the blank page
I am
Sometimes no words are needed.
We need only enjoy what is before us.
Allow the mind to take in what it wants to.
Assimilate and enjoy.
Namaste – Oyashikiri
Posts tagged ‘nature’
surroundings and your state of mind
You all looking for something profound, you all just staring at me like I have something to say. I don’t really, but go on and look, cuz I’m looking back at you and wondering how the photographer got you all to stand that way. If I could I would reach right in there and scratch and nuzzle each one of you, cept the critter with the feathers. Never done hold one of those before.
Yea I know all the proof readers out there will be wondering if I fell out of bed. I didn’t… but gall darn, I hang with some pretty “good to know” guys and gals who come from other places, and their lazy drawl and way of speaking has rather grown on me.
Why is it that when different species are left on their own to communicate and bond, their need for closeness , their acceptance of physical and outward appearances, doesn’t bother them.
PL Precept # 7 Everything Exists in Relativity
PL Principle # 17 I will not say or do things that hurt others.
PL Principle # 18 I will not have a mind to slight others.
” I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. “ Henry D. Thoreau , Walden, Life in the Woods
We can’t all wander out into the backwoods, nor do we all live in areas where we can access a farmer’s field or woodland, but we all have special places where we can go to unwind and just enjoy quiet time with Nature.
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my sense put in tune once more” John Burroughs
PL Precept #11 Always be with God
Namaste – Oyashikiri
*walden -royceferguson,blogspot.com
bed in private garden nytimes.com
last pic. folkmountains.tumblr.com
crumbling
We haves a similar ruin in the Gatineau Parks, not all that far from the city. During the spring, summer and fall, people, locals, and tourists flock to the Gatineau Hills to enjoy a respite from the busy city and concrete. Our winters can be brutally cold, and our summers extremely hot and humid. We are blessed in living in an area that experiences each season in all of its glory. Whenever the season changes, the ruins take on a different look “feeling”. In winter I wanted to snowshoe up to see them, but never did, You know the old expression, “could have, should have, didn’t”
This picture reminded me of when we used to visit on of my Mother’s aunts in the Muskoka area. A city girl, it was something of a wonder for me when I first saw the little store, with the pumps outside to service the passing cars going into Algonquin Park. Canada is full of huge park lands and places where civilization hasn’t been able to clamour to and destroy wildlife and vegetation. I had to be dragged kicking and sulking to go up there in the summer, once there, I would delight in the new discoveries I would find. Jumping into water as crystal clear as one could find, while distant cousins jumped from the wooden bridge into deeper water. The track we took to get to the stream was packed earth sand,we sat on rocks, and picked wild berries along the trails as we explored. There was no other sounds except our childish banter, the birds, and what little traffic could be heard from the few passing cars in the distance. There were no radios we brought along, no cellphones, just us and the outdoors.
Yes of course, I’m older now, and seldom do I reminisce, yet there are times, like today, when a picture will pull a memory from my gray cells and I will relive an experience or moment, that happened a long time ago. With the internet we all connect now in a very different way, and I am always pleased when I find that someone else has been experiencing similar flashbacks, and is sharing their story or visual memory in a photograph that in some way closely resembles mine. then from ruins come rebirth, and I am refreshed. Much like the walk in the forest along quiet trails when the world was not as busy.
Life events might crumble, buildings can be torn down or abandoned, but what is constant and always with us no matter what time of day or night, is the Universe.. No matter where we are, we will find Nature to view, to feel, to experience, Always, Nature is present, The Universe is open and available 24/7, we need only accept with an open and sincere heart what is before us.
Love, true love, never dies, nor does it crumble away and fade to dust. True caring, is the sharing of one’s heart and soul forever.
There are no restrictions, no demands, and no judgements ……….. it simply IS, no more…no less.
Yin – Yang (Tao)
There cannot be one without the other.
Namaste – Oyashikiri
PL Precept #2 To Live is to Express One’s Self
Now is always a new beginning.
