heARTmatters

United by the Light

2011-12-16T13:04:00.001-05:00

I have been absent for a while due to a death in the family. I just haven't been able to get myself to do much of anything other than the most basic necessities ...

But as the year draws to a close, I felt the need to post something so I've decided to share with you the very first article I ever had published in a national magazine way back in 1998. (And I even got paid for it!)

I originally entitled it There's Something about Christmas but the publication, Unity Magazine, retitled it United by the Light. I hope you enjoy it ...

Having been born and raised Jewish, I can remember as a child always feeling that I had missed out on something when the Christmas season arrived. Our only acknowledgment of Christmas was a family dinner on Christmas Day. And the only reason we did that was probably because everyone was off work on that day.

There was something so special about all those lights and decorations and gifts and special songs and Christmas trees ... excitement seemed to hang in the air and was so thick I could almost feel it ... but around my house we had no part in any of it. OK, we did celebrate Hanukkah and light the candles of the menorah, and we even received some gifts ... but it just wasn't the same to me.

This year I seem to be in the midst of some kind of internal shift, because I am having a new and special awareness of both of these miraculous holidays of the winter season. Everywhere I look, I am finding stories and articles about Christmas and Hanukkah and the spiritual and metaphysical significance of each. It's amazing how many things they have in common.

I feel as if for the very first time I am seeing both of these celebrations as special and wonderful, and I'm proud to have reached the point in my life where I can choose to celebrate both. Interestingly enough, a non-Jewish friend of mine went out and bought her first menorah this year, just because she wanted to have the opportunity to celebrate this holiday of lights.

What I have found particularly significant is how both of these holidays seem to center on light ... the lights of the menorah and the lights of the tree and other Christmas decorations. Without even considering the more religious aspects, I find it interesting that at the darkest time of the year, when the days are the shortest, both of these holidays focus on light as a beacon in the darkness. What that means to me is that both of these holidays are about a recognition and celebration of the spiritual light of divinity which lies within us.

Whether it be the lights on the Christmas tree or the brilliant reflection created by the candles of the menorah, it's all about honoring God by letting the light shine through us ... honoring the quality of our hearts ... honoring our divinity.

There's something about all these lights and the magical quality of the holiday season that fills children, in particular, with a sense of awe and wonder. May we all remember, as well, to look at the world at this time of year (and every day of the year for that matter) with those very same "childlike" eyes of wonder ... seeing things as if for the very first time ... as beautiful and fresh and new.

Let us celebrate the true spirit of this season which brings us together, which unites us in the light. As James Dillet Freeman once wrote of it, the Christmas Spirit is all these things:

"the spirit of faith in life,

a sense of the joy of living,

the Spirit of goodwill,

the faith that life and light will win the ultimate victory,

the love of God in the cradle of our hearts,

the heavenly light by which our mind is lit, and

the truth of our divinity."

May we live each day with that Spirit in our hearts.

A Different Look at Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T18:37:00.001-05:00

It has been something of a tradition of mine to write an article about gratitude every November. I’ve been thinking about it for several weeks … have made several vain attempts … and now, here it is Thanksgiving Day.

I was awakened today by Public Radio on the alarm clock/radio. (It’s the least annoying way I’ve found to get me up.) Any way, every day at exactly 10:55am EST, Garrison Keillor does a 5 minute segment called The Writers’ Almanac. Today he talked about the history of the Thanksgiving holiday … and I found it fascinating …

For those of us in the US, one of the first things we learn is school is about the 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving among the Pilgrims and local Indians that we have deemed “The First Thanksgiving.” It was prompted by a good harvest that year. The practice of holding an annual harvest festival did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s.

That we all know, but I learned something new today and in my inimitable way when I learn something new, I feel moved (more like compelled) to share it.

For many years following that first gathering, Thanksgiving was only celebrated in New England. Each state picked its own date for the holiday, some as early as October and others as late as January. It was almost unheard of in the South.

It’s fairly common knowledge that it was Abraham Lincoln who established Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863. What I was totally unaware of was that it took 17 years of advocating … and the force behind the effort was one single individual, a woman by the name of Sarah Josepha Buell Hale (October 24, 1788 - April 30, 1879)

An influential editor and writer (she authored the classic children’s nursery rhyme “Mary had a Little Lamb,” Sarah began her efforts in 1846. She wrote letters to five Presidents … Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan and Abraham Lincoln. Her initial attempts failed to produce any results, but finally after 17 long years, her letter to President Lincoln convinced him to support legislation establishing a national holiday of Thanksgiving. That was in 1863.

With the intention of fostering a sense of American unity between the Northern and Southern states, Lincoln proclaimed the date to be the final Thursday in November. Prior to this, the only National holidays were Washington’s Birthday and Independence Day.

It was not until December 26, 1941 that the date changed to the fourth Thursday (and not always final) in November - - this time by federal legislation. It was President Franklin Roosevelt who agreed to sign a bill into law with Congress, making Thanksgiving a national holiday on the fourth Thursday in November.

