^_^=  another puzzle, that brings a smile.. Mysteries are so much a part of life when one has a curious active mind…

Irish Erin go Bragh -Ireland Forever” May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow……………and any trouble avoid you, wherever you go “   

smilePencilphotographs – Pinterest – cliffs of Moher, Ireland

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  

Goedenmorgen, good morning everyone

Alo 3.1_005Remember the song, Rock and Roll is here to stay, or when we were all hearing about the “British invasion”?  Of course not, some of you do, and others have no idea of what I’m talking about.  Never -the-less … both are part of “history”, contributed to the world today.  Not all that long ago, I was doing research for a virtual blog*  I write, when I came across these characters in a haunted house.  I had the opportunity to meet and talk with the builder of this particular setting and others just as much fun and creative, Being an artist myself, I am often humbled by the ability of others to recreate such fun and authentic looking scenes.  The designer, BambiTwice Nitely has given the virtual world of SL a playground for explorers that is unbelievable in the range of destinations she has provided.  i.e Medieval Fantasy, Star Wars, Aquatic-Marine and Tropical fish, the list goes on, oh and I must not forget a museum of amazing Illusions, these are just a few.  all this to say, because in our limited worlds, we often resist stepping outside the box.  Going or doing something that we have never done before, will always bring something new into our lives. Give us a new perspective.  Challenge us to revisit some of our thinking?

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How  has your day been so far, where you on the stairway through the day, are your steps leading up or coming down? Either way, you will find a new vista(s) to explore.  We should try to start each day with a renewed sense of appreciation.  Smiles through the screen at you.  Life is so full of treasures some long forgotten that need to be rediscovered and others that are brand spanking new.  Remember  LIFE IS ART 

For those of you who travel in Second Life, this is your link to the boat that will take you along the Nile to the land of the Pharaohs, Pyramids etc.  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Enchantment%20Island/190/97/23

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Where do you want to be today?   Choose to feel the range of your emotions rather than become numb or indifferent. Make your choice the one that will have you being present in all you do, to be mindful of what the day has in store  – reach out and share your mega watt smile with the world.  Trust you will be empowered.    Blessings, Oyashikiri   smilePencil

interested in the virtual blog?  visit http://virtuallunablogspot.ca/

True Happiness

 

Good Morning Everyone… It is Wednesday another day to explore…

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Years back while touring on the back of a Honda Goldwing we came across a setting much like this while exploring cliffs along the Atlantic Ocean.  The past owners had obviously enjoyed sitting and watching the tides coming and going.  The little cabin had once heard the sounds of laughter, maybe even tears.. Today the scene is one of long forgotten memories and charm.  6b962e031064bcc784b36e788932e7e1

We don’t just happen to be who and what we are today, we developed over time.  The moss in this setting didn’t just happen, it came to be over many years, inch by inch, section by section. The scene would have been ever changing.  Plant life died, and new growth developed, it is the natural cycle of life.  “one door closes, another door opens”  In PL (Perfect Liberty) we learn the cause of unhappiness,  we learn that things and people come into our lives (this includes circumstances)  regardless of what we would prefer or what would be convenient for us.  True happiness is not determined by something going well or not.

b9f214fde9e841d32197ad8b59e184e8PL teaches us about Mishirase (Divine warnings from the Univers/God, in the form of an illness, accident, pain,suffering, misfortune. We do not see them as unlucky, rather a challenge to rethink, regroup, we are not “seeing” or “using” our skills/talents  with Makoto (sincerity) we have drifted off the path.  we may be overly attached to our own thoughts and are not expressing ourselves naturally.  we are born with the ability to experience pain, and to know “hurt” so that we can recognize when we need to “stop” and rethink or meditate on present circumstances.  An important  lesson in the I Ching/Tao >  the wise man knows when to retreat. If you are a follower of the I Ching – use hexagram 53 for today’s reading.  Chien (Developing) china,huangshan,anhui, umbrella tree
When a situation is faced, head on, with Makoto…. no matter how hard that situation is, with sincerity of purpose, with the Universe in and around you…..you will be able to find a way.  There is always something to learn when we are faced with a challenge.  when we deal with the challenges we are dealt in life with a positive  and open minded attitude.  We find happiness in positive self expression.    … Oyashikiri …

photography -photos – Pinterest

Welcome another Sunday =^_^=

a52c8280d299ef8f3f0b8b4c11a1efd3In the last couple of years, many churches have closed their doors,  Driving in the country we  will often drive by a deserted church.  I’m happy to say that I have seen none in this sad state the above church was in when this picture was taken.  Here, in Canada, and I hope in other countries, some of these smaller churches are being bought and rejigged to house a family and or be a home for a couple or a single person….Whether  home or studio, they are reborn, given a new lease on life.  In my research it was a rather poignant discovery that there were just so many of these wonderful buildings now in a state of ruin.

