“It is good to have an end to journey towards; But it is the journey that matters, in the end.”
LeGuin
On this day, May 20, 1961 my parents, John V. Marchell and Connie A. Mitchell were married. It was a bittersweet wedding for my mom’s father, G. Clifford Mitchell, had passed from a heart attack less than a month prior to their wedding date. Their love for me is crystal clear as I was the honeymoon baby. Dad would often say to me that I was a ‘much loved child.’
I do believe that Grandpa Cliff’s Spirit has been with me always, as he was a graphic artist who, at an early age, was asked to work for Walt Disney. He declined the offer and went into business for himself with many of his creative works promoting IBM in their beginning stages with their first place of operation located in Endicott, New York.
So on this day, I honor my parents unconditional love and everlasting guidance still evident miraculously in my life as love transcends our human understanding. It is through building a firm foundation by focusing on the gift of union which makes the relationship stronger and resilient to withstand any storm. With the extraordinary gift of a once in a lifetime love, one hundred percent belief, trust and faith in one another with open heart awareness; together the two open their arms wide to embrace the unknown.
As their hearts joined together pictured in the glowing setting sunset clouds, I know that their gift of new beginnings is approaching for me as their message permeates my soul.
“It’s time to unite your hearts, for together your energies combined are magnetic, magical and infinite in their abilities to manifest miracles.”
Mom and Dad
“One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore.”
My Father’s Greatest Gift: Life Lessons from a Black English Labrador Retriever book signing held March 18, 2017 at Arrowhead Parable Christian Store, Johnson City, NY
Are any of you familiar with The Sedona Method developed by Lester Levenson, with a tool set to assist in clearing out old, embedded thoughts, beliefs and feelings that were handed down through our DNA; which we have now become able to access on our own through The Akash to allow for the realization of these aspects of our depths in order to do “Spring Cleaning” as it were. The core components are letting go of the four basic wants: Approval, Security, Separation and Control. That said, it is a mouthful to digest when one begins asking the questions about how are these certain aspects of our inner workings serving us anymore and can we let them go? Are you willing to let them go? When?
The Sedona Method has been one of my “tool sets” for many years, but for some reason it surfaced this morning, so I am being led to share some insights from Lester’s “Lessons” on releasing. We are all cleansing energetically now, using a variety of tools which resonate for each one of us individually. The Sedona Method, by author Dale Dwoskin, shares Lester’s workings and research on our unlimited potential and provides yet other applications to address the old, worn out thoughts and beliefs which most probably were not originating from our own thoughts, but handed down through generations, like a grafting form a rose bush.
Once you maser writing out the reasons why you are holding onto a certain want: Approval, Security, Separation or Control, you then need to address the deeper layers of thought patterns: Apathy, Grief, Fear, Lust, Anger, Pride, and even areas of Courageousness, Acceptance and Peace. By doing this deep inner work, your are dissolving resistance to “reacting” to criticism and to praise. In other words, you are at point zero equilibrium balance of mind, body and spirit, the center of Love and Gods Set Point.
As Khalil Gibran noted: “I have learned silence from the talkative, tolerance from the intolerant and kindness from the unkind; yet strange I am ungrateful to those teachers.”
So you may be wondering why I am reflecting on The Sedona Method and how that applies to my first book signing of Chert Dog’s story, My Father’s Greatest Gift: Life Lessons from a Black English Labrador Retriever? It is very simple. Because of all the years of doing the inner work within and clearing out the old thoughts and beliefs, it has given room for unlimited potentials to flourish in my life! (“Pombu Zoplatz: Thanks be to God”).
“Care no more for the opinion of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing for you. Act for yourself and face your truth.” Katherine Mansfield
From Chert Dog’s perspective, “Doghead is pretty easy to learn, you just have to speak from your heart.” This velvety Black with Chocolate accents English Labrador Retriever came…
Throughout the creative process, I paint pictures, write stories, take photographs and compose music which all interweave into the tapestry of my life. Though viewing the process from the underside with all the loose threads it appears to be quite a mess, the passion within is determined to interweave all the colorful threads to behold a brilliant gift from the Universe!
