A fine WordPress.com site

Posts tagged ‘life’

Perception

fcbedffee2d397edcd63af5e0bc52b74

 

 

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!

907888db1838f1d8c6c1f0a1ac1c280d

makoto

811d8bd709af5e1300b5977b5d1f80d3

 

 

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

” I Aspire to inspire before I expire”

Amen!! this lady (Mary Harris -aka Ken & Mary’s Blues Project) who is singing needs our prayers, she is in hospital (lung collapsed) in the States, a fellow blogger (kenne turner) wrote about it today.  The video he shared with us, I am sharing with you.  I am very blessed with wonderful caring internet connections,the picture I will share after the video was from another friend that I have never met in person but have spent many hours sharing time with in SL (Second Life)  She is an awesome possum and I know some of my readers here will know of exactly who I speak.  Life is so good when we share it with friends

Thanks Kenne for the video, and sharing Mary’s music with us.

Because it is Monday and I see a holiday in the United States – here is your smile for the day, it comes from the Tiny possum – she got it from Australia – Happiness shared around the world will continue to grow –  amen

Gum shoes - Australia

Life is Art !! ladies and gentlemen have a spectacular day!  and remember to pray!   Oyashikiiri

The colours of spring

9360114a654471448445137c7a20c93aToday  without the sun shining brightly through my office window, I went in search of a picture of flowers.  When I chanced on this picture of the Keukenhof Gardens in the Netherlands, it was a BINGO the moment I saw it.(  a WOW moment).  The riot of colour is laid out in such a symmetrical pattern. The synergy holds one eye.  The attention to detail, the planning that had to be executed to give these results, mind-blowing to someone like myself an abstract artist and a lover of the natural landscape.   The picture held me in utter fascination.  Art comes in many forms, this picture gave me an appreciation of the work /labour that had to take place for me to be able to behold and enjoy such man-made beauty, using nature’s provisions.

Today’s PL lesson is about how our smile/expression can make everyone around us happy.  It makes sense, if we do everything with a smile, we feel good, but we also spread that happiness to those around us.  I’m smiling now and I share it with all of you.. Be Happy!   A smile is contagious! Oyashikiri

2a6ada36952269a9148f77b049e724a3

 

Hearts & Flowers

6b631c6dead44193b4e5ed4fa31a2d91Pure vintage   we would never see this today, cigarettes are no longer in vogue, but the artist put together a picture showing a couple showing their togetherness, his arm holding hers,  their cigarette tips touching, note that the gesture forms a heart connecting them.  OK OK, I’m allowed some poetic licence. LOL I thought it charming =^_^=

Hearts and Flowers day isn’t just for lovers, it is a day that celebrates caring and love. although over the years the marketing has been more and more about the gifts one gives, or tied to romantic stories, new engagements, marriages, and first dates etc.   I see it more as a day of  love,period. A good friend recently lost one of her parents, which is a time of loss,  she and  her family have chosen to celebrate their loss, by celebrating the parent’s life.  How joyful, to honour the life and the positives this person gave to other during her lifetime.  Love is a blessing in our lives.  the word itself has been so used and misunderstood, but in reality, it is  Lasting ONENESS (with God) and Vibration (energy) that is Endless.  Oyashikiri  

True love is everlasting -Love transcends mortal boundaries…!cid_27_284151414@web160904_mail_bf1_yahoo

Expression

d3139b54cdcc19f49bfed8746a8c7f42PL Precept #1    life is Art….

PL Precept#2  To live is to express One’s Self

We all have different ways of feeling, thinking and expressing ourselves.  The artist that pulled this concept together was “brilliant”  When I saw this picture I simply could not pass it by and not share it.  Obviously there is a love for biking, but to bring it into the home and use it so creatively … I was impressed, and it brought a big smile ..  what a joy it must be for visitors to walk in and find this display.  The simplicity of it all …  I know a young lady who bikes, she loves being out on her bike, she is a long distance rider, and an off-road biker.. the whole experience for her is spiritual and exhilarating.  Much like the feeling of freedom and heart felt connection to nature when one is  on a motorcycle, riding the back roads.

We are all unique in our own way.    When we live doing our best, and following the laws of “Nature” (God) – trusting and believing in our eternal connection to the “Universe” (Tao)  we become more accepting of others’ and their differences, learn to respect each other, one step at a time, we grow towards world peace.  A peaceful heart, begins in one’s Self.  God is the power, source and law of the Universe!  amen.

Blessings to you all on this 13th day of February. Be Happy.   Oyashikiri

smilePencil

 

Appreciation

9c1cc7e17a128fea08e6702fff58208e

 

On this sunny day in February, my prayer,meditation is one of appreciation for my health, life and friends.  I am grateful for the gifts/skills that I have been blessed with.   It is important to remember that I am not alone, part of my blessing is the wonderful community I find in sharing with you.  Today I want to say thank you for your messages and continued support . I appreciate each and every one of you.  Thank YOU!!!! 

You can only go halfway into the darkest forest,  then you are coming out the other side.  -Chinese proverb –

photo-vintage memory                                                                       bear hugs

Happy Monday everyone!

e62a6d2feaeb5a376679ea6662598344

 

 

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.

6ccba02513ba1f852c77322b010d6596

 

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

164600dc5a5bdd12ff91e32a441c406a (1)

 

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)

Tag Cloud