This mouse hitched a ride with a frog during a monsoon flooding in India (National Geographic). Opportunity knocks, you don’t waste time thinking about it, you “do it”.
This mother bear takes her young cub up the hillside, I doubt she contemplated too much before beginning her trip. She needed to reach her destination, so she simply took the path as it opened up for her.
Me,I contemplate, cogitate, explore, and dwell on things far too much. I know that is one of my lessons in life, I still do it. Intellectually I know that, now is what counts, now is what matters. I also know the choices I make I’m responsible for, and I have to take ownership for whatever choices I make.
Out today, the 24th of December, the day was gray, dull, overcast, with a light rain as our constant companion while outdoors. Inside the shops, last-minute shoppers were busy scurrying around trying to beat the clock. Stores were closing early so employees could get home to start their own holiday activities.
I was waiting for the phone call that would tell me my husband would be on the way to pick me up. I had time on my hands, so I began to pick up the stuffed animals left on the floor by previous shoppers. I picked each animal up and put him/her on display on the empty racks that were at the end of the aisles. Many at least over half of the toys were barely played with, if at all.
Their soft cuteness made it a temptation to bring them all home. So many children do without at this time of year.
Ok there are no easy answers to the philosophical questions that come up at this time of year. But I know that I want to make a difference. Can I, will I, only time will tell.. I do know that NOW, is the time for me to make a new start, to really apply myself with makoto (sincerity) at being more aware of how choices I make impact others and society.
Life is a gift, and how much we appreciate this gift, comes back to the choices we make. Life presents the opportunities it is up to us to make the best of the challenges that come our way.
Hang in there
Today is Now
You are doing just fine
In time
It will be tomorrow
and tomorrow will be NOW.
Mama bear made it to the top!
There is nothing you can’t do!
I believe in you.
Namaste – Oyashikiri
pictures -Pinterest
thank you SO much
“Thank you so very much” said the voice, it was soft and cultured, without turning I knew that it would be someone older, of an “age” when courtesy and etiquette mattered. I heard rather than saw the smile in the young woman’s voice that was serving the client. The store was busy, crowded with shoppers looking for that special gift at the advertised discounted prices.”You are so welcome, it has been my pleasure” was the reply. The interchange between customer and sales associate made me smile, I felt a nice feeling and thought what a wonderful way to start a day. When I turned to the area where the voices had come from I was surprised to see not an elderly woman, but a young girl with faded jeans, and a torn T-shirt, her hair was dyed a fluorescent pink, her lips and nails were an ebony black, studded with blinking gems. When she smiled at me I saw that she had a tattoo of a rose on her cheek and a gold ring in her nose. I must have stared, because she gave me a knowing smile, while flashing me the sweetest of looks from the bluest of eyes under the longest lashes I’ve ever seen. With a mischievous nod of her head, she winked at me and said “A very good day to you Mam” and gracefully turned and walked away.
The sales associate who had witnessed this exchange gave a little giggle, and said, “isn’t she just the greatest” I recovered my surprise and agreed with her that yes, “she” certainly was. That was …… and she named the actress who was playing at the theatre up the way. Ah…. a light bulb went on in my gray matter….yes there was a play happening in the city, and they could have been having a dress rehearsal … yet … I knew I had just been given a “lesson” a reminder, that I should not be judging a book by its cover, and I for sure, should not have made assumptions…. PL Precept # 18 – each moment is a turning point.
PL Principle #2 … … …. I will look for and be aware of shortcomings in my own thinking and actions **the exact wording to this Principle is “I will not have complaints about others, matters, nor the weather. Rather I will always be creative and will look for shortcomings in my own thinking and actions.
Take a moment to say Thank You for the lessons you have learned today. I like to begin and end each day with a sense of appreciation for the gifts I have been blessed with, and the lessons I have yet to learn. To know true meaning in our lives, we have to sincerely believe and appreciate the blessings we receive.
