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God Has Sent To Us One Of His Angels -- |
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Firstly, we are pleased to offer this Commemorative "Collector's Edition" of the "Reflections Series" that Sissel released in 2019. It is a four disk DVD set consisting of 51 Music Videos and 51 corresponding "Talks" Videos. Please 
Secondly, we are VERY pleased to offer this four DVD Commemorative "Collector's Edition" -- "Platinum Treasures", consisting of: "Sissel w. the Tabernacle Choir", "Strålende Jul w. Sissel", and a collection of "Platinum Favorites". Please 
Thirdly, we are IMMENSELY pleased to offer this four DVD Commemorative "Collector's Edition" -- "Sissel's World", including original songs with lyrics written by Sissel herself. Please
"Sissel" is the Norwegian derivative of the English name "Cecilia" It is a rare and unusual name, commonly found in Denmark and Norway, where it is cherished for its traditional roots. The name is sometimes associated with notable figures in music and arts. Its connection to nature and strength makes it suitable for individuals that embody these qualities. Objectively, it is most commonly associated with the Latin word "caecus", meaning "blind or dim-sighted". Subjectively, however, the name is also linked to Saint Cecilia, a Roman martyr, considered to be the patron saint of music and musicians. This connection often leads to interpretations of Cecilia as representing spiritual vision, hidden beauty, or a girl with vision more than sight. It symbolizes the depth of perception beyond seeing (on the surface). The above listed three DVD collections EACH contain OVER five hours of "Angelic and Heavenly Sights and Sounds", designed to transport the listener from this world of earthly cares into Sissel's World of Ethereal Beauty. |
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To Listen to over 500 of Sissel's Captivating Performances - Broken Down Into 18 Categories & Arranged in Chronological Order -- Please Click HERE. |
 "It is NOT the critic who counts, NOT the person who points out how the strong one stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the person who is actually IN the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short ; who fights and falls and rises to fight again and again. It is to such as this -- who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends themself in a worthy cause -- who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if fails, at least fails while daring greatly. Such a place shall NEVER be with those cold and timid souls, who know neither victory nor defeat !" |
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Christopher Cochran ****** This is from Theodore Roosevelt's famous "Man in the Arena" speech, delivered in 1910, at the Sorbonne in Paris leading up to WW1. In it he argues that credit belongs to those actively striving, not critics who point out mistakes. It highlights that true value lies in daring greatly, despite inevitable errors, rather than being a cold, timid soul observing from the sidelines. It is rather the antithesis of Sissel's beliefs or life motto. An example would be the song Sissel sings, "All Good Things". It is a reflective ballad sometimes associated with songwriter Lene Marlin. It features the key refrain, "All good things come to the one who waits" -- focusing on patience, hope, and resilience It features lyrics like, "Since I never had to fight / I lose easily / Since I never had to fight / I still believe". Just my observation. Al Jenke ****** You state that, "he argues that credit belongs to those actively striving, not critics who point out mistakes. It highlights that true value lies in daring greatly, despite inevitable errors, rather than being a cold, timid soul observing from the sidelines." I certainly do NOT see where this is, "The antithesis of Sissel's beliefs or life motto." As I see it, it IS Sissel's life !! I think that you have made the scope of the message on the plaque FAR too SMALL. In its broader sense, it speaks of the commitment, courage and determination to seize your dream and commit ALL of your life and resources to it - without reserve and in the face of all obstacles - and to follow after and achieve it. This Sissel has MOST certainly done regarding HER dream of singing and her career in music. The reference to "blood, fighting and sweat" certainly need not to be taken literally nor physically ! On the other end, I think that you have made FAR too much of some lyrics from one song that Sissel sang. While Sissel has certainly embraced the qualities of hope, patience, and resilience, she has also embraced the Christian concept of, "You BOTH pray AND act" !! As I stated in one of the pieces that I wrote about her, YES, God has endowed Sissel with a supernatural degree of gifting and talent, but like seeds, they required a GREAT deal of