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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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Rev. Tiago shares a “musical moment”

Rev. Tiago is a young minister from Brazil who is now serving in the Ottawa church of Perfect Liberty. Reflecting on creativity and “happiness”, he shares the following. (I have kept his text and wording, Rev. Tiago speaks Portuguese,Spanish,French, is learning Japanese and English, my time spent talking with him, has always been bright, and informative, he is so enthusiastic!, his door is always open, if you live to far away, you can e-mail Rev. Tiago, or call)

One of those days, after I finish my missionary work, I went to my place to spend some time with my family. After a while, I was surfing online, reading some news and checking on several websites when I saw something that attracted my attention. It was a link for a video on youtube of an audition for The Voice show in Netherlands.

I saw this guy standing in the middle of the stage, an ordinary guy to be honest, that like so many others, was trying to be accepted in that contest show. But, from the moment that Mitchell Brunings opened his mouth to sing, the mood of the judges and the audience completely changed. After the first two lines of the song, all the judges pressed a button and turned to see who was singing. (Pressing the button means that the contender was accepted into the show). Mitchel Brunnings made everything seems to be so easy to be done. It was really incredible.

He was singing this incredible song, Redemption Song, by Bob Marley. But, his voice was so incredibly similar to Bob Marley’s that everyone was in shock. However, what really amazed me was that, it seemed to me that the song was not coming out of his mouth but from his heart.

I consider myself a fan of Bob Marley, but somehow, I never listened to that song before. The lyrics was so meaningful, so strong, so damn good!!! I was very grateful that I had the chance to watch this marvelous video.

But this situation made me think about something. In all fields of art, there are some genius who are capable of creating the same kind of good emotion in our hearts. Those people are capable of creating such a masterpiece that can make fill our hearts with joy, hope or even make us cry like little babies.

In that sense, in our lives, there are wonderful examples of people who are doing their best, living their lives in a masterful way. Living in a world like and being able to notice that we can be happy at any time is a wonderful thing. Just now, I remember part of this famous song:

“And I think to myself, what a wonderful world”

I had prepared this post last night before heading to bed.  I had a very musical evening of sleep, =^_^=…

This morning I was reading a post by Deepak Chopra, if you are interested this is the link.

http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130928001037-75054000-the-secret-to-personal-change?trk=mp-details-rr-rmpost

BLESSINGS TO YOU ON THIS MOST AUSPICIOUS DAY!  

reminder –  Friday October 11th.  10. a.m.   we  (PL) celebrate  Ancestor’s Day.

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Perfect Liberty

Perfect Liberty

PL Is alive and well in Raglan. PL is everywhere!

i did want to let readers who visit Raglan, Tiny Outpost  or any other location in SL (Second Life) to know that you can get to the church by visiting this kiosk (in Raglan Shire) for a LM. Or contact me (Q) and I’ll send it to you next time I’m there. Rev. Goto is also able to be there if you ever want a personal consultation with him. (English/Japanese) at the PL church in SL.

If you would like to meet with Q, she too can be available, you need only to contact her.  With Shocktober here, there is a lot going on in Raglan and @ Tiny Outpost, the church is open 24/7

Have a great day today.

Begin your Day with Appreciation..

Love and Blessings

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Letting Go of Ego

Letting Go of our Ego

PL teaches > if we are always caught up with power,status and appearances, we will find it hard to accomplish anything of worth. We are encouraged to “Let Go” and express ourselves fully.
Gosh, “ego” can be so abstract. Often it isn’t till I am well into the fray that I discover my “ego” has helped land me there.

For fun I looked up “EGO” in the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, why not… it is very early in the a.m.  and i want to know what the academic definition is of EGO is, since i seem to have one of my very own.  Here we go. 1> a person’s  sense self esteem or self importance   (2 )psychoanalysis  the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious mind and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity. Compare with ID and Superego 3. philosophy (in metaphysics) a conscious thinking subject.

