Category: Healing Journey

These days for me are flowing like an “ocean of motion” — a salient metaphor for the quiet, yet all-encompassing setting for Life possible here on Earth. The rhythm of my breathing, the hum of my nervous system, and the wide range of verbal utterances I both hear and give voice to are but a few, close-at-hand reminders of the infinite vibratory spectrum within and surrounding me.

Vibration with a purpose is “Energy”.

I discern and identify specific energies based on my own unique set of senses. Eyes see the energy range of “visible light”; ears hear “audible sound”; the nose and mouth sense odors and savors, while my skin senses heat and the dynamics of change amid my physical motions. Then, scientific instruments and other devices engage energy ranges beyond the discernment of my five senses alone.

Further, the thoughts that I think, the emotions I feel, and the whole of my “consciousness” are  waves of energy. The world of so-called “form” around me is a veritable panoply of vibratory energies that move slowly enough to appear “solid” and inanimate.

Social systems, economies, governments, and countless other forms of human interaction represent the movement of energy among people. Meanwhile, beyond Earth, the moon, the planets, and our Sun, whole galaxies of stars may cue from ancient rhythms and resonances.

All resonances are actuated — actualized, made real — by that Emanation which creates and powers Universes — a Presence of such immense Power that it can and does, as a matter of course, enfold and encompass Mankind on Earth — So deftly and unassumingly well that, to our awareness, It is utterly unknown, invisible — hence “Ineffable” (ie, unspeakable beyond words).

So — In moments when I may wonder as to where does that leave Me, Us, Man-&-Womankind, and other realms of Earth — I can (when I surrender to it) be filled full with the inherent Wonder and Depth of Ease (far beyond “dis-ease”) that consummate Being at Home timelessly imbues.

May Our Peace Be Ongoing, Steadfast, Still, and Complete  …Warmest of Regards to You … — PenDell

When I was a 23-year old “workaholic”, I was all set to graduate from music conservatory and perform my final round of that year’s Metropolitan Opera auditions But then, change happened. 

My vocal coach/mentor sat me down and, out of the blue, announced that he had decided to withdraw his recommendation that was required for my Met auditions. When I demanded and finally pleaded for reasons why, his harsh, long-winded delivery of a reason boiled down to this:

“Look,, PenDell — Whereas I am quite certain that you could and would succeed at those auditions (and I know how it is, because I’ve been there myself) — I realize now that you are not equipped with all the right stuff that you would need to succeed as a professional opera singer.”

After 30 seconds, with me nonplussed and staring at him in disbelief, he said, “You, in no way, have the narcissistic makeup or self-centered heart not to be eaten alive by that world. You are far too soft for the sucker punches that will hit you, fast and hard. It’s for you to let that go now.”       

That purging interaction was a catharsis that showed me the life-changing benefits of letting go. 

Surrendered letting go does not acquiesce, then submit to some perceived enemy or opponent. It is an internal experience that releases external “what, how, when, who, and why” elements.  

In the “Big Picture”, cosmic forces are actually in charge of this world of ours, anyway. So, as we surrender, we can easily let go of the obstacles that we were putting in our own way before, when we attempted to take the control out of Divine hands and give it a try on our own. Now we can release all of it — what we perceive to be good or bad, right or wrong, helpful or limiting.

Surrender means that a believer can completely give up his own self-will, and yield thoughts, ideas, and deeds to the will and the ways of a higher power within. In contrast to submission, true surrender is one’s willing acceptance and openness to the dominant powers of awareness and action in one’s own Self.

What does it mean to “surrender to yourself”? Surrendering to one’s true Self means living the Truth. That includes being positive, courageous, perhaps outrageous — so as to be free, to take risks, and stop putting off becoming who we were meant to be all along.

 An excerpt from the book. “Letting Go”, by David R. Hawkins, bespeaks this “note to Self”: 

“The most obvious and visible effect of letting go of negative feelings is the resumption of emotional and psychological growth and the solving of problems, which have been long standing.”

“There is pleasure and satisfaction as we begin to experience the powerful effects of eliminating the blocks to achievement and satisfaction in life. We soon discover that limiting thoughts and negative beliefs, which we had naively held to be true, were all merely the result of accumulated negative feelings.