care, cultivation and HARD WORK to grow into the magnificent flower that we witness today. Judging from Sissel's life and what she has shared, I don't think that she would be the fabulous success that she is today if she had just, "sat home, hoped and waited". I can not even begin to imagine the MANY hours that she spent on the road with her singing tours, the MANY hours that she has spent cultivating, developing and refining her various talents and voice. Also, consider the fierce determination that her life represents to maintain her creative freedom to discover, become, and BE who and what she is today !! She has been willing to "fight" to achieve her goals of artistic and personal freedom, and to not be "boxed" into others expectations and visions for her. When there came a conflict, she was even willing to choose her Dream over her Marriage Mystics claim that ALL of Life and Creation consists of two opposing Principles - Fire and Light - and BOTH are essential, but must be held in proper balance. In the "Fire" is determination, energy, firmness, power, and strength. In the "Light" is Creativity, Gentleness, Kindness, Love, Mercy and Tenderness. In Sissel, God has wedded BOTH principles together, acting in harmony, to produce ONE amazing, remarkable woman!! I think that it would be just as false to represent Sissel and her life principle as "sitting meekly, passively and quietly while success was dropped into her lap" as was the "angelic persona" that everyone sought to squeeze her into in her youth, and that she rebelled so strongly against. Sissel stated in one interview that much of what she has achieved has come about because of her willingness to, "step outside of her comfort zone" and face the challenge of the unknown. As I have watched over 500 of her videos and interviews, representing various phases of her career and the "persona" of her life, I have been privileged to witnessed the growth of an amazing woman. Like Jonathan Livingston Seagull, she has "fought the battle" and has ascended from the suffocating valley of mass conformity and mediocrity to fly high above, among the eagles - free and unfettered - over the mountain-tops and among the clouds of creative freedom and self-expression !! |
With the dawning of a New Year (2026), let us take a moment to honor Sissel's lifetime of tremendous achievement and for the "mountains" that still lie ahead for her to conquer and scale. ****** Sissel - YOU are our Hero !! ****** As high as my admiration was for Sissel when she was younger, I must say that it has even increased since she turned 50. Very often - as people enter into their "Golden Years" - they tend to diminish in activity and energy, lose their youthful dreams and ideals, turn away from challenges, and slip into "retirement mode" - content to dream of and relive "the Good Old Days" !! NOT Sissel !! She stated in an interview that she seems to have found a "new fountain of energy" upon turning 50. In 2019 she undertook a VERY ambitious project called "The Reflections Collection" -- producing 50 artistically and musically superb videos featuring love songs from the 40's to date - releasing one each week for 50 weeks. Each one was accompanied by a 2-3 minute "Talk" presenting a little history about the song and why she chose it. Also, she and her husband have together written and produced five "Trilogies". In 2022, in conjunction with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, she released a Christmas album, "Winter Morning". This year she released a beautifully illustrated - printed and vinyl set - featuring "Lullabies By Sissel" (no instruments, just her voice). It seems that she is even more committed than ever to discovering and being ALL that God placed within her and equipped her to become. Her "Journey" is by NO means at its end !! She has new dreams to dream, mountains to climb, and vistas to explore. She has discovered and developed new aspects of her talent, such as augmenting her vocal abilities with greater "stage presence and theatrics". It also sounds like (at least to MY ear) that she has been continuing to take voice lessons and developing new aspects of her vocal talent. Last year (2025) at a number of the major Christmas concerts that she performed at, her voice seemed to have a deeper, more mellow, richer, more resonate quality about it.Her Christmas concerts throughout Scandinavia continue unabated, and the 2026 season is already being organized. In October this year she did a concert with a full orchestra in the United States, something that she has not done for many years (other than with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra). In 2022 she received the "Seven Pillars of Humanity Creativity Award" in recognition for her years of humanitarian work around the world and actions representing the good in humanity. Click [ HERE ] to view a 4 minute video. In 2025 she was awarded the "Anders