And so, here we are … the article this year quite different from those in the past … but maybe not?

It would seem appropriate to me to take a moment and “feel” a sense of gratitude in our hearts for this tenacious woman .... Sarah Josepha Hale ... without whom we wouldn’t all be gathering together today to celebrate our Thanksgiving holiday at all.

P.S. Hale was also an advocate for education. She believed and supported the idea that play and physical education are important learning experiences for children. In 1829, she wrote that "Physical health and its attendant cheerfulness promote a happy tone of moral feeling, and they are quite indispensable to successful intellectual effort."

She was also an early advocate of women's education, particularly higher education for women. She helped in the founding of Vassar College in 1861. Vassar was the first of the Seven Sisters colleges, higher education schools strictly for women and historically considered sister institutions to the Ivy League schools.

Gifts and Seeds

2011-11-20T17:32:00.003-05:00

In February 2006, I started my own radio show that I entitled The Empower Hour. Along with that I created a blog by the same name. Many of the posts dealt with the Guest of the Week and the associated themes. Others were just thoughts or ideas that struck me. Such is the case with the post below ~ ~ I hope you find it interesting.

Tuesday, March 7, 2006

"We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us."--Romans 12:6

I'm sure you are all well aware that just as there are no two sets of fingerprints that are alike, no two snowflakes that are alike, and no two sets of DNA alike, each of us, as what I would like to refer to as Spirit-Beings, on this physical Earth plane, are unique, one-of-a-kind, unlike any other.

It would then follow, that each of us would also have our own set of unique talents and abilities ... our gifts, if you will. Of course, it is up to each and everyone of us to determine and choose how (and if) we want to express those gifts to the world.

And just as the seed carries the potential of each living thing in nature, so we, too, each carry the seeds of our unlimited divine potential, as well.

Make note of the word potential (Coming from the Latin root meaning To Be Able.) For anything on earth, potential must be nurtured, perhaps protected and supported, in order to blossom and to bloom. Without the proper and necessary conditions for growth, seeds could very easily remain dormant, forever.

On the other hand, under the right conditions (whatever they may be) it is the simple, magnificent and natural way of life for seeds of every kind and variety to take root, sprout, grow and ultimately bloom into their full glory.

P.S. The Empower Hour blog in it's entirety can be found at the top of my Favorite Links on the sidebar.

THE US IN TRUST

2011-11-15T14:16:00.001-05:00

This piece was written more than 10 years ago but the phrase the US in TRUST has once again been running through my mind. Many things have changed in my life and in the world since then but it’s always interesting to notice that some things don’t really ever change all that much.

THE US IN TRUST

Did you ever notice the word US sitting inside the word TRUST?

For some unknown reason, that thought popped into my head in the middle of the night last night and kept running around my mind like a broken record.

In the morning, I was awakened by a phone call telling me that a 38-year old woman I knew had become seriously ill without warning, was on life support and not expected to live. The news shook me to my core. I called a Prayer Line for support for the woman, her husband and myself.

Then I began contemplating … about life and death and the US in TRUST.

In recent months, I have become increasingly aware of the fact that I have some major issues…deeply-rooted issues…around the idea of trust and for any number of reasons tend for the most part…Not to trust…myself or anything/anyone else for that matter.

The result is to always be filled with a certain sense (sometimes more, sometimes less) of doubt…uncertainty…separation…to never actually feel that I walk through life with any sense of surefootedness but rather cloaked in this wobbly, shaky, isolated, tentative feeling. Just another way of saying FEAR, I guess.

But now with this middle of the night message followed by the early morning call and my call for prayer help…I am sitting here overcome with a strong sense of calm and the seedling of a thought germinating within me that there is indeed a divine partnership of which we are all part … there is most definitely an US in TRUST.

And I can cloak myself in that feeling if I choose. I am not alone…unless I choose to see it that way. I do not have to live from a base of fear and uncertainty…unless I forget to remember the Truth. And it really is not a very complicated thing to do…to shift my perception…to refocus my gaze. It can be done in a moment…in the “blink of an eye.” But at the same time…it is not always such an easy thing to do either…with this life as it is… with all the challenges it brings.

But do it I can…do it we can…and do it we must…it would certainly seem to be God’s will for us in the first place…

And although the world at large seems to be very much in that wobbly, tottering isolated position at the present time…as each one of us…one by one…moment by moment…

remembers the US in TRUST…we can all relax just a bit more…let go just a bit more…and the world can begin to be a lighter, brighter, more surefooted place for all of US.

Act As If !

2011-10-30T23:16:00.003-04:00

October 30, 2011

taken from Idea Champions

Do you know what the opposite of a "professional" is?

A "con-fessional."

And, at the risk of being unprofessional, here's mine:

One of the great secrets to manifesting anything on planet Earth is to act as if -- to proceed in the spirit of already having succeeded -- or what Steven Covey refers to as "beginning with the end in mind."

