The EZ Secret: Tips on Living in EZ, from Anne Sermons Gillis, 01/01/2013
Published: Tue, 01/01/13
The EZ Secret Newsletter In This Issue... |
Anne Sermons Gillis Phone: 281-419-1775 Anne's Websites: AnneGillis.com |
No Goals, No Promises, No Plans
This title might startle you if you are on the road to success. Everyone knows that getting ahead requires perseverance and planning. Business bangs into our heads the ideas of goal setting. Yet, there are other matters of the soul and heart that require more of an un-doing than doing. While others plan for the New Year, maybe you prefer not being on the goal standard. Make your cause a BE cause. Don't be a goal digger. Being here now is the greatest show on earth. Even though goals serve their purpose, it is possible to live in an arena that doesn't require getting things accomplished in order to be okay. The okayness appears first, then the doing follows from that space. When our doing flows from a natural inner knowing, life flows easily and doesn't require the traditional methods to bring forth accomplishment. I refer to this as EZosophy--the art of easy living. When we experience ourselves directly, as we are, then regardless of whether the toast burns or our toe is broken, we come from the support of life rather than from the interference of the mind. So here's the plan, stop making plans aimed at fixing yourself or bettering yourself. Make plans to be present, to listen, to relax, to stop pushing, and to allow things to be just as they are. This is the no-plan plan. I don't mean sit in a heap and do nothing. I simply mean stop seeking betterment and trying to fix yourself and your life. Struggle is caused by our making the way things are not okay. We can do things without struggle, make a to do list that supports us rather than strangles us, and give up the never ending shout of the ego that we are not enough and we don't do enough. An "Ole Geezer" Many of you know that my friend Judy died recently. I loved her and her passing was sudden. I used to joke that she was my one disciple. It was true that I was a teacher for her, but as another friend mentioned, the teacher learns more than the student. I met Judy during a series of lectures I gave on relationships. She told me that she was excited about attending the class. Her husband, who's now deceased, said, "Oh, that'' great, that will be really good for us." "Us," Judy replied? "You can't go." And he didn't. She came to listen, but more importantly she wanted me to be her friend. I didn't know this at the time, but her friend Shirley told me, "I remember when she met you. She told me she wanted you as a friend. I remember when she was courting you." Judy never told me that she picked me out. She told me often I was the most important person she met in her life. "I don't know what would have happened to me if I had not met you." I would kid with her by saying I was going to take excellent care of her because it is rare to get that kind of support and acknowledgment. You can see why I loved her! She was genuine; she thought I was an answer to prayer. If I blundered, she acted like Melanie Wilkes (from Gone With the Wind). She overlooked it or lifted me up. She would never think badly of me. The Passion/Purpose Trap One of Judy's concerns was that she never found her purpose or lived her passion. I told her all that hogwash tends to lead to longing. "Passion, purpose - watch that; it can be a real trap. Obviously that's not happening. Give up the longing, the regret. You are enough," I told her, "and your gift is not giving a product or legacy of words; you are the gift. Your life is the work. You don't need a plan to be who you are. Who you are touches so many." She was okay with that idea. She began to relax and appreciate that her life did have value. Of course, I supported this truth many times over the ten plus years we were friends, but as the years passed, she believed it more and more. She stopped seeking to a better person and evolved as she accepted herself as she was. I wish she could have been at her memorial service. The
room was packed. We even had to add chairs. Person after person
addressed the crowd, recalling how much she meant to them.
Shirley, her friend, stood to speak. "I heard Judy talk about Anne
all the time -- Anne, Anne, Anne, but I want to say that all Anne
was to Judy, Judy was to me. She was my teacher, my guide, my dear
friend." And she was not the only one who considered her their
mentor. Judy was the compassionate sage that held everyone's hand. John Sherman's work is most important. I consider him a mentor and a brother. He, along with his wife Carla, conduct webinars, publish literature, and hold retreats. Their project, Just One Look, culminates Jan. 13. Read about his work and what you can easily do on Jan. 13 to take a look at yourself. I'm definitely planning to participate and I strongly
encourage you to consider doing so. I believe you'll be glad you
did. Michael Mish's Version of Auld Lang Syne Listen to Michael Mish's version of Auld Lang Syne and see why it was #2 on the US's national mp3 charts for 2 weeks in 2000. It's beautiful. After the song comes the dessert – be sure to listen all the way through. Thanks, Michael, for letting us share this: http://michaelmishmusic.com/auld_lang_syne.html. You might remember that Michael's music from the movie Conversations for God. It is awesome. Check it out. http://michaelmishmusic.com. Used with permission. Open your heart to the gift of life. This video is life affirming and heart opening.
Anne Sermons Gillis speaks at Unity in Webster, TX on "Jesus Christ in Me." Check out this YouTube audio. NOTE: If you are viewing this on a cell phone, be sure to scroll right to see the second column. |
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You can help others learn about Anne's articles, books, CDs, Videos, training, etc. by referring them to her web sites or by clicking these Facebook or Twitter icons. Donations that support the EZosophy ministry are deeply appreciated. However, they are not tax deductible. To make a donation, Click Here or click the Donate button above. February 17 April 27 We will post a link when it is online. Schedule Anne for Your Meeting If you would like Anne to speak to your group or organization, you may reach her at 281-419-1775 or contact Anne by email. Anne is also available for your network marketing telephone conferences. Need a Coach or a Rent-a-Friend? Interested in getting ongoing support? Try life coaching with Anne. Anne offers options for both short-term and long-term coaching. Contact her for details. Contact Anne by email or click here to view information on her One Year Seminar. The 9th Annual Pity Party has been cancelled due to
internal committee conflicts. This is our second notice to alert
you of the changes. You are advised to suck it up until next year
and enjoy your life. All pitying is suspended until arrangements
are made for the proper venue and timing. Timing is everything,
and your time will come. We will inform you when it is your time.
You are further instructed to cease all griping, worry, and
judgments. No bitchcraft is allowed on the premises. Be willing to go out on a limb. If that's where
life takes you, then it's the safest place to be. You will be on top again. It just might not be the
same mountain. Most people live down to our lowest expectations
and up to our higher expectations. The way we see people
encourages them up or down The way we see others is a result of
our self-esteem, not a result of their behavior. Color affects us. The colors we wear, the colors on our
wall, and the colors that surround us - our bodies react. You can
make a color flashlight by covering the end of your flashlight
with a colored film and shining it where you want on your body or
meditate on the color. Perhaps you could contemplate a color on
your computer screen using Paint to make your color focal point.
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