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Posts tagged ‘life’

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Altruism

Altruism

Compassion, generosity,neighbourliness –
Kindness, charity,benevolence
Public spiritedness

2013-10-25 oct.28 008

Quiet, continuity, steadfast, centered

78 degrees under bright blue skies, thoughts of fat scallops, abalone, and king size shrimps, sitting on a bed of fresh Udon noodles, ready to be tossed with a ginger garlic and soy dressing.

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School house needs to be cleaned out and ready for the winter feedings.

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Reminder to myself. > need to pick up a drill bit for my dremel so that I can drill holes when making little people.  Little people and  “happy cards” are ambassadors for the ‘share a smile ” campaign I’m doing.

2013-05-14 rice seasoning 001

Which seasoning to use in my morning bowl of veggies, mushroom and egg?  Then now that the car is back, I guess I run errands, Yup, if I can time it right, Costco will be on the list.  Oh hum….its Friday…  let me share one more moment with you.  I met this man back in the late 70’s, backstage after a show at the then Montreal Forum, I enjoyed his energy then, and today, he still has me wanting to dance.  Funky Friday everyone, Shake it.

smilePencil

Share the LOVE, share a SMILE,  Make each and every moment count.  Love you all.  Blessings, big and small =^_^=

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Carrots and life

Carrots and life

If ever anything would always be the same, one would think it would be carrots. Huh uh, not so, now when you go to purchase carrots, you are faced with a selection. I find little finger size ones, for snacking on and vegetable trays. I read an article about how they are processed, and now skip the little carrots and go for the family size carrot. =^_^= That said, at this time of year, you can get some P R E T T Y big sized carrots. The other day i found a carrot that was so big,I think with patience I could have stuffed it.
In the warmer months, I love to simply walk around snacking on a raw carrot. the natural sweetness is refreshing on a hot day, and the crunch is second only to the crunch of a fresh radish.
Interestingly enough, I found that the carrot taught me a lesson in life this past summer, actually it was just a couple of weeks past. One should never take our carrots for granted.
I found myself downtown in between meals, I was walking around the market when I was struck with a craving for a crunch. conveniently I was in the market, so walked up to a stall and picked a box of coloured carrots. the packaging was just like I got today, you can see how inviting they are,
For those of you still not educated (yet) in the lure of the carrot, there is a different taste albeit subtle to the “designer” carrot, vs. the good old farm variety. To my taste buds they are sweeter, with a lighter lingering taste of carrot that is teasing on the palette.

Now skip forward to later in the week when hubby and I found ourselves on a back road in the countryside far from the maddening crowd but with working farms. My crunch craving hit… what to do.. “oh look” I cried out, Hubby well used to my outbursts, slowed the car and took the lane way that advertised Fresh veggies and Pumpkins. In earlier posts you saw pictures of the pumpkin and squash displays.
With no radishes in sight, I headed for the carrots. Yes there was one basket left. Greedily my hand reached out and in the blink of an eye I was at the cash. Recognize the symptoms, we do this in life, we want something, we get something, we don’t really inspect, or take in the whole picture, we just act.
Now what could be wrong, or go wrong with freshly picked carrots from a working veggie farm. thank you for wondering/asking. A lot. Ms city here, used to buying carrots in the grocery stores, fresh produce markets had not anticipated or thought about the real home-grown carrot, that comes to you straight from the ground. It was encrusted in dirt, good old farm soil, I was traveling in the car .. I didn’t have running water to clean it with… nor did we have the dogs with us, so their fresh drinking water was not with us.
How badly did I need to feel and hear that crunch.
I dipped a clean tissue in my drinking water.. and rubbed. That dirt was caked on, but with purpose and dedication, I managed to get most of it off. I crunched into that carrot like it was a jewel from the ground (which it was). I lived to tell the tale, even discovered that I did recall in the long last memory cells, that carrots don’t come all sparkling clean from the farm with out someone washing and packaging them
A reminder on how much we take the food we eat for granted. At first my citified mind wanted to cry out loud, how can that farmer not know to clean the vegetable before putting up for sale. thank goodness the other part of my brain, spoke up, it was me, it was my spoiled city self that was not being grateful for the opportunity to taste a carrot “really’ fresh from the farm, and the lesson that, life and the food we get should not be taken for granted either.
I now have a greater appreciation for what I find in the stores, the journey they had to take to get there, and I don’t begrudge the money spent for the quality of goods I get. We need to take time in life to appreciate the bounty that we have available to us.   God provides.

I used carrots today to give variety to the potato oven fries, presented along with the potatoes, were carrot and orange beet slices. Yummy, I toss them in a virgin cold pressed olive oil with seasoning before putting them in the oven to roast.

With the veggie baked fries, we are having sliced pork (Pork is my cold weather meat) stir fried and simmered in a buttered (light) curry sauce.