“When the feeling is let go, then the thought pattern changes from “I can’t” to ‘I can”, and to “I’m happy to do it.” Entire areas of life can open up. What used to be awkward or unexpressed can become effortless and joyously alive.”

The Life-changing benefits of letting go can (and will, with practice) surmount any difficulties or obstacles, while relieving and relaxing human consciousness in increasing surrender to the creative cycles always at hand. How Utterly Wonderful Life Is …! 

I am unable to tell you the details of the entire story that I might share. However, my wife, Melanie, tells me that when we arrived at home after four months of being in hospitals and rehab, that I was like a new baby in a full-grown body. Apparently, I was full of wonder in the discovery of who I am in the world and in my precious family.

As I have come to understand some of what happened, I have learned that I was faced with a little-known autoimmune disease that beset my brain and central nervous system. Evidently, “only ONE person in 10 Million” experiences this particular malady. That ONE person is ME.

On August 19, 2016, I was “not myself” — growing increasingly incoherent with garbled speech, until Melanie raced me to the hospital where I was taken directly to the Emergency Room. 

However, notwithstanding my substantial memory losses, I do vividly recollect an hour-long, in-depth conversation that I shared. It took place some time later, when I was recuperating for several weeks at a local rehab hospital.

I and a fellow patient (I’ll name him “Sam” for now!) found ourselves talking about why each of us was here and about why I myself was abiding for weeks in a rehabilitation hospital.

Upon hearing that “1-in-10-Million” statistic, Sam asked if I had ever wondered ‘Why Me?’.  “Humm, Why Me?” I answered, “No, that notion has never occurred to me”.

Sam then remarked, “PenDell, I see your beautiful, loving wife staying with you here in the Rehab Hospital, day in and day out; and your grown children calling regularly. You have many friends who come and visit you here, as well as people sending you cards, donating in your honor.

After a moment’s poignant silence, Sam lamented, “I wish I had that much love around me. Fact is, I just don’t know — nor do You, my friend — what day will be the last … for anybody …”

For a fleeting moment, I thought,”My brain might be in scary, uncharted territory, health-wise”. Then, upon releasing that conundrum and taking a long, deep breath, I became quietly aware in the moment (as if being imbued with a higher knowing) of a new mission & purpose for me now.

“Sam, my friend,” I replied, “What I do know is that I am here and I have a story to tell! I will do all that I can for others to uplift, to inspire, and to make as much of the life that is mine to live now. So, Indeed — Why NOT Me?”

What any one of us can do, in fact, is to stay steady when facing life-changing circumstances. And, while doing so, we discover an ocean of blessings flowing in.

I was, and continue to be, so deeply grateful for each and every one; my faith in Mankind (and Womankind) continues to grow greatly — Again & again, with each glorious day granted.

The following narrative is part of my ongoing personal journal, “Healing Journey.” (That particular journaling project is still “in development”, for my wife Melanie and I have been so busy living our “healing journey” that we are still in the process of journaling it! Here is this:

“Beset with a “rare autoimmune disease” (in August of 2016), I faced a so-called a NDE (“near-death experience” — which I prefer to call an “NAE”, Near-Ascension Experience). 

By way of a vivid meditative dream, I awoke to a powerful, inner “command”: “Release fear;  Embrace perfect, complete Surrender, and Reveal Yourself.” As an utterly sublime sense of surrender brought me into a deep peace, I heard a question asked from ‘Above’:

“Do you wish to continue your journey on earth in your present Soul’s capacities?”

I replied to that fourteen-word query with eight words of my own — words echoed from a deep “somewhere” inside me: “My purpose on Earth is not yet complete.”

Then instantly, the “dream scene” changed. And, in a few quick seconds, I awoke in my hospital bed, peering up at my beautiful Melanie. Our eyes met in an intense re-welcoming. Melanie’s eyes blazed with an earnest intent to help me (as only she could) to do what I chose to do. 

“Home” again, home Again! — with a New Day dawning and a fresh purpose calling …

Good Day Morning People & All Others!