Why is this important?

Because you already are what you profess to be, even if it's not apparent yet.

This state of mind, which is the polar opposite of doubt, could easily be construed to be some kind of con game. But it's not.

In a con game, the intention is to deceive -- to manipulate others by pretending to be something you're not.

When you act as if, you are simply being that which you already are, but hasn't manifested yet.

You are, as described in the introduction to Awake at the Wheel, the IDEA of something not yet fully embodied.

The intention, always, in the game of creation, is never to deceive, but to CONCEIVE -- to bring into being a positive, life-affirming outcome.

When you, with integrity, act CONFIDENTLY (from the Latin "con-fide" -- meaning "with faith") you are not playing a "confidence game" -- you are jump starting the creative process.

Got it? Good.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
1. Suspend all doubt.
2. See your BIG IDEA as already manifested.
3. Fully express yourself from that place -- with authenticity, style, and a good sense of humor.

Excerpted from Awake at the Wheel: Getting Your Great Ideas Rolling (in an uphill world).

Back in the Saddle Again

2009-06-21T22:05:00.002-04:00

It’s 10:15 pm and I really don't feel like writing but on Friday I made the declaration that I would post before the weekend was over. I was inspired (kicked in the a** is more like it) when I discovered that a wonderful woman the I met on Facebook, Lisa Ann Bonfiglio, was going through a major health challenge and decided to blog about entire journey from beginning to end.

I’m sure, in part to express her Self, but equally (???) as important to be a guide and light for others who may be experiencing their own dark journey (my choice of words.) Truth be told, I did experience my own Dark Journey from mid' September '08 through the end of January. And that’s about the time I stopped blogging. At that time, I didn’t feel like I could share publicly the fear and the pain that I was experiencing.

Don’t you think it’s interesting how differently people can respond to similar stimuli. Anyway, reading Lisa’s blog the other day made me feel embarrassed and even guilty, maybe, that I hadn’t had the courage that she is demonstrating.

So here I am, better late than never I always say. I intend to continue my story (which has very recently taken some new and amazing turns - - but you’ll just have to stay tuned for that.

At least I kept my word - - to myself at the very least.

Let’s all send some loving, healing blessings to Lisa!!! Oh, and Happy Summer Solstice

Creative Genius

2009-02-24T14:57:00.007-05:00

It's been almost 3 months since I made my last blog post. I feel badly about that from the perspective of considering myself a "writer" and yet I haven't been writing. What kind of a writer is that?

From a different perspective, however, these past 3 months have been consumed with healing - - from surgery for the removal of a malignant lump followed by 6 weeks of daily radiation treatments. To compound my situation, my sister has been dealing with a critical health challenge - - and that has the family in turmoil, which in turn impacts me.

Truth be told, I haven't felt the energy to do much more than the most basic necessities of life - - and even that has been an effort. I have done a lot of sleeping and curiously enough began to knit voraciously. It didn't dawn on me until just recently that knitting is commonly used as a means of comfort, relaxation and contemplative meditation.

I received an email today from my friend and former shamanic counselor, Michele Lessirard. It was her most recent New Moon Journal http://newmoonjournal.blogs.com/the_new_moon_journal/2009/02/pisces-new-moon.html

As this is the Pisces New Moon and one of the things that Pisces represents is our Connection to the Muse, Michele provided a link to a presentation by Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the best-selling Eat, Pray, Love entitled Humans and the Creative Mystery - - A Different Way to Think About Creative Genius.

One of the things she talks about is the radical idea that instead of considering those rare individuals who "were" geniuses, perhaps it would be more accurate to consider each and every one of us as "having" genius. And maybe that Genius, which we all possess, is really nothing more than the Divine seed that lies within us all.

Do yourself a favor and listen to her talk - - It inspired me to write my first blog post in 3 months!!!

2009-01-18T19:46:00.001-05:00

I know its been quite some time since I last posted. The past few months have been unlike any other i have ever experienced.

http://snipurl.com/ab9ry

Gratitude Power

2008-11-28T18:02:00.005-05:00

It's that time of year when gratitude is on everyone's mind. Sadly, it may just be the only time of year for some people to stop and take stock of their blessings. If they only knew the impact that gratitude has on their life!

Throughout history the great philosophers have always celebrated gratitude and extolled its virtues. All of the world's religions practice gratitude as a morally beneficial emotional state.

But did you know that researchers have been subjecting gratitude to scientific study?

Among their findings is that gratitude plays a significant role in a person's sense of well-being. After conducting the Research Project on Gratitude and Thanksgiving, Dr. Michael McCollough, of Southern Methodist University and Dr. Robert Emmons, of the University of California at Davis, concluded that daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism and energy. Also, the gratitude group experienced less depression and stress.

In light of his research, McCollough suggests that anyone can increase their sense of well-being and create positive social effects just from counting their blessings. The reason for this, in part, is that there is a close relationship between people who are grateful and the positive emotions of joy, love and happiness.

