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Excerpt
from Book:
Foreword
About a year ago, I began having a longing to open a store. I
envisioned it being a store where I could have foot traffic, where
people in my city could actually come in and touch, feel, see and
listen to all the books, recordings and videos which I have published
through my publishing company, Music Outreach Publishing.
Previous
to this longing, my materials had been available internationally
through three websites on the World Wide Web (see copyright page
of this book for information). Yet now, Spirit seemed to be directing
me toward a more "hands on" venue for putting my creations
into the hands of those whom they might uplift. Curiously, the bookstore
aspect was not the only part of my dream. I also began to wish to
have a place to display my art and craft endeavors, of which there
are many.
I
envisioned the bookstore having all of my arts and crafts displayed,
each one above a desk where visitors could "try free"
any of the arts and crafts they felt drawn to. I felt instinctively
that this would be a great service to a world full of stressed out,
and in many cases essentially unfulfilled people. So may of us are
working so hard, and have so many responsibilities, yet feel we
are not truly fulfilling our inner creative natures. So many of
us are not happy, joyful or fulfilled!
I
thought of my own experience when I taught public school, and remembered
how much I loved decorating my classroom. I thought of when I discovered
sewing and knitting, and knew great peace pursuing these. I thought
of how joyful and stress-free I felt watercolor painting. I thought
as well how many of these things there are that I truly enjoy. I
thought of all of this, and, I wished with all my heart to be able
to share the uplifting and peace-enducing qualities which the arts
and crafts bring.
Finally,
I said to my inner self and to God:
"If
only others knew how close to their center and they could come
if they tried some of these things."
I
then knew that I must somehow open this store!
Well,
I went on a search for a space to open my store and found that the
rent, utilities, insurance and inventory was quite expensive and
daunting. I thought and thought, dreamed and dreamed, and prayed
and prayed.
Then
one day, as I am wont to do, I made a spiritual tool called a "mandala,"
in which one puts a symbol for God in the center of a piece of paper,
and then writes or makes representations of all that one longs for
around that center. I made the mandala all about my desire to open
my store. The language I used for this exercise made clear that
I wanted to do this out of love and service for the world.
Then,
I rooted out all ambivalence in myself, thanked God at the top of
the mandala, and as usual wrote at the bottom:
"God
if you have a better, grander idea or way,
I am open to it."
I
sang my mandala out loud, essentially using it as a focusing/prayer
tool. And, low and behold, I got an answer very soon! The inspiration
was clear. I was lying in bed awake the next morning and the idea
came to me very clearly (as it often does in the morning this way):
"Open
your store at home, and have it open by appointment."
I
had no question that this was God's answer to my mandala prayer.
I can always tell when I get an answer in this way. It has a certain
feel for me, and I know it is God's voice.
And
so, "Creative Cocoon Art and Craft Studio and Uplifting Bookshop"
was born. You can read all about Creative Cocoon in Appendix D of
this book, and find out how to visit it on the copyright page of
this book.
This
book and the other eleven volumes in this series is my attempt to
provide an uplifting journal an home study course for each art and
craft that I teach in my Creative Cocoon studio and bookstore. If
you cannot visit the studio, you certainly can read this book, and
then be able, at least modestly, to begin pursuing the art or craft
it describes. All twelve volumes of the "Creative Journeys
with Michael" journal, art and craft home study series are
available internationally on the World Wide Web, through PlaySingNDream.com.
I
hope that reading this volume (or any of the others in this series)
helps you to enjoy a new creative endeavor, and that pursuing it
brings you great joy and peace.
If
I can be of assistance to you, do not hesitate to contact me any
of the ways listed on the copyright page of this book.
I
am at your service.
Your
friend in love and Spirit…
Michael
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