Namaste – Oyashikiri
* found on topinspired.com (Great Britain)
** mmostbeautifulpages.com
A turtle day
To the Chinese and other Asian cultures, the turtle is a symbol of longevity. My Mother had a collection of turtles, I remember he coming home from her travels abroad with another turtle for her charm bracelet or for the collection that was growing in leaps and bounds in the curio cabinet. When the turtle comes to mind for me is when I am having what I call a “Turtle Day:”… Usually a mental health day, a day where I know I want to retreat into my “make believe” shell and just sleep or day dream.
Today is the 21st of the month, the day that in PL (Perfect Liberty) we gather to show our appreciation , saying Thank you, for all that we have experienced in the previous days and weeks. We pray for guidance and renew our dedication to live with full Makoto (sincerity) following the practices and instructions as laid out in Perfect Liberty. Just as we must eat and sleep regularly to refresh our bodies, so too must we pray and give thanks to God on a regular basis and say Thank you for the blessings of life.
Whatever is meant to be, will be. The results may not be what we expected or even wanted, but we are open to what life brings our way, we will be truly blessed. Feelings of appreciation become real when you express them and mean them.
*turtle totem wisdom teaches us about walking our path in peace and sticking to it with determination and serenity
( *Lena Townsend)
BLESSINGS
Namaste -Oyashikiri
*green sea turtle swimming among coral -Lee Rentz – Flickr
** found on contentinacottage.blogspot.ca
****pictures. furkl.com
I have a cold…
Good day everyone….
I have a cold… blanket statement… What does that mean exactly. It is a response that I have used for a number of symptoms, and it usually satisfies the person to whom I am talking. I realized the other day that my making that statement doesn’t always stem from my having the same symptoms, if I were to really examine and say out loud why I was making that statement, I think the listener would have lost interest and moved on. Saying “I have a cold” is much like the other conversational throw away “how are you” reply “fine”
They are openers that more often then naught are merely cordial greetings. In conversation with Rev. Eugene the other day, when i verbalized that I had a cold/flu, his response was, “why”. My internal response, “hello, why” of course that was an excellent PL reply.
Exactly … he brought the statement, the thought back to me for closer examination. After all if I have a cold, or say I have a cold, what is it that brought this on, why do I feel like I do… No one can answer these questions but myself.
If my body is rebelling on me, giving me grief, I have to ask myself why. what am I doing, saying or thinking that is creating an imbalance in my thought pattern, or harmony in my body,mind and soul. Speaking about me, I know that I have a tendency to get really busy, stay actively busy looking “out”… when I am not wanting to perhaps address something that is “stewing” “inside me.
Having a cold means that I can retreat with an excuse. I can take to my bed and sleep the whole morning.totally oblivious to anything but the “mode of BEING” I’m in.. Since I can’t sleep all day.. guess what.. I will keep busy till I can hit my bed once more and sleep till next time I wake. I have a cold.
this is an ant pushing a drop of rain
found on huffingtonpost.com
-the diamond-
Nature recreated…..
the diamond is cut to reflect light so that it sings and dances with unbridled energy.
A master craftsman can with patience and skill breath new life and luster where none shone before.
In prayer and devotion, we too can shape our inner workings, to reflect and radiate a love as pure as the newly formed crystals of a snow.
Holy Spirit I pray unceasingly today and always, that I will continue to grow
as a person, welcoming life enthusiastically,
I will consider the future my friend, and set courageous goals.
Last but not least, I will overcome the negative confronting me by doing specific positive, good.
With these resolves as my commitment,
opportunities and challenges will be met, with full systems on go!
my smile will reflect the diamond of my soul…
Namaste – Oyashikiri
* dailymail.co.uk -world’s largest D colorless diamond 101.73 carat. carved from 236 rough diamond found in Jwaneng Mine,Botswana
Dentro das regras, viva livremente
Express yourself freely, within the rules.