Scientific literature reveals that not only does happiness yield numerous rewards, but it is actually seen to promote positive outcomes. What this means is that happiness actually makes good things happen. Additional benefits include higher incomes, superior work outcomes, better physical health and even longer life.

Dr. Emmons goes on to say that happiness can add as much as nine years to one's life expectancy. In a longitudinal study of college students, it was found that happiness levels in college predicted income 16 years later. The most cheerful students earned $25,000 more per year than their most dour classmates.

So for the sake of your health, wealth and happiness, try a little experiment with yourself and begin to keep track of the things you have to be grateful for - - every day. And then watch and see what happens!!

"When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around." - - Willie Nelson

The heARTmatters Children's Project

2008-11-12T16:03:00.007-05:00

Back in 2005, I came up with an idea that I decided to call The heARTmatters Children's Project. The purpose was to be able to donate my book, God is Color, to hospitalized children thru sponsorship/ donation.

As the result of the generosity of some very special people, I was able to donate several hundred books to the Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, and to children all over the world through the IAM Foundation.

"Susan does a colorfully brilliant job at illustrating God as well as affirming the love and diversity of all children on earth in her beautiful book God is Color."
--Steve Vigione, children's author, founder and CEO of The IAM Foundation

Since my move to Georgia in 2006, I have established a relationship with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and so far have been able to donate in excess of 100 books. What's more, I have been allowed to visit the Family Library there, personally sign the books and put them directly into the hands of the children.

What a thrill - - To bring a smile to those darling faces is a feeling that is hard to describe - -

"WOW! Thank you so much for your generous donation to the Max Brown Family Library. They (God is Color) are absolutely the favorite book of many patients. They love all the color..."
--Patsy Rann, Family Library Coordinator, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

We all know that times are tough, but no matter what we may be facing, hospitalized children are facing much greater trials. So, since we’re in the month of gratitude and heading towards the month of giving and celebration, I invite you to look deep within your hearts and help me to help others by creating some smiles, raising some spirits, and giving to those who are facing such monumental challenges.

If you have your own favorite group or organization to donate to, I will ship the books directly, otherwise I can donate to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in your name.

For your convenience, you can go directly to http://snipurl.com/childrensproject where you can review the different Sponsorship categories. You can then select your level of participation and make your payment using my secure shopping cart. If you have any questions or would like to speak with me directly, I can be reached at 770-578-9393 or 954-812-9268 cell.
Email: successcreative@bellsouth.net

With warmth and gratitude,

Susan Schanerman

The Dawning of New Life

2008-10-22T14:17:00.002-04:00

In celebration of the arrival of my first grandchild, Jaylynn Rose Schanerman on Sunday, October 19, 2008 I've decided to post this article which I wrote back in 1996.

Yesterday my friend Susie gave birth to her first child--a 6 lb. 7 oz. beautiful, baby girl. I just had a long conversation with her getting all the details of the labor, birth, etc---and as I got off the phone, I began “musing” about the wonder of it all.

Is there any experience we know of or could even imagine that comes close to the mystery, awe and wonder of birth? I can’t think of one.

From the conception---the merging of male and female energies---to gestation---growth---maturation---to labor---and finally, birth. Nothing less than an out-and-out miracle.

The act of creation is and always has been. PERIOD. From beginning to end---the process has its own timing---its own “knowing”---Just like Susie was saying about when it was time for her to push---it was just time for her to push---she just knew---

Somehow these thoughts about a new birth and the incredible wonder of it all led my mind to contemplate the similarities with the process of creativity, in general. Conceiving of an idea---allowing it time to gestate---mature---going through a labor period and then voila---giving birth---and seeing the idea in its physical form. A thrilling experience for me, without a doubt.

But what I am coming to understand is that any act of creativity, like creation itself, has its own timing, wisdom, “knowing”---and for me, I am coming to realize that the more I allow myself to “go with the flow” of the process---to trust it---the more creative I actually become.

Shadow Dance

2008-10-05T19:15:00.005-04:00

I've been studying human nature for the better part of my life. I guess I have the kind of mind with an insatiable need to understand ... how and why we do what we do ... internal and external influences and how they play a part ...

I received an e-mail yesterday or the day before, from my friend and shamanic counselor Michele Lessirard. http://www.newmoonjournal.blog.com/ While she is an astrologer and likes to explain things from that perspective, she is also a very wise woman and has great insights about all aspects of life. For her, astrology is a tool to understand the cycles of life, both personal and collective. It offers guidance as to how to live proactively, rather than reactively.

She says that cycles spiral in four stages - a time of hope, a time of growth, a time of completion and a time of standstill. As she sees it, we are currently in a time of standstill. What that suggests is that we are being forced to deal with the death of the old structures. It is also a time when the “shadow aspect” of ourselves wants to be acknowledged.

