“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.”
“Once I used to think that shadows were to hide; But now I am very clear that that is where faith, hope and love abide.”
L.D. Marchell
“It is family which has no boundaries in unconditional love, surpassed by blood lines, defined by the attunement of the heart, we seldom glimpse the vast array of soul family members until we become awake within the consciousness of the heart which speaks truth in all its purity. Therefore, become aware of your soul family as they are calling you home.”
Connie Andrea Marchell
“The conscious pause of the moment; The silent pause of the mind. The alignment of connection; Of the soul to the Divine.”
Lisa Ann Carucci Lash
“Mindfulness = apparent by the breath of life, the peacefulness of nature, the energy from Gaia, the embodiment of the greatest gift of all – life to share, give, receive, embrace – memories of a lifetime.”
L.D. Marchell
“The hawk’s confirming wings,
In circles up above,
Fly closer to us in,
A message of pure love.”
Lisa Ann Carucci Lash
“Those that mind don’t matter; And those that matter don’t mind.”
Dr. Seuss (Ted Geisel)
“It has become apparent to me that the more I learn about others, the better I feel about myself; It is by selfless love that we die to self where then Christ can shine brightly through our lives. Crucifixion of the heart, then, is where the Sacred Heart of Jesus Shines.”
Connie Andrea Marchell
Look Up!
“Gold and White; Rays of sun; Infinite Love.”
Lisa Ann Carucci Lash
“Tire swings; Peaceful things. Nature brings; All of me.”
“We step into nature, Our hearts open wide, We see all before us, Of all that’s inside.
Above and below us, Reflected around, In treetops and water, God’s love is abound.”
Lisa Ann Carucci Lash
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for Good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10
“When perfect balance is achieved, all pathways are full of joyous adventure that make one’s heart sing!”
Connie Andrea Marchell
“If by chance you caught a glimpse; Of dancing lights and fragrant sights; Might you glance upon the trees; Speaking ever softly in the autumn breeze.”
L.D. Marchell
“Art is the accomplice of Love.”
Remy de Gourmont
“For when awakening rushes through your very being, all else ceases to exist; For you become melded with All That Is.”
L.D. Marchell
” Tread gingerly upon Gaia’s sacred ground; Ever mindful of her greatest gifts she so richly displays; Her magnitude graciously abounds.”
Connie Andrea Marchell
“Sing of colors bright and exhilarating sites; Of expansive moments saturated with a heavenly lights.”
L.D. Marchell
“For it is the parent which nurtures the child; Such is the womb of Gaia showering Her Everlasting Love. Be ever in a state of gratitude for Her great gift to us; For through Her, God Speaks ever softly to our hearts.”
L.D. Marchell
“May your heart be always full of joy; Embracing the precious gift of Life!”
L.D. Marchell
“For in the woods I wander for solace, insight and understanding; As the dwellings of wildlife convey, our true home is where our heart is.”
L.D. Marchell
“As if to say a splendid day, which warms the heart and enliven’s the soul; Such are hours spent in Nature’s glorious enchanting thorough!”
L.D. Marchell
“Care no more for the opinion of others, for their voices. Do the hardest thing for you. Act for yourself and face your Truth.”
Katherine Mansfiled
“Yesterday’s memories of a lifetime bring forth glowing present moments to cherish; Life is a gift-embrace it with all of your heart!”
L.D. Marchell
As some of you know, I survived a car accident, which gifted me the opportunity to a glimpse of crossing over (NDE) while I was in a coma. It’s the chances that you don’t take which make one complacent, as home is blissful, surreal, saturation of rapturous, joyous, unconditional Love. Promise yourself to stretch your comfort zone every day, this could be your only today, so make it the most meaningful experience of your life!
This story will resonate with many of my readers as it concerns a young woman living a somewhat ‘normal’ life, married, working, concerned about finding herself and a better path to her future. Her name is Lori D. Marchell Carlson and she lives in Sanborn, New York. Lori was born Feb. 17, 1962. From our […]
“My Father’s Greatest Gift: Life Lessons From A Black English Labrador Retriever”
Chert Dog’s Tent!
Upcoming WBNG TV Interview with Kara Conrad on Friday, August 11 at 12:15 pm
Book signing at Arrowhead Parable Christian Store on Saturday, August 12 at 11 am – 2 pm
Willow’s Wings
A non profit animal sanctuary and rescue, devoted to caring for all animals large and small, many of which have been left abandoned, neglected and abused. Our saying here is, “They may be old, sick or disabled, but their lives matter too.”
“Hope in God! For I shall again be thanking Him; in the presence of My Savior and my God!”
Psalm 43:5
“And He will…make you shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his Hand.”
Michael Joncas
“Who gave Himself for our sins, to rescue us from the present evil age, as our God and Father willed – to Him be Glory for Endless Ages!”
Galatians 1:4
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
“Doghead is easy to learn, you just have to speak from the heart.”
L.D. Marchell
As some of you may know, through the tragic loss of my Mom, Chert Dog saved not only my Father’s heart, but my brother, John’s and mine too! There is something about unconditional love from an animal, so altruistic, pure, peaceful and kind. Angels brought to us in various forms, to be embraced and cherished or relinquished forever as we are all given that chance to choose the highest and best for all concerned.
It is during these most tremulous times that we are being given the opportunity to make new consciously aware and awakened choices with our most precious gift of life. Allow for your new preferences to include:
“…Whatever is true, whatever is kind, whatever is lovely, and if there be anything worthy of praise, think then on these things.”