From the state of many of these buildings, the changes happened over a period of time, not overnight.  Life is amazing when you think of just how many skills you once had, are now perhaps not as honed.  Take letter writing for instance,  I was an avid pen pal correspondent when I was younger.  In school we were encouraged to meet and write to new friends in another Province, State or country.  I loved writing a letter, drawing and enclosing small pieces of artwork to share with my friend.  Looking back I’ve had several from Holland (Nederlands)  with the age of social  media, and internet, our letters became less and less as we discovered the instant gratification of an e-mail.  Soon my mailbox took on a look much like the above picture.  If I didn’t write a  welcome letter did not come back. where once my penmanship was art in itself. now my husband has trouble reading my grocery list.

Small town Green_004When we stop doing something, the joy/fun and learning from that activity begins to recede, other activities take its place.  Are they as fulfilling?  Only you can answer that …For me I think I will sit down and write a few letters today.  I will do so with enthusiasm, my journey is coming full circle, I am again interested in the Nederlands, and I am reminded of my earlier friendships ones that, shame on me, I let fall away.

determinationThis is a picture that someone titled – Determination – it shows how “Nature” will always have its way, we may struggle in life, and feel that we are locked in a place we are not happy with, but in time, you will reach through the windows and doors of your confined space and  find open skies and warm sunshine. It is the “Way” (Tao) “God” – What will you do today… whatever you decide to do, walk with God! Be ONE with the Universe.

Friendships like gardens need to be tended and loved if they are to survive.

smilePencil  Oyashikiri

photographs >Pinterest

virtual photo >Q in SL

Perception

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In conversation with a friend, she asked me a question about feelings, and hurts, something that had been bothering her for some time.In PL fashion, I replied “life is  mirror”  Intelligent and thoughtful, she was quiet for some time, then she said, I have heard that before, but I don’t know that I understand“.  Then I had to pause, reflect and meditate on her response.  My reply had been simple to me “life is a mirror” but in fact when I thought about it.  I have had years of living with this perspective, and each time the challenge crossed my path, I learned a different lesson.  fortunately our relationship is such that we converse over a period of days and even weeks sometimes.. so I have  had time to “chew” on this one.

When we are hurt, sad, perplexed by the “perceived” action of others,  we own the reaction, we own the thoughts.  No one else is feeding them to us, they are ours, and ours alone.  It may take some time, but at some point in time, we realize that the choices we made were our own.  What takes longer is choosing to accept and own the situation you are living. The strength and courage to remove ourselves from the cycle of hurt, vulnerability and dependency.  OOOHH OUCH did I actually say that word,  write it, (takes a moment to read back a few lines)… yes I did, I said dependency, not a word I liked to associate with, but over the years I’ve learned to accept that it has been a lesson I’ve had to address more than once.

Mirrors, they can be our friend or our hardest task master.  Melody Beattie in one of her books, said “Go with the flow” let go of fear and your need to control.  Relinquish anxiety, ”  I read those words many many years ago,  I’ve never forgotten them, I remember highlighting them and reading them over and over again for weeks.  She talked of being present, accepting where you are and who you are. Taking ownership of your emotions, actions and thoughts.  Mirrors are a tool, they will only project to you what you are “seeing” in that moment.

When we look into a mirror, the only eyes looking back into ours, belong to “ me,myself and I.”  Express your appreciation for your SELF today, look in the mirror, smile and say “thank you”  ..Then find someone else in your world to say thank you to, saying it out loud is empowering, and a very nice sharing of a moment.  Not only will the person you are thanking feel a smile, you will too  One smile at a time we build a better future!

