Heartbreak Hotel: Scattering Stars Like Dust

Heartbreak Hotel: Scattering Stars like Dust.
“Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.” ~ Rumi

It was with great shock that I received the news of the tragic deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett on Thursday, June 25, 2009. While their deaths are heartbreaking, the lessons for the living remain; live life fully, embrace yourself/loved ones, share your gifts and remember your blessings with a spirit of gratitude…

♥Heartbreak Hotel with Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley in a video collage♥

A youthful Michael Jackson years before all the complications

MJ in a moment of mirthfulness ... just a moment

I grew up with Michael Jackson’s music from the early days when he was a member of the Jackson 5. I remember watching him prance around on stage; focused, supremely talented and mirthful. How could someone so young have such charismatic star power? He had a unique voice, dance moves and a strong musical message. Who could ever forget A.B.C…?

The Jackson Five: From left clockwise, Tito, Jermaine, Jackie, Michael and Marlon.

Michael Jackson and Diana Ross back in the day during the Motown years...

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.” Rumi

My memories of the early days of the Jackson Five are tied to their performances and music; they were consummate entertainers, their music had catchy, bubblegum, teenybopper tunes that kept everyone dancing. As time went by, “The Jacksons’” matured, their music evolved and when Michael finally ventured off on his own, it was explosive… Heartbreak Hotel was always my top favorite even though I loved many songs in his recordings. Michael had an impressive musical body of work; it was personal, passionate, political, and always inspired.

♥You Rock My World ~ Michael Jackson w/ Usher and Chris Tucker♥

♥You Rock My World ~ Michael Jackson with Chris Tucker♥

The Jackson Five w/ their drummer Milford: Dressed in Blue...

“Still, the Final Grace was left: For all of existence and Hafiz to blend and to find that I am every pillow offering comfort to each mind and Foot.” ~ Hafiz

I remember the first time I saw Charlie’s Angels on TV with Farrah and her partners dashing around, solving cases and capturing criminals. It was a step in a different direction for women as characters with authority and while they had their share of detractors, the overall message was a positive one. Farrah moved on after the first season to a career that included high moments; especially in her roles in “Extremities” and “The Burning Bed.”

Screen shot of Charlie's Angel; Farrah, Kate and Jaclyn were the original three.

A classic iconic photo of Farrah Fawcett

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” ~ Kahlil Gibran

This is a shocking and massive dual loss for fans of both celebrities. These were people who seemingly had everything yet had their share of pain and suffering; Farrah handled her battle with cancer with grace and a clarity that included documenting part of the complicated journey to seek/receive treatment. Michael handled his life long childhood scars by sublimating the pain through touring around the world, passionately sharing his musical genius, turning to his spiritual faith and giving much to charity. Michael’s “Thriller” captures that genius and intertwines the dark with light…

♥Thriller ~ Michael Jackson♥

Michael Jackson on tour in Japan

Michael Jackson holding a little cat

“We come spinning out of nothingness, scattering stars like dust” ~ Rumi

When the lives of deceased loved ones are celebrated, we often hear the reminder that we come into the world naked and alone and leave the same way. I believe we come into the world with angels who escort us back to God; so we are never truly alone on the physical or spiritual plane.

♥You are Not Alone ~ Michael Jackson♥

Michael with Prince I and Paris ... family love

Michael Jackson had many fans and friends ~ Here w/ Whitney Houston.

Rest In Peace Michael and Farrah; we are all stars scattered across the earth to bring joy and gifts for a set time. Some bring more and others less yet all gifts have merit and touch lives: I send peace, sympathy and love to the families and loved ones of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Our Life is a journey rift with mysteries, challenges and blessings. Our love carries us forward and then scatters to touch other souls; that’s the way love is/goes…

Michael and Janet Jackson; famous, super-talented siblings

♥That’s the Way Love Goes. ~ Janet Jackson♥

The Jackson Five: Brothers making music

Michael Jackson: Weep No More, You are Free... and loved♥

Have you hugged a dear one and shared words of wisdom and love? Remember to live Your life fully, embrace Your loved ones, share Your gifts and be grateful… Share Your thoughts?