Jahre's Culture Prize". This prestigious Norwegian prize, often described as the country's largest honorary award for outstanding contributions to cultural life, was presented to her alongside two other musicians. The total prize amount was NOK 1.5 million, shared among the three recipients. Sissel was also honored at the "KK Gala 2025" annual awards event celebrating inspiring Norwegian women across various fields for their achievements, contributions, and influence. She was awarded the honorary prize during the gala for her long-standing career and cultural impact. She has stated that her goal in life is to be and to give the VERY best that is within her, BOTH as a woman and as an artist. In conjunction with this goal is a parallel one of leaving behind her a legacy of achievement, contribution and enhancement to her beloved "Musical Universe". |
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To me (at least) the following "botanical wonder" brought to mind a principle that applies to BOTH the Physical and the Spiritual realms. A Theosophist name of Jacob Boehme postulates how ALL of creation (animate as well as inanimate is comprised of three "worlds or principles". First is what he terms, "The Dark World" of the chaos of undifferentiated energy, from which comes the POWER of Life itself - determination, fortitude, resilience, strength, etc. The second is what he terms "The Light World" of Beauty, Compassion, Creativity, Kindness, Love, Mercy, Tenderness, Etc. The first two must be harmonized and united by the third into perfect balance for God's design to be fulfilled. An imbalance in or lack of either of the first two produces a "sweetness" without strength or a "strength" without love and mercy. I have long considered and speculated upon the idea that what it is that makes Sissel such an extraordinary, magnificent and unique woman is that God has endowed her with the genius of harmonizing and maintaining these two "Worlds" within herself, and functioning according to the power and strengths of BOTH !! She is perhaps the MOST Balanced, Harmonized, Unified, and Whole human being that I have witnessed. Sissel is MANY different "Persons" !! She is a complex, emotional, intelligent, intuitive, HIGHLY "spiritual" being. She is the innocent, shy, sweet "girl next door". She is the modest, simple, unassuming, "country-girl" from a small city in Norway. She is the "small, innocent child within"- and the cosmopolitan, glamorous, sophisticated, urbane "woman of the world". She is the "pure, simple soul" who loves nature - and to be alone in it to relish its Beauty and Wonders. She is the driven, perfectionist business woman and entertainer "par excellence". She is the loving, nurturing mother and wife who values her family, her home and her privacy. She is the international "darling and love" of 10's of thousands - who captivates and mesmerizes them with her astonishing beauty, charisma, and musical and theatrical talent. She is - without question - THE "Musical Genius" of her time. She is a "mischievous pixie" and a "divine Love-gift" from God. She can perform the most sacred - and the most sensual - of musical treasures with equal perfection and sincerity. Above all - she is MUCH beloved by 10's of thousands throughout the world - and loves them and God in return !! Sissel has GREAT fame, popularity, talent, and wealth, and she herself CERTAINLY qualifies for the title of "Superstar" - yet she appears to be a completely "down-to-earth, humble, modest, one-of-us-folk" person. She has repeatedly stated that she has never desired or sought after Fame, Fortune, Honor, nor Stardom - yet these have been bestowed upon her in abundance !! She can walk among Royalty and in the society of the most glamorous, sophisticated and urbane - and STILL be at home appearing at a concert or recognition dinner wearing just a loose, simple gown - sometimes even barefoot - with her hair somewhat disheveled and wearing no makeup. No self-important, narcissistic "Diva" here !! She has a captivating, natural, radiant beauty that originates from within - that is sustained to this day at 56 years old. No bizarre, flamboyant, painted-on glaze that quickly fades like so many of today's so-called "celebrities". God has GIVEN to her MUCH in the way of gifts and talent - and she has spent her life working VERY hard discovering, developing and maximizing these and joyfully returning them back to Him !! She never expected nor chose the "easy road". She stated in an interview that some of her greatest achievements came when she was willing to "step outside of her comfort zone" and see what the unknown had to offer. She started on her "climb to stardom" at the age of 16 and she is STILL "ascending that mountain", and no doubt intends to continue as long as health and life allow !! As I considered and meditated upon ALL of the points on this page, this question came to mind, "What is an example of an exceedingly beautiful plant or flower that grows and flourishes under the most adverse environmental conditions?" From my research came the following: |
