Eleyne-Mari Sharp's Blog

“I definitely have rituals, especially around writing. Wake up early and drink Courage tea.” ~ Alice Hoffman, author of Practical Magic When I first imagin ed a home office, I daydreamed about living in an old English manor with a stained glass window in the library and a circular, iron staircase leading to the second floor bookcases. There was a gold-encrusted mantel clock tick-tocking above a massive stone fireplace. A beautiful red Irish setter slept next to it on a burgundy and jade...

Like many people, Sunday is a sacred day for me. I look forward to it each week because it’s when I honor my Writelighter self with a few hours of reflection, journaling, meditation, and cacao. My ritual begins at 5AM, although it sometimes occurs a little later. Everything I do this day is dedicated to increasing my frequency. Everything I do is to strengthen my golden bubble through Love and gratitude. Everything I do is to remember who I am. My Sacred Sunday To open my heart, I make a tea...

If you were to disregard all of the file folders, books, and scribbled sticky notes, one of the first things you'd notice about my office is my fondness for the movie, The Wizard of Oz.

Along the walls and bookshelves are postcards of Dorothy and The Wicked Witch, a stuffed Scarecrow, and a Cowardly Lion hand puppet. There's also an 18-inch rainbow on my desk. It's really a candleholder, a simple black ornamental bridge with small glass votives of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. To me it is a symbol of hope and inspiration, a reminder of how color became my muse.

Like many writers, there was a time when my words did not flow, flow, flow onto the paper, a time when I would have welcomed a pair of ruby slippers just so I could click myself three times out of the Writers Block Woods and into the Creative Light.

One day I walked into a metaphysical shop in Rhode Island and found my muse. There, along one large, sunny window were over 100 square glass bottles, each containing two different-colored layers of liquid, mesmerizing me with their gem-like brilliance.

This was my introduction to Aura-Soma, a holistic therapy which uses the healing energies of colors, plants, and crystals. Instinctively, I reached for "Gabriel," the blue-over-violet bottle. The consultant explained that by applying the oily contents to my throat and temple, my communication abilities would be greatly improved. Hopeful for a writer's miracle in a bottle, I brought "Gabriel" home and after only a few applications, I found myself enjoying what I can only describe as a creative high.

After my Aura-Soma enlightenment, I couldn't get enough color. I wanted to breathe it, drink it, eat it, wear it. I became an unabashed color junkie, studying and researching color, presenting color workshops, writing color meditations, and developing my own color therapy sprays and bath oils to sell at holistic and metaphysical fairs. Eventually, I earned my certification as a professional color therapist so that I could one day open my own color healing practice.

The more I worked (and played!) with color, the more I wondered how it might benefit my writing.

Since color is absorbed through the eyes and the skin, I deduced that I could achieve the same emotional benefits from holding and writing with a colored pen, just as I would by breathing color or wearing a particular color of clothing. I experimented with this concept until my Write-by-Color method was born (now called Rainbow Writing) and I began offering workshops to adults and children.

In Rainbow Writing, we use different colored inks because their vibrations help us feel or be the color.

Let's say the Rainbow Writing exercise is about blue, the color of communication, self-expression, integrity, and peace. I would ask my students to pick up a blue pen or pencil and hold it in their left hand.

"Focus on the color for a few minutes," I'd say. "Imagine you can see your hand being completely absorbed by the blue vibrations. Watch the color grow and grow until your entire body is completely surrounded in blue. Enjoy that feeling for a moment or so, then begin writing about your blue character, incident or whatever."

When I think of colored pens, I like to pretend they are magic wands for scribes to release their demons or manifest their writing dreams. But my Rainbow Writing technique is more involved than just writing with color. It's about becoming more color conscious of our world. And once we understand the excessive and deficient qualities associated with each color, we can write stories with more interesting, more believable characters who practically leap off the page.

One of my favorite examples of a red personality is the aptly named Scarlett O'Hara, the fiery heroine from Gone With The Wind. Talk about attention-getters!

Scarlett was stubborn and temperamental, a pampered woman-child who expected everything good the world had to offer. And nothing could stop Scarlett from achieving her goals, not death and destruction nor the scorn and wagging tongues of the local gentry. If she had to steal her sister's beau, murder a Yankee or toil in the fields, so be it. Scarlett was the ultimate survivor. If she had had a personal mantra, it would have been "It's all about me—and don't you forget it!"

In my Rainbow Writing workshop, we put on our colored glasses, hold colored gemstones, smell color-related essential oils, wrap ourselves in colored scarves.