"Too often we discount the richest part of the journey... the death of the old ways, the death of the old self. The moments of standstill...” – Michelle Lessirard

Carl Jung, perhaps the greatest proponent of the shadow or “shadow aspect” of our personalities, wrote that "everyone carries a shadow." He considered it a part of the unconscious mind that holds our shortcomings, repressed weaknesses and instincts. The shadow is prone to project, and without recognition or acknowledgment, it will form "an ever thicker fog of illusion between the ego and the real world." - - Carl Jung

What I found to be particularly interesting was that Jung believed "in spite of its function as a reservoir for human darkness--or be perhaps because of this--the shadow is the seat of creativity."

We spend inestimable time and energy in this society suppressing what we deem to be our undesirable qualities (our shadow.) In so doing however, we are actually denying our humanity.

Author Jill Badonsky suggests that "the phrase 'I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought' and the book/movie The Secret [actually] go against our inherent make-up as people." She goes on to say "...You see what a waste of energy it is to try and stop negative thoughts especially when both the energy we use and the thoughts themselves have so much potential for creativity."

Obviously, we don't want to identify ourselves or act out of our shadow. But observing and acknowledging it non-judgmentally, allows us to embrace our humanity. We've all seen examples of the fine line between madness and creativity. Our shadow can be transformed and even exalted by giving it creative expression.

Giving ourselves permission to be the totality of who we really are is what gives the magic and passion to our lives. You know what the silliest thing is? Each and everyone of us has a shadow aspect - - and yet most people spend the better part of their lives trying to hide, deny or suppress it.

"This it is, after all, the dab of grit that seeps into an oyster's shell that makes the pearl, not pearl-making seminars with other oysters."--Stephen King

The Creative Life

2008-09-14T23:01:00.007-04:00

I've recently gotten into the habit of listening to Bob Edwards’ Weekend on public radio every Sunday from 12 - 2 pm. Typically, he interviews authors for the first hour and various other creative types in the second hour. Two weeks ago, his guest was Paul from Peter, Paul and Mary and today it was Joan Baez.

The point was made that Baez is celebrating her 5th decade as a singer. That reminded me of something that I have thought about for long time. It has always struck me as particularly curious that people who spend their lives in the entertainment business or any other creative field seem to continue to do what they do ... express what they have to express ... until they leave this world.

So different from the masses who work until they can retire. Or amass enough money to NOT have to work.

Not so with artists, actors, musicians - - Maybe it has something to do with Soul Satisfaction? When we express and live as the creative SELF we truly are, our Souls are full-filled, joyous and at One with All-That-Is. And isn’t that what it’s all about anyway?

In Pursuit of Bliss

2008-08-30T16:27:00.003-04:00

Back in June, I found a woman online who talked about creating Bliss Books. What they are is a type of scrapbook where you put all kinds of things that represent your joys, hopes, wishes, accomplishments, acknowledgements ... in other words ... your Bliss!

More than just a creative expression, these books serve another purpose, as well. At those times when self-esteem gets shakey or your energy is off, you can pull out your Bliss Book and be reminded of just how wonderful you are!

All of a sudden, it dawned on me that without realizing it, I had made several of these kinds of books over the past few years. I just never had a name for them.

For me, they included my writing, drawing and coloring, quotes, photos, collage, keepsakes, and more. When I go back and flip through them (as I did just the other day) a sense of pride and accomplishment comes over me.

So I bought a new scrapbook and began collecting things I want to include. It took until just last Sunday for me to begin designing and pasting - - and I now have about 6 completed pages and 5 or 6 more that are ready to be glued down.

Why not give one a try? There's no doubt in my mind that you'll have a lot of fun creating it and a real sense of satisfaction when it's complete. Keep me posted!

Celebrate Your Magic!

Sounds of Silence

2008-08-17T15:06:00.008-04:00

I just learned something quite fascinating. In the country of Bali, on the first day of the Hindu new year, no one talks, travels or works. It's a day of silence, prayer and reflection that enables the Balinese to start the New Year with spirits renewed.

And here's something else that's not only fascinating, but mind-boggling. The American eco-activist John Francis spent the years from 1973 to 1990 in incomplete silence. It is said that once he experienced the beauty of keeping his mouth shut, he didn't open it again for 17 years with one exception: to tell his parents how much he loved them.

According to Francis, "silence is not just not talking. It's a void. It's a place where all things come from. All voices, all creation comes out of this silence. So when you're standing on the edge of silence, you hear things you've never heard before, and you hear things in ways you've never heard that before."

The Italian psychiatrist Piero Ferrucci has said, "Our culture is suffering from an overdose of action and a shortage of contemplation. I consider contemplation a basic need--- you even see it in animals." It's their way (and our way) of recharging the batteries. Sadly, for most people, this basic physiological need is completely overlooked, ignored and/or denied.

