The Knots Prayer

One of my friends sent this to me and I realized that this is so perfect, that I had to share it.  So, although these words were written by someone else, the message comes from me in a heart-felt way.

Blessings to each of you.

Judy

 

Contemplating the Wild

                                               Picture of stream running in spring at the park

When you look at pictures of parks, forests, and wild rivers and streams, it seems that these wonderful places are getting quite beat up by the numbers of people using them, especially places close to highly populated areas like cities.  

When I say “beat up”, I am talking about the garbage left behind, the beaten down grass and bushes where people are walking even though the big sign says, “Area under conservation.  Please do not leave the path.”  It seems that many people have no respect for the wild - the grasses, trees, animals, birds, etc.  

It seems to me that people have forgotten how to walk softly on the Earth. People leave large footprints including garbage, trampled spots, and angry animals.  

Walk softly upon the earth.

May its beauty forever surround you,

its wonders forever astound you.

May its wisdom delight you,

its music invite you

to dance and to play and to sing.

May you love and be loved by all that you meet;

may you know and practice compassion.

Rejoice in the earth and in all of creation.

Rejoice in life.

a parting blessing - alfred v. fedak - 2008

Written in memory of a departed friend. 

Choral anthem published by Selah Publishing Company, Pittsburgh, PA.

Many blessings,

Judy
 

The Power of Honey

                         Picture from Medical News Today - a honey bee, honey comb, and honey

I grew up in the country side on a farm.  Honey was part of our staple diet.  We had it on toast for breakfast, on a slice of bread covered in peanut butter and honey for an after school snack, and stirred into a hot lemon drink when we had a cold.  One never thinks about honey, it just is.

Several days ago, this great article on honey was forwarded to me by a friend. I learned lots of new things about honey.  I hope that you enjoy it.

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I did not know this. I have local honey in my tea. Always using a metal spoon. 
Did you know that one of the world's first coins had a bee symbol?
Did you know that honey contains live enzymes?
Did you know that in contact with a metal spoon, these enzymes die? The best way to eat honey is with a wooden spoon; if you can't find one, use a plastic spoon.
Did you know that honey contains a substance that helps the brain work better?
Did you know that honey is one of the few foods on earth that alone can sustain human life?
Did you know that bees saved people from starvation in Africa?
That a spoonful of honey is enough to keep a man alive for 24 hours?
Did you know that propolis produced by bees is one of the most powerful natural antibiotics?
Did you know that honey has no expiry date?
Did you know that the bodies of the world's greatest emperors were buried in gold coffins, then covered in honey to prevent putrefaction?
Did you know that the term "Honeymoon" (honeymoon) comes from the fact that the bride and groom consumed honey for fertility after their marriage?
Did you know that a bee lives less than 40 days, visits at least 1000 flowers and produces less than a teaspoon of honey, but for her it is the work of a lifetime.
Thank you precious bees! 
(Source: Robin Jackson)

Blessings,

Judy

Beaver Shares Its Traits

We have several beavers in the Bow River in Fish Creek Park.  They can be very entertaining.  And, yes, they can bring down a lot of trees.  Beaver does, however, seem to be a caretaker of waterways and works to keep the area from drying out.

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Beaver was sitting across the channel, on the bank, looking for some tender young trees and, keeping an eye on my dog and on me.  Beaver has been in this channel for about four years.  She has created several good dams, and she has helped change the eco system of the channel and the river.  The channel now has young trout in it.

Beaver has some traits that humans can use.  They are:

• when you see water that is stagnant and mucky, find a way to clean it up.  You may have to get dirty to do it; it will be worth it. 
• being industrious leads you to discover new ways of doing things.  So, be busy when it is required – as when you need to fix your den, the dam, or gather food for winter.  When you are not busy, play and socialize. 
• when somebody says that “it can’t be done”, go ahead and do it anyway.  See the picture below of the world’s biggest beaver dam.

  

  

The dam is located on the southern edge of Wood Buffalo National Park in Northern Alberta, Canada Photo: BNPS 

 

• understand that there is a shortage of fresh water.  Beavers know how to maximize fresh water and aerate it to create a healthy environment for fish and wildlife.

