Cynthia A. Morgan's Blog, page 88

Dare to Love – #Meditations for #ChallengingTimes- #COVID-19

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When all the world is closing in and fear and doubt hang like rhapsody in enigmatic terror, life becomes a whirlwind that can easily lead you, twisting and turning, down the wrong alleyways; stumbling into darkness even before realizing. Labyrinth of confusion; darkness leading into darkness, grasping and pulling at your legs, tripping you, entwining you, making you stumble, making you fall. Uncertainty follows close on confusion’s heels, making each step more baffling than the last, as you try to see in the dimness, seeking a way out, but paradoxical conundrum leads down unfamiliar avenues and before you realize your mistake, you find yourself entirely lost.

Alone in the murk of restive passages and upon unhallowed ground, you creep in bitter incongruity; as the enemy closes in on all sides, taunting. Two choices face you blatantly: Hide yourself in the unsavory undergrowth or call out for Love. Villains clamor on both sides, seeking exploitation of rash imprudence, derision sharp and caustic, yet tempting intrepidity calls from the shadowy wilderness, luring your brazen boldness until you follow.

Lavish wonders, full of blasphemy; delicious alchemy, wrought with irreverence, toying with your immortal spirit, tattering robes of golden silk spun for you alone as deception breathes contagion. Willing transgression, mortal suffering breeds contempt and blame worse than any torture, more bitter than arsenic. Worthless, reckless, piteous fool; unfit, ungrateful, and filled with greed!

O listen not to your own accusing! Filled with deceit your condemnation is, standing against Love’s every desire to Draw you close, to Lift you up out of the pit of despair into which you’ve fallen.  Your fear and guilt blocks every Blessing Love longs to Bestow.

Turn not aside from Love in sorrow or in guilt. Look not into the darkness seeking sanctuary when Love stands waiting to Hold you and to Restore you. This may seem like blighted perplexity seeking to tarnish thought and cloud sight; yet in your sorrow, lift your head and see Love waiting ever near.  No change is required; no costly alteration is needed, for Love has already Given All that is necessary.

Allow your heart to Love and your soul to sigh with peace.   Walk beside Love, giving of yourself through honesty and integrity and you shall find Blessings and Bounty reserved for you alone.

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~Morgan~

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Dark Alley Photograph found at: http://www.jenningsbigay.com

Streaming Light Photograph found at: http://www.raysmarketplace.com

Music’s Mystery – #Music Inspired #Musings

I’ve heard it said that only human beings have been given the gift of music; that only people create songs, sing and serenade their souls with this most magical and uplifting form of communication and communion. Yet, should we not consider the song of the lark? The haunting ballads of the whales? The mournful call of the wolf? The robin’s lyrical laugh at dawn and dusk? The crickets that serenade the nighttide? The burbles of monkeys swaying in the trees? The laughing of the hyena?

Who is to say that in their melodic tunes, caterwauls, howls, wails, and other worldly vocalizations there is not some measure of music. Why should we be the only ones to sing praise, to croon our love, and to bewail our distress? How can we know, in truth, in honesty, that the deliberate scree of the hawk, the piercing bugle of the elk, the chattering of raccoon and ferret, and the murmurings of infrasonic elephant calls is not music to their ears?

Music is a form of communication that lifts the soul, expresses emotion, and brings one being into contact with another being. If this is, indeed, the definition of music (of which it is a form) then can that being not be one other than human? Does not one wolf join another when it sings? Does not the whale song change season to season and year to year, picked up by another whale to be carried on? Does not one roaring lion inspire the entire pride by its lusty cry?

Consider what the morning would sound like without the sweet music of the birds. Contemplate what the summer night might be when not a single chirrup, trill, drone or buzz lilted through the air. Ponder how deep and lonely the oceans would be without the drifting, breathtaking songs of the whales. Can you even imagine a mountain landscape without hearing the echoing howl of a wolf or the bubbling laugh of the loon?

If these sounds, that can captivate us and uplift our thoughts, our hearts and even our souls, are not music and do not do the same for all those who hear them, regardless of race, than perhaps, we must follow that course of logic and say that cave paintings are not art, tap is not dance, improvisation is not acting and free verse is not poetry.

Or perhaps, Music Teaches the Soul what the Heart Feels and Guides the Heart with what only the Soul can Truly Know.

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~Morgan~

Symphony – The #Magic and #Mystery of #Music

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For Katelyn and Laura….

Rush to my Heart So I May Listen

As the Moment Sweetly Unfolds;

Play Upon my Dearest Notions,

In Swells and Sighs, Like Fens and Wolds.

