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Simplicity

camper quote

There was a time before cars got bigger, faster, when the world moved at a more leisurely pace.  A Sunday drive was something you looked forward to after a busy week. Of course, that is if you had a car, if you were determined, we could ride the bus, then transfer to a streetcar that would take us out to a beach just outside the city limits, where along with other families we could enjoy fresh air and sunshine by the water  Today this beach is still there, but it is no longer outside the city limits, it is in the heart of the city and surrounded by homes,shops and restaurants.  Life has changed, and with it, the natural wonders that were so available before are now, way way out and require travel by motor vehicle to get there, and even then, it is protected land, or parks that are managed and looked after.  To find a really wilderness like retreat,  you have to get out the maps and plan accordingly.  And  unfortunately many of us, like certain conveniences of home to be with us while we enjoy a quiet retreat.

camper, pic 1

We have friends with a wonderful good size camper that they take off in every year for camping retreats they’ve found over the years.  They found a place by the water they can rent, park their camper, and then tour in their luxury truck that they purchased to visit the areas around the park.  Both are excellent cooks and bring their skills with them, dining out with them  has to be a feast of delights. They didn’t always camp, they took it up only a couple of years back, but once the decision was made, they applied themselves, researched and took action.  Now when I hear my friend say, that soon they will take off on t heir first trip of this year I’m green with envy. I’ve talked about doing what they have done, since they first got the idea and acted on it.  Years later, they have developed a roaming lifestyle that is very enticing.  Thanks to social media we get to enjoy many of their journeys and discoveries, but we (hubby and I) meanwhile, still have it on our “bucket list”

camper,vintage

 

Vintage campers are making a comeback, people are finding them and refurbishing them, fixing them up and putting them somewhere where they can have their home away from home at certain times of the year. In researching for this blog, I saw darling little caravans, little tin rolling cans as they are affectionately called.  So caught in my search, I started a folder of small homes/campers on my Pinterest page.  To acquire the simplicity that I would so like, requires work!  Unlike in a virtual world, I can’t just click on a button and be transported to another time and different location.  In the real world, I have to downsize and plan so that I can pick up and go. AND… unlike years gone by……. I have to travel further to find undeveloped spaces.  Hmmmm simplicity  I hear that to get to some lakes now, one has to be flown in, and guess what, at the other end is a camping resort, that may or may not allow pets.  Just saying.

silence by Rimantas Bikulcius on fivehundredpx

Buongiorno good morning everyone!

Mineral Flowers @ Danakii Desert in Ethiopia

mineral flowers, dalloi volcano by pascal baegli flickr

 

This is a picture of acid lakes in the Dallol volcano * beautiful sight isn’t it. Zillions of tiny mineral deposits come together to form magnificent little rosettes that in turn, weave and join together to form natural basins for the acid waters to form.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, how often have we heard that!

It is interesting how different cultures, we go about finding a mate, or partner.  In traveling to the East, I had occasion to speak with a number of different women who were in(what appeared)  very happy relationships, and who were all from arranged marriages.  I say arranged, not the way necessarily that the west has portrayed them but arranged never-the-less.  Having spent the majority of my working life working  as a Stress Management Specialist in Health Care, where over  65% of the issues I dealt with stemmed from unhappy relationships, and in many ways very unhealthy “coupling”.  I was impressed with the natural harmony I saw and felt when talking to these woman.  They found men with common interests and goals, learned what they could about whether or not their goals were similar and found out if their paths were on the same playing field. Then made a decision on whether or not to go forward in a relationship.   This also applied to the men, looking for a wife.   Two criteria, practical and long term.  I’ve simplified this of course , more at another time.

