On the Wings of Inspiration: Exploring Our Inner Life Through Interpretive Symbols

By Jeree Wade and Cheryl Metrick

On The Wings of Inspiration: Exploring Our Inner Life through Interpretive Symbols was written in collaboration by two authors: Cheryl Metrick, and Jeree Wade, MA. The book is based on a collection of drawings and poems Cheryl created from spontaneous inspiration where she says, They fell out of my head. These inspirational poems are descriptive of the drawings. The premise of the book is not only to explore the interpretation of the art itself, but to journey into the drawings to find more personal meaning within. The authors lead the readers to take a personal inner journey to self-awareness and inner growth. Cheryl writes interpretations and feelings about each drawing in a narrative, which at times is autobiographical, as she takes her journey through the pictures. Jeree's commentary and workbook sections delve into symbolism to guide readers through an analytical process to achieve greater awareness, become mindful, and set guidelines in the continued pursuit of a purposeful and fulfilling life.

Topics from the metaphysical philosophies to spirituality, humanitarianism, ecology, and energy systems are explored. The workbook sections include a wide range of themes: compassion, intention and focus, manifestation, balance, transformation, maturation, renewal, self-knowledge, self-sabotage, self-awareness, death, letting go, and the meaning of time. A guided process supports the reader to move into a place that is more peaceful and more centered to understand and implement life's lessons.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483671949

Jeree Wade

CHERYL METRICK: Author, Artist, Poet, Actor, Singer, Songwriter — A NY SAG-AFTRA actor (over 25 yrs) in theater, TV and film, Cheryl Metrick held principal roles in independent films, commercials, infomercials, voice-overs and a L.I. Cable variety show. Member: SAG-AFTRA; GIAA; BMI; Society of Singers; LIIFE: Filmmakers Connection. There Are Angels (music & lyrics by Cheryl) recorded with live string orchestra to Frank Owens' arrangement won several songwriting contests. Singing pop, jazz, and classic rock to standards and musical theatre, Cheryl has performed at many NY Catskill Mountain resorts/hotels as well as cabaret clubs, charitable events and industrials. Cheryl Metrick: Fantasy & Romance is a recording of a live cabaret performance. JUST RELEASED: her new CD, On the Wings of Inspiration: 13 Meditations. These guided meditations are journeys of the mind. (written/recited by Cheryl, music composed/ played by Frank Owens) COMING SOON: New CD of Cheryl's own songs to be announced. Cheryl Metrick: THERE ARE ANGELS Facebook page has a large worldwide fan base and is dedicated to her song and to angels in general. She also has many international fans on Jango (internet radio station.) www.cherylmetrick.com and www.onthewingsofinspiration.com JEREE WADE, MA: Life Coach, Counselor, Producer and Performer — Jeree Wade, MA, is in private practice specializing in life coaching, counseling, and healing workshops. She supports her clients in exploring self-empathy as well as self-responsibility, plus focuses on issues of self-confidence and productivity. With a degree in theatre arts and a master's degree in counseling psychology, Ms. Wade created and has conducted Serenity Seminars over the last 20 yrs. Until she attained her graduate degree in 1995, Jeree enjoyed a career as a professional singer/actress. This attracts many working artists to her practice and seminars. She continues to perform and produce shows as she maintains her private practice, small groups and seminars, and is happy balancing both careers simultaneously. She does so ethically and with integrity. www.jereewadema.lifequarters.com www.serenityseminars.com www.theserenityseminarsmiracleconversations.com

Book preview

Copyright © 2013 by Cheryl Metrick and Jeree Wade MA. 68692-METR

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013913076

ISBN: Softcover    978-1-4836-7192-5

ISBN: Hardcover  978-1-4836-7193-2

ISBN: Ebook        978-1-4836-7194-9

Rev. date: 08/19/2014

© 2013 by the Angels’ Muse, LLC

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—other than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews—without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