One might go so far as to say that modern people seem to do whatever they can to chase away the silence. They actually fear it. As French philosopher Blaise Pascal said "Eternal silence of those infinite spaces fills me with dread." An American-born Buddhist monk put it this way: "Silence is confrontational to the unstable mind. It won't allow you to escape from all the voices in your head."

The ultimate byproduct of the unwillingness or inability to become silent, is that one is unable to make contact with their deeper core, higher self, pure soul or what ever you want to call it - - and so become detached from their essence, their truth, their God.

"To hear the voice of God, you must be silent." Why? "Because God whispers."

Success and Failure

2008-08-11T17:28:00.004-04:00

Like most words, success and failure carry with them a wildly diverse assortment of meanings. For many, success is only seen as Olympic gold, Best Sellers' Lists or Awards for Outstanding Achievement. In the western world, success is equated with big homes, fancy cars, stock portfolios, etc., ergo, the phrase Status Symbols.

Conversely, failure is most often construed as the antithesis of the former. Not only, does it reflect NOT achieving a goal, but more than likely would also include evidence of lack and limitation. It’s as though you took a 180° shift and simply added the word NOT to the earlier achievements.

When I first came up with the idea for my company CreativeSuccessWorks, several years ago, one of the things that became clear to me was that as far as creativity goes, success or the lack thereof, was a matter of personal viewpoint. Now, I’m broadening my perspective to include the idea of success in any arena.

Think about this for a moment - - What if success were looked at as merely any movement in the direction of a goal and "failure" (if there even in such a thing) were merely a stumble, a wrinkle or a temporary backslide. Paulo Coelho, author of the highly-acclaimed book, The Alchemist, says that "success is falling seven times and getting up eight."

This theme also brings to mind Thomas Edison's response when asked what he had to say about his 9999 failed attempts to invent the lightbulb. Edison's reply was something like "Those weren't failures, I just learned 9999 ways NOT to make a lightbulb."

Abraham Lincoln is another great example. Neither bankruptcy, mental illness or numerous failed attempts at achieving public office, thwarted Lincoln. He just kept moving forward. The result, of course, was a certainly an outstanding one.

Like most people, I have had my own fair share of experiences of success and failure. On one occasion, I had a scheduled book signing at Borders on one particular Saturday afternoon. I set up my table, greeted incoming customers and handed out my promotional postcards. Some people smiled and thanked me, some people read the postcards and nodded, but only a handful even came over to the table to look at my books. At the end of the afternoon, I had not sold one book.

Now despite the fact that I had had a huge success only a few weeks earlier, in which I sold 100 books to a local nonprofit organization, this "failure" really knocked me for a loop. Self- doubt and negative thoughts engulfed me and I began a downward spiral into misery and despair.

But the episode drove me to examine these two concepts from the viewpoint of those who have come before me. I began to look up quotations on failure and in every case, I discovered that the ONLY true failure is to never have tried or to have given up. Thomas J. Watson, founder of IBM, summed it up by saying:

"Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't that at all. You can be discouraged by failure -- or you can learn from it. So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because, remember, that's where you will find success."

Curiously enough, the next thing I knew, my mood had lifted and the blues were gone. What I concluded was that the “success or failure” of our lives is quite simply determined by our point of view.

So, in closing, I'll leave you with my personal recommendation for a life filled with success - - "Fail On!"

Journal Power

2008-08-03T16:31:00.002-04:00

I discovered the power of journaling in 1996. With only a few interruptions, I have been journaling daily ever since. Journaling serves many purposes and has numerous beneficial aspects. First and foremost, it provides the opportunity for personal and private self-expression. Whatever is placed upon the page is between the individual and the page. There are no outside opinions or judgements or criticism to have to contend with.

Journaling can be a ‘dumping ground’ for anger, worries, and fears. It can also be a ‘blank slate’ for declaring hopes, wishes and dreams. The simple act of putting thoughts and ideas on paper, in and of itself, provides clarity and a new perspective.

Over time, journaling becomes the conduit between the individual and their Higher Self - - between the self and the Self - - and as such, can be seen as a form of meditation. Creative ideas, answers to questions and inspiration often accompany the process of journaling.

Bottom line, the mere act of getting feelings out of ourselves and onto paper is a healing act. When the notebook or papers are then shut and put aside, we gain a certain distance from those troublesome feelings and their power to negatively impact our lives is minimized.

Physician Heal Thyself

2008-07-27T17:23:00.003-04:00

(“The phrase alludes to the readiness and ability of physicians to heal sickness in others while sometimes not being able or willing to heal themselves,” also to “Attend to one's own faults, in preference to pointing out the faults of others.”) - - Google

This phrase came to mind this morning as I was journaling. It was followed by “Walk the Walk – Don’t Just Talk the Talk.”

I don’t know about anyone else, but I must admit that following my own guidance or “Walking the Walk” as they say, can often be extremely challenging for me. I think it primarily has to do with discipline and bad habits more than anything else.