I just know you feel so much brighter and care free with this little tidbit of information tucked into your gray matter =^_^=….

Personally I think that    an “ego” is a very personal part of our “personality and character.  Certainly there are days when it can be very fragile, and other days when it is simply mulish.  Ego might be something to discuss with Rev. Eugene next time we are sitting down for a “visit”.  Consultations and visits with the ministers is very encouraged in the PL church.  When James H. Rutz (free lance writer) talks about the formality in churches and how the personal sharing and one on one has disappeared from many of the “today” churches, I’m happy to say that this is not the case with the PL Churches,   PL has a unique way of offering “Personal Guidance”

We believe strongly that happiness is built by establishing wishes and goals.  through consultations with a PL minister, you receive personal guidance tailored to your individual character and situation.  You can receive consultations from a PL minister for any kind of problem or situation.  Not only do PL Consultations help you solve problems, but through consultations, you can learn how to express your true self for the sake of society and for the sake of others,  

Our mission in PL is to create  World Peace, we believe we can do this by passing on from one person to another the teachings of PL

Letting Go of Your Ego Will Make You a Stronger Person.  Tall request… nah… put your mind to it and YOU CAN DO IT.

H A P P Y    F R I D A Y     everyone!  Enjoy your day whatever you are doing?  Make every second count !!

Love and blessings…… now and always

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photo- Loco Poco Monkey avatar,SL virtual world – taken by Q

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Smiles

Smiles

What gives you an instant smile?
What when you see it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy?
Could be lots of things..
One of my “smiles” are sheep/goats..
I’m not alone, I see sheep pictures, curios, soft toys in all the shops.
Sheep, in person, when you visit them on a farm, may look soft and cuddly, but if their coats are full
and they are out in the pasture, its ah… not so inviting to throw your arms around them for a snuggle.. LOL nor will they necessarily let you.

A Felter, I have tried to clean raw fleece.. what a chore that was.  I loved the activity though, the thought that I was doing what pioneer women did, clean, dry, and the  prepare the fleece through the different stages to either felt or knit/crochet with.  I only made it so far, I stumbled and stalled when i got to the spinning wheel phase.  My wheel sits waiting for me to gather the patience to sit and try again.  Still when i look over and see my spinning wheel, I smile.. it reminds me of happy moments when I was knee-deep in organic fibers .. the other project that I will leave to others is the dying of the fleece.  In the living room I have a showcase full to brimming of all the different colours I could find.  My stash is another “smile” in my life.

Smiles come in all shapes and sizes and they originate from a happiness inside.  a person who is always pleasant and cheerful, can spread their joy wherever they go.

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Just imagine the thrill and happiness this athlete is experiencing.  A “smile” he /she will remember for an eternity.

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Always remember to smile.  Seeing a resident of Raglan Shire (Zoolie), makes me smile.   photo taken by Q    avatar is a Loco Poco kangaroo … You smiling?

Did you know – Sheep people (Chinese Astrology) are thought to be sensitive, talented and extremely creative, elegant and charming.  They get along with almost everyone, they are peace loving, ardent and easygoing.

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What colour are you today?

What colour are you today?

What colour is your world today? Have you ever been asked that before. It was a popular question back in the days when I was still working at the hospital. In Psychology colour testing, and rating was the newest topic of discussion. In the world of Fashion, the colours you liked to wear, or leaned to, gave expression to.. are you fall? spring> winter? each season of course had a rainbow of colours that went with them.

Colour symbolism is one of the most universal of types of symbolism and has been consciously used in the liturgy in heraldry, alchemy, art and literature. If you were to make yourself a “talisman” today, what colour would it be? I remember giving an art class one day where the participants decided it would be fun to do a good luck talisman as their challenge of that day, Their first choice was what the object would be, and the second was what colours they wanted to use.