We also listen to color-related music and learn color breathing techniques before we even put colored pen to paper. And then we prepare to write with my "Color Countdown." In that relaxing alpha mind state, the color affirmations help us feel more confident and focused so that we may "awaken" to produce more colorful and passionate writing.

Red. Orange. Yellow. Green. Blue. Indigo. Violet. These seven colors are powerful tools for writers.

So if a writer has lost their muse somewhere along the yellow brick road without a pair of ruby slippers to find it, they might look to the rainbow for inspiration!

Recently I unplugged from social media and the news.

Some people were worried, but there really was no need because it was a good decision. What I didn’t mention was the reason for this sudden change in my daily habits.

I’m an empath.

If you’re not familiar with that word, basically it means you absorb the emotions of everyone around you. The world is hyper-noisy and you are like an involuntary sponge, soaking up all the grief, fear, and confrontations the Universe has to offer.

I suppose I’ve always known I was a highly sensitive person, but being an empath is much more than not being able to accept criticism. In my case, every color or sound or negative experience is heightened. When the energies become intolerable, I’ll sometimes retreat for the sake of my wellness.

Thankfully, being an empath doesn’t keep me from my writing. And it shouldn’t.

So it’s a good thing?

It can be. Empaths live with heightened senses each and every day. We know the emotions of people’s fears and anxieties. We’ve seen how people react when they lose control. We know how it feels to be hurt, to feel overwhelmed.

For empathic writers like me, we already have the ability to put ourselves in another person’s shoes, so we immediately understand how our fictional character “ticks.” That’s why we excel at creating believable heroes and baddies.

We know people, inside and out. And people who know people are more effective as writers. We connect better with our readers.

Energy shielding

Since empaths require protection from absorbing negativity, I have searched for ways to protect my energy.

One method is to visualize a lead shield or mirrored ball around you. You may also wish to wear protective crystals like amethyst or smoky quartz. I used those same crystals to create an Aura Cleansing Spray.

Here’s my recipe:

Place an amethyst and smoky quartz crystal in a mason jar. Add distilled water and place outside in the sun or on a sunny windowsill for at least 24 hours. Remove crystals and pour water into another glass jar for storing. Add 1/4 cup of vodka or witch hazel to preserve energies and prevent water from becoming stagnant. Add 15 drops of lavender essential oil and 15 drops of rosemary essential oil into water. Add 1 tablespoon of seasalt or 2 droppers of Yarrow Environmental Solution . Store jar in a cool location, away from sun and heat. Pour part of the solution into a glass spray bottle to use whenever you need protection and after you’ve gone out into the world.

In every human’s life, we must face numerous challenges — that’s a given. Surprisingly, sometime those challenges are actually “blessings.”But what if you’re not a highly sensitive person?

Exercise

You don’t need to be an empath to understand and write about real characters with real emotions. You can cultivate empathy through your own memories and imagination.

While you’re writing your stories, try this:

Think about a time when someone showed empathy towards you. How did you feel about that? How would your character feel if that same experience happened to him/her?

Poet/author Maya Angelou wrote: ”Each one of us has lived through some devastation, some loneliness, some weather superstorm or spiritual superstorm, when we look at each other we must say, I understand. I understand how you feel because I have been there myself.”

Yes, I am an empath, but I’m also a writer and a visionary. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could present the gift of understanding to every person we meet?!

My father used to get a real kick out of blasting Stars and Stripes Forever on the stereo.

He would turn the volume up so high that the living room would tremble and you could swear the Thunderbirds were flying directly overhead. I’m sure the neighbors weren’t thrilled but no one ever complained and I doubt Dad would have cared anyway. When you’re a war veteran, you’ve already sacrificed enough for your country without having to turn down the volume, too.

To this day, I’m a big John Philip Sousa fan and I particularly enjoy 4th of July concerts, where Sousa’s patriotic marching music is as standard as White Christmas in December.

Faded watercolor memories

I spent many years in Boston and, like most people I knew, looked forward to the all-day excursion to the Esplanade where we would eat, drink, and listen to the Boston Pops, then conducted by the great Arthur Fiedler.

There’s nothing like a steamy hot Independence Day celebration along the Charles River, hanging out with a sea of sweaty strangers throwing Frisbees. But the heat and mosquitoes were well worth it, for after the long day we were rewarded with that wonderful orchestra. And then the big finale would come — Stars and Stripes Forever — and soon everyone was dancing and clapping and waving their small flags. By nightfall, we would become part of the dark indigo sky, a dramatic backdrop for the booming, electrifying performance of gold, red, green, blue, white, and purple.