Case in point: My creative flow has been sluggish recently. And that makes me feel extremely embarrassed since I consider myself to be an expert in matters pertaining to all things creative.

And then I heard the phrase “Physician Heal Thyself” and I realized that if I were coaching someone else in this situation, I would point out that at times like these ... when the well has run dry ... the stream has been over-fished .... it needs to be re-stocked.

There are many ways to accomplish this but the important thing to realize is that we cannot just fish - fish - fish or create - create - create or work - work - work without allowing the time necessary to restock ... restore ... regenerate.

And that could look like going on an adventure ... or exploring someplace where you’ve never been ... or doing something to stimulate the senses ... the list is really endless.

Bottom line, as always, as I stopped trying to force the issue and began to relax into and accept the moment ... Voila` ... the words began to flow and here’s the result!

How about you?

More Wonder of Wonder

2008-07-15T20:13:00.003-04:00

This is a piece I wrote back in January 2005, but it ties in so perfectly with a Discussion Topic I began yesterday on my Facebook group, I decided to reprint it. I was living in Ft. Lauderdale at the time.

I don't know about you, but whenever I see a rainbow, I break into a smile. This past Sunday was a perfect case in point ... it had been gray and overcast all day with intermittent bouts of rain and a cold front that had caused at least a 20+ degree drop in temperature.

I was sitting at my desk and just happened to look out the window ... and there before my very eyes was a huge rainbow ... with a smaller one by its side ... and I couldn't help but smile. What is it about rainbows?

And for that matter, what is it about all of the incredible examples of nature's magic and mystery that strike such chords of wonder? I certainly can't explain it but I do know I feel it ... How about you?

I think the whole point here is that if we do our best to remember to be as open and aware as possible ... as much of the time as possible ... we increase the likelihood of witnessing so much of the magnificence of everyday life ... that is just waiting for our recognition ...

Are You Listening?

2008-07-06T13:58:00.003-04:00

I recently watched the movie August Rush (twice actually) and I was blown away ... I was profoundly moved ... I was inspired. Movies do that for me ... all the time.

When the movie opens you hear a voice saying, "Listen ... Can you hear? The Music ... in the wind ... in the air ... in the light? I can hear it everywhere. It's all around us ... All you have to do is open yourself up. All you have to do ... is ... Listen ... "

Without going into the details, the movie basically tells the story of a young boy who knows with every fiber of his being that he will one day find his parents. He doesn't wish or hope or believe he will find them ... he KNOWS he will.

The movie feeds that part of us that wants to believe in the magic of life. It uplifts the spirit and feeds the soul. From a creative standpoint it truly encapsulates the premise of heARTmatters!

If you haven't seen it ... Please do your SELF, your Spirit and your Soul a big favor ... And then let me know what you think.

The film ends with August questioning the character called the Wizard, "So only some of us can hear it?" And the Wizard answers, "Only some of us are listening!"

Another Facebook Friend

2008-06-26T13:58:00.005-04:00

I'd like to introduce you to another of my new Facebook friends, MarkDavidGerson. He's an inspirational speaker, artist, life/spiritual mentor, writing coach and editorial consultant. He contacted me recently and suggested that since our ideas and work are so closely aligned, we should exchange blog links.

Mark David is the author of The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write and The MoonQuest: A True Fantasy and creator of The Voice of the Muse Companion, a 2-CD set of guided meditations for writers.

He writes several blogs and has a passion for inspiring others, as I do! The link for The Voice of Your Muse will be permantly posted on my sidebar.

(If you visit him, tell him I sent you:)

Courage to Create

2008-06-21T15:34:00.003-04:00

A number of years ago I was struck by a comment made by Carole King, the great sixties songwriter. I can't remember it exactly, but it was something along the lines of "to be an artist one has to allow themselves to be vulnerable ... they must be willing to reveal their insides for the world to see."

There seems to be no end to the ways in which an artist/creative can be described. But one thing is certain, the truly creative spirit who is living their life from that vantage point, must be willing to be considered eccentric, daring, outlandish, odd, etc.

Einstein said, "If at first and idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it." Philosopher Bertrand Russell offered this advice: "Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric." And might I add, those "once eccentric" ideas include the wheel, cars, planes, democracy, computers, the list goes on and on.

It takes great courage to express original ideas. Those who dare to be daring are certain to meet with opposition and criticism. The German philosopher Schopenhauer wrote, "All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as self-evident."

Artists go where others fear to tread. "It's the artists who find ways to express what the rest of us feel but cannot say or even imagine. If you ever wondered what artists are good for, this is it: they make us fuller and better human beings ... Art answers a basic need to find meaning in our lives ... Words, images and music can move the soul, and when souls are stirred mighty things can happen ... Art speaks of freedom, risk and the triumph of the individual."

