Anne's Note reminds us to Honor the Guest in our life. The main article, Purpose, tells more about Anne's "Parliament" experience and the need for living our lives on purpose. Healthy Living looks at aloe vera Hair Gel as an inexpensive and healthy approach to great hair. The Anne Talk is another great Dennis Tardan interview of Anne. The Featured Product this month is Anne's latest book, Standing in the Dark.

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

Living EZosophy, November 3, 2015
Published Weekly on Tuesday Mornings

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

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  A Note From Anne

Dear ,

We are still anticipating the sale of our house. We have to keep the house in tip top shape because some people want to view the house on short notice. It works out well because it forces me to have a neater house. I admit, it feels more spacious when the house is uncluttered, the bed is made, and the sinks gleam. It feels good to stay prepared for our special guest, the buyer.

Once a monastery was failing. People no longer visited, funds were low, and life was somber. A visiting monk came and held council with each monk in residence. If the place was to survive, there had to be changes. The monk told them that he had a message from God, “Among you dwells a great saint. He is humble, but none the less, held in God’s favor. You must treat him with the greatest respect.” The monk failed to reveal the saint’s identity, so each monk treated everyone with respect, because they wanted to honor the special one. The monasteries’ atmosphere changed from somberness to joy. Townspeople came once more to rest and spend time in prayer and contemplation. Offerings grew and the monastery thrived.

I clean my house because a special guest, a buyer, might arrive any moment. When we treat our lives as if everything is sacred and to be honored equally, life glows. My house looks and feels great. What if we, like the monks, acted as if the special guest was always here? How would that affect us? Life is treasure-filled; we must be the treasurer and not miss the fortune before us. When we remember that enlightenment is a recognition, not a change, we can’t miss life’s treasure and, naturally, life is EZier.

Anne

  Purpose

”The Parliament of the World's Religions is the oldest, the largest, and the most inclusive gathering of people of all faith and traditions. The Parliament was created to cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful, and sustainable world.” -- Parliament of the World’s Religions Statement of Purpose

I have worked over the past 4 decades for a compassionate, effective, and just world. I was taking a rest, then I went to the parliament and realized what A Course in Miracles says, “Rest doesn’t come from sleeping, but it does come from waking. Wake up.” I’m back in the game, nurturing a view of humanity that supports harmonious living. My experience of the Parliament lives on, and I can’t forget that the participants took vows. We were commissioned to bring the message of universal harmony, social justice, environmental well-being, and human rights to the world. How can I best take the message to the world? My influence is small; my mission big. For now, I ask frequently throughout the day, “How can I serve?”

We felt like a family at the parliament. Even when we were out of the 679,000 sq. ft. convention center, and in the Salt Lake City community, our nametags made us family. No one hesitated to speak to others and ask questions, make comments, or hang out with other participants. In one session we were called to imagine the whole world operating with the same compassion, acceptance, and open-mindedness we felt in that moment. The air was electric with well-being, hope, and joy. I closed my eyes, drank in all the love I could absorb, and imagined myself walking in a world where community, safety, equality, and friendship abounds. Ten thousand others joined in, and I think the room may have lit up!

Recently I was in Costco. As I breezed by others, I had a thought. “Suppose I brought back that feeling I had at the Parliament and assumed that everyone I passed was a part of my family. Each person was someone I cared deeply for, felt safe with, and someone who cared for me. They are parliament participants.” A smile exploded on my face as I greeted my family members. I was transformed. The shopping trip was no longer a shopping trip; it was an adventure. I felt radiant, and most people I beamed at, beamed back. I touched people when it felt right and struck up short conversations. It was an astounding experience. My body felt lighter, my energy soared, and, best of all, I knew that I was living my commission. I was on purpose.

Each moment carries purpose. Purpose is bigger than activity or crossing something off our “to do” list. Purpose occurs when we tune in to the Source and live from That. Living in the direct experience of Purpose is enlivening, inspiring, and joy-filled. Purpose isn’t a long term goal; it is a present moment experience. Having a purpose means defining a life-goal that clarifies our values and points to what we want to dedicate our lives to, but having a purpose and living with purpose are different things.

Living with purpose is an ever-present, ongoing, readily accessible, direct experience of Source energy. We can have a purpose, but when we live without being in Purpose, our lives are still empty. We can have a noble purpose, be altruistic, and motivated, but until we live in Purpose, we feel a restless need to search, accomplish, and complete. We all have purpose. Let’s live in it now, because when we do, life is always EZier and EZier.

Anne

  Quotes

"The Mystery is the source of everything important. All the great inventions and contributions, the great relationships, the great experiences - they all come from the Mystery - who you are, why you were here, what is calling you, your greater association, your destiny with certain people in the world, your ability to find your way while everyone around you is sleeping dreaming and unresponsive. This is the journey you must take or your life will be a troubled dream and no more."
— Marshall Vian Summers

"We hear the call but extinguish its voice. We long to commit to something bigger. We want to make a difference, to really serve, but we are afraid that if we commit, we will fail or be trapped in more busyness or useless activity. Until we can stand in the deep stillness of life, we cannot resurrect our lives. We cannot truly serve. We spin in an endless flurry, avoidance, or bustle."
— Anne Sermons Gillis

"Vision without action is fantasy; action without vision is chaos.” We need both vision and action."
— Dr. Rev. Michael B. Beckwith

  Featured Product This Month

  What is EZosophy?

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  Healthy Living

Hair Gel

Ou-ie goo-ie hair gel. I want something that works and is not full of chemical XYZ. I purchased a terrific organic aloe vera hair gel in Costa Rica, but I’m out and I am not going to pay $60 here for the same hair gel that costs $5.00 in Costa Rica. So I had this idea; use what you have. I had some face aloe gel and I tried it and it worked. Wow; curls without the frizz. One can use raw aloe from the plant and it works well too. A  juicer will extract the gel. In case you don’t have a juicer, scraping out the gelatinous interior of the aloe plant will also work. Be sure not to get the outside leaf pieces when scrapping, since it has a yellow substance that stains clothing. I’m guessing store bought aloe liquid would work too. I’ve not bought aloe powder, but that’s an idea – take the powder when you travel and mix the gel when you get there. No worries about missing up your suitcase or getting through airport security.

You may not want to use this all the time, but if purity is a personal goal, aloe vera is pure. I may not have the pura vida organic aloe BioLand hair gel, but I admit, it’s pretty close and more affordable if you live in the US.

Don’t stop with your hair gel; mixing aloe with your shampoo heals seborrhea, a bacterial infection of the scalp. Aloe is also an itch inhibitor. Mix one part aloe to one part shampoo. I use Dr. Bonner's to wash my hair. It is inexpensive, biodegradable, and organic. Adding aloe also helps the hair and scalp. One doesn’t need a hair threatening condition to use aloe in their shampoo or conditioner or as a hair gel. Try adding a little tee tree oil and rosemary oil. They are the salt and pepper for my hair care.

When it comes to any kind of hair care or body care, here’s the best rule; keep it simple and make it natural. The body is not able to deal with a complicated consortium of ingredients. When you use what nature provides, you will find that will you be healthier, save money, and support the earth’s living systems.

Anne

  Anne Talks

This week's Anne Talk is another of Dennis Tardan's interviews of Anne Sermons Gillis. It gives valuable insights into living in the present. Time: 30:02

  Anne Art

Ancient Grace
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Modern Grace
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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.