My personal goal has always been to take quotes you have heard all of your life, in your various churches, and to simplify their meaning so that it is applicable in your every day life.
Have you ever been asked to explain how you arrived at a particular position in life that is so meaningful to you? The next thing you would be confronted with is condensing 36 years of personal experience into a brief summary that may or may not cause someone to contemplate their own status in life.
One of the first things that flashed into my memory was the sign in a church I entered that read “Shhhh, you are in the House Of The Lord.” In my mind it should have read “Live, Love, Laugh, and be Happy,” because that is the only God I know.
I had no idea how many churches and belief systems were out there until I started my search for a simplistic reality of who and what I am. Like so many of us, I literally went from church to church, organization to organization, to find some kind of spiritual understanding (Please note: I said spiritual not religious understanding.)
I read stacks of books, pamphlets, flyers, you name it; not to mention, listened to bishops, priests, rabbis, pastors, etc. In fact, I had three dear friends; one was a rabbi, one was a catholic priest, and one was a Greek Orthodox priest. No matter how much I respected them, their philosophy wasn’t what I was searching for.
In the process of all of this, I had a personal life, of course, and dispite the usual experience of money concerns, moving from place to place, and handling the challenges, I was very happily married. Over the years, I had 7 children, which I consider one of my greatest accomplishments. Then, at the age of 42, the well known “truck of manure" backed into my life, and dumped on my Garden and my one beautiful rose. The Rose, incedentially is our symbol for Key To Life.
In order to salvage the rose, (Me), I was forced to realize that a rose, or any garden, must have manure to grow and it was my turn.
After a very heartbreaking divorce, I was left with my 7 beautiful children to raise alone, and like every other person who screams “Poor Me!”, I didn’t’ think I could do it, I DID! Of course it took a good swift kick from the Universe that said “You Can, and You WILL!”
So began the determination to enlighten anyone, anywhere, who was struggling to understand “Why?”
Suddenly, all of the searching, reading, and life experience was unfolding before me, like a giant tapestry. I heard the words of Jesus: “The Kingdom is within you” and I found myself holding in my mind, a ring full of keys. Keys that would open any door for any person of any color, creed, religion, or experience on this earth. It just needed to be simplified, happy, and uplifting. Thus began Key To Life Center. Of course the credentials of minister had to be obtained, but to tell you the truth, you are all ministers; here to help each other reach their full potential. Therefore, I do not like titles for myself, like Pastor, Bishop, Doctor, and Etc., I am Marion, period.
I love the teachings of Jesus. They are so simple, but I also love the teachings of the Eastern religions. They are all saying the same thing. As Emerson said, “What we are, speaks so loudly, I can’t hear what you are saying.”
I recently read something beautiful by the great author “Unknown,” It read: “I believe that friends are quiet angels, who lift us to our feet, when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.” I would love to believe that this describes “Key To Life Center.” One thing is certain, you will be where you are meant to be. May love follow you always.