This copyrighted piano composition is inspired by 1 Corinthians 13 and spans my life journey. When my beloved Mother passed, Dad had this engraved on their stone:
“A hug, a smile, a kiss, fond memories of a lifetime”
(Posted on You Tube as well as on my blog’s Piano, Art and Photography tab, with some of my artwork, photography and family photos to go along with the music).
The definition of chrysalis is something still in the process of development. Is our life that of a golden chrysalis to then be born into beautiful butterflies? All of these photos were taken by me in my flower garden. Each of these butterflies flew up and landed on me first, then enjoyed the flowers for several minutes. They all symbolize loved ones who have been reborn into their new lives. The top black/orange/blue/white butterfly arrived on my dad’s anniversary of his passing. The yellow and black in the middle is my grandmother finally free to spread her wings. The Monarch arrived when I was pursuing educational pursuits, as my mom is and always will be the one who celebrates my victories. The light yellow and black worn butterfly symbolizes to me the importance of perseverance irregardless of the circumstances. All are miracles. Thanks be to God!
Sylvester came into my life Thanksgiving weekend while my brother and I were playing catch football outside. He was still a kitten, but determined to make his home were I lived. From the beginning, I could see that Sylvester didn’t know he was a cat because he believed in himself and that he could do anything that he set his mind to.
From “flying” from the back deck to the birch tree, wading in the steam alongside the property, “pointing” at pheasants in the brush, jumping to turn the light switch on or just climbing as high as he could go, he made certain that his message to me was clear – stand your ground, listen to your heart and follow your dreams.
The above video was a weekend project many years ago with friends as Sylvester was filmed doing somersaults, or the Slovak term, “koperdonitz” as Grandma Marge would call them. (Found on YouTube). After a weekend of filming, he decides that he isn’t interested in somersaulting anymore and lets me know it on the last clip! My first encounter with this acrobatic ability occurred as he somersaulted into his food dish one day! He brought much joy and laughter into my life and his message of believing in myself has resurfaced once again as a reminder to be true to my God-given gifts, talents and abilities and to somersault joyously through life!
“You can develop good judgement as you do the muscles of your body – by judicious, daily exercise.”
Grenvile Kleiser
My favorite reference book is Roget’s Thesaurus for the various meanings behind the proper usage of words. Under the word judgement are five separate meanings!
Intellect
Discrimination
Decision
Condemnation
Sentence
Through our lives lessons we learn to access intellectually the power of sound judgement in arriving to conclusions in decision-making in our lives.
The use of discernment in terms of discriminating what serves the highest and best for all concerned is utilizing another aspect of sound judgement in our lives. This can also be used towards spiritual discernment.
Our freedom and power of choice comes into play when we are calling upon utilizing out tool set in making decisions based on judgement.
Criticizing and lower vibrational fear based thinking is involved in condemning others acts, beliefs and behaviors without compassion when judgement is used in this context.
And then there is the legal system associated with controlling and manipulating others in sentencing them due to the judgement ascertained upon their actions.
“I love when things are transparent, free and clear of all inhibition and judgement.”
Pharrell Williams
It became apparent to me this morning that the summons I recently received to serve on jury duty placed me in an awkward state of mind. Who am I to pass judgement on someone else? Have I lived their life, was I raised in their environment, have I experienced the social, moral, mental, spiritual and emotional influences that they have had and walked a mile in their shoes? And even then, who am I to judge? The log in my eye requires much more attention than the speck in my brother or sister’s eye.
“Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others.”
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
It also became apparent to me when someone commented on something inadvertently directed towards me, it made me dig deeper in questioning myself to find the meaning to the feelings which were conjured up within me.
We all know that we are not to take things personally, yet there was a hidden message in what was said that made me “chew” on the concepts as I kept asking for a deeper understanding as to be clear about the message this messenger brought to me.
“Judge not lest you be judged. For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”
Matthew 7:1-3
Worthiness and self-love are core issues of the heart which are oftentimes disregarded in our early growth and learning process which eventually catches up to us.
“What is not fully exposed earlier in life is revealed and made up for in development.”