I’ve seen some truly spectacular fireworks in my lifetime, whether viewed from a 72' schooner in the middle of Newport Harbor or while sprawled on a lawn near The White House or St. Louis arch. The colors are always fantastic (“Ooooooh!”) and always, always magical (“Ahhhhhh!”)

And even if your celebration takes place at a friend’s backyard barbecue where the light show is nothing more than a few Roman candles and a sparkler on a cupcake, there’s still something to “ooooooh” and “ahhhhhh” about.

It is the last week of June and flag fever is rampant. Replicas of the Stars and Stripes are hanging from buildings, lamp posts, trees, cars, baby strollers, and atop sandcastles on the beach.

I find it interesting that the Continental Congress never did give an explanation as to how we got the flag colors of red, white, and blue, but President George Washington gave his own interpretation: “We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty.”

A childhood pledge

I was attending Dwight Avenue Junior High School in San Antonio, Texas when I first heard the comedian Red Skelton’s stirring monologue about The Pledge of Allegiance. Our principal played the recording over the loudspeaker, afterward announcing that there would be a schoolwide essay contest about patriotism and what The Pledge of Allegiance meant to us.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I had grown up reciting that pledge. And whenever I placed my hand over my heart, looking up at the red, white, and blue, I didn’t see just a pretty piece of cloth. I saw my history. I saw my legacy.

I don’t recall the exact words I wrote but Red Skelton’s words inspired me so much that I actually won that writing contest.

Soonafter, I received a letter of congratulations from Red Skelton himself, which was exciting because I enjoyed his weekly television show, especially when he was performing as Clem Kadiddlehopper or the two seagulls, Gertrude and Heathcliff. That used to crack me up.

God bless the U.S.A.

This Independence Day, I plan to be in Bristol, Rhode Island, the home of the oldest Fourth of July parade in the country. Bristol is a town that really shows its patriotic colors with a full schedule of events, including a clamboil, orange crate derby, musical concerts, Fourth of July ball, and fireworks over Bristol Harbor. And when the sky is dark and filled with thousands of fireflies and bursting color, I will think about liberty and the many freedoms we still have in this country.

Dad was a Vietnam War vet who received a military funeral with a three-gun salute, a flag-draped coffin, and the playing of “Taps,” one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard.

When I look at “Old Glory” waving from the many houses around us, I will see red for courage, white for hope, and blue for the freedom of speech that I am so grateful to have as a writer. And I always think of Dad, of course.

Granted, not everyone feels pride when they see the colors. In fact, some people are so angry these days that they are “seeing red.”

With all the violence, deceit, and challenges in this country, it does feel like a different Independence Day this year. But no matter how you feel about the state of our nation, there is surely one thing we can agree upon: the good ol’ U.S. of A. knows how to throw one hell of a birthday party!

Let’s be honest here. Living on Planet Earth these days is no piece of cake.

Truly, it’s become increasingly difficult to find the sweetness in Life with all the anger, violence, depression, viruses, dictators, and corrupt politicians fighting for space on the newsreels.

And let’s not forget the ire from friends and family members whose opinions differ from ours.

Sadly, whenever we open our mouths to share an opinion we risk offending someone. Or, in the case of writers, whenever we write anything.

Convincing people to do the “right” thing can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean we should never try. Besides being teachers, historians, and entertainers, writers are also risk takers.

So what’s a writer to do when the world has gone alarmingly berserk? We take a stance, find positive solutions, and encourage others to make a change!

Here are some action steps you can take right now:

1. Submit a letter to your state senator. 2. Write an editorial to your local newspaper. 3. Leave an opinion on your favorite social media. 4. Write about your feelings in your newsletter. 5. Have your novel’s protagonist fight against the things you personally abhor.

Let writing be your super power. Whether you write on a daily basis or whenever the mood strikes you, remember that your words matter. Don your superhero cape and write ON!

Tarot for Writers author Corrine Kenner got my attention when she wrote that writers are fortunetellers. I had never thought much about it, but when I read that famous authors like Stephen King and John Steinbeck brainstormed with tarot cards, I decided to try it myself.

I had hit a snag with Seaglass Christmas. There was a gaping hole at the end of the manuscript where it is explained why the antagonist did what he did. The problem? I still had no idea for all his actions — and that was part of my job as writer!

When consulting my intuition or Higher Self, I tend to use oracle cards, but for this exercise I decided to open The Good Tarot deck by Colette Baron-Reid. It’s not a typical tarot deck — its messages are affirmations — but I love its energy and feel comfortable with the images.

