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Chop Suey

Today we celebrated Ancestor’s Day, we do this on the 11th of every month. It is a time to pray and give thanks for the lessons and teachings that we learned in life as we progressed along the journey through our days and nights. It is not only our parents, it it is teachers, friends, other family members. neighbours, health care professionals , anyone we come in contact with who may have an affect of influence us, in some way shape form or other.

The name of this piece where the two ladies are sitting at a table in a Chinese Restaurant is Chop Suey. This is an oil painting done by Edward Hopper in 1929. It is currently in a private collection, I found this copy on wikipaintings.org. This picture brings back memories of the restaurants many decades ago. As soon as we sat down, a waiter in a smart uniform of black pants and a white jacket would appear with a pot of hot tea and cups. Rice was always free with your meal. It seems that every town or city had a Chinese restaurant and each one had on the menu, a version of Chop Suey.

Cooks back then were very adaptable to the region they were cooking in. The ingredients used back in China were not readily available in the city never mind the smaller towns, so they grew bean sprouts and served a variety of meats with sprouts, celery,onion and a few slivers of peppers for colour. If they used chicken it was chicken shop suey, if it was pork, pork choe suey etc., when crispy noodles were sprinkled on top the dish became a chow mein. NO we didn’t eat chop suey at home.

Today there are Asian grocery stores almost everywhere, even the big super markets have sections dedicated to the products and vegetables used in Asian cuisine. The ingredients are there for the actual meal, but the ambiance and customer service of yesteryear. Now you pay for the tea, and the rice, and yes you have a lot to pick from on the menu, it is no longer the simple menu of choosing from column A, B or C.

We can’t go back, but when I think of the ancestors or people who influenced some of my behaviour, the cooks and waiters who came to Canada to start new lives, their beliefs that hard work and dedication to the task before them, come to mind. They came to a country where they didn’t know the language to earn money so they could send or go back for their families, They wanted a better quality of life for those they loved, so they applied Makoto (sincerity) to their lives and earnestly did what needed to be done.

I am humbled by such dedication & selfless giving for the next generation. I give thanks for this memory, and I pray that I in turn will do something worthwhile that will help those around me and who will come after me.

Veggie chop suey – Yum…. (food pictures from Pinterest)

Namaste Oyashikiri

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Bom dia, hello everyone

Fall is in the air, the perky nip of cooler weather is there to greet me in the morning when I let the dog out. 16 degrees C, ( 45 F). The fall has to be my favourite season of all.. I enjoy each one of our very different seasons, but fall weather has a special place in my heart. Every year around this time the leaves start to work their magic on the landscapes. The lazy hazy days of summer disappear, there is a quicker and snappier mood to our walk. The fall clothes come out, the warm sweaters, closed in shoes, and wonderful combinations of casual fashion.

It is true, in the fall you are more likely able to draw me out into nature, the bugs and insects are not around, and where I would love a night in this cabin, I really feel the we would have problems taking the dogs out at night. The next picture is of a “pond” in a secluded area of Nova Scotia, Canada where someone camps. We have been to such locations in our travels, believe me, the exhilaration of such moments is beyond words.

In my personal journey to become a better person, I enjoy my time away as much as my time in the city. Life is wherever I am. It is when we stop moving forward in our lives that we grow stagnant. One one personal card I had printed, read, Discover a new you…. explore active meditation…. Step outside the box. What is active meditation, active meditation is when you live each moment of your day with Makoto (sincerity) with a focus on being a better person in all you say and do. Like the world we live in (nature) our moods and self expression changes. When we accept that the only constant in life is change, then we are well on our path to living with a peaceful heart.

May your day be blessed with an abundance of happiness and joy!

Namste – Oyashikiri

* nature.desktopnexus.com

**tacktoit.com

*** Pinterest, T Werner Abel camping area

**** fs.usda.gov Lake Conasauga,North Georgia camping area.

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life and aging –

We have life today because of the ancestors that came before us. Utilize the Makoto )sincerity left by your ancestors to live today to the fullest.