Author Unknown
So the truth of the emotionally charged comment revealed an insightful level of understanding for me that was two-fold. First and foremost, when someone is unfairly judged, they unconsciously direct that towards others. Secondly, by it “affecting” me, it shows that I still have more inner self-healing to work on in that area of my life. It’s always about the refining and improving of yourself on this personal path of enlightenment, as all messages are a present to open and reveal the gift of inner growth.
So I am forever grateful for this message, for it has revealed a much deeper appreciation of conscious awareness towards others as well as teaching me what is most important in taking care of myself. It all comes down to compassion, unconditional love and forgiveness.
“Circumstances and situations do color life but you have been given the mind to choose what the color shall be.”
John Homer Miller
The conclusion to my summons? It is clear that I will most probably not be selected for jury duty as it is not for me to judge – it is, however, essential to be compassionate towards all as our life is a journey of the heart.
“You carry Mother Earth within you. She is not outside of you. Mother Earth is not just your environment. In that insight of inter-being, it is possible to have real communication with the Earth, which is the highest form of prayer.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
On my morning hike the stellar sky and enlivening day brought about a feeling of oneness with Mother Earth around me. As I walked the local school track in meditation, I overheard a coach motivating the students he was training. The message he shared in encouraging, emphatic words: “You’re going to make mistakes on the field, that’s ok. Learn to fix them and move on.” Was he just coaching the athletes he was working with? As that message rang true to the very core of my being, I came upon the realization that was exactly how I have been approaching life. In the optimistic way he presented his message to those he was coaching, it brought about a yearning from those he was instructing to strive for improvement. The delivery of the message in a positive context planted the seed of working towards perfection within these adolescent youngsters.
“Creativity is so delicate a flower that praise tends to make it bloom, while discouragement often nips it in the bud.”
Author unknown
As I left the track to venture up the back hill, I stopped as I came upon a congregation of immature eagles gathered alongside the ground as well as flying in the area! Thankfully I had my cell phone to photograph them, even though they are not professional looking nor close up shots. But the message was a very profound one for me in my journey of the heart. Symbolic as well, for the coach from the track training session had been instructing adolescent children on the importance of perseverance towards their goals, dreams and desires.
“Being myself includes taking risks with myself, taking risks on new behavior, trying new ways of ‘being myself’, so that I can see who it is I want to be.”
Hugh Prather
As I stood there observing the eagles, they began to gather in a convocation as if to communicate with one another on their next soaring expedition, deciding on where the thermals and winds would allow for them to glide effortlessly to a new destination. I remember thinking how lucky they were to have each other to assist in their learning and growing stages of development, and how important that support system is within our own lives as well. When they began to unite as a circle of life joining their energies, I stood there with my arms reaching upwards towards their wings as they rose above me, their feathers just within reach of my outstretched arms. As they soared higher, I was able to count twelve of these youngsters who had graced me with their ‘anything is possible’ outlook on life. Their powerful, pure energy filled my soul with grandeur as a monumental experience for me in my personal life’s journey.
“Jesus said: With God, All things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
“Care no more for the opinion of others, for those voices; do the hardest thing for you. Act for yourself and face your truth.”
Katherine Mansfield
From this profoundly enlightening experience, I slowly began the walk up the trail. As I looked to the right where some of the eagles had been grounded, I found a secondary eagle feather symbolically left for me from one of the messengers who flew into my life that morning. The eagle has been an animal totem for me my entire life and I have been attuned to their energy for some time. It has been a blessed experience for me to witness such a marvelous moment and to be able to share it with others as a way of showing that there is much around us to assist in our journey, we just need to be still, open and aware in trusting that still, small voice within, honoring Mother Earth and striving for the highest and best in all areas of our lives, knowing that mistakes are a part of our learning curve, in order for us to super duper quantumly soar!
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.”
Each chapter begins with noted scripture verses to read from the Bible in relation to the context of each chapter. This is a true story, as narrated through the eyes of a Black English Labrador Retriever named Chert whose purpose is revealed in the story. In his own words, throughout his fourteen years of life, Chert Dog comments that “…doghead is pretty easy to learn, you just have to speak from your heart.” This velvety black, with chocolate accents, English Labrador Retriever came into my father’s life a few months after the unexpected death of my mother. It touches on the Slovak ethnic background of our family, hence his name Chert, which means devil! He shares his triumphs and escapades, as well as his life’s mission. With a “doghead” slant on wisdom and his purpose, the story’s main theme is about the power of unconditional love and forgiveness.