In the culture I’ve lived in here in North America, and the social interactions that I’ve even participated in, is very different.  We seem to be attracted first to the “looks”  (outer wrappings ) of the object  we “desire”.   We can date someone for months and yes even years, and know deep down they are not satisfying our inner needs, yet …we hold on….. why…. out of fear of being alone.  Not having someone to be part of a couple with, so when we go out with friends, or go places we are doing it with someone else.  EVEN WHEN, the activities we are attending or doing (and this applies to both men and women) are not what we really want to be doing.  Ah HAH!!!!  ring any bells.  If you are going to do something, do it because you want to, do it with sincerity in your heart.  If you choose to do something, then do it with joy and enthusiasm,  you are the only person who is in control of your choices. 

nature,natural terrace pool,Pamukkale,Turkey

I like to live quietly in harmony with Nature. To know what you find compatible with your way of life, you first have to know your SELF, and what you want!.  By doing this, you will find a greater sense of inner beauty and calm.     God/Nature/Universe is with us always!         Oyashikiri

 

Acid Lakes -Ethiopia -photographer Pascal Boegli> Pboog flickr

** Natural terrace pools  Pamukkale,Turkey (turbotwister.ru)

**

Do you glance or do you read?

Good morning everyone..  earlier this week I received my PL Newsletter from Rev. Goto on New York.  In it, he has shared with us an article by Rev Toshio Suzuki*  His article began with a sentence that I read and re-read several times thinking that there was a typo.  It took a couple of readings and then going on and reading the next two sentences before what he was saying sunk in.  I am guilty myself at times of thinking I’m reading, but in fact my eyes are scanning and the brain is taking in what it is reading, but NOT necessarily  assimilating the information the way it is intended.

His opening paragraph is as follows.  Conviction and Faith, by Rev. Toshio Suzuki … If you want to see the truth of your faith, you should try to practice it very doubtfully,like “is it really true or not?”  Then you will come to the conclusion.  There is nothing more useless than neither doubting nor  believing.   To read more of what is said, please contact Rev. Goto in our New York church for a copy of this PL Newsletter.  His e-mail is goppoy@icloud.com   If you are in the NY area  (718)-424-8815.

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While researching for a previous blog I found several interpretations or versions if you will of a photograph of the Mad Hatter as played by Johnny Depp. This is the one that struck me the most, and I went back to find it to use it today.  Since the picture had no explanation, as to how or why it was coloured the way it was, I can’t pass that information on to you.  I could only view it and  enjoy it from my perspective.  Most pictures I saw were in shades of black and white.  Like Rev. T.Suzuki’s words, this picture had arrested me in my search by making a statement that connected with something inside me.  I wanted more.  I really looked at it closely, the shading, the lace, the fingerless,frayed gloves, bandaged thumb,  the assorted pieces of accessories, everything.  All of the costume was very artfully pulled together to draw and capture the viewer’s attention.  When we are visual, which I am, the picture shouted at me, and I responded.  Words,are not as visual, they are a group of letters that come together to form a word.  We must read the words not necessarily by themselves, but with the words that come before and after them to really understand the intent of the writer.

floral Geranio by ceferreira on flickr

Sunshine Blessings to you on this 22nd day of April.  Oyashikiri

remember, we can all look at the same picture , read the same words, and come away with our very own story-line.

 

* Rev.Toshio Suzuki former principal of PL Elementary School, Japan  (40Years)

picture of flower, Geranio by cefferreira.flickr.jpg

picture Mad Hatter> Pinterest

Express your appreciation!

nederlands 4

Be a Peacemaker who honour the diversity of all life.

Harmony does not require that we are all the same.

A single note played simultaneously through several different instruments does not take advantage of the beautiful music that emerges when different chords are played.

Appreciate and acknowledge the differences in others, as distinct as we may seem to be, we all share the spiritual  link of being  One with the Universe.

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Today is the 21st.  Thanksgiving , every month (in PL) one day is set aside for special service (7pm)   Say thank you out loud, express your appreciation to those around you. the act of saying thank you will make someone else feel good and you  will too =^_^=   Good Morning Everyone!

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Romans 12:18    “If it is possible,so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all”                              Blessings    …           Oyashikiri

Pictures > Pinterest

Sunday morning sunshine

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Open the door today, to another way

Don’t just look at the door and say

Someday

Make today that special day

Step through, then walk away

from yesterday

Today, when you pray

You will be shown “the WAY”

God, is with you today, and always!