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makoto

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One challenge that always seems to reoccur in my life, is recognizing and accepting that I am not perfect!  My type AA personality often gets in my way.As I mature/age I’d say that I’m doing better, at one time I would have been a triple A. I’m working at whittling it down. =^_^=.  A devoted and 100% practicing Taoist, I was overcome with a wonderful emotion of community when I first attended a PL service. (Perfect Liberty)  I was very fortunate that the minister at the time I visited the church was one, Rev. Takashi Goto.  I was never a church goer but over the years I had attended Christian services before and was very interested in finding out that this was nothing like I had ever experienced before.

For the first time ever, I heard and felt my beliefs and connection to God/TAO expressed in a way that spoke to me and said…”The philosophy here is mine”.  I was able to have meaningful and thought provoking conversations with Rev. Goto, that expanded  and nourished my connection to the Universe.  The encounter dusted off some of the forgotten lessons I’d learned in the past, and swept out the dust bunnies in corners of the “room” I was residing int.  He had words in Japanese that were totally unfamiliar to me, but explained, I understood.  I began to revisit places in  my mind that had been forgotten or neglected.  My connection with God/TAO grew stronger, and continues to grow stronger each and every day.  He would say ” we must put “makoto” in everything we do and say”…  he reinforced something I’ve tried to do all my life (not always succeeding)…  No matter how small the task, or light hearted the conversation, when we practice makoto in everything we do and say, when a challenges reappears in our lives, we will handle it with a new perspective.

a02e1753ae4d6670f5d173129e1134fbPL is  non denominational.

Rev. Goto is now Senior Minister with the church in NY City    goto@perfectliberty.ca

 

Welcome another day!

Yesterday I found myself at the bottom of the steps in a beautiful environment,  in reflecting on my post, I realized that not all steps are a welcome sight.  That there are days when our thoughts and emotions are in a different place.  Or should I say, in wandering through the hallways of the brain, we come across a scene perhaps like this one.

9a98ec7ae23e621913bcac5743154dc4Pause for a moment.  Look at the picture that the photographer of this shot captured.  I’m not sure I know his/her intent, but to me it speaks volumes.  Much like this one does.  Again it was a toss up on which picture I would use today.  Both spoke volumes to me and had me meditating on my thoughts for some time before I took to the keyboard.

339939f9024c0c5082a0d995848a9bcdBoth of these pictures (for me) capture the essence of life at given moments during certain cycles we live through.  When all around seems dreary,painful,lost, when our hearts are heavy, and our laughter barely a whisper, it is in such times that we have to call on our faith, know that the beauty is still there, that the sunshine is merely behind a cloud.  The moment will pass, and the light of love and happiness with shine through once more.  To love, to care is to allow yourself to feel vulnerable.  Mother Nature is ALWAYS present.  WE cannot know happiness without sadness, they go hand in hand, when you hold out your hand, you only see one side until you turn your hand over to see the palm. They are ONE.

db1dbddd00387b6a1ce711435e689d69A sun filled path of flowers for you today.

Love and Blessings……thanks for sharing this moment with me.   Oyashikiri

Happy Monday everyone!

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Living in the moment, being mindful means that you are living each moment with awareness, being present, addressing the moment with a clear state of mind. In “biblical” times it is told that Jesus walked on water and that in/with faith, so could his followers.  The moment they let fear/doubt take over, they sank.  It is not easy to always be clear of negative feelings, but we can learn, we can practice the ART of trusting and truly believing that the “Universe” no matter what the challenge, has a reason for where you are and what you are living at any given time.

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Begin by starting your day with a positive attitude.  PL Principle # 2  I will not have complaints about others, matters, nor the weather. Rather I will always be creative and will for shortcomings in my own thinking and actions.

If you wish to learn more about the PL 21 Principles, please ask for a consultation from your local PL minister. (Perfect Liberty)

smilePencil

PL Precept #15

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PL Precept #15.. All is a Mirror.   In this photograph the photographer, creator of this picture, applied, patience with creativity, he/she had the inspiration and or the intuition .. was at the right place at the right time, their “vision” and the actions he/she took, gave us this picture to enjoy.  Isn’t  life/art  wonderful !

Good Saturday Morning everyone.  Wake up and Smile!!!

PL Precept #1   Life is Art

smilePencil

This picture is also on my Pinterest page, ( Amsterdam)

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