Anne's Note, What do I want to do right now?, provides a perspective on what's important in the moment. In the Main article, EZosophy, Anne gives a brief intro to her EZosophy philosophy and how living it can make life EZier. The Healthy Living article, Self-Massage, provides some easy ways to use a marble and two tennis balls to help you relax. In the Anne Talk, Hardaholic Mantra, Anne gives a quick example of what the Hardaholic Mantra looks like, in real time. The Featured Product this month is Anne's newest book, Words Make a Difference.

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

Living EZosophy, September 13, 2016
Published Weekly on Tuesday Mornings

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

Anne's Websites:

  A Note From Anne

What do I want to do right now?

Dear ,

Life rattles on in The Woodlands. The sales of my new book are going well and we are working on the reprint of the EZosophy book. I have so many thoughts rattling around that I could write from now until I die and still be on the computer when the grim reaper, I hope it's more like a shining light, comes for me. I will not, however, regardless of how illuminating and fetching all my words can be, spend that much time writing.

I learned years ago that do the best you can do was not always the most liberating thought. Why? If I do the best I can do, I'll spend every waking hour being productive. But I want recess. I am good at so many things I don't want to take the time to excel in everything. I want to relax sometimes. I want time off.

Taking time off is not a liberating idea for one who spends his or her life goofing off, but it is a great idea for people who are super achievers. When one goofs off consistently and never gets anything done, then "I'm going to get off my duff and get something done" brings one a sense of peace. The "take action message" is not the one I usually need to hear, but occasionally it is apropos.

The balance between action and rest is a razor's edge and it takes knowing ourselves and our energy resources to make an informed choice. The choice for my well-being is EZier every day because I ask this simple question repeatedly throughout the day, "What do I want to do right now?" Sometimes I sit several minutes and just ask the question repeatedly. It's amazing to see what the deepest part of us wants in the present. It's a wise voice that doesn't shirk responsibility. It is a voice that seems to pave the way for a sensible, doable action or non-action. I think I'm on to something. Try this and let me know how it works. But if I had to guess, I bet it will make your life EZier and EZier.

Anne

  Main Article

EZosophy

Most suffering is ego contrived. We wake up in the morning and our mind scans its horizons looking for the next problem to solve. Suffering has become more of an attitude than an actuality. Unfortunately, the dominant culture thrives on suffering. We glorify suffering. People who suffer even receive awards for suffering. While I'm not against rewarding heroes, I am saddened that when we live joyful, productive lives, that kind of courage often goes unnoticed. It takes courage to break free from the norm. We are viewed with wide-eyed suspicion when we don't join in with the normal suffering of the world. We are told that we must live in the real world, a world where life is stodgy and serious.

I once showed a friend a picture of a spiritual teacher. He said, "I like her." I asked him why. He said, "Because she was smiling. I am suspicious of people who teach how to attain peace and joy that always look miserable."

We need a safe space for people to deal with their upsets and losses, but we also need a safe space for people to deal with their joys, hopes, and dreams. There are two sides to life, and they deserve equal billing. While life is hard, it is not hard all the time.

What happened? Where did paradise go? It seems as if the hardships of our ancestors are alive today, even when their circumstances have been erased. We have frequent Hard Attacks and think that we are better people when we suffer.

There is a philosophy, EZosophy, that offers respite for the mental disease we call the hard knock life. Ease is not just an attitude; it is a way of life. When was the last time you thought about ease? When was the last time you thought life was hard? I'm guessing most people opt for the latter. We think of hardships on a regular basis, but not of ease. We love the drama of suffering. Suffering is juicy, and we are juicy fruits. You may not be a Hardaholic all the time, but we all have our moments, and even one ego-contrived moment has no merit. It may be lonely to break free from suffering; our culture is steeped in ego driven suffering. But when we wake up, we see the light. Life was never meant to be a series of to-do lists, interrupted by sleeping and eating. Life is bigger than that. Life is a gift, and each moment holds a present.

EZosophy offers a new way of life for everyone who has suffered about:

• Taking groceries out of the car
• Weeding the garden
• Paying the utility bill, or any specific bill. We often resent one particular bill.
• Traffic
• Pumping gas
• Work of any kind
• Packing to go on vacation
• Repair problems
• Purchasing major appliances
• Money, when you have enough
• Driving in rain, sunshine, or snow
• Waiting in lines, when you have plenty of time
• Maintaining life

The antidote to suffering is easier than we might think. The above items, for the most part, are not situations that warrant suffering. We are so habituated to suffering about the same things that we forget to examine whether our choices are driven by genuine suffering, or by our egos. If the suffering is real, such as a death in the family, we can ease our situation by reaching out to others as they extend their hands or by diving deep into our inner resources. If the suffering is made up stuff (MUS), we can drop it in the present. That's why the 8 words miracle mantra is so powerful. "Everything can be EZ (pronounced easy) or at least EZier" is the mantra that brings us to the embodiment of ease.

What do we want to build with our lives? Do we want to build our bodies? Do we focus on building our minds? Our intellects? Our hearts? We don't have to choose one, because life can be a cooperative adventure that synthesizes of all these aspects of spiritual embodiment. We need a firm mind, a gentle heart, a healthy body, and a sharp intellect in order to fulfill our destinies. We are destined toward unlimited good and greatness. Not greatness of ego, but greatness of spirit! When we awaken to our true desire for truth and long to know ourselves, our lives and actions no longer serve and build the ego; they are redirected to serve the greatness we inherit from the source of our being. BUT, until we decide that suffering is not the ground of being, that suffering is not holy, and that suffering is nonnegotiable, we will remain on the sidelines of life, eeking out a smile or two, but never losing our loyalty to false suffering.