Haga valer en el presente el Makoto de sus antepasados. (Spanish)

O hoje existe gracas aos antepassados. (Portuguese)

Love translates into any language, it is easy to forget as we ourselves age, that our elders have lived and experienced the same joys and sorrows over their lifetime. Try not to squander your days and nights on actions or non actions that you may at a later time come to regret.

Never forget to express love and appreciation to those in your life that matter.

Chinese Moon Gates, symbolize gateways, passage ways to a mystical “beyond”… their architecture in gardens had them so one could see the full moon, and enjoy the vista beyond. Some day we will all cross over the threshold of today, and when we do we will be ancestors to those we have left behind.

By increasing the feeling of appreciation to your ancestors, your life will be more enriched.

And remember to do your best to smile, sharing a cheerful smile and expression makes everyone around you happy.

Realize tudo com um sorriso!

Irradie su entorno con sonrissas y expresiones alegres.

Namaste – Oyashikiri

Please note that I will be in holiday mode for the next week or so, posts may not be consistent.

Video – YouTube

Picture -The Daily Mailer

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Bom dia, Good morning !

Where are your thoughts today. When the days past have been busy and full, have you made time for you. Have you made time to say THANK YOU for all you’ve received so far, yes whether for the challenges or the joys. Does your heart rejoice at the end of the day?

When I first began a life of teaching and service I was a student of life, many decades later, I am constantly learning and relearning lessons that I thought I had learned already. However, when I reflect on my most inner feelings, or when my emotions are being rendered senseless with constant chatter from my tattle telling mind, I realize that I’ve been forgetting that I am the captain of my ship. Whatever the circumstance, it was through my choices over time that I am currently in the puddle I’m in. Sigh, the quotes and sayings that are posted all over social media, and used in my blog and others, are great, but reading them and acknowledging the truth of them isn’t enough.

We have to live the words we believe in, we have to acknowledge and give thanks to the Universe for the learning we are acquiring. Live and learn brothers and sisters,this is life, this is living. Express and live with full Makoto (sincerity) Reach out and say thank you today when you can, even for minor matters, smile from the heart and have a blessed day.

White Lotus -Sanskrit Pundarika – in Buddhism, the lotus flower resembles the purifying of the spirit which is born into murkiness. =^_^=

Namaste – Oyashikiri

*** social media

Lotus -Bahman Farzad on flickr

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Good morning everyone!

We are not all soccer fans, some of us don’t enjoy sports at all, however, I would like to say something this morning about the young men shown above. This is the first year that I have really been watching any of the soccer games with a personal interest. Many in our church are from Brazil, so it has been fun to watch the enthusiasm and camaraderie. Especially since although I liked Brazil, I lean towards another team.

What I soon discovered is that this is a very high emotion game, the fans are very invested in the players and the results. For the first time I was listening to the announcers, the talk before games, and the post match wrap ups. When Brazil lost yesterday, I felt the emotion of the players hit like a bolt of lightning, the devastation of their situation could be felt across the miles and through the television. My husband a veteran at all of this, merely shrugged and took it all in stride.

Several players on the field yesterday play for Chelsea (UK) the young man who scored for Brazil was one of these players. His team mates were playing for Germany. These young men are not robots, they train, train and train some more. It is not about the money the make, or how they live their “personal” lives, they are paid professionals who dedicate themselves, mind, and bodies to the game of football (soccer). They played hard and gave all they had to get to where they are today, they played their best yesterday, even when the score was 5-0 for the longest time, they persevered, NO they didn’t win the game, but they have gained my respect for the sincerity (makoto) they put into what they were doing.

In a game, there is a winner and a loser (the person(s) who do not win, BUT in the PL(Perfect Liberty) world we are all winners when we do our best, when what we experience and learn in our challenges, makes us a better person,

Brazil still has a chance for Bronze…. lets give these young men the support they need to get back out there and shine, win or lose.. they keep us watching.

Congratulations to Germany for a game well played!

Today – Nederlands plays Argentina at 4 p Eastern Time.