If this is your first visit to my blog, then special kudos to you! It’s My First Visit, too! Let’s Welcome Each Other! Here we go on Entry #001!

Are You an ‘Early Riser’? Whether you think of yourself in those terms or not, the insights that follow herein may well be of interest to you & yours.

Studies show that “morning people” are typically one of two varieties of us:

Those who are natural “Top o’ the Morning, Up-&-At’em Sunrisers”, and then many others who — by choice or out of necessity — have adopted various forms of disciplined mind over matter in order to get a jump on their daily doings.   

Yet, for each and everyone, living comes down to one’s willingness and ability  to first lead oneself, with whatever ways and means one finds at hand.

Personal development experts and success coaches worldwide agree on simple, yet central rationales and practices for success in living. A vital one is “Time Management”.

One expert, Ray Higdon — a veteran time manager — is also a millionaire, bestselling author, and founder of his own company that helps entrepreneurs achieve financial freedom and fulfillment. 

Mr. Higdon credits his success, in large part, to his daily morning routine, “The Miracle Morning”, based on another bestseller by Hal Elrod & Pat Petrini.

Ray Higdon states, “I see ‘The Miracle Morning’ as sacred (just ask my wife!)

“I don’t start any day without doing key practices that set the tone for my day, and therefore, my life. And I control my day by taking control of my morning.” 

By the time night comes around, your energy and attitude will have been affected by the day’s events. By taking control of your day, first thing in the morning, you then control your energy and attitude, and hence, your results.    

One quite effective approach to the morning is known as LIFESavers”. That name includes an acronym, “SAVERS”: 

S-A-V-E-R-S — Standing for SILENCE — AFFIRMATIONS — VISUALIZATION —EXERCISE — READING and — SCRIBING (writing, in other words.)

The first letter “S” stands for SILENCE — 

Silence sets you up perfectly — amidst any and all external distractions — To Stop, Be Still, and Breathe … Breathe … Breathe …

Silence instantly reduces your stress levels, and lets you begin your day with the calm clarity you need to focus on what’s most important.  

The Letter “A” is for AFFIRMATIONS —

Affirmations set you up to take hold of your life as you repeatedly tell yourself who you want to be, what you want to do, as well as what desires you have.

When done correctly, Affirmations are a most effective way for you to quickly achieve anything that you desire in life.

The Letter “V” stands for VISUALIZATION —

The greatest gift that you can give to another is to live up to your own full potential. Well, what would that potential look like for you? 

With Visualization, you engage all of your senses, to see, feel, hear, taste and touch into what you need and want to make reality. 

The Letter “E” denotes EXERCISE —

Consistent morning exercise specifically increases your physical, mental, and emotional energies for the rest of your day. For example, my own Miracle Morning exercise regimen has catapulted me to new realms of fitness:

My 20 daily push-ups have increased to 420 (done in sets throughout the day). Power-walking 1.5 to 3 miles hones my energy levels, wakefulness, and endurance. And “brain games” stimulate my mental acuity and cognizance. 

The Letter “R” is for READING —

Read regularly from solid sources. Great mentors will tell you this:

“The greatest minds throughout history have spent years (sometimes decades) condensing the best of what they know into a few pages that can be read and understood in a few hours.”

The Letter “S” stands for SCRIBING — (That’s another word for Writing)

By getting thoughts out of your head and written down on actual paper, you may indeed behold insights that you would otherwise have never seen.

That’s a quick run-down of what SAVERS is all about  …

Finally, here are a couple of final thoughts from me in passing:

I have found, along the way, that getting past what may sound like New Age labels opened doors for the MOST down-to-earth (now remarkably successful) people whom I ever had the pleasure and privilege of knowing. They did not let habits of concept distract them. Such is still a pivotal Note to Self  for me.

I deeply value and respect this ‘second opportunity’ to sustain my sojourn on Earth, and to express in ways such as this online medium at our service now. (More about the ‘second opportunity’ in an upcoming post.)

In that vein, I relish how my own Miracle Morning experiences keep on adding fundamental fuel to every one of my precious days granted! 

May This Day Be One Memorable Sojourn in the “Journaling” of YOUR Life!

— PenDell