Eat your carrots they are good for your eyesight.

smilePencil

photo -Q

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sunlight thru the shade

sunlight thru the shade

The other day I talked of how light and shadows can draw us in, create a picture that catches our imagination. The first snowfall will also change the landscape. We are so fortunate to have the 4 seasons to delight us with their differences.

Does this picture tell a story?

The camera allows for one point of interest to have many looks.

“Care enough for a result, and you will almost certainly attain it. “   William James

It is the experience of living that is important, not searching for meaning.  We bring meaning by how we love the world”  Bernie Siegel, M.D.

Life is Art… every day gives us new opportunities.

TAO > Put forth your effort with no thought of gain……………….. non anticipation

Photo buffs share your links…

Did you know?

If you rub a potato on your snow goggles before you start your descent, do it when you get on the ski lift.  rub raw potato over the goggles, and your ride down should be nice and clear.

Out of silver polish, take a few potatoes and boil them up.  Remove them from the water and save them for another use.  Put your silverware in the potato water, let it sit for about an hour, then remove the silverware and wash.  Tarnish should be gone.

One more.  Use slices of raw cold potatoes over your eyes, to make the puffiness go away.

Calorie free uses of the multi- purpose  potato.   smilePencil

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/66639269459829037/   come on now, click on the link, let me take you to a different place…..

Lessons can be learned through awareness.  If you think of the hardest thing for you to do and how much you resist it, then you are looking at your greatest lesson at that moment.  don’t let resistance stop you from making changes.  Observe yourself, watch how you resist, then go ahead anyway.  Here are some non verbal clues, of how our actions often show our resistance…   Changing the subject  >> Leaving the room >> Going to the bathroom >> Being late >>> Getting sick >> Procrastinating by doing something else, doing busy work, wasting time, etc….

Then of course there are the verbal clues – “I’m waiting for the stars to say it’s OK….>>>>>>> This is not the right environment >>>>> “they ” won’t let me change >>> It’s all “their” fault.>>>> how many more can your fill in here.

Oh and let’s not forget the self concepts >>> Too old >>>>Too young >>>> Too fat>>>> Maybe its just all too much >>>> and if we are honest with ourselves, there are the delaying tactics, denial and fear.  Truth is… the  process begins the moment we begin to think about making a change.

TAO ..The only constant in life is change …

PL .. Have the courage to take the first step. break free, start something new… believe in yourself and take the first step…

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Travel on past the line of trees…

Have a great day, set your mind free…

Good Morning everyone!  =^_^=   one potato, two potato, three potato, four.…  Give me a hug, and I’ll want more!   Now to church I’m going, I’m out the door!

picture 1 is from Pinterest,  Picture 2, was taken by Q

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Downsizing?

Downsizing?

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

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Live each day with Excitement

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.

PL is a non denominational church, Did you know that? To embody the PL teachings, you do not have to go up into the mountains for hours of meditation, nor fast for many days. Oshieoyasama gives us simple practical and useful ways to learn to live the PL Way.. (You can learn more by contacting one of our ministers today, or myself for contact information in the country you are in) Our website is in the right sidebar.

Life is Art, is the foundation of our faith. Your life is your very own unique work of art. If you cut corners or miss important details, you will not be able to live up to our fullest potential.

Everyone wishes to be happy and lead happy lives. Your environment and the things that happen in front of you are all materials for your self expression. In PL we are taught that with God’s blessings we will be able to freely express ourselves using these materials.

There is only one you.an individual, so unique and special, YOU are the artist. Together, let us live this day with excitement and enthusiasm.

B L E S S I N G S  for a God filled day..

Love and Light

photo-landscape SL,Second Life, >Q

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Feeling the stress?

Feeling the stress?

Have a good balance between mind and body. Being overly concerned about things, or overexerting yourself physically
will cause you to be off balance mentally and physically. Be careful not to overdo things.

Have a great week-end you all, May your week-end be filled with fun, laughter and activities that will bring lasting memories in the years ahead.

Blessings – now and always!

photo-  whippet doing what he does best =^_^=    by Q

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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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Happy Happy Sunday everyone!

Happy Happy Sunday everyone!

Remember to find a quiet place somewhere in your day to
recharge and touch base with your higher power.

Let’s accept and appreciate things as they are!
There is something to learn from every situation.

Cartwheels, handstands, and jumping for joy
Hurrah,      hurray,       huzza      Joi Sah!        JOI Sah         JOI SAH

Blessings!

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Somewhere – some how

Somewhere - some how

Another time – another place- another dimension
really ? you sure? yes, really?
It’s you?, yes it’s me!
go on! you’re kidding right?
no, no it’s me, what can i say, some days
are better than the rest… Today is the 19th.
Monday, all day today
that will be me. We only get to live a moment once,
Make it count!

photo- loco poco avatar, Q

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