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One of the most compelling examples of an exceedingly beautiful plant or flower that not only survives but actively flourishes under some of the planet's most adverse environmental conditions is the Edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale, also known as Leontopodium alpinum). This iconic alpine perennial embodies a striking contrast: it appears delicate and ethereal, yet it thrives in high-mountain environments where most vegetation would perish. Its story illustrates broader themes in botany --- extreme adaptations, cultural symbolism, ecological resilience, and even human inspiration --- while highlighting how "beauty" and "adversity" can coexist in nature. Description and Appearance Edelweiss is a small, compact perennial herb, typically growing only 5 to 20 cm (2 to 8 inches) tall. What makes it visually stunning is its "flower," which isn't a single bloom but a cluster of tiny yellowish flower heads surrounded by a star-shaped whorl of white, woolly bracts (modified leaves). These bracts give the plant a soft, silvery, felt-like texture --- often described as fuzzy or velvety --- creating an almost luminous, snowflake-like effect against rocky backdrops. The leaves are similarly woolly and lance-shaped. It blooms from July to September, producing a subtle but captivating display that stands out in stark, barren landscapes. Its beauty is subtle rather than flashy: a pure, rugged elegance that has inspired poets, mountaineers, and artists for centuries.
Habitat and the "Most Adverse" Conditions It Endures Edelweiss is native to the rocky, limestone-rich slopes of the European Alps, Carpathians, and other high-elevation ranges (from the Pyrenees to parts of Asia), at altitudes of 1,500 to 3,000 meters (5,000 to 10,000 feet) or higher. These environments are among the harshest for plant life: Extreme cold and temperature swings: Freezing nights, sub-zero winters, and rapid daily fluctuations.
Few other flowering plants persist here long-term. Edelweiss doesn't just endure these conditions --- it completes its life cycle, reproduces (pollinated by flies and beetles), and maintains stable populations in crevices and grassy ledges where competition is nonexistent.
Key Adaptations: Engineering Survival The plant's woolly white "fur" (dense stellate hairs called trichomes or tomentum) is its master adaptation. These hairs: Insulate against cold and wind.
This allows it to photosynthesize and grow slowly but steadily in an environment where energy budgets are tight. It's a classic psychrophyte (cold-adapted plant) with xerophytic (drought-resistant) traits. Culturally, these same protective compounds have led to its use in modern skin care for antioxidant and anti-pollution benefits --- biomimicry drawn directly from its resilience. Cultural Significance and Nuances Edelweiss symbolizes rugged beauty, purity, courage, and alpinism. In the Alps, it's tied to folklore of daring climbs (traditionally, picking one was a proof of love or bravery). It's protected in many regions (e.g., the first plant species safeguarded in Slovenia), making wild harvesting illegal in places to prevent over-collection. Beauty here is subjective: to some, its woolly simplicity evokes purity and toughness; to others, it's less "showy" than tropical orchids. Yet its ability to bloom where nothing else does elevates it. Edge cases and related considerations: Not all Edelweiss populations are equally hardy --- climate change is shifting alpine habitats upward, threatening some. It can be cultivated in rock gardens with gritty, well-drained soil and full sun, but it dislikes heat, humidity, or rich garden soil (mirroring why it fails in lowlands). Compare this to ephemeral desert "superblooms" (e.g., desert marigold), which appear briefly after rare rains but don't persist year-round in the same way. A Complementary Example: The Desert Rose (Adenium obesum) For a different extreme --- scorching heat and prolonged drought rather than cold --- consider the Desert Rose. Native to arid regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, this succulent shrub stores water in a swollen, gnarled caudex (trunk-like base) and produces vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, white, or bi-colored. Its sculptural form and bold blooms create an exotic, almost otherworldly beauty amid sand and rock. It tolerates extreme aridity, poor soil, and high temperatures by going dormant in dry spells and exploding into flower when conditions allow. This highlights how "adverse" varies by biome: Edelweiss masters multi-stress alpine life (cold + wind + UV); the Desert Rose conquers heat + desiccation. Both demonstrate evolutionary ingenuity.