Photo Credits:
Photo of Michael with cat and at Home with Prince I and Paris from J.Randy T and TMZ
Multiple photos of Michael, family, friends from C.Johnson
Photo of Farrah Fawcett from Wikipedia
“Charlie’s Angels” Shot ~This image is a screen shot of a copyrighted television program or station ID.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

Amidst the Deluge: Abundant Love for Father’s Day

Amidst the deluge: Abundant love on Father’s Day

“Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices calling him father!” ~Lydia M. Child

It has been raining on and off for the last two weeks in New York; even today as I write, the rains have not stopped. It is the hundredth anniversary of Father’s Day and I would like to wish every dad a blessed day.

It is through the lens of the relentless rains that I see Father’s Day because the 100th anniversary celebrates the determination, sweat, tears and cleansing rains of memories, sad and sweet, that fathers bring to their myriad family trees… Memories of many feelings shared.

Father and Babies by Ann Geddes

“He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” ~Clarence Budington Kelland

Rain is a powerful element of nature and in traditional societies, they foretell fortunes that will come from a well-planted harvest. Rain cleanses the earth of dust, dirt and other muckety-muck so new things can flourish; can thrive. Rain feeds the forests, rivers, oceans, lakes so life can continue there and we benefit by seeing our water tables rise here.

“It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons.” ~Johann Schiller

It is said that when a great soul passes away, the rain gods shed a tear by pouring down rain on those left to carry on the day. It is this and the memory of childhood days playing outside in the rain or sitting under the obi -meeting space- listening to the pitter patter sounds of the rain as uncles, fathers, and grandpas told ancient tales that resonates.

President Obama’s Message on Father’s Day (3 min)

♥I send Happy Father’s Day wishes to all who have shared sacred space and stories with their kin.
♥I pay homage to Ochiagha, my beloved late father whose blessings, love and generous spirit continue to flow even in his absence.
♥I send warm heartfelt thanks to Rich, loving dad to A and A; an all-around good and loving soul.
♥I send loving shout-outs to Dike, Ikem, Richard I and Princewill, my brothers and loving fathers too.
♥I send kudos to Uncle Tony, Chuks, Barack Obama and all the strong, striving dads out there in the world.

“Dad, your guiding hand on my shoulder will remain with me forever.” ~Anon

While we honor the many today, the role of father is an everyday affair; some exceed the norm, others do the best they can… It is imperative to keep at it; our children don’t stay young forever and their memories are quite long.
What have you done to show fatherly love today?

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

Creative Intuition: The Power of Listening and Praying.

Creative Intuition: The Power of Listening and Praying.

“The great book, always open and which we should make an effort to read, is that of Nature; the other books are taken from it, and in them there are the mistakes and misinterpretations of men.” Antoni Gaudi

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain by Montrealais ~ spectacular and unfinished

Intuition: The ability to acquire direct knowledge/conviction without inference or the use of reason. Origins from the Latin intueri ~ to contemplate
Creative: To display imaginative originality and reject/shirk the conventional
Prayer: Praarthanaa (in Sanskrit) derived from ‘pra’ and ‘artha’ meaning pleading fervently. A reverent, faith based plea for divine intervention; for God’s grace.

Casa Batllo by T. Grasso

I was taking a contemplative walk with a friend this morning at a local park that has a beautiful lake set right in the middle of it. Typically on sunnier days, at a set time, a fountain in the lake spouts water sky high and creates a kaleidoscope of color capturing the gift of a rainbow reflecting off the lake.
Not today. It was a foggy morning with drizzling rain showers that started and stopped as if in response to a distant drum beat.