For permission to reproduce copyrighted material, grateful acknowledgment is given to the following:

Angels’ Muse, LLC: [e-mail]

Distributed by Xlibris Publishing

Xlibris Corporation at

1-888-795-4274 or

www.xlibris.com

Design and composition by the Angels’ Muse, LLC

Cover design by Cheryl Metrick

website: www.onthewingsofinspiration.com

First Edition

Disclaimer: The information in this book and the techniques and procedures mentioned and contained herein are not intended to be used or construed as a substitute for professional medical care or in lieu of professional advice. The authors do not prescribe the use of any techniques in this book as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. Neither the authors, the Angels’ Muse, LLC, nor the publisher are responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions or information contained in this book. The intent of the authors is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information, techniques, and suggestions in this book, please understand it is at your own risk. The authors, the Angels’ Muse, LLC, and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

In memory of my dear departed husband, Richard Metrick, without whom this book would not have been possible. His unconditional love, encouragement, and guiding support throughout my time with him raised me up, made me a better person, and helped me to find my voice so that I could share it both in this book and in life. I miss him more than words could ever express, but I know he has been with me every step of the way during the course of this project and will be for the rest of my journey.

I love you so, my sweetheart!

CONTENTS

List of Illustrations/Photos

Acknowledgments

INTRODUCTION

HOW TO USE THE WORKBOOK SECTIONS OF OUR BOOK

(Commentaries, Thought Atoms, Contemplative Questionnaires, Envisioning Exercises)           Jeree

CHAPTER 1—Night and Day

CHAPTER 2—The Sun of Man

CHAPTER 3—The Flame of Being

CHAPTER 4—Implosion/Explosion of the Eternal Void

CHAPTER 5—The Magician’s Magic

CHAPTER 6—Maiden Voyage of the Star Goddess

CHAPTER 7—Standing in the Shadow of the Wolf

CHAPTER 8—The Road Not Taken

CHAPTER 9—Giving Birth to Spring

CHAPTER 10—Opening Windows

CHAPTER 11—Guardian of the Pearl of Ancient Wisdom and Sacred Knowledge

CHAPTER 11—Guardian of the Pearl of Ancient Wisdom and Sacred Knowledge

CHAPTER 12—Shooting Dead Branches from the Trees of Life

CHAPTER 13—Time Flies

Epilogue             Cheryl

Glossary

Bibliography

Discography/Other Products

Closing Poem: Today         Cheryl

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS/PHOTOS

(All drawings, illustrations, and diagrams were drawn by Cheryl Metrick unless otherwise noted.)

Night and Day

Night and Day (miniature)

The Sun of Man

Smiley Heart diagram

The Flame of Being

The Flame of Being (miniatures in triplet)

Implosion/Explosion of the Eternal Void

The Taijitu symbol (Wingdings character)

Implosion/Explosion of the Eternal Void (miniature black-and-white)

The Magician’s Magic

The Magician’s Magic (miniature)

Maiden Voyage of the Star Goddess

Angel photograph (photo by Jeremy Dean of JDDesigns)

Standing in the Shadow of the Wolf

Recycle symbol (Planetpals.com free clip art)

The Road Not Taken

The Road Not Taken (miniature)

Giving Birth to Spring

Sad Face/Happy Face diagram

Opening Windows

Opening Windows (miniature)

Guardian of the Pearl of Ancient Wisdom and Sacred Knowledge

Mandala diagrams (in triplet)

Merkaba diagram

Caduceus diagram

Chakra diagram

Shooting Dead Branches from the Trees of Life

Richie Metrick photograph (photo by Jeremy Dean of JDDesigns)

Dr. James Dumpson photograph (photo by John Meisner)

Time Flies

Little Cheryl photograph (photo by Hope Lehman)

Little Jeree photograph (photo by Goldie Dumpson)

Faceless Clock diagram .

