Profound Little Animated Video

This is very impactful – affected my soul on a deep level. It is more profound in less than 5 minutes than an entire 3 hour Hollywood blockbuster.

It is called “The Life of Death” by Marsha Onderstijn.

It was so heart-breaking but beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes. Thanks to Marsha Onderstijn for being inspired to create it and Ramon de Wilde for the music.

Life is Precious!

Ropes That Bind

Ropes That Bind – Photography by Mary Mikawoz
Click on link to see so much more!

I took this close-up photograph of a rope on a dock. It is used to harness and wrap up boats that have come ashore out of the waters. For safety sake, they are needed to connect and anchor to land. 

To me, they represent the human spirit and how we are connected as souls. It represents the cords or attachments we have to other people that bind us together. It is how I see my love for certain people in this world. It is strong and thick as my wrist – woven and connected from my heart to theirs.  

Although there may have been adversity and minor tears, it remains strong and healthy. Relationships are manifestations and reflections of how committed we are to making things work through all types of weather and circumstances. 

Keep safe and strong through the howling winds and tumultuous waters! 

Thanks in advance for liking commenting, sharing and purchasing. Check out my other images and collections. Thanks for all positive feedback.

For bigger and fuller image, click here.

For a portfolio of creative work including art, photography and mixed media by Mary Mikawoz, click here.

For viewing recent images, click here.

#canada #photographer #canadian #photography #winnipeg #Manitoba #pic #beautiful #photos #art #image #closeup #rope #bind #harness #wrap #boats #ashore #waters #safety #connect #anchor #human #spirit #connection #representation #cords #attachments #people #together #love #world #strong #thick #wrist #woven #heart #adversity #minor #tears #strong #healthy #manifestations #reflections #commitment #weather #circumstances #artistic #DigitalArt #MixedMedia #VisualArtist #colours #black #white #green #brown #mary #mikawoz #marymikawoz 

Golden Boy

Golden Boy – Photography by Mary Mikawoz
Click link to see entire image

Here is a black and white photograph with all but the Golden Boy who is, of course, in gold. He is atop the Manitoba Legislature in the capital city of Winnipeg in the province of Manitoba, Canada. 

According the Manitoba Government website, he represents the Roman God Mercury or the Greek God Hermes. He represents eternal youth and the spirit of enterprise. He is a symbol of prosperity. He was installed on the dome on November 21, 1919. 

Thanks in advance for liking commenting, sharing and purchasing. Check out my other images and collections. Thanks for all positive feedback.

For bigger and fuller image, click here.

For a portfolio of creative work including art, photography and mixed media by Mary Mikawoz, click here.

For viewing recent images, click here.

#canada #photographer #canadian #photography #winnipeg #pic #beautiful #photos #architecture #legislature #government #politics #capital #Roman #Mercury #Greek #God #Hermes #Eternal #Youth #Prosperity #Spirit #Enterprise #installation #dome #colours #colors #gold #black #white #grey #gray #artistic #DigitalArt #MixedMedia #VisualArtist #manitoba #image #mary #mikawoz #marymikawoz 

Trois Aigles

These are three eagles flying high up in the sky. Actually, only two were originally in the photograph but I decided to add the third one as they were taken the same day within minutes of each other. They are spectacular raptors. All three are Bald Eagles but the centre one is actually an immature Bald Eagle which surprisingly looks like a Golden Eagle.

According to http://www.pure-spirit.com, “Eagle conveys the powers and messages of the spirit; it is man’s connection to the divine because it flies higher than any other bird. The eagle brings the message of renewed life because it is associated with the east winds – the direction of spring, dawn and rebirth.”

Thanks in advance for liking, commenting, sharing and purchasing. Thanks for all positive feedback.

For bigger and fuller image, click here.

For a portfolio of creative work including art, photography and mixed media by Mary Mikawoz, click here.

For viewing recent images, click here.

“Insights” by Mary Mikawoz

Insights

From years of spiritual pursuit and personal reflection, I have come up with these 5 insights.

These are “Insights” by Mary Mikawoz

“Anger is about unmet expectations.”
“Depression is anger turned inwards.”
“Anxiety is worrying about the future.”
“We all need goals – mini steps in life.”
“Live in the present – that is all we have.”

Image of rose was photographed by Mary Mikawoz

For bigger and fuller image, click here.

For a portfolio of creative work including art, photography and mixed media by Mary Mikawoz, click here.

For viewing recent images, click here.

Solemn

This drawing started off as drawing of coloured pencils, blue pen and markers. I then took the basic shape or frame of it and enhanced it digitally. I found it to be a good experience because the essential flow of it stayed intact which I like very much.

I was feeling solemn when I drew this picture but where there is darkness, a ray of light peaks in and brings hope.

Thank you for viewing, liking, commenting, sharing and purchasing. Thanks for all positive support.

For bigger and fuller image, click here.

For a portfolio of creative work including art, photography and mixed media by Mary Mikawoz, click here.

For viewing recent images, click here.

Mosaic

The world is a mosaic. It is a combination of all sorts of people but we are all one. We come in various shapes, colours and combinations but essentially we are souls having a human experience.

Thank you for looking, liking, commenting, sharing and purchasing. Thanks for all your wonderful support!

For bigger and fuller image, click here.

For a portfolio of creative work including art, photography and mixed media by Mary Mikawoz, click here.

For viewing recent images, click here.