Personally over the years, I have gravitated to “earth” tones, but suddenly I would take a nose dive into the brighter gemstone colours, for some reason, though I love these bright cheerful colours, I prefer to wear more subtle and darker colours. With the aging process, that has fluctuated but only in small degrees. I fell in love with a pair of a capris that were a beautiful jewel tone of amethyst, fit like a dream and are super comfortable. I’ve worn them maybe once, but I won’t pass them on, my hand will linger on them when dressing, but when push comes to shove, the familiar, stand by me, faded jeans, or worn gray win out.
In life, situations and people drift in and out of our daily waking lives, often much like the colour palette we all seem to have in one form or another in our lives, and how we interact, or “see” these “visitors” actually colours are days/nights.

**note to readers ** a glimpse behind the scenes the software of this website, just dropped the last 15 minutes of my visit with you…. I saw shades of black, then red…. sigh.. now I’m back to a neutral zone, since I feel reconnected.  computers, what to do with them.. rhetorical question of course. *** end of insert

cikiyrs

Here we go.  I’ve added some colour,  Ahhh… that’s better.. lighter, pastel, muted… still colour.  this is what life is all about isn’t it.  We chose what colour to present ourselves with when we dress, and we “chose” how to respond to situations in our lives.  Some get passionate responses, bright vivid colours… other times, we are accepting, life flows along, when a bump or detour happens, we can be colorful or very dark, depending on the situation.  When we hurt, colours don’t harmonize, they clash.  If we get sick, we can look completely washed out.

Lets start our colour palette with a smile….  that always works…. Be Happy today and always.  Let’s create a rainbow day!

 

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October 1. Day of Peace

October 1. Day of Peace

Every 1st of the month, we in PL, celebrate Day of Peace.
Through this ceremony we pray for World Peace and dedicate ourselves to live as peaceful human beings in our own worlds which includes our home, school,work and community

Service is today at 10 a.m for those of you who can come to the church.

We have a special celebration on the 1st. but we try to live each and every day with World Peace in our hearts.
If we all, each and every one of us, sincerely prays for the peace we so much strive for. Our combined efforts can and will change the world.

Let us join hands and take a moment in prayer.

If you have access to a bible… James 1:22-25 it begins
Don’t I beg you, only hear the message, but put it into practice, otherwise you are merely deluding yourselves…..

PL Precept # 15 All is a Mirror
PL Precept # 21 Live in Perfect LIberty.

October is a month, rich with spiritual history…. drink it in.

Blessings everyone.

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Happy Monday the 30th. September

Happy Monday the 30th. September

Well dear reader, today is the day, tomorrow will be October 1. October is the first day of a month of bewitching crafts,art pieces,ATCs,fun with my paper and embellishment supplies, all month I get to play. Of course it wasn’t always this way, at one time I had a 9-5 commitment that took time away from doing fun things,like draw witches and goblins, graveyards and bats, decorate envelopes before sending out a greeting to a fellow artist and friend.
We are never too old to express ourselves with markers and stickers. Wish we had dollar stores in the bygone years.

PL Precept #1…Life is Art

If you are an artist, or craft person, writer,architect,parent,cook, housekeeper, it doesn’t really matter what we do that fills our world with “fun”, we find a way to get what we want to do done.

In life,in all situations, I try to apply the same attention and attitude to all challenges and detours I find in my path.

When the enthusiasm is there even if not a “perfect: day, it is a “worthwhile” day, I live and learn. we are asked to Listen with our hearts and minds to those around us, to give them our full attention. I’ve had to learn to do that for myself as well.

Some days I just have to retreat, and have a “me” day. What was the expression used at work,”a wellness day”. The fall for me is a time to come alive, I know to many it is spring that does it for them, me… give me a fall day anytime.

Fall is when we get to do fun things for the N. American Halloween, and the start of the gift making for the holidays.
The Canadian Thanksgiving and the American one are on different days. And of course in PL we celebrate EVERY MONTH!

Enjoy today everyone, do something special for yourself or a loved one. Think ahead to the delightful crisp fresh rejuvenating days of October. Don’t groan, as they say in the egg business, Get Cracking!