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Oyashikiri

prayer/poem by Q

pictures>Pinterest

Bom dia, happy Saturday everyone!

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A lazy start to another wonderful day, closes my eyes, smiles and remembers yesterday. Would you look at this tree, how old must it be, how extraordinary its experiences in life must have been.  It is hard to tell from a picture just how  high that opening is, right away, I want to climb up to explore inside.  In some ways it reminds me of a big bird with its mouth open, and other times when I look at it, I imagine its the entrance to a hobbit condo.  Imagination is wonderful isn’t, so is intuition.  Both are gifts we were born with, some of us use these gifts more than others.

 

 

 

cherry blossoms -peaceful by Glenn Waters

It is still too cool in this part of the world, to lay in the shade basking  under the warm healing sunshine, but in other parts of the country this could be one of your options today.  Yes I am a bit of a day dreamer, but what is wrong with taking a bit of “laid back” time for yourself.  Value your intuition, often we “know” a little voice tells us, we “need” to slow down, engage in some “me time”. Instead we look at our lists, or to the voices of friends who want to go here, there and everywhere, and you become “busy, busy busy”.  We are not machines, and we all know that machines break down, require ongoing maintenance.  Unlike the tree in the first picture, we might not show our scars and our age in the same way, but instinctively we do know when its time to rest, when we have pushed ourselves to a limit. The “Universe” looks out for us, Believe and have Faith, listen to your “intuition”, stop planning every minute of your day.  Allow time in your day to  P L A Y.  Don’t wait for a better time, that time will never just materialize.  Be good to your SELF today.  PRAY=recharge,  rain or shine, make this a day you’ll remember.            PL Precept #18.   Each moment is a Turning Point.

LIFE IS ART……    LIVE IN PERFECT LIBERTY (PL #1 and 21)

                       May your day be full of blessings you will enjoy and cherish forever …….    Oyashikiri

pictures> Pinterest

 

Good Gozaimasu everyone!

rain, rainbow Teresa NYC discount diva Pinterest

Everybody wants happiness, no one wants pain, but you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain *

Another bright sunny day, can’t wait to get outside into the fresh air and sunshine.  Having errands to run yesterday, I was out for half the day driving from one place to another, car window down, the air still a bit of chill to it, but I wanted the wind in my hair and that feeling of being on the move.  Not convertible time yet, but the motorcycle enthusiast are  out.  Just the day before everyone was moaning about the rain.  Certainly for those having to deal with the challenges that come with a lot of rain and melting from the heavy snows we’ve had over the winter, it wasn’t all hearts and flowers.  But to many of us, the rain meant a day without sunshine, it was wet and sometimes inconvenient.  Ever noticed that when it rains, the greetings aren’t so friendly, and some are even grumpy.

rain, micalea smeltzer

Have you ever danced in the rain?  Have you ever been caught in a summer shower? When I was younger, walking to work with my hair all done, my clothes all fresh and ready for a work day, caught without an umbrella didn’t make me cheerful. LOL.. I don’t think, I know I grumbled and mumbled words that would have earned me a proper scolding by my parents.  Older and wiser now, I am more accepting of the rain, I know it is going to rain, and there is nothing I can do about it, I can either stay inside, or go out and enjoy the world and what the day has to offer.  I no longer concern myself about my  hair, and if I know it is raining I dress accordingly, if I didn’t expect the rain, so what, I’ll dry.  Rain has been a part of this world long before I arrived, and it will continue to fall long after I’ve moved on.

rain, 911 by Rob Shanghai on flickr

I know that I have many of you who share these moments with me ,write,  doesn’t this picture evoke some kind of response from you.  Wow!   The photographer (*** below)  really captured a moment here.  That dear reader is what life is, we live our lives in segments, it may not seem so at the time, but I can assure you, that each and everyone of you, will come up with a different story line, or thought on what the picture says to them, or the emotion it evokes.  Let us all try to live life a day at a time and make the best of each moment whatever the task or challenge, don’t give up, look for the positives in the situation,  Life is art ….. and  someone, somewhere is living their day in a similar way …..   remember with the rain comes new growth and if you are lucky you will see your own rainbow.

smile,girl with goat Yunna by Elly Prestegaard -flickr

A smile and a huge hug to start your day!  Smile.