Now is the time to make a change. Now is the time to drop the drama. Now is the time to become an EZosophist, because in this very moment, "Everything can be EZ or at least EZier." Take the EZ challenge, drop the drama, and rest in the deep recesses of EZ. It is your destiny. You can wait, but why would you want to wait? Take it EZ, make it EZ, and have an EZ or at least EZier day."

Anne

  Quotes

"50% of success is self-improvement, self-esteem, and spiritual practices. The other 50% is work, creativity, knowledge, and time organization."
-- Leonard Orr

"We are habituated to complicated and complex thinking. It gives us juice, runs adrenalin through our veins, but it never brings us the peace we are actually seeking. Simplicity is so boring to most that it goes unnoticed, an alien concept, meaningless in ego's agenda. Want out? First entertain the mind, then let it go wild, and finally, and here's the key, become aware of it. Awareness is the key to freedom."
-- Anne Sermons Gillis

"Got mama drama? Are all females and bosses some remake of mom? Is your mate the reincarnation of your mom? Your mom doesn't have to be alive to be major influence in your life. Fix it; now. How? Forgive your mom, give up the guilt, and stop blaming her for your shortcomings."
-- Anne Sermons Gillis

  Featured Product This Month

Finally, a book of affirmations, action plans, and deep insights into the human consciousness that transforms and heals the soul, the local and global community, and the planet. Travel with Gillis on a journey through deep psychology, metaphysics, and nondualism.

We are responsible for a world that works for everyone and, as a collective assembly of souls, we cannot rest until greed no longer supersedes need. We cannot rest until greed no longer supersedes need. We are called to plant the seeds of blessing along the path to liberation. Revolutionary words call us to a world-wide renaissance of cooperation and community.

• Heal the most basic wounds of our human condition.
• Move beyond narcissism to compassion and justice.
• Become a Global Boom-Box.

You may order it from the website or call me at 713.922.0242 to order directly from me. The price is $16.95 plus $3.99 shipping. A Kindle version is available for $5.99.

Click here to order Words Make a Difference.

You can also download a Kindle version of Anne's new book, Words Make a Difference, on Amazon, for $5.99.

  What is EZosophy?

Click the graphic above to learn about EZosophy.

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

  Healthy Living

Self-Massage

I like little massage gizmos. My friend has a thousand-dollar chair that does wonders on one's back. Affluence provides many with up-to-date contraptions that keep their bodies fit and fabulous. It's wonderful that people can relax without stepping their foot out the door.

Yet we don't have to spend large sums of money to see results. Two of my favorite tools for relaxation are tennis balls and marbles. I found a blue marble one day while walking, befriended it, and brought it home. I guess someone lost their marbles, and, for me, it was a benefit. Yes, I only found one marble, but I couldn't resist the silly reference. Certainly laughter is our least expensive and most effective tool for relaxation.

Here are a few things I do with my blue marble:

• Roll it over my foot pad.
• Press up and down on the bottom of my heel while standing. Move the foot so each press of the foot activates a different spot on the foot.
• Press into the webs between my fingers and toes.
• Roll around in my hands; my palms are flat.

Here's what I do with my tennis balls:

• Put two balls in long socks so I can easily handle them.
• Put ball on floor and roll the arch of my feet, one foot at a time.
• Lie on my back and roll them up and down my spine. I especially love the way it feels on my shoulders and hip bones.
• It may be easier for you to back up to a wall and roll one ball or both up and down as you stoop down and arise. If you hold onto the socks, the balls won't fall.
• Place one ball under the back on my knee and bend my knee backward. I release, then move the ball toward my foot and move it down my leg so as to hit several spots on the back of my legs.
• Grip the tennis ball with one hand. Hold for ten seconds. Then release.

While those are the ones I've come up with by trial and error, here's a web page with pictures on how one can use tennis balls to relieve pain. I carry my tennis balls on all my trips. I wouldn't leave home without them. It's easy to do. All you need is the balls to do it!

Anne

  Anne Talks

Today's Anne Talk is Hardaholic Mantra. Anne gives a quick example of what the Hardaholic Mantra looks like, in real time. EZosophy is a better approach. Time: 1:06.

  Anne Art

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  Anne's Schedule

All times here are Central Time.

Monday, September 19, 2016
5:00 PM. Call in to 888-919-2355.
Live online interview by Keith Anthony Blanchard of Center of Light Radio.

Sunday, September 25, 2016
After 11:00 AM service
Book signing for Anne's new book
Words Make a Difference
Creative Life Spiritual Center
5326 Spring Stuebner Rd. Ste. 200
Spring, Texas 77389
Phone: 281-350-5157

Sunday, October 9, 2016
1:00 PM Workshop: Down With Ego Driven Suffering, Stress, and Strain
Lunch will be provided for participants after the service.
Unity of Charleston
2535 Leeds Ave.
Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: 843-566-0600

Sunday, October 23, 2016
11 AM Service: "Living in Ease"
Carmel Temple
1208 Pennsylvania St.
South Houston, TX 77587
Phone: 713-944-0014

Sunday, October 30, 2016
10 AM Service
Unity of Brazosport
507 So. Brooks St. (Hwy 36)
Brazoria, TX 77422

  Call or Email Anne Now to Schedule
  Your Next Meeting with her.

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.