Cheryl’s Acknowledgments

I wish to express my deepest appreciation to my cowriter, Jeree, for joining me and adding her wisdom and knowledge to On the Wings of Inspiration. We worked so well together that passing our ideas and words back and forth was motivating. She and I shared many emotions and experiences over the course of this time. Our close friendship has bound us as sisters of the heart.

My sincere gratitude also goes to my dear friend Philippa Keeling for all her useful suggestions and her assistance in preediting and polishing our manuscript. She has a great eye and ear for the written word, which was a wonderful gift to us. Her efforts clearly enhanced our words.

Further thanks go to some friends who allowed me to quote from their writings that I felt added significantly to my ideas: Peter Georgescu, Dr. Craig Martin, and Frank Don.

We owe much appreciation to Xlibris Publishing… especially to the team who has worked with us throughout the whole publishing process.

I want to thank my family and friends for all their emotional support, which was crucial to my survival at the most difficult time of my life. I feel very blessed. There are too many to name because of lack of space, but you know who you are. I love you all.

I would like to acknowledge my assistants, Carol and Mary, without whom I could never have gotten any work done. Thanks also to Loretta and Patty, who kept the house running and plants healthy while I was unable to focus on those things. I cannot forget Hilary, who I bothered more than I like to admit whenever my computer did not cooperate, which is more often than I like to admit. Then there are my beloved Guggenheim ladies who tirelessly put up with all my questions pertaining to my crazy life: Jackie, Joann, Janice, Allison and Deirdre. They patiently find answers for me to keep me on track so I can try to maintain a sense of sanity in a world that sometimes doesn’t feel so sane. I must also add my dear driver Alex, who is always more helpful to me than he knows.

Lastly, to my team of advisors, Alan, Allan, Andrew, Chuck, and Matt: you know I appreciate all your advice and everything you do for me, but I want you to know how deeply I value your efforts and caring. Chuck, I have to add a special thanks to you and Kimberly for helping to create the Angels’ Muse and dealing with all my endless questions. Thank you all!

Jeree’s Acknowledgments

My parents: Dr. James R. Dumpson and Mrs. Goldie D. Dumpson—they are the Foundation of my Being.

My devoted husband, Adam Wade.

My sister of choice, Cheryl Metrick, who gave me the opportunity to be a part of this project, and her angel husband, Richard Metrick.

My godsister Dr. Synthia Saint James, my role model.

Brain Trust:

Those who believed in my talent as a master’s level by mentoring and supporting my work.

My godmother Dr. Helene D. Mayer, who paid for my graduate education.

Dr. Cynthia Barnes, who encouraged me to go to graduate school of psychology.

The supervisor of my practice, James Henry Crosby, MSW.

Dr. Yvonne Rountree, Dr. Janice Williams, Dr. Gerard Bryant, Dr. Charlena Sears, Deanna Johnson, RN, APN, BC. Pearl Williams, production manager for Songbirds Unlimited Productions; Elise Smith Felton, office manager for my private practice; and Philippa Keeling, our initial reviewer.

Family and Family of Choice:

Ty Stephens, Doris Gundy, Cheryl Waters, Branice McKenzie, Sharron Miller, Donald Dumpson, Harritte Mandeville, Sharon Alexander, Gerry Robinson (my godmother), Jodie Bair, Linda Anderson, Gregory Anderson, Stewart Falcon, Elmer Stewart, Carlos Steele, and Greer Saint John.

Serenity Seminars participants and coordinators: Anne Clanton and Leslie Brown.

My groups who trust in me and do the work: Juhudi, Kaleidoscope, Firebirds, and Precious Dreams.

Robert, Tony, Elsworth, Ernie, Glen, and Val—who took care of me, my dad, and Adam while I worked.