Oyashikiri

* posted on Pinterest by Teresa NYC Discount Diva

** picture by Micalea Smeltzer >Pintrest

*** photo 911 by Rob Shanghai.flickr.jpg

last photo >Pinterest

Feliz dezesseis – Happy 16th. mid week,mid month!

cherry blossom train, via Bethanane - flickr

Good Morning everyone!

For those of you old enough to remember there used to be a commercial on the radio, it was a catchy little tune, “double your pleasure, double your fun,… blah blah blah gum, ”  That is you coming down the track, and soon, you’ll have a choice to make, which track will you be on today. Surprise! no matter which one you take, you will have other choices to make.   Whether you go right or left, the vista will be different, and the journey a bit shorter or longer, but guess what… you.. the engine or caboose, will be the same.  Passengers (thoughts) may get off and on, on and off, but the train is there for the purpose of riding the rails.  So ride the tracks you will, and with each journey your passengers will change in number, size and shape. (relate them to your thoughts, experiences,challenges)

abandoned, found on fb

You can choose to see the journey you are on as something  that continuously  brings you through repeated miseries, or you enjoy the ride for what it is.  An opportunity to enjoy the different stages of life that surround you.  The challenges you are given in life, help yo grow stronger/wiser.  When you come across an area that seems bleak and sad, take a closer look, step back, look at the character of the build, see the vines that in summer will grow lush and green and possibly bloom with flowers. Elevate your optimism, become a better friend to your self.  The train will keep moving, in a few minutes, miles, your whole world will take on a different look, feel and ambiance.  There is always a light at the end of the tunnel.  Know!  Believe! Have faith!

train,tunnelBoost “happy” brain waves –  S M I L E .… over and over I encourage you to  S M I L E   why?  because it works.  A Swiss research study*  showed that when you spend 5 minutes a day, thinking of something that pleases you, and smiling so your eyes crinkle, your brain is tricked into being more upbeat..   There are times when we just don’t want to smile, we need to feel the sadness, or pain we are feeling, just know that by the next train station, that need will have passed.   Double your pleasure, double your fun, keep a smile on your  face, and stick to your guns.  Happiness is hard won, but win you will when you reach for the sun! =^_^=

snile,found on buzzfeed

Gatcha!  You gotta smile!

Blessings be… Oyashikiri

*Woman’s World,4.14.

pictures>Pinterest

 

Goedendag! good day everyone!

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Good Morning Everyone!  Ahhhh what a day, what a day… kicked out of bed very early this morning by a whippet…a surprise wake up call! What can one do, standing over me with great concern on her face was the Porti (Portuguese Water Dog).. what else to do but smile.. No matter what rude awakening starts your day, S M I L E.

smile and hug

A nice big hug to go along with the smile is bonus!  It isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but a smile that reaches the eyes can melt a heart, change a mood and just be gall darn enchanting.  Not only does it make you feel better, it helps those around you have a better day themselves.  Happiness is contagious.  Now pucker up!

smile - pucker up

Hope I got a smile out of you today……     thank you for sharing this moment with me….. love, today and always……  Oyashikiri

 

photography >Pinterest/Flickr

Wishing you a happy start to your day!

buffet,day

Let your day be a smorgasbord of challenges that excite and provoke you in a positive way. Sometimes we allow our days to be routine, we choose to do the same thing over and over again, in the very same way.  Try something different, whatever you do, put your whole heart into everything you  do, even it is as simple taking the stairs instead of the elevator.=^_^=

Just as the Earth goes through a never ending cycle of rebirth and renewal, so do we.  You are a spiritual being, a divine life in expression.  Life is Art.

buffet,night

Come the end of day, know you have done your  best,  to live each moment of your day, the best  way you could.  That is all that is asked of you.        Blessings…..       Oyashikiri

pictures>Pinterest

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