Broader Context, Implications, and Other Examples These plants exemplify key survival strategies: Alpine types (e.g., Edelweiss, certain gentians): Woolly or cushion forms for insulation/UV protection.
Nuances and edge cases: Beauty doesn't guarantee resilience (many orchids are fragile), nor does toughness guarantee visual appeal (some lichens survive Antarctica but lack flowers). Climate change may expand ranges for such species while endangering specialists. Ecologically, they support pollinators in low-productivity zones and inspire conservation --- Edelweiss as a flagship for alpine protection. Humans benefit through horticulture (drought-tolerant gardens), medicine, and symbolism (resilience metaphors in literature and environmentalism). In short, Edelweiss stands as a profound example: a flower of exquisite, otherworldly beauty that doesn't merely tolerate the harshest mountain extremes --- it transforms them into a niche where it alone can shine. Its existence reminds us that life's most remarkable achievements often emerge from the toughest challenges. |
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Sissel Kyrkjebø, the international singing sensation and national treasure of Norway, is established as one of the world's leading crossover sopranos. Her angelic and powerful voice has made her a national institution. She has contributed haunting vocals for the soundtrack to "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings", as well as selling over ten million solo albums. In 2006, her album, "The Spirit of the Season" with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir went to number one on the Billboard Classical Charts, and received a Grammy nomination. She captivated the whole nation of Norway in 1986, when she sang during the break at the Eurovision final in Bergen - only 16 years old and dressed in a white bunad (traditional Norwegian folk costume). Since then, her fame and success have just continued to soar. She has been praised and acclaimed at home and abroad, and masters both the small and the very large formats -- everything from American TV shows to film music. Her singing knows no bounds - she masters all genres - from opera to rap! She has sung all over the world, and has performed duets with singers like Charles Aznavour, Andrea Bocelli, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Mario Frangoulis, Josh Groban, Brian May, Neil Sedaka, Bryn Terfel, Russell Watson and rapper Warren G. Her list of achievements makes you dizzy -- ranging from Schubert to Deep Purple - "O mio babbino caro" to "Udsigter fra Ulrikken". Truly a very remarkable talent and voice that only comes once in our lifetime! It is difficult to say anything that hasn't already been said about Sissel, but "National Treasure" and "Norway's Joint Voice" are two of the terms used about the "girl from Bergen". In 2005, she was knighted by the King of Norway, being the youngest ever to receive this honor. In 2022 she received the "Seven Pillars of Humanity Creativity Award" in recognition for her years of humanitarian work around the world and actions representing the good in humanity. Click [ HERE ] to view a 4 minute video. On June 28, 2025, Sissel finally performed with the Kristiansand Symphony Orchestra - on the island of Stangholmen - during the Risør chamber music festival. This was her first appearance at this six day festival. In 2025 she was awarded the "Anders Jahre's Culture Prize". This prestigious Norwegian prize, often described as the country's largest honorary award for outstanding contributions to cultural life, was presented to her alongside two other musicians. The total prize amount was NOK 1.5 million, shared among the three recipients. She also received a hand-calligraphed diploma and a beautiful watercolor by Håkon Gullvåg. Sissel was also honored at the "KK Gala 2025" annual awards event celebrating inspiring Norwegian women across various fields for their achievements, contributions, and influence. She was awarded the honorary prize during the gala for her long-standing career and cultural impact. For Biography Sites, click: [ HERE ], [HERE], [ HERE ], [ HERE ], [ HERE ], [ HERE ], [ HERE ], [ HERE ]. |
 | portraits of Sissel [ HERE ]. Note: It is a VERY large file, 900 Mb. |
| PLEASE NOTE: In the event that a large window containing an ad should appear in the middle of the download screen, simply click on the white "X" above the upper right corner of the ad to close the ad. ****** PLEASE - Be sure to read the "IMPORTANT NOTICE.txt" in the .ZIP file !! | |
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