Anne's Note talks about The Grinch and The Shepherd. The main article, Christmas Greetings, presents some of Anne's tweaked Christmas songs. The Healthy Living section discusses The Benefits of Tahini. The Anne Talk is Twas the Day Before Christmas. The Featured Product this week is Anne's Sacred Sales Affirmations (Standard Edition) CD.

The EZ Mantra: "Everything can be EZ or at least EZier." -- Anne Sermons Gillis

  A Note From Anne

Dear ,

Hoping all is well and that you continue to let go of any seriousness about life. Life has its serious moments, but not all life is serious, especially this time of year. When adults string lights on the roof and Santa’s around every corner, who can serious?

We’re on the road today but will be in tonight to see the grans. I’m so excited. I haven’t seen them since July and at this age they grow so fast. Take it easy and continue to spread your light with all your might.

Christmas Invocation and Promise

I invoke the presence of Love and all of her helpers. Open our minds and hearts to receive the intense power of your love. Give us the grace to fulfill our personal missions as God’s servants, messengers, and ministers. Help us to resist the death of our courage and joy. Give us the sanity to choose love again and again and again. Deliver us from our fear and into the awareness of your safety. Bring peace to our restless hearts and lift our spirits to the light. Encourage us to create a fun-filled Christmas day.

We, the EZosophists (One who chooses the path of Ease), do hereby promise to enjoy ourselves on Christmas Day. We will resist the temptation to feel sorry for ourselves and to buy into the seasonal depression. We realize that our thoughts are powerful and that our sanity, peace of mind, and the presence of love depend on our choices. We therefore promise to turn our minds to thoughts of joy, innocence, and forgiveness. We forgive our families for any insensitivity they may have. We forgive friends for not living out our scripts by calling or sending gifts. We practice unconditional love with ourselves, the people in traffic, our children, our neighbors, and all those who believe differently than ourselves. We promise to allow Christmas to be the merry end of our personal agendas. SO BE IT.

– Excerpted from Anne's book, Offbeat Prayers for the Modern Mystic, © 1998 Anne Sermons Gillis.

  Christmas Greetings

Christmas is Thursday, December 25, 2014, and even though American’s practice many religions, it's easy to get drawn into the magic of the season, no matter the reason. Please enjoy these EZosophy Christmas songs and have a wonderful holiday.

Happy Mind
Tune: Jingle Bells

A day or two ago I thought I'd lost my way,
But then my ego disappeared and I began to play.
I heard my happy thoughts and felt a great big smile,
And then my ego jumped back out and acted sort of wild.

Oh, ego thoughts, ego thoughts, ego ain't the way
to have fun in a safe, healed mind that does not want delay.
Oh, ego thoughts, ego thoughts, ego ain't the way
to have fun in a safe, healed mind that does not want delay.

Playing with my friends on this most important day,
I feel my courage jump right in and I just want to say,
I like you very much and hope you always know
that I'll love you no matter what, through wind and rain and snow.

Just happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy every day.
I make choices with my mind in a very helpful way.
Just happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy every day.   
I make choices with my mind in a very helpful way.

(Note: For years I attended Codependents Anonymous meetings. I wrote the lyrics to Hark, the Harried Angel Sings during that period. I was fortunate to sing it with a small choir at a regional CODA meeting. It’s so fulfilling to share with others and to be able to share my humor. Even though the song is humorous, it points out how the need to win others' approval or to be “good” all the time wears us out.)

Hark, the Harried Angel Sings (for Codependents)

Hark, the harried angel sings, Two more days and I'll have wings.
If I'm good and help you out, I'll get wings, without a doubt.
If I'm nice and do not fuss, if I help clean up the dust,
If I make my presence bright, I'll be one of God's true lights.
Hark, the harried angel sings, Two more days and I'll have wings.

Hark, the harried angel sings, I'm so tired of doing things.
I'm so tired of being good. I am tired of all those shoulds.
I just want to take a rest. I just want to be the guest.
I am tired of all this stuff. I am feeling mighty rough.
Hark, the harried angel sings, Two more days and I'll have wings.

Hark, the harried angel sings, Two more days and I'll have wings.
I gave up my heavenly chores. It won't be hard any more.
I gave up being nice. I gave up the heavy price.
No more sacrifice for me. I am feeling very free.
Hark, the Happy Angel sings, Now I have my holy wings.

Silent Minds
Tune: Silent Night

Silent Minds, Holy Minds, Thoughts of Light, Give us peace.
Heavenly states of consciousness. Innocent states of love and bliss.
Christ is born in our hearts. Christ is born in our hearts.

Abundant states of consciousness. God, our source, Gives us all,
Life and health and peace of mind, Joy and fun and plenty of time.
We are blessed by our source. We are blessed by our source.

We are love. We are peace. We are light. We are joy.
We are gifts of love itself. Bearing light and sharing wealth.
Christ is present within. Christ is present within.

It Came Upon My Mind to Clear (Click for video)
Tune: It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

It Came Upon My Mind to Clear Those pesky thoughts of doom,
to cancel all the shame and guilt, and give God's love more room.
A good thought here and good thought there, an affirmation or two,
and I can join with my Holy mind and keep love shining through.
Let joy ring out in all my thoughts and then my mind will sing,
and peace within will come at last and I can have my wings.