Stir my Senses, Lyric Melody,

Glory to my Attentive ear;

Symphonic Mastery, Ply Thy Magic,

To my eye Bring Joyous Tears.

Uplifting Serenade of Beauty,

Like a Dove O’re All is Flying;

Splendor Rides Upon Thy Wing,

While I Stand, Entranced and Sighing.

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For the Soul is Music itself.

These Beautifully stirring and thought-provoking words were written by an inspiring fellow blogger (Ihsan at http://www.iithinks.wordpress.com). When I read them I was instantly swept away by their immensity and connotation.

How I Cherish this thought, that the Soul within each one of us is Music. How exceedingly lovely to think of the Soul as Melody, Harmony, Rhythm, Breath, Song, and Sweetly Symphonic Sound.

Imagine, if you will, Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, Handel, or the like, coming directly to you with the express Purpose of sharing their masterpieces with you and you alone, asking only that you should enjoy the sounds, the sensations, the beauty of that playing so they might find Joy in that sweet Harmonious Union. Imagine sitting in the same room, listening in rapt silence, opening yourself to the Artful Majesty and Inexpressible Mystery of their most stunning orchestrations, allowing yourself to be swept away by the emotion and passion that Transcends Time with each and every note.

Yes, I’ve done that once or twice, and I’m sure you have done as well, if not one of those perhaps Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, (Depeche Mode?) Yes even modern music has the ability to capture us, transport us, to instill in us whatever emotion it intends. Music is one of the most powerful mysteries Mankind has ever known.

To digress for the briefest moment, one of my favourite movies, Immortal Beloved, expresses this mystery so poignantly. It is the story of Beethoven, his life, his loves, his music. In it, he briefly discusses the power of music with a fellow musician.

Ludwig van Beethoven: [in reference to “Violin Sonata in A Major, Op. 47” – “Kreutzer”… ] “Do you like it?

Anton Felix Schindler: Shh!

Ludwig van Beethoven: I cannot hear them, but I know they are making a hash of it. What do you think? Music is… a dreadful thing. What is it? I don’t understand it. What does it mean?

Anton Felix Schindler: It – it exalts the soul.

Ludwig van Beethoven: Utter nonsense. If you hear a marching band, is your soul exalted? No, you march. If you hear a waltz, you dance. If you hear a mass, you take communion. It is the power of music to carry one directly into the mental state of the composer. The listener has no choice. It is like hypnotism.”

This power to connect directly to the Spirit must come from the Spirit itself, from the One who created the Spirit.  Can there be any other conclusion? All creatures, whether human or animal, understands the intricacies of music and we all surround ourselves with elaborate, stirring, glorious (or not) sounds.  It must be because the Spirit itself yearns for that Sweet Communion. Communication between Divine Spirit and Created Spirit, crossing the barriers of Space, of Time, of Existence and Eternity; Touching and Understanding, if only for the briefest of moments through Melodious, Magical Symphony.

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Discover the Music of our fellow Creatures

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~Morgan~

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Beautiful Photography found at: http://www.m.flikie.com

#DarkFey The Reviled #FREE for Limited Time! Grab your copy of the #AwardWinning #YA #Fantasy

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#DarkFey The Reviled is #FREE for a very Limited Time!

Grab your copy of the #AwardWinning #YA #Fantasy NOW!

http://mybook.to/reviledcm

“For fantasy and fey fans, The Reviled has absolutely everything you could want in an epic fantasy adventure.” – 5 stars! Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

“Lovers of Fantasy books will adore this novel and those who have ever thought about dipping a toe into this world should start with this book. In fact, EVERYONE should read this book!” – 5 stars! Reviewed By Author Michele Northwood

Guide Teach Share – #meditations during #COVID-19

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Because we need this now more than ever…

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~Morgan ~

Where is Love? – #Meditations During #COVID-19

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Why all this darkness?

Why all this fear?

Why all the hateful rumours and unjustified Lies?

Why all the torment, ugliness, cruelty and loathing?

Why am I alone?

Why am I neglected?

Why am I lost in this sea of doubt and anxiety?

Why am I overwhelmed by sadness and despair?

Where is Love in All of this?

Where is Love in All this horror?

Where is Peace during war, strife, anger, resentment?

Where is Compassion in All the exploitation, disregard, and profiteering?

Love is inside Me,

Waiting to be shared.

Love is Within My own Heart,

Yearning to be freed.

Peace Rests upon My Shoulders,

Reaching outward

Compassion Lies in the Palm of My Hand,

Pleading to be given away.

