Stories from Birdie Lake

In quiet and peaceful solitude I sit, nestled amongst the tall cedars
and the pines. From my comfy canvas chair, just a few feet from the
shimmering shores of Birdie Lake, I am filled with gratitude for this,
my happy home. I am one with nature and simply awestruck by all
the beauty that surrounds me.
It is here that I share my joy, thoughts, and inspirations with...
"Stories from Birdie Lake."

A Story of... Love of Self. 

Do I (really) love myself?...
How does my ego feel when I say these words?
Wow!... Now there's a heart-wrenching question!

Lao-tzu wrote that "When I let go of who I am...
I become what I might be."

I feel that to (truly) love myself I must let go of the
(idea) of what I think I am. What I think I am,
I am learning, is not (in fact) the real me.

I am no longer my past, yet I am grateful for (all)
it's lessons. I am not (yet) my future, but by loving
myself, I can imagine (with intent) what it is that I
desire to manifest for myself as I move forward.
I am not (just) what I see... my physical self.
I am not what I have, because what I have does not
define me, nor does it always bring me joy or happiness.

In order for me to love myself, and be aligned,
in harmony and in balance... I must first learn to trust in
my ability to shift my heart... and to simply "feel."
To truly love myself I must have the courage to surrender
everything else, and allow the universe to effortlessly provide
(all) the rest... as it always does.
I must be able to forgive, and let go... my mistakes, my ego,
and the mis-steps of my past.

True love of self is about acceptance... in this moment...

"How" I am... is "Who" I am...
and I am Love...
My-real-self.

Raymond Paul

       Stories from Birdie Lake 

In quiet and peaceful solitude I sit, nestled amongst the tall cedars
and the pines. From my comfy canvas chair, just a few feet from the
shimmering shores of Birdie Lake, I am filled with gratitude for this
my happy home. I am one with nature, and simply awestruck by all
the beauty that surounds me.
It is here that I share my joy, thoughts, and inspirations with...
"Stories from Birdie Lake."

A Story of... The Moment.

This is a story of a place in time...
It is not about the past... nor the future.
It is a story about "being" present... my here and now,
and how I feel so totally immersed in this...
My perfect moment.

This moment is not only all I have... (in this moment),
it is the culmination of the universe, her energy, creation,
and spirit all coming together... at once... in perfect harmony.
It flows and forms (effortlessly)... It is my here... and now.
And it is (truly) ... my most amazing gift.

In this moment... I give thanks... for all life's blessings,
and I am grateful (and respectful) for all I have been given.
I feel at peace, and choose to use this moment to affirm,
recognize, (and give thanks)... for all my gifts.
I am safe... I am well... I am healthy... and I am blessed.
I am love... I give love... and I celebrate the opportunity
to share my incredible blessings with others.

Choosing to "be" in this moment allows me to stay present,
conscious, and aware... all within myself. I am grateful for the
lesson's of my past, and humbly recognize, that the opportunities
I envision for my future will only manifest themselves in balance
and alignment with the intentions that I choose to imagine... now...
in this precise moment. 

So it is with great joy that I enthusiastically embrace this moment...
and allow myself to go deep inside... (without fear)...
And truly... and simply... Feel.
When I feel my heart, I feel light, aligned... balanced, and free.
I trust in this moment... and I deeply know... with all that I am...
that this is exactly where I am supposed to... "be."

This is what speaks (so strongly) to me now..
Everything... All at once... A coming together...
in one, beautiful, clear, extraordinary, and simply perfect...
Moment.

Raymond Paul

                Stories from Birdie Lake

       In quiet and peaceful solitude I sit, nestled between the tall cedars
       and the pines. From my comfy canvas chair, just a few feet from the
       shimmering shores of Birdie Lake, I am filled with gratitude for this
       my happy home. I am one with nature, and simply awestruck by all
       the beauty that surrounds me.
       It is here that I share my joy, thoughts, and inspirations with...
       "Stories from Birdie Lake."

      A Story of Mother.

    As I sit quietly thinking about this "special" day I cannot help but feel
      inspired, grateful, and so very thankful for such an extraordinary lady
      in my life.

      She is courageous, beautiful, and always so very kind and caring.
      Her capacity and sensitivity to love "so unconditionally," is without
      question, her most precious gift.

      Adorned with such gentle wisdom she guides tenderly, and lovingly,
      with a passion for life, and a beautiful heart which knows no bounds.
      She always knows me best, and is always there to pick me up, or is
      that confident and reassuring voice of reason when I am feeling a little
      unsafe or unsure.
   
      Of course my story speaks of a Mother... My Mother...
      and like so many, I am blessed, and give thanks to mine, and to all the
      Mother's of the world.
   
      Thank you for the gift of Life..."Our life," and for always being there,
      and for all the wonderful things that you so beautifully, and gracefully do.

      I love you Mom.

      Happy Mother's Day!

      Raymond Paul   

                                     Stories from Birdie Lake
     

          In quiet and peaceful solitude I sit, nestled amongst the tall cedars
          and the pines. From my comfy canvas chair, just a few feet from the
          shimmering shores of Birdie Lake, I am filled with gratitude for this
          my happy home. I am one with Nature, and simply awestruck by all
          the beauty that surrounds me.
          It is here that I humbly share my joy and inspirations with..
          "Stories from Birdie Lake."

          A Story of Feeling... and Thanks.

          Sitting here, quietly in my chair, I feel Nature's beauty all around me.
          I feel a sense of profound gratitude for all the gifts which have been
          bestowed upon me.
          The bright sun casts a shimmering light across this peaceful pond,
          And I give thanks.

          As the cool gentle breezes caress my face I feel a renewed energy for life,
          and all it's blessings.
          For to be, and simply feel, I am aware of my alignment with my purpose,
          my being, and for this amazing gift of Life.
          And I give thanks.

          I watch in joyful bliss as scores of carefree ducks dance happily upon
          the lake.
          I feel such an overwhelming sense of awareness, consciousness, and by
          simply noticing, I feel alive.. and present.. and it all feels so very good.
          And I give thanks.

          With gratitude, and thanks...
       
          Raymond Paul