“You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, Who abide in His shadow for life, Say to the Lord, ‘My Refuge,’ My Rock in Whom I trust. And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings, Bear you on the breath of dawn, Make you to shine like the sun, And hold you in the palm of His Hand.”
On Eagles Wings by Michael Joncas (Psalm 91)
This is the last in The Three-part Romeo Series of oil paintings inspired by Tofino Photography. My eternal gratitude for the empowering photographic compositions which bring one to a place of such beauty, tranquility and peace!
As I took a break from painting the second layer of oils onto the canvas yesterday, I went outside to walk barefoot in the lush, soft grass. As I walked around my prolific blooming garden, I knelt in the grass next to my Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue that I have placed in front of my white with pink-tipped flowering Peony plant, whose buds are just beginning to form. The statue is with Jesus dressed in his white robe with the red over shawl, as some of you have seen in my photographic image of the setting sun in my posting entitled Jesus Walks Among Us. If you look into the setting sun over Highland Lake, you see an image of what appears to be an individual wearing a white robe with a red shawl. It also appears that this image has an individual alongside him as the red material seems to be wrapped out around another image. When my Dad was alive, I recall him sharing with me a dream he had which impacted him for the rest of his life. It was a vision of Jesus, shining in his glory in a purple glowing cloak with his ethereal eyes gleaming compassionately to envelope ones soul with peace. So I ended up repainting the Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue’s heart and his wounds in red and the cross, chain and shield in gold and the collar of his cloak in gold.
I do believe that the Romeo Eclipse is an important message for us all, that we are to be living heaven on earth now, and that the lion shall finally lie down with the lamb.
“Let there be a world to see, Let it be of Inspiration, Let there be a world to be, Let it be of God’s Creation.”
John V. Marchell (My Dad)
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the broken-hearted…Beauty for ashes; Joy instead of mourning; Praise instead of heaviness.”
“All you birds of the air, Bless the Lord; Praise and exalt Him forever.”
Daniel 4:80
On this Mother’s Day, Grandma Marge will be flying around as a hummingbird in her angelic realm for certain! The above painting of a hummingbird in acrylic I painted on one of her party dresses and used the beaded hemline to create a border around it. She was so thrilled when I brought it for her to see, and am so very thankful for the time I spent with her throughout my life! But especially during the time from when my Mom passed and I moved back to New York from California. Our relationship merged into that of Grandmother/Mother and Granddaughter/Daughter. It is these memories that are cherished in my heart for always!!!
I was with her a few hours before she passed. It was the Feast Day of The Blessed Mother’s Assumption. During that most sacred time, she emphatically asked me to put her “poppuchies” on now (slippers in Slovak), put a hat on her head now and she wanted to sit in her chair as if to wait for the angels to come to carry her home! When she had spoken with Father Tim earlier that week, she said that she just wanted to go home and be with Jesus, her best friend! I recall the gathering of birds that flew by me that evening, their haunting calls were not of common birds. As some of you have read from my previous postings, Grandma gave me a gift of spiritual stigmata on my left hand the following day of her passing and it disappeared when I brought her rose embellished urn vase to her resting place at Calvary Cemetery seven days later.
In memory of her unconditional love and forgiveness, I am posting a short video of her singing at United Methodist Homes accompanied by Ralph with his harmonica. She sings “You Belong to Me, Now and For Always.” Ya Ti Muc Muc Muc Lubiem Starinka!!!
“Thoroughly unprepared we take the step into the afternoon of life, or still we take this step with the false preposition that our truths and our ideals will serve us as hitherto. But we cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning. For what was great in the morning will be little at the evening and in the morning what was true at evening will become a lie.”
“The Structure and Dynamics of the Psyche” C.G. Jung
“It’s is like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a woman my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away childish things. In the same way we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at His reflection on a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see Him in His completeness face to face…There are three things that remain – faith, hope and love – and the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13: 11 -13
In honor of Tofino Photography for providing the extraordinary inspiration from “A Tofino Sunset Series” to create a mixed oil and glaze on canvas piece as a “Loriginal” creation. This is the second of three in the Romeo Series artwork interpretations.