Young and Old

I love the contrast between the old rose on the right-hand side who has lived her life and is dying now. The beauty on the right is just beginning her life. Roses are just gorgeous even if they come with prickly thorns. It is the way of life – negative and positive making up the whole – isn’t it?

Thanks for viewing, liking, commenting, sharing and purchasing. Thank you for any and all support.

For bigger and fuller image, click here.

For a portfolio of creative work including art, photography and mixed media by Mary Mikawoz, click here.

Soul Purpose

Book: “The Soul Purpose Method: Discover Your Unique Calling, Reawaken to Your True Self, and Co-create the Inspired Life You Were Meant to Live,” Licia Rester and Kir Souder, Kynosura Publishing and Paper Raven Books, 2019

Book Review by Mary Mikawoz

Book available: August 20, 2019

This book starts off with three major sections: Intention, Liberation and and Co-Creation. Within these sections, are more chapters with lots of good information.

Rester and Souder outline that you should be doing that which makes you come alive and to do that with your life – not some pre-fabricated need of society or the world although that might be what you end up doing. They believe that once you combine intention, liberation and co-creation, you get your soul’s purpose. That is the formula.

Further to that, they believe that the summit is inside of you to be discovered and not in someplace outside of yourself. You already have all the equipment needed to get there. As Steve Jobs says, “Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what your truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” Licia and Kir refer to your soul’s purpose as a “Northern Intention.”

Licia and Kir go through 7 myths regarding soul purpose.

They are:

1. I don’t have a purpose.
2. I have to find or figure out my purpose.
3. I don’t have enough money, time and/or opportunities to pursue my purpose.
4. I’m not sure the purpose I’ve identified is my real purpose.
5. I’m not “good” enough (confident, patient, focused, disciplined, skilled, smart, motivated, or energetic enough) to pursue my purpose.
6. I have too many other responsibilities, obligations and priorities.
7. I can’t let down or alienate people in my life.

Further on when dealing with issues surrounding fear, the authors use a quote from Albert Einstein. It reads, “The intuitive mind is a scared gift, and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

Their own quote is valid, “What we intend, what we believe, what we choose, and what we act on will create the story of our lives.” That is, indeed, a profound statement.

Finally, the authors ask you to co-create with the Universe or Higher Power or God or Spirit. Paraphrased, they ask you to continue towards service in learning and growing in awareness of who you truly are and in manifesting your goals and dreams in alignment with the highest good of everyone involved.

Rester and Souder indicate that “Wisdom, inspiration and guidance can come at any time, in any form.”

After you have developed your “Northern Intention,” you develop your “Soul Purpose Vision” and then finally you create “Your Soul Purpose Action Plan.” They outline 5 steps in creating effective actions steps.

The biggest take-away from this book is something I know from many of my spiritual practices from books, videos and practices and that is when you are asking for guidance from the divine, you ask, “This or something better for the highest good of all concerned.”

The acorn has the information and drive to become the majestic oak tree and the caterpillar has what it takes to become a butterfly. It is already in them.

I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 so basically a 5 out of 5 and find that it is both a motivational and inspirational book with many insights.

Tags: Licia Rester, Kir Souder, Kynosura Publishing, Paper Raven Books, Purpose, Calling, Northern Intention, Vision, Spirit, Soul, True Self, Life, Purpose, Vision, Divine, Universe, God, Intention, Liberation, Co-creation, Spiritual, Spirituality, Inspirational, Motivational, Mary Mikawoz, Mikawoz, Book Review

Be Amazing

Book: “Be Amazing: Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential,” Paul S. Boynton, Skyhorse Publishing, 2020

Book Review by Mary Mikawoz

Book available: January 7, 2020

“Be Amazing” was an inspirational concept and experience that Paul S. Boynton received after visiting and receiving outstanding service at a restaurant. From there, he goes on to explain that giving your all is necessary in your endeavours. He writes, “It starts with a desire to be the best we can be in a specific area, followed by a decision to actually make it happen.” That is the essence of the book as Paul outlines a number of other people and situations that were outstanding in his opinion.

He outlines six points for Amazing Qualities. One of the quotes that he writes that I like is when you are doing that one special thing, you don’t have to be the best and as a Zen saying goes, “Flowers don’t compare themselves to other flowers, they just bloom.” That is a very encouraging thought and causes some self-reflection.

Mr. Boynton goes on to say that people know when people are being authentic and when they are with the “real deal.” People can recognize a disingenuous smile and reaction.

He gives out some steps on being amazing. They are as follows:

1. Find your “Spirit Blueprint”
2. Making a decision
3. Discover what amazing will look like
4. Making it happen

He writes his book from a question and answer process. This is how he engages the reader. I understand why Paul does this although I am not sure I like this process. I would prefer he just wrote the book in a straight-forward manner with the assumption that the reader has had those questions and he would answer them without indicating each time what the question was or is.

I like how the end finishes with a quote such as: “Remember, every book began with a single sentence. And every garden started with just a few seeds.”

This book was rather short. I would have preferred a longer version with more stories and examples of excellence.

For an inspirational short read, I give this book a 3.75 out of 5.

Tags: Paul S. Boynton, Skyhorse Publishing, Amazing, Purpose, Fears, Potential, Self-development, Self-help, Spirit, Spiritual, Power of Yes, Begin with Yes, Spirit Blueprint, Decisions, Action, Motivation, Inspiration, Mary Mikawoz, Mikawoz, Book Review