I thought my mind was doing fine. I loved my inner child.
I loved my neighbor as myself and had stopped acting wild.
But then the bottom fell out. I acted like a jerk;
projected fear and blame on friends and focused on their quirks.
The ego thoughts were rampant; the holy thoughts were gone;
and I forgot my sacred self, felt lost and all alone.

I wanted to find a way to restore love and light,
to sing with angels' heavenly choir and sleep real good at night.
I prayed, affirmed, and asked for peace in every way I could.
Then love came down and pulled me back and transformed ego's shoulds.
A flash of light, the sound of joy came flooding into my mind,
and love's pure innocence took my thoughts and I was no longer blind.

The love of God had pulled me out and taught me how to sing.
It kept me safe and far from harm, clutched tightly in angels' wings.
A sane thought here, a sane thought there, the holy mind marched on.
Now I can rest and feel God's love 'cause I have found my home.
There's peace inside where stillness lies, there's joy deep within,
and I am blessed many ways with abundance, health, and friends.

Tune: We Three Kings

Change your thoughts; yes, turn on the light.
Keep the faith and things will be right.
Inner knowing gets you going
Toward the truth that sets you free.

Ego's world can get you down,
Kick your butt and make you frown;
Keeping you waiting, eradicating
All the good that you have known.

Take your mind and let it be
Filled with great prosperity.
Christ's love shining,
No denying, life is full of mystery.

Excerpted from Anne's book, Offbeat Prayers for the Modern Mystic, © 1998 Anne Sermons Gillis.

Enjoy some more of Anne's tweaked Christmas songs

Joy to The World   Twas the Day Before Christmas

Anne

  Quotes

  Featured Product This Week

  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.

Need to subscribe to Anne's weekly newsletter? Complete this form and click Submit to do it. Subscribe to Anne's Weekly Newsletter. Name: Email: Thank you. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you can UNsubscribe by clicking this link. Follow Anne:            Share Anne:      If this newsletter inspires you or touches you in some way, please consider donating to help keep the EZ message going out to the world. Donations may be sent to: Anne Sermons Gillis 52 W. Tallowberry Dr. The Woodlands, TX 77381 Or send via PayPal.   Anne's Services 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. Click here to contact Anne by email or Click here to view information on Anne's One Year Seminar.   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.   Anne's Schedule All times here are Central Time. You must register with Lone Star College to attend these classes. Wed. & Fri., Feb. 18 and 20, 2015 10:00 AM-Noon, “Synchronicity” Lone Star College ALL Program Montgomery Campus Tue. & Thu., Mar. 3 and 5, 2015 1:00-3:00 PM, “Synchronicity” Lone Star College ALL Program Kingwood Campus extension in New Caney (LSC-EMCID Center) Wed. & Fri., Apr. 8 and 10, 2015 10:00 AM-Noon, “EZosophy” Lone Star College ALL Program Montgomery Campus Tue. & Thu., Apr. 14 and 16, 2015 1:00-3:00 PM, “Alive, Awake, Aware” Lone Star College ALL Program Kingwood Campus extension in New Caney (LSC-EMCID Center) Wed. & Fri., May 6 and 8, 2015    10:00 AM-Noon, “Alive, Awake, Aware” Lone Star College ALL Program Montgomery Campus Disclaimer: Some links in this newsletter may be affiliate links and may pay a commission if an item is purchased. Do your own due diligence to determine if a product is appropriate for your use. Editor & Publisher: Charles David Heineke of TheDoorway.org.

  Healthy Living

The Benefits of Tahini

Sandwiches are quick and easy to make. My favorite sandwich is an avocado and tomato sandwich on Ezekiel break with mayo. My friend suggested I try tahini as a substitute for mayo. Even though I use organic mayo in a glass jar, it’s probably not the healthiest condiment. Today I tried the mayo substitute and it was great.

Tahini is simply ground sesame seeds. It is a key ingredient in hummus. It can be stored in the pantry. Here are ten reasons for eating tahini.

10 Health Benefits of Tahini*

1. It’s rich in minerals such as phosphorus, lecithin, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
2. It's a good source of methionine, which aids in liver detoxification.
3. It’s one of the best sources of calcium out there.
4. It’s high in vitamin E and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B15.
5. It helps promote healthy cell growth.
6. It may help prevent anemia.
7. It helps to maintain healthy skin and muscle tone.
8. It has 20% complete protein, making it a higher protein source than most nuts.
9. It's easy for your body to digest because of its high alkaline mineral content, which is great for assisting in weight loss.
10. It is high in unsaturated fat (good fat!).

*Source:10 Reasons to Eat Tahini.

Now that you are convinced, try some Christmas tahini candy.

Tahini Raw Candy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup coconut flour (I grind up coconut in a coffee grinder to  make the flour)
• 1/4 cup coconut nectar, maple syrup, or agave
• Coarse sea salt

Mix all ingredients in bowl except the salt. Make balls. Top with a little salt. I actually put the candy in tiny bowls. I put the bowls on a baking tray and the whole assembly goes in the freezer. Freeze. Take out when you are ready to eat. These have to stay in the freezer until you are ready to eat them. Sometimes I add a little carob for variety.

Have a healthy holiday.

Anne

  Anne Art

Click image for a larger view

Click image for a larger view

  Anne Talks

Click the graphic to hear Twas the Day Before Christmas.