~Morgan~

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Beautiful Artwork found at: rassouli.com

I Am #Thankful- #Meditations during #COVID-19

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We take so much for granted.  So many things that can easily disappear.  During these challenging days, I’m trying to remember to be Thankful for the seemingly little things…

For Family and Friends who Support and Love;

For Beloved Pets I’m always thinking of;

For Running water, Fresh and Clean;

For A Soft Pillow and Bed where I may Dream;

For Tranquil Sleep filled with Peace, not Fear;

For Knowing LOVE is Always Near;

For Work to do, though I may complain;

For Life that is (relatively) free from Pain;

For Abiding LOVE, though I Wander To and Fro;

For Challenges so I May Grow;

For the Hungry So I may Give,

Sharing My Blessings so Others May Live;

For Weariness So I may Rest,

For LOVE’s Presence, Where we are Blessed.

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Though these days may seem dark, remember that each one of us can be a Light and the Light of a single candle pushes back the darkness.

~Morgan~

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Beautiful Quote and Photograph found at : http://www.favim.com

Awaken – #Thoughts for #Challenging Days

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Whether you are housebound or believe all of the concern over COVID-19 is a bunch of hooey, one thing seems undeniable:​ Our world-wide society is changing and will never be the same.​ ​

The measures being taken are staggering.​ Entire communities are closing down.​ Fear and recrimination are building walls.​ ​ People are hording and hiding like some sort of apocalypse is happening.​ ​

Perhaps it is.​ Is Pestilence riding?

I’ve heard it asked “How can God let these horrible things happen?”​ “If there really is a God, how can he be loving when all this suffering is going on?”​ ​

It’s in our human nature to want to lay blame.​ Someone or something has to be responsible for the things that happen.​ Everything can’t possibly be random.​ Can it?​ I don’t honestly know.​ No one honestly knows, not really, not with 100% absolute certainty.​ There is as much a chance that the universe is organized chaos as there is the possibility that it is under some form of intelligent control.​ ​

It doesn’t exactly matter.​ Whether the Universe lives and breaths arbitrarily or with Purpose, we can utilize what happens for either Good or Bad.​ Positively or negatively. We can turn trials and challenges into opportunities for change or we can allow them to make us pessimistic and angry.​ We can choose to extend kindness or we can turn our backs and grumble.​ ​

Why do plagues kill thousands?​ Why do dictators rise up and subjugate the weak?​ Why do children starve?​ Why are the innocent exploited and brutalized?​ Is it because God is unloving and cruel?

Or is it an opportunity for us?​ A chance to choose love instead of fear?​ A possibility for us to grow and learn to be kinder, more generous, less self-serving?​ ​

Is the Universe shaking us to try to waken us ….
…..from our apathy?​ ​
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~Morgan ~

#FriendsFriday- #author #blogger #photographer #poet #networking – Websites

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It’s Friday, Friends!  That means it’s the day we share and follow, explore and make new connections.  Please take a moment to share the link to your website, blog, or Amazon author pag .  Maybe you run a book review group, an author Facebook group ( I do!) or Twitter retweet group.

Today is the day we can share these opportunities with each other. Reach out,  give back.  Network.  Grow.

So to get the ball rolling,  here’s my Facebook Authors group info:   Awesome Books by Awesome Authors

https://www.facebook.com/AwesomeBooksandAuthors/

Fellow #Authors, #Writers, #Poets, I’ve created a page for YOU!!  This is a place where we can share our books! IF you would like to share your books on this page, there are a few RULES:

No Erotica, please

No books that are Violent, Dark Horror, or promote Hatred.

No Spamming. One Post per day

IF you Post, you must also SHARE at lease one other post on this page to your page. Support each other and Share the Love!

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Best Wishes!

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~Morgan ~

Creature of the Rustling Sea- #Romantic #Fantasy #poetry

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Trade my Heart for any Notion,

Rocking Amidst the Breathing Ocean.

Dreaming in the Midnight Hour,

Gentle Rain, Falling Shower.

Love and Passion upon the Breeze,

Life is too short, Not enough Ease.

Silence Drifting like the Soaring Gull,

Hear the waves against the Hull.

Starlight Glistens, a Guiding Light,

Truth and Serenity; Pallor of Night.

Upon this Shifting, Churning Tide,

A Breathless, Tantalizing, Lonely Ride.

Creature of the Rustling Sea,

Come and Share the Day with Me.

Walk with me Upon the Shore,

Hold my Hand and nothing More.

Until the Deep Beckons you Home,

I stand Alone ‘midst the Breakers Foam.

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~Morgan~

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Beautiful original Merman artwork found at: http://www.cgtnt.com