I shuffled and pulled three cards, asking: “What do I need to know about my current writing challenge in my book, Seaglass Christmas?”The result was Empress, Ace of Water, and Temptation.

This excited me because my blockage pertained to the search of a stolen Marie Antoinette treasure that had been lost after a New England shipwreck.

Delving deeper into the meaning of the cards, I discovered that Empress was about giving birth to new ideas, Ace of Water related to overflowing abundance, and Temptation signified an addiction to the material world.

That accurately described the situation, but it wasn’t the answer I needed. I drew another card, asking: “What is the solution to my writing block?”

The card drawn was 10 of Air, meaning: “…a point of epiphany, an end to old ways of thinking.” While I was disappointed that it did not offer me a solution, the card did depict the outcome, which I already knew because I wrote it!

I was impressed but not too surprised how “the cards” knew my story because the cards were tapped into my own Higher Self.

Determined to get the ultimate answer, I drew one last card. “What do I need to know about my story?”

The 5 of Fire appeared with a message about creative brainstorming:I have the freedom to explore the ideas that seem the most far-fetched. What seems crazy today proves tomorrow to be brilliant.

Curious how it turned out? You might be surprised, so stay tuned!

Exercises• Write a scene where a character is scrying with water.• Write about a scene where your character visits an intuitive. Do the predictions come true?• If you were to create your protagonist and antagonist as tarot card archetypes, which ones would they be and why?• A character in your work-in-progress is searching for guidance and stumbles upon a magical cave. Inside is a stone table displaying a crystal ball, pendulum, runes, I-Ching, and tarot cards. What is your character’s question and which oracle would provide the best answer?• Pull an oracle card for your character’s journey, then ask a question about your character’s motivation. Pull another card for the answer.• Pull a tarot card to answer this question: What should my writing goal be for this month? Then begin working on that goal!

One of my favorite writing tools on the planet is crystals.

Some may laugh, but I believe crystals have a consciousness. They’ve inspired me, calmed me, grounded me, and I can’t imagine my life without them.

I have amassed a collection of hundreds of crystals and gemstones and they’re all over the house. My home office hosts the majority of crystals — big and small — which is why I call it my crystal cave. I even created a “relaxing” Crystal Spa with salt baths and selenite slabs to pamper them.

One day I was searching for something crystal-related on the internet when I stumbled upon a website promoting the 30-Day Crystal Diet founded by Samaya K. Aster.

Formerly Naisha Ahsian, Samaya is the co-author of The Book of Stones and the now-retired director of The Crystalis Institute for Personal and Plantetary Information. I’ve never been a registered student, but I have followed her work for many years. I own her book and Crystal Ally oracle deck — and I believe she’s the first crystal healer to recommend vocal toning for clearing.

For the most part, my Stone Family sits and looks pretty until I need them. Feeling spacey? Crystals, ground me. Head hurts? Crystals, heal me. Attacked by psychic vampires? Crystals, protect me.

Up to that point I believed I valued my crystals, so I was stunned to learn that Samaya calls this the “magic pill” approach. She claims it is toxic, encouraging a “master and slave” mentality.

The idea that I had unwittingly recruited my crystals to serve as an army of energy slaves was shocking to me. Could it be that my beloved stones had magnified my emotions?

I wanted to build a real relationship with the stones, so I grabbed a notebook to record my experiences following the 30-day Crystal Diet.

Day 1–3: Going cold turkeyI followed Samaya’s instructions to clear all the stones within four feet from my bed and work station.

I removed my aquamarine “day” earrings, pendants, and bracelets and cleared them with sound, including toning (or what I like to call “cleanSING.”) I also stashed the little muslin bag of crystals that I keep under my pillow.

With no jewelry on my body and the rest of my crystals and gemstones placed farther away, I felt strange and vulnerable during these first few days of detoxification, as if I was experiencing crystal withdrawal.

Day 4–9: Grounding stones — PyriteSamaya said this healing period “ensures you are getting the proper spectrum and amount of energy from the Earth’s EMF.”

Each morning I set a timer for five minutes as I held my silvery Pyrite pyramid in my left hand to receive its message.

I saw visions of the earth and one day I sensed red light (the corresponding color of the root chakra), which is about grounding and material needs. Most of the time my thoughts centered on what I needed to accomplish like writing, medical appointments, and housework.

During the final days, I kept getting glimpses of family relationships that needed to be healed. On Day 9, I received the message of Strength.

Day 10–15: Cleansing/clearing stones — Shungite

For this cycle, I used a one-inch Shungite pyramid. Usually, it rests at the base of my desktop computer to shield me from harmful electromagnetic radiation.

