“Everything can be EZ or at least EZier.” -- Anne Sermons Gillis

“Everything can be EZ or at least EZier.”
Anne Sermons Gillis

  A Note From Anne

Dear ,

  Open Secrets

I am always trying to think of a unique way to say the same thing. How can I share the most profound truth I've discovered? Yet, even if I could find a unique way to say it, I'm usually stumped, because what I know is something much deeper than words.

When I wake up in the morning, I often hear discourses on the truth. Sometimes I write the words down, but most often I don't. It seems as if my reception is on one channel and that is the reality channel. I don't write down what I hear because it seems to be the same topic over and over again. It's a talk on the mind, reality, and thoughts. I've shared this information with others in many ways over the years – and I think people will tire of hearing it, but for the most part, when I strip away my inner talk about how people might react, I find that this truth is flaming, juicy, and attractive – at least it is to me.

In writing this I've talked myself into sharing this profound secret. It's the secret of life, but it's an easy secret, because it's out in the open and never hidden from anyone.

Here's where the problem arises: when we see or experience something all the time, we hardly notice it. We walk outside and don't observe the sky unless there's something exceptional happening. No one goes outside everyday and looks at the sky with profound awareness. We go outside with our keys in hand and, even though the sky is present, we rarely see it until there are dark clouds, rainbows, or sunsets.

What we want is always here. It's present. It is a presence, but we're not seeing it, and if we don't look in the right way, we'll never see it. Most people seek the peace that passes understanding. Mystical western traditions and eastern philosophies bring the truth to the forefront – if we want peace and fulfillment, we will have to get our minds quiet or at least quieter. That sounds boring to most people. I have a friend who says, "A quite mind might be okay some times, but it would get boring."

Here's the secret: when we empty the mind of our personal demands, needs, and agendas, it is not empty. When our mind gets still, it fills with the most extraordinary expressions of the infinite. Sometimes when we touch the empty fullness, we become wiser, more creative, or even more efficient. One never knows what contact with the infinite will bring, but if we make a practice of checking into that deep space within, even for just a millisecond, throughout the day, our lives begin to move in unpredictable and miraculous ways. Our job is to show up and check into that peace, all during the day; this is the looking.

Just as an experiment, try checking in at intervals during the day. Stop the running commentary about how to solve some imaginary problem or the fantasy about the future and check into now. You might ask, "Where am I?" and then locate a sense of your self - YOU. You might take 3 deep inhales and exhales. The way you chose to check in is not important. Making the choice to look and then doing so is the important part.

For me, the most difficult part of developing the practice of looking was convincing my mind that stopping my current train of thought was the wisest choice. When I noticed my thoughts, they were usually the same thoughts I'd had running around in my mind over and over again. I had to convince myself that I had a mental dynamic that took me away from what is real, took me away from the now, and that most of my thoughts were fantasy.

When we begin to focus our minds inward, we begin to carry a stillness that permeates everything. It is around when all is upside down. The stillness speaks even when things are externally noisy. It speaks in compassion, love, and kindness – not as words, but as presence. If you will look and then look again, you might be amazed at the ease that begins to support your activities. These ideas are a try it: you'll like it suggestion for anyone who wants to makes their life easier and easier.

Take it easy.

Anne

  Health Tip: Weight

Weight is one of the most talked about topics in the US. "How much do I/you weigh? Extra weight is bad for your health. What diet will work for me? I have to make lifestyle changes. I've got to exercise more." These are popular thoughts in the world of weight.

So you've tried all kinds of diets, but have you tried a mental diet? If you live under the assumption that you cannot lose weight and that you are terminally overweight, all your diets will eventually fail. May I suggest you change your inner picture of yourself?

Every time you start to worry about your weight or berate yourself, stop and picture yourself happy, healthy, and vibrantly alive. Tell yourself that it is safe for you to be happy, to have a body, and to be fully alive and healthy. Find parts of your body you like and focus on them. See yourself healthy and at the weight you desire.

The body is comprised of trillions of cells and chemical activities. Everything that's going on in your body is influenced by your thoughts. Can you see that if the only change you make is that you feel happier, that would be a great outcome? It would relieve your stress and perhaps reduce any stress eating.

I've been keeping a healthy image of myself in my body, and I must say that it works well. When I start gaining weight, I start picturing myself standing on the scales and seeing my weight going down. At almost 65, my body is far from perfect, but in comparison to other 65 year old women, I'm holding my own. I find that my appetite will decrease or, for some reason, I'm exercising more.