“Only when we find the quietness in our own minds can we begin to hear our inner teacher, so that we may receive some intuition. Only when we are ready to recognize and value the wisdom that we carry at the core of our being will we turn our attention inwards and ‘listen in’.” Innerspace

Casa Mila in Barcelona by Chongming 76

We were early so there were few people around. A croaking bullfrog and chirping birds sang their morning praises to the creator. We listened, commented on how beautiful our surroundings were; a perfect canvas painted by divine hands.

“Intuition is a spiritual faculty and does not explain, but simply points the way.”
Florence Scovel Shinn

Staircase in Casa Batllo in Barcelona by Chongming 76

We often speak about nature’s beauty but many of us hardly pause to listen to the sounds and songs she shares. We don’t listen for the whispered secrets that feed the creative impulses of those we call extraordinary artists; men and women of creative genius ~ who listen to their intuitive impulses, pray, and create magical works.

“The creative path leads directly to a sacred realm.” K. Bradford Brown

Cripta de la Colonia Guell in Barcelona by Tillf Teenck

As we paced ourselves; one white-sneakered shoe in front of the other, the grotesquely twisted limbs of some nearby trees caught my eye; birds perched digging for worms, richly hued green leaves glistened with rain droplets. The thought, nature is not always beautiful but she is perfect especially when juxtaposed…. crossed my mind. How nature’s beauty shows her face; a two-sided coin with beauty on one side and the beast on the other.

“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” Henry David Thoreau

Parc Guell in Barcelona by WikiScript

I needed to contemplate this some more. Ah, sure! Creativity has the same quality and we are sometimes forced to consider these juxtapositions when we are struck by stark examples of beauty and the beast in nature or creative endeavors. All are divinely inspired.

“Men may be divided into two types: men of words and men of action. The first speak; the latter act. I am of the second group. I lack the means to express myself adequately…” Gaudi

Antoni Gaudí’s {Antoni Plàcid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet (25 June 1852–10 June 1926)} original, powerful architectural wonders in Barcelona, Spain came to mind as I kept up a steady pace with my friend.

“I believe creativity is like electricity. We don’t understand how it works… we just use it.” Maya Angelou

Casa Batllo in Barcelona by Vincent Abbey

Recently, at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, I had watched a documentary on Gaudi by Hiroshi Teshigahara … and the haunting images of his immensely imaginative architecture; gothic, surreal, hypnotic and more swirled around my head like a psychedelic dream.

“Listen to your intuition. It will tell you everything you need to know. ” Anthony D Angelo

Casa Mila in Barcelona by Diliff

Gaudi was a prayerful, intuitive architect who captured nature’s irregular shapes and unusual proportions in his building designs. He was not afraid to explore new ways in construction, design and the use of color and materials.

“I would not be able to explain to anyone my artistic concepts. I have not yet concretized them. I never had time to reflect on them. My hours have been spent in my work.”
Gaudi

He was acutely aware of nature and his surroundings and injected portions of those elements into his work. For the monumental La Sagrada Familia, it is said he fasted and prayed for guidance on this project and though it was never completed (still under construction) in his lifetime, it is this project that led many to call Gaudí “God’s Architect.”

“When your creativity comes to a climax, when your whole life becomes creative, you live in God. So he must be the creator because people who have been creative have been closest to him…” Osho

Finca Guell in Barcelona by 555 Nase

Where does the creative impulse come from? Do you listen to the still, small voice urging you to try painting your life story on an innovative canvas? Do you pray for creative guidance and then think that sudden thought on what to do is stupid? When do we know that what we know is divinely inspired and original? What do we learn about fearlessness from artists of remarkable genius?

Photos from a selection on Wikipedia – credits/attributions below
Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (Catalan for ‘The Quarry’) built 1906-1910 Photo credit Casa Mila by Diliff
Casa Batlló also known as Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), built 1877 remodeled 1905-1097 ; Casa Batllo by ChongMing76, T Grasso and Vincent Abbey
The Church of Colònia Güell built as a place of worship for people in a suburb of Barcelona. Photo credit by Till F. Teenck and Canaan
La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell Photo credit by Montrealais and WikiScript
Finca Guell Photo credit by 555 Nase

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank

Tangy: Our Mishpocha

Tangy: Our Mishpocha
Mishpocha: An extended family member ~ Yiddish

“With the qualities of cleanliness, affection, patience, dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of becoming cats?” ~ Fernand Mery

Tangy: Relaxing ... ever the lovebug mimic.