“All things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.”
Matthew 21:22
As an Artist, Pianist and a Creative Life Coach, I am continually opening myself up to a variety of inspirational experiences to expand my horizons. Tofino Photography has brought a whole new perspective to my landscape, seascape and wildlife palette’s perspective! The pristine, untouched captivating beauty of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada is a kaleidoscope of color full of richness, solitude and preserved nature.
This oil painting is an interpretation of “Romeo’s Sunset Rapture”¹ with similar composition, texture and colors, yet allowing for the essence of deeper hues intrinsic to the moment captured in timelessness to be preserved. Through these splashes of vibrancy, frequency and light, our spirits quantumly soar!
“This is the mastery that is inside the DNA…of love, unity and peace…For when the DNA is working at 100%, you have the empowerment of the Creator fully manifested within…The efficiency factor is not chemical, but informational. It’s about multidimensional energy…not chemistry.”²
Nature is our truest guide in learning regarding matters of the heart.
“…Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud…
It does not hold grudges, and will not notice when others do it wrong…it rejoices whenever truth wins out…”
The seasons teach us the various wonders of our own symphony of life.
“…When you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him…”
Bleeding love into its very essence, blooming into a joyous rhapsody.
“…Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now…”
Delicately displayed, the heart is either embraced or crushed, so let us love and forgive one another in order to live in joy and peace.
“…There are three things that remain – Faith, Hope and Love – and the greatest of these is Love.”
“Now it is time for you to forgive *(him/her) and comfort *him. Otherwise *he may become so bitter and discouraged that *he won’t be able to recover. Please show *him now that you still do love *him very much.”
2 Corinthians 2:7
Have you ever wondered why certain lessons keep appearing in your life, especially when you have done all the clearing out, cleansing, releasing, burning and letting go rituals? Might you take a new perspective on this message that keeps appearing from the messenger – these “thorns in your side” are very well the weaknesses which will make you strong. The apostle Paul spoke of this as he pleaded to be removed from these deeply intense challenges placed upon him during his ministry. Yet, through these weaknesses he rejoiced, for it is through being on his knees he opened himself up to receive strength within from the Spirit that gives us life.
Everything surrounding us desires to be loved, nurtured and embraced, especially the briars with which we may be become entangled in our lives. At these times on our journey, it is wise to pause and reflect on how these spindles need to be welcomed into our realm of forgiveness within ourselves. A close friend of mine told me that sometimes all an individual has left to give are snakes (i.e. hurtful things because that person is hurting and that’s all they have left to give). Everyone is doing the best that they can given the circumstances presented to them (i.e., you don’t know the burdens of another unless you walk a mile in their shoes). That is why it is so very important to have compassion towards others and encourage and support one another. It then makes the journey full of Light radiating from within. For to love and to be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.
“Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.”
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a pearl merchant on the lookout for choice pearls. He discovered a pearl of great value, and sold everything he owned to purchase it.”
Matthew 13:45-46
As luck would have it, the irritants in our life seem to bring forth illumination. It all comes down to our intentions, out thoughts, our alignment and our perspective in perceiving the various components within the dynamics of the situation one is experiencing. Just as a diamond is created from a chunk of coal under pressure, the sandy particles within the oyster shell manifest an illustrious pearl beyond measure.
Have you ever wondered why our intuitive sixth sense understands that these changes and new beginnings in our life are unique opportunities for enlightenment; yet the naysayers surrounding any personal new choice in our lives are determined to deter your inner knowing? In all areas of our life, it is vital to listen to inner wisdom and take care of your heart. Linear thinking no longer applies to our highly vibrating, multi-dimensional journey which is why there is no going back to the primitive tool set. Our new being yearns to quantumly soar among the winds of the unknown, to explore new potentials and believing that all things are possible. It takes great discernment to stay focused and grounded as these new particles of chaos need to be welcomed and embraced as our friends; whereby these very crystals of sand are intrinsically allowing for the deep, inner-core work we are pursuing to reveal a radiantly iridescent pearl beyond measure.