When I was younger, I was worried about my weight all the time. Actually I was obsessed. When I finally decided to picture myself healthy and thin, I turned a corner in my emotional development. I may not look perfect now, but I'm sure at 85 I will look back and say, "What a lovely 65 year old I was." Since I am almost 65, I think I'll go on and enjoy my 65 year old body, so when I look back I don't have to lament the fact that I missed the beauty of my age.

Change the inner dialogue, love your body, picture yourself as healthy and at your perfect size, and your life will be easier and easier.

  Anne's Books

Standing in The Dark

EZosophy Book

Offbeat Prayers

Click here to see all three of Anne's books

What people are saying about Standing in the Dark:

"Standing in the Dark, by Anne Sermons Gillis, isn't just another positive thinking book. It's a book about the difficult times in life and what we can do to make it through them. It does, however, give us positive ways to make life easier. It's a short book, but it's one that may just turn your thinking on its head, which will probably be the best thing that's happened to your thinking in a long time. It's about how to bring more ease into a life that isn't easy all of the time. Anne discusses six main areas of life: Ease, Mission, Health, Relationships, Money, and Loss."
  – Charles David Heineke, Bonham, TX

What people are saying about EZosophy: The Art and Wisdom of Easy or at Least Easier Living:

"Although most conscious people understand that life doesn't have to a struggle, the "how to" has been missing... until now. Anne's book makes it "easy."
  – T. Harv Eker - Bestselling author and Founder of Peak Potentials Training

What people are saying about Offbeat Prayers for the Modern Mystic:

"I love your book. It is filled with much wisdom, humor and heart. Really beautiful."
  – Alan Cohen author, Enough Already, mentions Anne and EZosophy on page 99

  Quotes

"The minutes slip by so fast. I sit and watch time disappear. There it goes again. Stop watching.”
  – Anne Sermons Gillis

"Techniques are disposable mental crutches that hold us up until we drop the belief that we are doing something the wrong way, that we aren’t where we want to be, or that we need outside help to be okay. There's nothing wrong with crutches, but once you've reached your destination, it's a little weird to start worshipping the map.”
  – Anne Sermons Gillis

Yogananda describes his guru and a man of God. "Softer than the flower where kindness is concerned; stronger than thunder where principles are at stake."
  – Yogananda

  EZosophy CD/DVD Spotlight

Each week in this space we'll be featuring one of Anne's CD's or DVD's. Click the link below to learn more.

The Easy Money CD

The Easy Money CD This 40 minute interview explores the concepts of ease and money. Eileen Fitzsimmons, an award-winning news reporter, skillfully guides Anne in an in-depth interview about money consciousness. It's time to let the words "Easy" and "Money" stand side-by-side. Stop suffering about money and open to the larger flow of life. Easy Money CD - $5.99 plus $1 for shipping when shipped alone Downloadable Easy Money MP3 file - $2.99 http://www.annegillis.com/Books-CDs-Etc.html#Prosperity

  What is EZosophy?

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

NOTE: If you are viewing this on a cell phone, be sure to scroll to the right to see the other column.

  Anne's Services

  Schedule Anne

You may reach Anne by phone at 281-419-1775 or click the button below to contact Anne by email. Anne is also available to officiate at weddings and funerals.

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  Anne's Schedule

October 13, 2013
Sun., 11:00 AM
"Discovery"
Unity Church of Practical Christianity
15920 Piper’s View Dr.
Meadow Community Association
Webster, TX 77598-2550

  Anne Talks

Happy Free to Be Me Day

Here's a three minute audio to perk up your day.

Happy Out of the Box Day

Here's a 2 ¾ minute audio that helps you break through your limits.

  Ask Annie G

Ben

Dear Ben,

The time you should wait before you date again is different for each person. Since I don't know how long you were married and the circumstances under which you divorced, I can't give the most informed answer. It is advisable in all circumstances for you to remain single for a while so you can see who you are outside of your former marriage. Some people say wait at least a year. Be sure you are emotionally complete and that you do not carry over unresolved issues into another relationship.

Not dating for a while does not mean staying home and working on yourself all the time. Find some group social activities for singles and see what it's like to be single again. Read a few books on good communication and how to handle your emotions. Check out divorce recovery groups. I was single for over 20 years. I had several relationships through those years. I can honestly say that I grew the most in the in between times – when it was just me. Take your time, get to know yourself better, and you will probably know when it's time to step out again.

Thanks for asking.

Annie G

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

  Anne Art

I made this painting with
Kaleidoscope Drawing Pad on my iPad.
Click the image to see a larger image.

  I made this painting with
Kaleidoscope Drawing Pad on my iPad.
Click the image to see a larger image.

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Editor/Publisher: Charles David Heineke of TheDoorwayBlog.

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