Anne's Note reminds us that EZosophy is a philosophy whose time has come. The main article, Responding or Reacting?, reminds us that what happens in our lives isn't nearly as important as how we respond to what happens to us. Healthy Living gives us a pattern for Better Sleeping with a Sleep Mask. The Anne Talk, on EZosophy, was given at Anne's spiritual home, the Creative Life Center, in August, 2015. The Featured Product this month is Offbeat Prayers for the Modern Mystic.

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

Living EZosophy, September 29, 2015
Published Weekly on Tuesday Mornings

Phone: 281-419-1775
Email: anne@annegillis.com

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  A Note From Anne

Dear ,

This fall is another season of loss. Two friends left the planet unexpectedly in the past couple of weeks. My friend called yesterday in tears because her friend’s life is ebbing away. Death is a great awakener. It lurks over our shoulders, and if we give it a place of honor, it puts our problems in perspective, reminds us that now is the time to live, the time to do what we want and need to do in our lives, and the time to be grateful for each breath.

EZosophy is a philosophy whose time has come. EZosophy heralds the imminent nature of an easier life. When we stop, for a moment, and acknowledge that still center that houses our true identities, we are released from drama’s fiendish grip. Hold ease close; embody it; imbibe it. Ease is closer than the breath; its staying power is like the trickle of water that cuts a mighty gorge.

Anne

  Responding or Reacting?

Our house is still on the market. I buried St. Joseph, updated my appliances, and have new frieze carpet upstairs. The yard is pruned and the house is staged in anticipation of its new owners. We had a smog alert recently, informing parents to take their children inside when they get off the school bus. I hear the weather will cool down during the next few days and 90 degree, high humidity weather will give way to more bearable temperatures.

We mostly talk about life using externals as a reference point, as you may have noted in my “Here’s what’s happening” report in the above paragraph. The weather may be the most talked about topic on the planet, but don’t tell Donald Trump. While externals have some merit, the juicy stuff is in our inner world. Do you sound like the first paragraph or do your interactions reveal fresh, alive content?

How important are the what happens in our lives? Only 10% of what happens determines our lives because 90% of life is determined by how we respond. It’s not what we see, it’s how we see, that determines the fate of our lives. Do we react or respond to life? When we heal our emotional wounds, we react less and respond more. Do you encourage respond–ability (responsibility) or reactivity in your life?

How are you in traffic? Do you evaluate everyone’s driving? Are you focused on how wrong you can make everyone? Do you respond or react to others' mistakes? Do you call them names under your breath or perhaps openly give them the finger? These symptoms point to serious self-esteem problems. If you can’t be compassionate to others, you won’t be compassionate to yourself.

The following situations often trigger reactivity from people. These situations need to be handled responsibly, not reactively. When we make it a habit to let others off the hook for a mistake or for rude behavior, we undo much of the tangled emotional mess inside and cease being so hard on ourselves.

• Waiting – whether it be in line, on the phone, or in an office, we tend to feel out of control and become agitated or unpleasant to others when waiting. Our voice may get harsh as we complain or our inner emotional climate can heat up. Don’t fight to be right about waiting. Waiting will happen, and the more we resist waiting, the more waiting will occur. Make waiting a Wonderful Adventure In Time (WAIT).
• Someone breaks in line – While this might not be fair, it certainly is inappropriate behavior in the United States. I’ve been in other countries where everyone breaks in front of everyone else, and if you wait your turn, your turn will never come. People from other countries might break in line here, not realizing our customs of forming orderly queues.
  
  It is possible to be firm and challenge a person breaking into line without being demeaning or cruel. Always look for the message in this kind of encounter. It can be a symptom of something we do in our lives, such as interrupt others’ conversations, and the universe is giving us a lecture about our behavior. Remember, “You spot it, you got it.” What we notice is reflective of some aspect of our behavior.
• Traffic – Someone pulls out in front of us. We get angry. No one means to cause an accident. People who make dangerous driving mistakes are usually embarrassed and certainly remorseful. Which one of us has not accidentally pulled out in front of someone or failed to see a stop light or sign. Once I was driving in L.A. I don’t like to drive in big cities but found myself driving in this strange city for more than 3 weeks. I was taking care of my sister. While driving her home from the hospital, I was exhausted. I had lost weight, had little rest, and we had an hour drive in her old un-air-conditioned car. It was July and rush hour was in full swing. Sweat poured off my brow; my eyes stung from the salt as I doused myself with a wet wash cloth. We had to keep rolling the windows up because the car exhaust was too much for my sister. She was frightened to go home. We didn’t know if she could make it up the flight of stairs leading to her apartment. We were both stressed. I don’t remember what I did, maybe I was going too slow or pulled out in front of someone, but the driver gave me a nasty look and blasted the horn. It felt like every fear on earth swooped down on me. I started sobbing. My sister talked me down. I needed to keep my cool to drive home, but that driver broke me. Already on the edge, I could not take any unkind behavior. Whenever you get on the road and someone inconveniences you or makes a mistake, please remember my story. I am the driver who is barely making it and I need your compassion, not your indignant attitude, irritation, or harshness.
• Telephone solicitors – They have a job. Just be nice, be firm, and please don’t hang up on them. We don’t need to take out our pent up frustrations on them.

At best, life gives us about 80% of what we want and expect. There’s no need to be angry or have a “Why does this always happen to me?” attitude, because 20% of the time, life goes wrong for us. Anyone can be amiable when things go well, but it is our behavior when things don’t go our way that defines us. Let’s be conscious when we don’t get what we want so we can let our grace shine. When we respond rather than react, we find that our lives are EZier and EZier.

Anne

  Quotes

"There is a place inside where thoughts and emotions slide away and all is still, pristine, and awake. Go there. It is our home."
— Anne Sermons Gillis

"A thought climbs up my mind, hoping to take root, but this climbing thought will not plant itself; it will be replaced by yet another. And so goes the circus of the mind."
— Anne Sermons Gillis

"Ultimate teachings don’t tell you what to do to make things right. Enlightenment is not a do this, do that, don’t do this, or tweak this kind of experience endeavor. The truth opens the mind, shuts down the quest, and enlivens the seeker. It teaches the heart, not the mind."
— Anne Sermons Gillis

  Featured Product This Month

  What is EZosophy?

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  Healthy Living

Better Sleeping with a Sleep Mask

I used to think sleeping masks were frivolous indulgences. They were for Hollywood types. I bought a beauty product that included a black-lined bright pink silk sleeping mask. I felt silly but decided to try it. Wow, I fell in love with it.

My neighbors burn a night light that shines into my face at night. The sleep mask made such a difference. My research shows that when the eyes are in pitch black, they tend to produce melatonin. Eye masks are one of the best tools for sleeping.

Once I misplaced my mask and fashioned one from some dark green felt I had on hand for crafts. I cut a mask and attached a piece of elastic to the back. It worked great.

I love my sleeping masks. I’ve even bought a soft fancy silk mask for sleeping. I have at least 4 masks now. When I travel, it’s the first thing I pack. If I misplace mine during my travels, I’ll tie a scarf around my head as a make shift eye mask.

Putting on my mask is a bedtime ritual; my mind slows down and thinks, “Beddy bye. Goodnight.”

If you are crafty, here’s a pattern for a sleeping mask. Click here or on the image above.

  Anne Talks

In this Anne Talk Anne speaks on EZosophy at the Creative Life Center in Spring, Texas on August 20, 2015. This has been her spiritual home since 1999. This was her farewell talk to the group, since she and Jim are planning a move to Asheville, NC. Time: 52:08

  Anne Art

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   Anne's Schedule

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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.