Celebrate if beavers are in your area. 

Blessings,

Judy

About Cheating

This is a funny time in the world.  When you watch the news, most of what is broadcast talks about people cheating on others, people in power cheating those without power by taking bribes and making decisions that are not for the highest good; and about cheating in sporting events.  

I came across this story in my studies on Buddhism, and thought it was appropriate for the times.

A Man Named Wise 

Once upon a time, the Enlightenment Being was born in a merchants' family in Benares, in northern India. He was given the name Wise. When he grew up he began doing business with a man whose name just happened to be Verywise. 

It came to pass that Wise and Verywise took a caravan of 500 bullock carts into the countryside. After selling all their goods they returned to Benares with their handsome profits. 

When it came time to split their gains between them, Verywise said, "I should get twice as much profit as you." "How come?" asked Wise. "Because you are Wise and I am Verywise. It is obvious that Wise should get only half as much as Verywise." 

Then Wise asked, "Didn't we both invest equal amounts in this caravan trip? Why do you deserve twice as much profit as I?" Verywise replied, "Because of my quality of being Verywise." In this way their quarrel went on with no end in sight. 

Then Verywise thought, "I have a plan to win this argument." So he went to his father and asked him to hide inside a huge hollow tree. He said, "When my partner and I come by and ask how to share our profits, then you should say, 'Verywise deserves a double share."' 

Verywise returned to Wise and said, 'My friend, neither of us wants this quarrel. Let's go to the old sacred tree and ask the tree spirit to settle it." 

When they went to the tree Verywise said solemnly, "My lord tree spirit, we have a problem. Kindly solve it for us." Then his father, hidden inside the hollow tree, disguised his voice and asked, "What is your question?" The man's cheating son said, "My lord tree spirit, this man is Wise and I am Verywise. We have done business together. Tell us how to share the profits." Again disguising his voice, his father responded, "Wise deserves a single share and Verywise deserves a double share." 

Hearing this solution, Wise decided to find out if it really was a tree spirit speaking from inside the tree. So he threw some hay into it and set it on fire. Immediately Verywise's father grabbed onto a branch, jumped out of the flames and fell on the ground. He said in his own voice,, "Although his name is Verywise, my son is just a clever cheater. I'm lucky that the one named Wise really is so. and I've escaped only half toasted!" 

Then Wise and Verywise shared their profits equally. Eventually they both died and were reborn as they deserved.  The lesson, “A cheater may be clever but not wise.”

Blessings,

Judy

Keep Shining

 

                                            Picture from e-buddhism.com

Have you noticed that some people just seem to think that it is their right to judge and convict others for attitudes, actions, or beliefs that do not align with the one that is judging beliefs?

I am amazed when I watch videos of different animal species like a cat and a bear, becoming friends for years.  An amazing video showed the friendship between a sea lion and a dog.  I am sure that you have seen other videos like the friendship between a bear, a tiger, and a lion.  The animals are all different and still accept the other animal with all of its personality and actions.

Why do people react so differently to others?  Yes, there are exceptions where two different individuals will become friends but those seem to be less frequent.  

I believe that when we shine our light, our goodness, our kindness, and our personality, that we intimidate others.  The others make up judgements, sometimes lies, and spread rumours about us to make themselves feel bigger/better.

By continuing to be ourselves and ignoring the issues that the other people have, we become our best selves.  Our light shines.

Many blessings,

Judy 

Happy Mother’s Day - May 12 2024

 

To Every Mom

I watch you all, Mothers, and I wonder how you manage.

I wonder where you find the time to cook and to clean.

After all, even after your kids are grown, you are still running kids and doing errands, often for the second generation or the third.

I wonder if you get tired.

I wonder if that is why some of you move away.

It doesn’t matter – you are still being a Mother and going beyond the limits.

That is what I see Mothers doing – going beyond their limits all the time.

I watch in amazement.

I honour all of you!

-Author Unknown

Many blessings,

Judy