Namaste – Oyashikiri

pictures – Pinterest

poster -bottom – found on tomanders.com

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The Green Door

Does a green door mean anything to you? Do you know how many green doors you have passed through in your day? Probably not. We go through a lot of doors, some more colorful than others. Some we close behind us and others are left open. A friend recently closed a door on me, the friend decided they no longer wanted to be friends. Actually if I think back, I’ve probably had a few doors closed on me -smiles – what is the saying, you can please some people some time but not all people, all the time. Something like that.

What happens when a door closes. Nothing really, of course I guess it depends on what side of the door you are on, what view you will have, but the reality is, the door is closed. You didn’t close it, but it is closed non-the-less. In my earlier years I guess I would have tried to reopen the door, I no longer feel the need to do that. I’ve come to respect that if someone decides to close a door, it is their decision, and I respect that. It doesn’t change my feelings, or my caring, because when I give or love, I do so willingly and from my heart. There are no regrets when love is pure and true.

In PL(Perfect Liberty) we learn practical guidelines for living our daily lives. These principles assist us in practicing the PL 21 Precepts. The 1st Precept is …..Life is Art…. The 1st Principle …. I will live paying careful attention,putting Makoto (sincerity) into all I say and do.

Living harmoniously with the Universe is really about being in the moment and being mindful in all we say and do. Doors whether open or closed are a beautiful reminder of movement from then to now. I like green because it is the color of growth and new beginnings.

Principle #4 – I will live with the spirit of Misasage (Devotion) working for the happiness of others.

I wish you all a very good day, whatever it is your decide to do, keep at it, don’t give up until you have accomplished what you started.

Life is here for us to enjoy and to be lived. All things come to fruition once the heart (content) and the object (form) are in accord with one another, you will be blessed with wonderful results.

The past stands proud – the present brings new life.

Namaste – Oyashikiri

* Green Door by Jim Gove on Flickr

**abandoned building under blue skies – found on Pinterest

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Happy 4th of July!

Good Morning Everyone! and to all our American Friends, Happy Independence Day!

We have a Japanese term we use in the PL Church, Musubi: Oneness, togetherness with others. one of my goals, my ambitions, something I strive for every day. Not just sometimes, I really believe and pray that I can attain this with every breath I take. I can’t live in tomorrow or next week, even next month. I live today, now, in this very moment. and I do my best to live each moment with Makoto,(utmost sincerity) I pray Shikiri: PL’s unique way of prayer, asking God’s blessing with a sincere promise to accomplish what I need/have to do Once a moment is lived it cannot be taken back and relived.

As a child I recall my Mother telling me that one should never say something hurtful or negative about someone else because once that word(s) was/were spoken they could not be taken back. I’ve never gotten that.

Good relationships begin by greetings and acts of respect and courtesy. Our action not only words, show how much we value others. Often actions speak louder than words. We have much to be thankful in our lives, lets share a smile today, say hello to someone you haven’t seen or heard from in awhile. Pass the feel good feeling around. It is free and it is yours to give.

This is an amazing picture in so many ways.. I don’t know the photographer, but the person who pinned it was Jef Palmer, this photograph was on Pinterest. Totally awesome.

Namaste – Oyashikiri

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Happy Thursday Everyone!

Welcome another day! I overheard a conversation the other day, noooo I was not eavesdropping I was happily shopping but aware of my surroundings, two women were in conversation right next to me, hard not to hear. One woman was complaining of the heat (it was hot, in the 90’s) the other one listened, but as soon as the first stopped talking, went right into what a mess her life was in. This was a conversation that they both have had before because the other woman then jumped right in with her list of complaints too. Both agreeing that nothing ever changes.. I tried moving away to another rack, but they were also shopping and seemed to moved near me again, still with the same dialogue.