Blessings to each and everyone one of you on this happy happy morning.

photo -virtual world of SL -by Q

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World Peace

World Peace

I’ve found myself wanting to be back in Japan, even though I was surrounded by people there were nooks and crannies and quiet places where the serenity of the moment was overwhelming. You literally walked away your stress, or day to day hum drum thoughts that weighed you down when your busy mind started to natter.
The goal in PL is to strive for, and achieve, World Peace.
To attain such a goal, we have to begin with our “Selves”

No one can change us, we alone can do that. I think lately I’ve let the every day world “pull my chain” or interfere too much with my daily meditations. Yesterday’s teaching on the PL calendar was.  Let’s choose to use words that are kind, polite and courteous. Kind words will bring about a kind heart.   BEAUTIFUL WORDS MAKE FOR A BEAUTIFUL SOUL

That is what resonates with me today. today’s teaching is Act with Enthusiasm.. If you put your whole heart into whatever you do, you will be able to appreciate any task at hand.take initiative in tackling your work or tasks.

Good thoughts to start the day with don’t you think.

Robert H. Schuller wrote a spiritual autobiography that he called Prayer – My Soul’s Adventure with God –
He wrote.. (Psalm 51:10-12)
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from yolur presence
And do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous spirit.

Blessing everyone, be God inspired today!

photo – Pl Prayer Symbol -supplied by Ana in Spain

It is my pleasure to introduce to you another member of PL

Perfect Liberty is an International church, therefore members who will share with us, at times will do so in both their languages.  I do not change their words, or thoughts, but share them with you as they are offered.  I love PL so much because as a community we share and grow with the encouragement and support of not only the ministers but fellow members.  The Japanese terms are commonly used in PL,  You should be able to find the words and their meanings on our website, (link on right)  However I will work them in if I can do so without changing the expressions of the writer

Meet Harry  (USA), Harry attended Kyososai (the celebrations I wrote about in August)  this past July/August.   =^_^+ in fact, you will see Harry carrying the Canadian Flag for Canada (he became an honorary Canadian to help me out!  True gentleman!!)(see prev. blog)

This was a fun picture taken when we met the actors who perform in the PL children;s theater

Harry and cat

Each Kyososai is unique and every year is distinct with the mix of different people
attending. Often for me I try to absorb as much as I can all that goes on at Holyland
during my stay there. The whole time spent there is the rensei training, not just the
official part of the program …. Listening to lectures, taking every opportunity to pray at
the himorogi, conversing, sharing testimonies with the Brazilian members, breathing the
air and working up a sweat just being outside.
But reality hits when I get back from the Holyland. I always seem to receive my
blessings thru Mishirases and intuitions that that help me realize my short comings, last
year it was a nasty bladder infection that haunted me from getting good rest and sleep.
It’s like god is giving me another chance – blessing and salvation after my prayers at the
Himorogi. This year it was a flu symptom that bothered me physically, but also the way
my wife told me what a pest I was to her. I never thought I was a pest probing and
inquiring about what she did and did not do. I always thought I gave her a lot of latitude,
but apparently not. My mishirase brought me to church and the consultation for
oyashikiri helped me realize that I needed to back off and give her more space and not to
probe unnecessarily. It was the words my minister spoke that triggered my intuition. I
have always prayed to try to understand my wife and I never could, I was being a pest
and suffocating her. All this time I could not realize that my actions were killing her
spirits. Thank you, Oshieoyasama.

Mishirase: Divine warning from God, in the form of an illness, a misfortune, an accident pain or suffering

Oyashikiri Prayer– The special prayer to receive the blessings of Oshieoya-sana’s Shikiri

Shikiri PL’s unique way of prayer, asking God’s blessing with a sincere promise to accomplish what we have to do

Oshieoya-sama – Honorific title of the spiritual leader of PL, Rev. Takahito Miki

Thank you Harry for sharing your testimony with us.

Blessings to each and everyone of you, now and always…

photo taken in Japan July 2013 by Q

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