There are many ways to express ourselves, workout, find ways to keep in shape, not only in body but in spirit. It was when I joined a gym that I got to really work with a punching bag. Until that time I had only tried cardio kick boxing, where you bounce and jab into the air etc. Then one day I found myself alone in the lower gym where the boxing classes were held. No one was around so I tentatively put on a pair of gloves and walked over to the punching bag. I could only mimic what I had seen others doing, I made sure no one was around to see me (so conscious was I on looking foolish) before I took a punch at the bag. It was a soft punch, but it felt good. I liked the feeling of skipping back and forth and taking aim, then landing a punch. I maybe played around with it for 2, 3 minutes, it was invigorating. In those few minutes I had bumped up my heart rate and felt that I should come back and check out a class. I did go back and what I saw the participants doing was a steady grinding workout, not just having fun doing what I had done, they were working out, warming up all the muscles, push ups, core work, it was total focus on whole body training.
I told myself I’d have to think about it some more and returned to my old reliable treadmill. Still to do on my bucket list is to go back and have another go round in the gym with the punching bag. You asking yourself what does exercise have to do with self expression? In my humble opinion it has a lot to do with how we process thought and keeping physically active/healthy. 20 years ago I might have been more pro-active in attending a boxing class. Now in my “senior” years, I tend to see my body in a different way, I want it to be strong, flexible, and healthy, but I recognize that it has limitations. Often it is the voice inside my head.
See what this gal is doing, this looks like fun to me. This I would like to try. I would also like to try the exercise where they run through tires that are laid out on the ground. Mind you in slow motion. When I do exercise, I feel that I am expressing a part of me that wants out, an energy that wants to be released. Whether running backwards around the gym, or doing karate kicks while I do upper body punches, I’m being active, I’m letting my body work out the kinks from spending hours at a PC. The dialogue is with me, myself and I.
When we learn to express ourselves freely and vivaciously, we feel better about ourselves, and we radiate an inner calm that benefits not only ourselves, but all around us.
Namaste – Oyshikiri
photo sources – sheknows.com, buzzfeed.com.wormenshealthmag.com, acelebrationofwomen.org
The gift of sharing
Downtown is a busy place. At this time of year the boaters arrive to tour the capital. From my vantage point on the bridge I’m spending a few lazy moments watching the world drift by. Behind me is a huge shopping mecca for tourists and locals alike. And across the street from the shopping center is a quaint marketplace where the trendy come to shop and sit in outdoor cafes. Tourists enjoy the Designer shops, and the Farmers Market all blended in one big “Happening” environment.
Ottawa is laid out like a patchwork quilt, with different sections of the city offering it’s own style and colour. Chinatown, Little Italy, Westboro, The Glebe, each has it’s very own flavour to tempt and delight the visitors eager for an authentic adventure.
Friendships are like our own version of a quilt. I’ve learned to appreciate each and every friend in my life for the gifts they bring to my “world”. In a recent conversation, a friend I’ve not seen in some time, was asking me about another friend who I probably have not seen in a couple of years. I was talking about the special qualities and the love I have for the person when my friend interrupted and exclaimed,”but you aren’t currently in touch! And that was years ago?”
Hmmm I found that an interesting reaction, if I love someone today, I will love them tomorrow, love is an opening of one’s heart to another, and involves genuine caring. If that person, leaves or moves along a different path, or for whatever reason, there is a parting. Love does not cease and become past tense. Friendships that are genuine and true, last a life time. Sharing love, caring, & affection is not a commodity, it is a gift and should always be freely given. Not for what you want in return, but because you truly care, unconditionally.
Good Morning Everyone – May your have a sunshine day. Be Happy. I love & appreciate you all.
Namaste – Oyashikiri
nb* the bridge is behind the Rideau Centre the waterway is the Rideau Canal, Ottawa, Ontario,Canada
Flowers taken at the Experimental Farm, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
text and photographs – Q
dymoonblog 