“A man has to work so hard so that something of his personality stays alive. A tomcat has it so easy, he has only to spray and his presence is there for years on rainy days.” ~ Albert Einstein

Our American, short-hair, tabby cat Tangy joined our family under fortuitous circumstances and remains a valued member of our family. After years of hamsters, guinea-pigs and the like, my children were ready to graduate to something larger and so they asked for a dog.

King Tangy: They love me, I love them ~ now that's good leadership.

“If animals could speak the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat
would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.” ~ Mark Twain

I grew up in a household where dogs were the preferred pet; we had lots of outdoor yard space and the dogs could run around and not need to be “walked.” We had different breeds romping through our homes as we moved around quite a bit for my dad’s work. Cats were out of the question as they were seen as aloof and self-serving. Tangy changed that perception and I am the better for it.

Sitting in a box doesn't mean box me in ... okay?

“I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.” ~ Jean Cocteau

When my children asked for a dog, I knew we had to discuss the not so small matter of care; who would walk it, feed it, groom it, play with it, and so on. Any parent would relate to this necessary conversation. After we discussed the options, it became clear that we needed to compromise on the pet choice and care conversation.

The view from here ~ Mail those Tangy cat fan letters already.

“Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.” ~ James Herriot

Nevertheless, off we marched to the Elmsford Animal Shelter to adopt a four-legged pet. We had to visit a few times to be sure that our final selection was exactly what we prayed for. The shelter is home to a wide range of animals in need of an adoptive home and the staff interviews every prospective parent to make sure the right match is made. Once the interviews prove productive and a pet is selected, then papers are signed, fees are paid, veterinary visits are completed and a pick up date is arranged.

Tangy: I can listen to music and chill from here

“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” ~ Albert Schweitzer

On our third visit, my children had picked a black and white cat they had been watching on previous visits. However, it turned out he had worms and was not ready for a home until his treatments were concluded; there was no definite timeline when the “all clear signal” would happen so we had to pick another cat.

Tangy: Hello ... I'm new here and your name is?

“The smallest feline is a masterpiece.” ~ Leonardo Da Vinci

Tangy had been eyeing us on our previous visits as he shared a cage with “black and white” cat. I remember one visit when he jumped out of the cage when the door was opened, flew into my arms, and then jumped off again to hide behind a pillow on the couch placed in the middle of the meeting area. I liked his spunk and when we had to select another cat, I suggested Tangy. Indeed, it was fortuitous.

Watching and Waiting for one of us to come home.

“I’ve met many thinkers and many cats, but the wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” ~ Hippolyte Taine

After the protocol was concluded, he came home with us and has been a delightful, smart, comedian of a cat. We often call him Tangy ~ the-cat-who-thinks-he-is-a-dog because he follows us from room to room, looks out our floor to ceiling living room windows in expectation of our return, greets us individually at the door when we come home, loves to play catch and rolls on the floor to have his back scratched.

Tangy: Why not learn a little spanish while I'm at it...

“A meow massages the heart.” ~ Stuart McMillan

He meows back at us when we speak to him or ask him questions, purrs when happy and growls when he can’t have something right away. He is a great mimic and we often find him curled up on the sofa, staring at a book, the TV, our desktop or an open laptop; it makes us all chuckle.

Love the Xmas gift ~ What's for lunch then?

“What greater gift than the love of a cat?” ~ Charles Dickens

Tangy is special because he always reminds us about unconditional love and how much he loves our family unequivocally. We are blessed to have him. Do you have a loving Mishpocha pet in your family? Do share.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank