So I met a friend recently and we went to see the movie Garden State, which I had been anxious to see since its release. Written and directed by a young (29-year-old) New Jersey native, I had read that it was about "coming home" to New Jersey.
Having just returned from a 2-1/2 half week visit to my "native home" of New Jersey, the desire to see this movie and have this experience, went much deeper than any conscious intention could have been. The movie turned out to be fabulous, extremely poignant and moving. Somewhat reminiscent of Good Will Hunting, not only in terms of it being a "coming of age" genre, but also having been written by "youngsters."
(It is mind-boggling to me at my age and stage in life, that someone so young, in their 20's for God's sake, could have such insight--much more than a lot of people I know, two or three times their age.)
After the movie, my friend and I walked around the mall a bit, trying to decide where we wanted to eat. The mall noise was ear-shattering, so we decided to go to Wolfie's for some Jewish deli. We hadn't been seated for more than two or three minutes, when I looked to my right and saw a couple being seated. I glanced at the woman's T-shirt which had the name Ridgewood imprinted on it. Almost without thinking, I turned to her and said "that's not Ridgewood, New Jersey is it?" To which she replied, "Yes, it is." I jumped up and immediately walked over to their table. Now here is where it gets, I don't want to say weird, but I guess I'll let you decide what you think.
Within 60 seconds of conversation, it turns out that not only is this couple from Ridgewood, New Jersey, (the town next to my home town of Fair Lawn and my high school's arch rival), but the woman (whose name also happens to be Susan) goes on to say that she works in Fair Lawn. And not only that, she works at the Fair Lawn Public Library. And not only that, she is a Children's Librarian!
Now, what are the odds of that? A Children's Librarian from my hometown library and here I am the author of a brand-new children's book looking for ways to promote myself, especially "back home." And what's more, my brother had already tried to make an inroad at the Fair Lawn Public Library and hadn't been successful.
Within five minutes, Susan and I had become instant friends. Unfortunately, I had neglected to bring my tote bag with my books along with me, but I did have postcards and business cards which of course I gave to her.
The bottom line here, (which I can now see more clearly than ever before) is that just like Julia Cameron, (author of The Artist's Way and my creative mentor) says over and over again, when you are in the flow, doors open magically and things just seem to happen -- all in their own Divine Right Order. (Oh, one last point, Susan has The Artist's Way sitting on her shelf--and has yet had the time to read it!!)
In this insane and chaotic world in which we live--a world in which everyone thinks they must do, do, do -- sometimes the best thing to do is just to relax and un-do. What I mean here, is to step out of our minds and into our hearts, connecting by whatever means we can to the Divine Creative Flow and then just waiting and watching to see what happens!
It sure seems to be working for me -- at long last!
SUSAN SCHANERMAN, M. Ed., is a multi-talented author, artist, speaker, consultant and creativity coach. She is founder of CreativeSuccessWorks, a company that specializes in coaching, training and educational programs and merchandise aimed at uncovering and reclaiming one's creative power.
She has authored two books,God is Color http://www.godiscolor.com and Play or Pay: 77 Ways to Have FUN or Suffer the Consequences and End up Paying the Price http://www.godiscolor.com
Sign up for her FREE monthly newsletter heARTmatters at http://www.godiscolor.com
tidy up service Glenview ..On one side there is a dark cloud. It is... Read More
"It's a big challenge. It's a journey into the unknown.... Read More
Most of us think of what a wonderful world this... Read More
As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More
I can truly say to this day of August, 2005,... Read More
As we walk these halls of Life viewing the world... Read More
A Nathan type prophet sees with his eyes. A Samuel... Read More
Who among us really understands the chakras? For all that... Read More
To a shaman a kachina isn't really a doll or... Read More
Want more peace and joy in your life? Daily stress... Read More
Forget what you have read or seen about vampires. The... Read More
Back in the days of the old law of Moses,... Read More
Actually I have 'helped' exorcize spirits more than once but... Read More
As Christian's we are often very independent. We try to... Read More
Obviously, if you really want to learn about the meanings... Read More
Last month, one of my readers needed a new car.... Read More
The tongue is such a tiny little organ. Yet, it... Read More
There is so much going on in the world around... Read More
Spiritual health is generally an overlooked aspect of healing. However,... Read More
Is it really possible that Don Juan could command the... Read More
Matthew 3:7-10 John Rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees7 But when... Read More
In an edition of Reader's Digest, I stumbled upon a... Read More
The passenger had to be carried onto the plane and... Read More
One of the most difficult barriers... Read More
The smart 'spiritual' answer is 'you always get what you... Read More
maid service near Winnetka ..We all hear of the concept of the "Enlightened Master",... Read More
The great gate is open, but travelers seek everywhere??? -... Read More
"What does it profit a man to have gained the... Read More
Back in the days of the old law of Moses,... Read More
There are no better people to be around than those... Read More
You decide! We are often asked to make decisions. Decision... Read More
Whadda ya know?Seriously. With absolute certainty, what do you know?... Read More
Your creative gift has power.God was the first and still... Read More
Matthew 3:4-6 John Baptizes the People4 Now John wore a... Read More
I don't know of anyone who really liked taking tests... Read More
A Tarot card deck typically consists of 78 colorful cards... Read More
My favorite scripture is Roman's 8:28. "And we know that... Read More
We come into this world alone, we experience physical life... Read More
The Kundalini is a pool of energy that lies dormant... Read More
I am a big believer in the strength of a... Read More
An Illuminatus Speaks:You will have to decide if this Illuminatus... Read More
Iktomi:Another and somewhat longer term correspondent of mine is a... Read More
We've all heard the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as... Read More
The earth is wrapped in a thin, loose shell of... Read More
A year ago, a beautiful woman came to see me.... Read More
As we go through life we all have to deal... Read More
There is nothing more valuable to a sentient being then... Read More
Unconditional love means unconditional freedom. Love and freedom are two... Read More
I can't boast about my culinary skill, because I just... Read More
I seemed to have lost my heart. Now this is... Read More
Spirituality |