- - Matt Schudel, Arts Writer, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

heARTmatters - - The Group

2008-06-15T18:45:00.009-04:00

Back on May 9, I wrote a post that I entitled The Artist Within. In it, I mentioned a woman I had recently connected with on Facebook. Her name is Sheryl Brown and she is an artist and marriage and family therapist. Anyway, as the result of our connection, I displayed my artwork for the first time ... to the whole entire world.

Well, now Sheryl has been kind enough to blog about me in her most recent post that she entitled heARTmatters. You can read that post at http://sherylbrownart.blogspot.com/ Sheryl was also one of the first people to sign up to my new group on Facebook that I have also entitled (what else?) heARTmatters - - Reclaim Your Creative Power.

I created the group only 1 week ago ... last Saturday night to be exact and get this ... we now have 131 members!!! I am absolutely blown away by the response. I'm getting incredibly positive feedback on the idea and energy.

One member, Steven Zimmerman, posted 3 of his photographs and that gave me the idea to invite all of the members to post their work ... To create a heART gallery. Now, only a week later we have a total of 13 pieces in our gallery. One of our members, Karen Gabel posted 3 pieces to the gallery. She shared that she had gotten away from doing her art and now was feeling "inspired by all of you to get back to it!"

I want to share one more thing that I thought was really funny ... in response to something Steven Zimmerman had said about not being a poet or artist ... I responded with the statement that there is alot more hidden within us that doesn't always reach the light of day. Steven's response that that was, "As to creativity, yes there is a lot that doesn't see the light, or sadly, 'till its too late ... But being from Jersey (he didn't even realize that I was from NJ) ... You know that's why God made Jesus a carpenter ... to build the closets we hide our true feelings in."

I don't know if you have to be from New Jersey, but I thought that was hilarious!! Anyway, that's where things are at the moment - - Check out the heARTmatters group You don't have to be signed up with Facebook to visit - - only if you want to join!!

Making Your HeART Sing

2008-06-05T14:15:00.005-04:00

My friend and shamanic practitioner, Michele Lessirard, used to always say "What makes your Heart Sing?" I don't know about you, but I find the question extremely thought-provoking. What is a Singing Heart anyway?

Close your eyes for a moment and visualize a "Singing Heart." What do you see? Someone on American Idol dressed up in a Heart costume? (That’s supposed to be funny ! ! )

I see a heart, vibrant with life, surrounded by dancing musical notes. How about you?

As I was journaling yesterday morning, and pondering this idea of Singing Hearts, I thought about the word heARTmatters and the next thing that popped into my mind was "An idea whose time has come." (Now where did that come from? And what did it mean?)

The word heARTmatters first dawned on me four or five years ago. (You can read that entire story on the Welcome to My World tab above) I just loved the way the words looked and what they conveyed to me. It seemed like the perfect word to describe my basic philosophy: We are all Creative ... We each have something unique to share ... Since no two of us are alike, whatever we create is one-of-a-kind and has its own distinct value ... It matters ... We matter!

I used heARTmatters in my work with children a few years ago and they really could relate to the idea that There’s ART in Every heART - - Every one has a heART - - So every heART matters! (See heARTmatters tab)

In her best-selling classic, If You Want to Write, renowned teacher and writer, Brenda Ueland states, “Everybody is Talented, Original and Has Something Important to Say.” As humans, we all have something to express ... We NEED to express. Think about this ... Try NOT expressing yourself for 24 hours and see what happens ... You might just explode~!

So what’s the big deal, you may think. What’s so important about putting our creative power to use? Again to quote Ueland:

”Because there is nothing that makes people so generous, joyful, lively, bold and compassionate, so indifferent to fighting and the accumulation of objects and money. Because the best way to know the Truth or Beauty is to try to express it. And what is the purpose of existence Here or Yonder but to discover truth and beauty and express it, ie. share it with others?”

What's your take on the subject?

Lions for Lambs

2008-05-26T14:51:00.003-04:00

I wonder how many of you have seen the movie Lions for Lambs? It was the first delivery I received from my new Blockbuster account. What a treat to receive a movie in the mail!

The film is directed by Robert Redford and stars Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise and Redford. At first it seems as though you are watching three totally disconnected mini-movies. But as the movie progresses, the pattern woven between these three stories becomes clear.

I don't know about anyone else, but I can often be powerfully impacted by a movie. This was one of those times. I think more than anything else, the film left me with many questions that are extremely thought-provoking and challenging to answer.

If only one theme were extracted from the stories, it would have to be the issue of Personal Responsibility. But within that, would have to be the question of where we each see ourselves on the continuum between Apathy and Engagement.

Behind the scenes, Redford commented that one of his primary intentions was to address the lack of involvement, apathy and cynicism that speak to the times in which we are living. In his role as the college professor, at one point, Redford says to his student, "Rome is burning and the problem is Us ... all of Us who do nothing."'

I wonder how many of us are ever truly faced with the question of Who am I as a Person? Am I Willing to Take a Stand? Where do I stand? What will I stand for? What will I fight for? What would I be willing to die for?

I am most anxious to hear your comments on this one!