These women were strangers to me, and I’m sure that it was great to be able to have a friend to unload to, however, they were sad and disappointed with their current situations when the conversation began, and it seemed that it would go on being so …. I briefly closed my eyes and offered up a thank you to the heavens for the blessings in my life. I love life with all the joys and challenges it brings. That’s me, being who I am, I wish everyone was as happy as I am, in PL (Perfect Liberty) we strive to live ….. Precept #1 – Life is Art in all we do. Precept #10 – Love YOURSELF and OTHERS.

itThe PL lesson of yesterday was to set higher goals and work to improve ourselves. Today’s lesson, is to always express our true selves with honesty and integrity.

Why start the day with a meditation, thought, prayer ………………….because it helps set the tone for the day, YOUR day. Life is not always a ball of laughs, and we are not always happy with the cards we were dealt. However, reality is…… perception…… and only YOU have the ability to change that perception. No one else can do it for you.

Focus on your true feelings, and express yourself with makoto (sincerity) and honesty. Then listen to what you’ve said, and to what you are feeling.

Once you’e made up your mind, move forward without hesitation. Believe in your”SELF”.

Namaste – Oyashikiri

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Makoto (sincere effort)

In Perfect Liberty (Church PL) we say ” Life is Art” that is the #1 Precept of our 21 Precepts.

# 2 is To Live Is to Express One’s Self,

#7 Everything Exists in Relativity.

#18 Each Moment is a Turning Point

I have mentioned before that I visit Second Life which is a virtual world. To some it is a game and to others it is not. To know what Second Life is all about, you have to experience it. Much like if I am eating a peach and you see me with a big smile and peach juice at the corners of my mouth, you note the peach is fuzzy and looks moist and inviting, this will give you some information about what I’m eating, but if you ask me, what does it taste like, my answer will really not tell you anything. Why, because you are not tasting it for yourself, and my taste buds and yours might be on totally different planets.

Why am I talking about SL today, mainly because I just finished doing the blog for this virtual reality world http://virtualluna.blogspot.ca/ and I was totally blown away by the creativity and artist way of life many of the creators in SL lead. The builders (artists/designers) recreate what they see, like and enjoy in our day to day world, which in SL speak is called RL (real life) These people from all over the world, SL is played by people from all over the world if there is internet there is SL. The SL currency can be exchanged in most major markets. ie. we can trade SL currency for US dollars. (LOL if you have enough of it)

Many of the artists/designers make their living through sales in this virtual marketplace. They use their skills to design and build for the inhabitants of this world, and they make enough to pay their” whatever” in real life. In PL we recognize that each individual is a unique being, and we all have ways to express who we are.

One of the valuable lessons of this virtual world is that we have to look beyond the avatar we are speaking with, because behind each avatar is a real live breathing person. So in life.. we meet someone and we see their outer shell. How often do we forget that inside that body we are looking at, there is a person, with a heart and feelings. We look at their appearance, the clothes they wear, how they stand, speak, and without knowing it, or even thinking about it, we form an opinion. It is hard not to do.

I ask you today, to think of the PL Precepts I’ve mentioned above, and to put your Makoto into doing your best to value those Precepts and apply them to your daily living. The truth revealed in their words applies universally to all humankind.

PL Precept 20 – Live Maintaining Equilibrium Between Mind and Matter.

Aerospatiale AS-350BA Squirrel (Tom Meyer)

Service dogs are an amazing part of the armed forces (Jonathan Schout)(Alfonso Irene Jimenez)

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE! It is Friday!!!

namaste – oyashikiri

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R your convictions being tested

There are days when the way ahead is just so darn daunting. You know you need to continue and persevere, yet you seem to be encountering one challenge after another. Stand still for a moment, and quiet the mind. Allow moments to pass without thinking about what needs to be done, or how to do something. Then readdress the situation with an appreciation for what needs to be done. Take initiative in tackling the work or task with makoto (sincerity). Let your strong resolve carry you to the next bend or fork in the road.

We are all on the same journey, only we have each our own landscapes to discover. Life is never dull and it never stands still. Often we travel parts of the journey on our own, but, we are never ever alone, THE LIFE FORCE OF THE UNIVERSE (GOD) is always with us. I heard a wonderful gospel song yesterday that I hope you enjoy, no matter what philosophy you follow it has a positive message ….