So if you recall, I have five digits on all four paws, with actual thumbs on my front paws which makes for excellent piano playing abilities! We have composed my original song utilizing a triad chord which I can play easily along with Lori playing the melody. I have yet to crawl inside the piano and choose best to either sit on the bench or underneath as going inside doesn’t interest me at all!
I have been so very blessed with the piano students who arrive for lessons as they first want to visit with me, as I seem to be part of the attraction for the children! Because they are so free-spirited, they understand my contemplative nature and wish to share their love with me! The children teach me so much about creativity and living in the moment as well as their inspiring imagination. With my Zen practices and studying of the Chakra Energy Centers, I see the importance of music in opening-up each colorful Chakra through the note vibration with which each resonates.. There are many deeper levels to what things appear to be on the surface. It fascinates me to continually be learning new pieces to this puzzle of life, for when you begin to connect each unique item, things begin to fit into place (no pun intended)! Yet, there seems to always be an element of surprise in that knowing what the next step is which can conjure up old thought and belief systems which no longer serve you, the Universe or the highest and best for all concerned. That is where that quantum leap of faith comes into play again. By praying for discernment in all things and allowing the highest vibration of love to be your intention, you know that you are being supported in stretching, reaching and growing.
“Some people think that as soon as you plant a tree, it must bear fruit. We must allow it to grow a bit.” Prince Tunku Putra Adbul Rahman
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…
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!
“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.”
“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!
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing.”
Isaiah 9:1-2
The past few days have been remarkable in the phenomenon of nature, be it in the gathering of hundreds of bees, the singing of birds in the trees, the brilliant colors exhibited in the sky, one must simply wonder and ask the Universe “why?” The humor in this rhyme is my featured Jaco Kitty, who has a habit of talking extremely loud and oftentimes sounds like he is asking the question, “why?” He also squeaks with a cadence sounding similar to the goldfinch chirp! As he welcomes in the morning light, his wonderment of the day to unfold is greeted with joyous anticipation, as if to say “why not?!” The lessons that he teaches me about patience and the perfection in timing cannot be overly stated. I do believe as I have referenced in my first book, “My Father’s Greatest Gift: Life Lessons From A Black English Labrador Retriever” that Chert Dog sent me Jaco Kitty to teach me the necessary next lessons in my life in order to learn how to take quantum leaps of faith to soar and fly. Jaco is one of my greatest teachers as his present moment involvement in all that surrounds him shows me to take in everything as it is a gift. When Jaco took a leap of faith from an oak tree to the lower branch the year I found him, he taught me about trust, joy and patience that day. I hope that we can be open to these small, daily reminders every day about how very short our time is here. Let us be reminded continually to take in what is most valuable in our lives and embrace it!
“Now remain these three things: Faith, Hope and Love; and the greatest of these is Love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
“Adapt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”
Henry David Thoreau
“The setting sun, and music at the close, as the last taste of sweets, is sweetest last, writ in remembrance more than things long past.”
