Living the Wisdom of the Tao.
Verse 66

Through the inspirations of my spiritual mentor, Dr Wayne Dyer,
I have undertaken this year, (as he did in 2006), the teachings of the
eighty-one verses of the "Tao Te Ching." Legend says that the "Tao"
(pronounced "Dao") was written by the prophet "Lao-tzu" some five
hundred years before the birth of Christ. The interpretation of the words
Tao is "The Way" Te is "The Shape and Power" and Ching is "The Book."
It has been called "one of the profoundest books in world philosophy."
For my references I have been studying the interpretations and teachings of
Dr Dyer from his book "Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life."
In the spirit of Eagle Eye, here is my inspired (poetic) interpretation of
Verse 66.

            Being - Like the Sea

                    Remain low
                                -Being-
                              Like the Sea
                               and know
                                humbly
                          what it feels to be
                                at peace
                       accepting, harmonious,
                                   and
                                   free.

                           Encourage, accept,
                                  -Being-
                                Like the Sea
                                 with calm
                               and patience,
                              a quiet teacher                        
                             for all the world
                                       to
                                      see.

                          Allow, and give into,
                                   -Being-
                                 Like the Sea
                                   and love,
                                   in service;
                              caring, nurturing
                                  as naturally
                                  as you can
                                         be.

Live. Inspired.

Raymond Paul             

Happy Father's Day!

This healthy little "piece of my mind" is dedicated to my lovely daughter Jessica
(whom I have the good fortune to be visiting here in Florida for Father's Day.)
Thank you sweetheart for making me such a lucky, blessed, and (extremely) proud Father.
I love you so very much....
May the universe (and all her goodness) continue to watch over you...
Always.. and in "all ways."
I love you...
Dad.

What being a Father really means... to me.

Being a Father means... First and foremost... Love. 
In the purest, simplest, and most unconditional of form.
It is truly a gift... and there is never a day that goes by where I do not feel,
(and fully recognize), the importance of this amazing experience.

Being a Father means... Learning.
There certainly was (or is) NO manual for this. Other than what I had
experienced with my father, this "being a Dad" myself has been all about learning.
And I am still continuing to learn as I go! It is not always easy, but I am grateful for
all my lessons. Most of all I am grateful to my daughter for teaching me about life,
(as a parent), and how the world appears through her eyes.

Being a Father means... Responsibility.
Like any parent the choice to bring a child into this world comes with
an enormous amount of responsibility. With that, comes the
responsibility for me to set an example, to nurture, and to teach my
daughter her own responsibilities. She must learn that we are (all)
responsible, not only to ourselves, but to the entire world around us...
everyone and everything in it.

Being a Father means... Sacrifice.
Although it may not always feel like it, (because we love and care so
much), there is always a great deal of sacrifice for any parent.
Putting my daughter first is (of course) something I do happily and with great joy.
It is indeed one of life's most rewarding experiences, and (I find) that there is
virtually nothing that I would not do (in love) for my beautiful daughter.

Being a Father means... Guidance / Being there.
Guidance is about the balance of guiding, leading, and letting go.
Many times guidance takes the form of helping (without helping).
Allowing my daughter to discover for herself. (kind of like gently
letting go of the bicycle, and letting her ride away on her own.)
It is about observing, yet allowing her to find her way...
Learn for herself... her own life's lessons.
This is how it is meant to be, and there is trust... trust in the universe that there is
already a plan... I am here only to observe, protect, (and joyfully celebrate)
as witness to "her solo dance" as it so beautifully plays out.
Of course I will always be there, (near or far), and be that calming hand on her
shoulder, a comforting ear in a sad or difficult time, and always that enthusiastic
supporter of all her dreams.

Being a Father means... Communicating / Listening.
My spiritual mentor Dr Wayne Dyer wrote in his book The Power of Intention,
"Anything you put your attention on multiplies to strengthen the power of
your intention."
By communicating (openly, honestly, and regularly) with my daughter I am
effectively increasing the strength of our relationship. I am affirming
the importance of my care, love, and genuine concern for her in every
aspect of her life. By communicating, (and more importantly) listening to her,
we are (both) bringing our truth... and real support to one another.
It is powerful, purposeful... and completely worthwhile.

Being a Father sometimes means... Going to the Mall.!!!
OK... A lot of the time going to the mall.!! But that's OK too!
Because the truth is, I kind of like going to the mall too!! (especially with her.)
Anytime that we can do "anything" together, it's a very good thing.
Plus we always have a lot of fun... not to mention that she also has very good
taste! As much as it is about shopping for her it's very nice to have her along
to help pick out a few things for Dad! It genuinely helps to keep me looking
(and feeling) young!

(Finally)... Being a Father means... Being Grateful.
I live each day... in simple gratitude. Especially for the total joy I feel
for simply being a "Dad." There truly can be no other feeling quite
like it. I celebrate and give thanks for this amazing and special blessing
which has completely enriched my life.
Selfishly, my relationship with my daughter comes with it's own unique
circumstances, which has challenged us (by geographical distance) for many
years. Happily we haver never allowed our being apart to hinder our love
for one another (in any way.) In fact, in may ways we have faced this challenge
as an opportunity to work "together" on our special bond, and our wonderful
father / daughter connection.
I am so very proud... of both of us..
It has not always been easy (for either of us)... but we have focused (only)
on what we have. The love, respect, and (all) the beautiful blessings that have
been bestowed upon us. We are indeed (both) so very, very blessed.

This is what "Being a Father"... really means to me.

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 share my joy, thoughts and inspirations with...
"Stories from Birdie Lake."

A Story of... Helping Others.

In our far too hectic and fast-paced world of head down, acquiring stuff,
and "chasing the dream"... one of life's greatest gifts can be to simply
Stop...
Take stock, and extend a helping hand to someone else.

So how do I do that?

Helping other's does not always have to be monetary.
While worthwhile causes, charities, fundraising, (and the like)
are all very important, it is (most times) the simple things that create the
biggest impact.
A warm smile, a kind hello, or a simple gesture supported by encouraging words.
These are the subtle things that make such an important difference in the life of
someone else... and it is in our nature to do so.

So it is with that in mind that I remind myself to practice reaching out in service,
and in help, to others. It is a gift we all possess...
I know from my own experiences that there have been many times where I have
welcomed (and very much appreciated) the help of someone else.

In honour of this, and in the spirit of helping others, I must be aware,
(without judgement) to the many different ways that I can help.
The little time (and effort) that it takes to reach out to a friend, a family member,
or even a total stranger, is always... and in all ways... the right thing to do.
Helping other's... to help themselves.

I know that by helping others, with authenticity, love, and real care, that I am
able to positively effect a very inspiring and meaningful change with all of those
whom I come in contact with.
In the beautiful words of "the spiritual law of giving and receiving"...
one of helping other's greatest gifts is how good it can make me feel..
too!


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 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