INTRODUCTION

by Cheryl

This book consists of a series of thirteen drawings and poems that originated in 1995. The images came to me first, then related poems just fell out of my head. Both were born out of inspiration. Each chapter consists of a drawing supported by a descriptive poem and is followed by a narrative. An affirmation follows which can be read and reread to help guide the subconscious mind. My coauthor, Jeree Wade, adds commentary on that chapter and a workbook section. Complementary to this, our On the Wings of Inspiration: Meditations CD and deck of inspirational cards On the Wings of Inspiration: Meditations–Drawings–Poetry are listed in the back of this book in the Other Products section. The pictures were the catalysts for the meditations and can be useful as focusing tools. Since Jeree and I first met as professional singers, we also listed our music CDs in the Discography section.

When I drew the first picture, Night and Day, I was a member in a weekly meditation group in New York City. One particular evening I was unable to attend. The following morning, my friend, Philippa, called me to ask if I had tuned in to the meditation the prior evening; I told her I had not. A few minutes later I called her back to explain that I realized that at the time the group was meeting an image had popped into my mind and it was all consuming. I couldn’t get it out of my head so I grabbed a piece of paper and a few old colored pencils and drew it. She asked me to describe the picture, so I did. She replied, That’s amazing! That is precisely what we were focusing on in the meditation last night. She recounted that night’s meditation and said that I must bring the picture in the following week. The rest of the group reacted the same way when they saw it. I thought that was cool and didn’t think much more about it until three weeks later when another image was burning a hole in my brain and I quickly unloaded it from my brain to paper. I had no history in art but another one came the following day, then nine days later, then ten days, and so on. Mostly, the images came spontaneously with the exception of the Maiden Voyage of the Star Goddess which was conceived in a dream.

I found that I was only able to draw these pictures when the inspiration came. For example, with The Road Not Taken, the picture came to me as I was on the way home from dinner with friends. I got home late and was too tired to spend the time required to draw a picture, so I made a quick sketch, figuring I would draw the actual picture the next day. When I tried to recreate the drawing, it was not happening. No matter how hard I tried to reproduce the picture, I couldn’t get it. Instead, I had to color the prior night’s sketch. The final picture of the series came in 1998, New Year’s Day. Since then many other pictures have come through, but I’ve blocked them out for the time being. Fate intervened, and many complications of life have gotten in the way. I hope that one day I’ll begin again. Not only do I miss that creative process, but I have this nagging feeling that I am meant to add more to this series.

Regarding the accompanying poems, I was looking at the pictures I had drawn so far and decided to meditate on them. As I gazed at these images, which seemed to come out of nowhere, suddenly poems started flowing into my head. The poems described the various pictures one at a time. My poetry of the past consisted of usual metered poems, but these were different. This process went on for three days until all the pictures had explanatory poems.

The night before that last picture, Time Flies, on New Year’s Eve, I wrote a poem called Today, and it seemed to me an appropriate way to end this book. Each person will interpret the pictures differently and find their own messages, if they wish to find them—not only in my pictures, but in any art or objects chosen to meditate on and then analyze. Each person can see what pictures their own mind produces that they can relate directly to their personal journey in life. This is exactly what I have done in this book. When I decided to write a book based on these drawings, I had an entirely different intention. I had no idea that this was how I was going to set about writing it. But I write as I draw and the same with my poetry. I just let it flow. I first meditate briefly on the subject, allow my spirit to do the writing, and then my fingers take on a life of their own. It’s quite remarkable. I’m not saying it is auto writing or spirit writing, I suppose it is a free fall from my subconscious.

One weekend, I was at an impressive Serenity Seminar given by Jeree (long before the book was even a seedling in our minds), when to my delighted surprise, I saw that she had used one of my pictures, The Maiden Voyage of the Star Goddess, on the cover of her seminar folder. During that seminar, Jeree asked the attendees if we thought we all saw each other, visually, the same. As I contemplated that question, I saw the picture in my head, but as the Star Goddess was gliding through the sky, distributing stars, I felt that this possibly represented the big bang and that these stars were symbolic, each representing a different soul about to be