Creativity

I have a gazillion notebooks stored throughout the house. Some are old friends I visit and revisit, while others are new and shiny. I just found an old notebook containing the affirmation, “I am a gifted and prolific writer.” When I reach back in the annals of Anne, I find proof that I’ve wanted to be a writer since my teen years. Yellowed notes shout my desire to befriend words. For years I would picture me writing. I would hold an imaginary self-authored book in my hands. It was fun to force my images into the future.

Time was always my issue, but when I dove into my obstacles, I found deep messages of inadequacy hidden from view. These messages, told in story form, were still running the show while hiding under the old “I don’t have time” blanket. “The beliefs that I don’t have enough time or money are some of the most favorite hiding places for creativity. Yet those beliefs are a smoke screen for the real impediments to creative freedom.

I found a revealing story in one of my journals entitled, “The Story of Creative Crush.” In the story I recalled events when my creativity was injured. Next I found a list, “Three Enemies to my Creativity.” Then I found the question, “If I had five other lives, what would they be?” That might be the ultimate creative question.

We are all creative. I am glad that I stuck to my dreams long enough to unearth the underground mental plots that kept me from self-expression. The payoff for me is that in my latter years I’m full blast into my arts. I’m even thinking about song writing – only because little songs keep running through my head. Unfortunately, it’s always just the chorus. Who knows; maybe more will come.

One of my other loves is art. I doodle and express myself through pen and paper or on the computer. I used to long to have the time to draw. Now I draw almost every day, usually at bedtime, but I do it none-the-less. I’ve taken a few art classes, done a few canvases, made a few pieces of pottery. I’ve piddled, but now I’m doing more and more of the art I love to do.

Not only that, I’m getting interested in the mechanics of writing. I have a group of people around me who are teaching me how to get around in paragraph or article, and I find that exciting.

Today my garden is blooming. The seeds of my imagination, which were planted so long ago, are reality. I am almost finished with my third book, Standing in the Dark. Writing is an integral part of my life. Today, even though I live a very full life, I find time to write. In this world of instant success or accomplishment, I’m glad that I didn’t get upset when my dreams came slowly.

  Health Tip: Goji Berries

Try goji berries, also known as wolfberries. They are red, dried, little health tidbits. They are reported to boost immune function, help your eyesight, protect you against Alzheimer’s, make you feel good, and prevent heart disease.

I like a mix of 1/3 nuts, 1/3 goji berries, and 1/3 cacao nibs (not cocoa). Goji berries have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes, but eating them may interfere with blood pressure or diabetes medicine, so don’t eat then if you are on those medications.

  Poem

Happiness sits close to joy,
But doesn’t run as deep.
Joy resounds from inner realms
And makes our lives complete.

No outer deed can touch this joy.
No circumstance or plight
Can quell the sound of joyful bliss
That sings through all of life.

– Anne Sermons Gillis

  Quotes

"From microbe to megagalaxy, from atom to angel, the universe is an expression of divine Reality, by whatever names that reality might be called."
– John Algeo

"I was looking out for number one and that didn’t feel just right. Then I started looking in for number one, because looking out is not much fun.... Now I have a master plan for finding out just who I am."
– David Roth

"Even being in the flow is sometimes bumpy."
– Anne Sermons Gillis

"Words are blessings or curses."
– Anne Sermons Gillis

"Make haste slowly."
– See this link

  NEW: Video Bits of Wisdom

A while back I recorded a series of 21 short inspirational videos on a wide range of topics. Most of them are under 2 minutes. I'll be spotlighting a different Video Bit each week in this space, with a link to it below this message. When you go to that page, click the Play button to start the video.

This Week: "Like Everyone"
Click Here for This Week's Video Bit

Click the graphic above to see all of the Video Bits.

  What is EZosophy?

What is EZosophy?
Click the graphic above to find out.

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Editor: Charles David Heineke of TheDoorway and TheDoorwayBlog

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  Anne's Schedule

April 27, 2013
"Buddha at the Gaspump"
Interview by Rick Archer
http://batgap.com/

We will post a link when it's online.

May 26, 2013
"Celebrating Life"
11:00 AM
Unity of Webster, Texas

  Ask Annie G

Dear Annie G,

What is the difference between emotions and feelings?

Dian Owen, Jackson, TN

Dear Dian,

Most people use the terms emotions and feelings interchangeably. That doesn’t create problems for people when they communicate, but when we get technical, emotions and feelings are different.

Emotions are the intense response to the outside world, while our feelings warn us of danger. If you were walking on the side of a mountain, your feelings would warn you of possible danger. If you were worried you might fail, that would be a feeling. If you slipped, you would have an immediate emotional reaction–fear.

When we draw conclusions, based on emotions, they are feelings. Feelings say our emotions matter; emotions say the external world matters. Feelings prepare us for danger. We have feelings that anticipate the possibility of danger. Emotions alert us to a present danger and move us to action. It is your emotion that moves you from harm’s way.

Worry, happiness, contentment, and bitterness are feelings, while joy, enthusiasm, anger, and sadness are emotions. Choice is involved with feelings and reaction, whereas emotions are a natural reaction to events.

Make it Easy.

Anne

NOTE: Send your questions on life, health, food, spirituality, and relationships to Annie G.

  Anne Art

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