Answers in the Silence — Featured Writers from ILLUMINATION

The 3 X 3

Over the last few weeks, I’ve focused on being more in the moment. What I found was being 100% (or as close to that as possible) in the now increases productivity and the quality of work. Not only that, but I also discovered another benefit from this practice, the gift of silence. During breaks, I seek silence,

The answers to life’s most difficult questions can be found in the quiet moments when you let your inner voice speak to you. In our busy and preoccupied world, achieving silence is a real challenge.

His Voice awaits your silence, for His Word can not be heard until your mind is quiet for a while, and meaningless desires have been stilled.

A Course in Miracles

I encourage you to find some moments to let the world pass you. Sitting in silence will bring you answers that enrich your life.

Speaking of life enrichment, here are three introspective writers I had the pleasure of happening upon over the past few weeks. I hope you will also find their voices thought-provoking.

Gerad Carrier has traveled the world in his career, and his experiences have led him to a holistic point of view, focused on kaizen principles (continual improvement) and universal themes.

Simply and Profoundly True explores the impact of awareness, correction, and practice on shaping us into the people we become.

This is further exemplified in his fiction piece, The Secret of the Ham Bone. A story of traditions that endured over generations.

His story Doubt refines Faith shares two sentiments that I have held for a long time. First, doubting our faith creates a deeper relationship with it. Second, there are many roads to God (in whatever form you define that).

I don’t read much news, and I follow it even less. I believe that most of it has absolutely 0 impact on our lives. However, while editing this week, I came across Daniel McIntosh, and further investigation of his writing revealed this story — Matt Gaetz Is Going to Jail.

Human trafficking is a deplorable act. The connections between Matt Gaetz, Jeffrey Epstein, and Donald Trump draw direct links between many of life’s truely bad guys. Maybe, as Daniel suggests, it will lead to more high-profile convictions, knocking some of the traffickers out.

His background and knowledge in international relations are on full display in Remember Mariupol, a story about a recent battle in the Ukraine.

If short form is your thing, he writes plenty of that as well. Here is a shot of Daniel and a bonus.

Finally, we have Oliur Rahman, who writes to discover what he knows. Isn’t that true of all of us? We learn more about what we know and what lies inside of us by sharing the ideas we possess. It’s as if we are channeling some inner power (maybe it was awoken in those silent moments I talked about earlier).

7 Lazy Habits that Lead to Being More Productive reveals tips for working smarter, not harder. While I don’t agree with all of them, I do use many.

There’s no such thing as completely original art, not only talks about how ideas are borrowed, mashed up, and presented as something new but also the need for us to realize that no matter what we create, it has all been done before in one way or another.

I read this tio for authors on a publisher’s website today: “If no one has ever written the topic or theme of your work before, there is probably not a market for it.”

Putting your original spin on rehashed ideas is what makes it art and will attract an audience.

Finally, this compelling article, Signs You’re a Victim of Gaslighting, discusses a serious problem in many workplaces and social circles today. It describes how to recognize the gaslighter and a few steps you can take to protect yourself.

Don’t believe the haters. You are beautiful and have something of value to contribute.

Thanks for reading, and have a glorious day.

John