“This purification period supports the physical detox and clearing you are doing with the water protocol,” said Samaya, “by helping any stuck energy or old patterns to be released.”

During my first meditation, I envisioned a room with a large floor-to-ceiling window where I could see a bright blue sky with a few white clouds. For the rest of the days, I was instructed to carry the Shungite wherever I went and assorted messages I received were about detoxing my thoughts and body.

Day 15–20: Emotional soothing/balancing stones — Rose Quartz

I didn’t have to think twice about which stone to work with for this stage of the diet. I already knew that Rose Quartz helps with self love and I figured I needed it, especially after being sick for a few days and feeling so down. But what I didn’t count on was all the negative emotions that would erupt from within.

I was like a bear who got poked. Everything made me angry and I wasn’t having any of it. Fortunately, this stage of the diet passed and I was able to deal with Life in a calmer, more loving way. Things that normally triggered me, didn’t.

Day 20–25: Creativity/passion stones — Natural Citrine

When I read that one of the things to do for the next few days was to exercise until I sweat, I groaned. My body hurts enough from the Lyme disease and arthritis. Exercising generally exacerbates the pain.

On my first Natural Citrine day, my creativity went through the roof! What surprised me most about working with this stone is how passionate I became about reorganizing my life. I was obsessed with tending to my indoor herb garden, creating recipes from my herb books, and decluttering spaces like the medicine cabinet in our downstairs bathroom.

On my final day with Natural Citrine, I received this message: Don’t step back. Move forward!

Day 26–28: Brain stimulators — Amethyst

During this period, I found myself drawn to reading all sorts of spiritual books, including my old spiritual aromatherapy textbook.

Even before I picked up my Amethyst I knew it was time to get back to completing a spiritual writing course I had begun some years ago. So many ideas!

Day 29 & 30: Amplification — Clear Quartz

“On these final two days of the diet,” said Samaya, “you’re going to amplify your energy field to increase the ‘loudness’ of your energy.”

And so I ended my diet with the stone that sparked my crystal collection aka obsession so many years ago.

For my morning meditation, I was instructed to create a grid around me, comprised of six Clear Quartz crystals while holding a seventh crystal in my hand. I’ve made many a crystal grid, but I’ve never sat inside one before. This step was easily accomplished by placing the crystals on the floor around my meditation chair and I felt like my batteries were being recharged. It was an enjoyable experience.

Not so easy was this: Sleep in the grid at night, with the single crystal in your left hand.

Uh oh. This could pose a problem. You see, I move around when I sleep. A lot. So I couldn’t fathom how I might continue to hold the crystal while I was thrashing about and doing my dreamwork. It just wasn’t practical.

Fortunately, the solution presented itself. I wore a Clear Quartz Crystal point pendant and placed the six crystals on the floor around my bed. Did I receive ample amplification while sleeping? Yes, I think so.

How is my energy now?

I won’t say I experienced a deep transformation from doing the Crystal Diet, but there was an uplifting energy shift and I think we all feel better now.

Overall, Samaya’s mindful approach gave me a new perspective, a new appreciation for each and every one of my crystal family without being obsessively dependent upon them. My stones are my teachers, not my minions.

I realize that everything on earth is borrowed; there really is no “mine.” One day I may offer the majority of my crystals for adoption so that other people may enjoy them.

I’m not ready for that major step yet, but maybe someday…

https://soundcloud.com/user-462422585/color-for-peace-meditation?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

My Color for Peace Meditation was originally broadcast on Color Healing Radio in September 2015 in celebration of the International Day of Peace.

You are welcome to share this free recording and script in a public or private setting. Should you share this meditation in a public event, please credit Eleyne-Mari Sharp as the author.

(PLEASE NOTE: This meditation is a gift and may not be sold or reproduced for sale.)

Tools needed:

One white candle

One clear Quartz Crystal

One Rose Quartz

One Amethyst

Download the Meditation script below:

https://soundcloud.com/user-462422585/garden-labyrinth-meditation-for-manifesting?si=a5e1967f49744e21a22e7fabc9b1c7f0&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Close your eyes and imagine you are sitting on a rustic, wooden bench at the edge of a beautiful garden labyrinth.

The bench is made of lovely, twisted grapevines, and sitting on it makes you feel grounded and connected, like you are a very tall tree with your roots firmly planted in the earth.

You remove your shoes for you know you will walk on a sacred path today.

Take three deep breaths, inhaling the fresh scent of the earth, the grass, and the fragrant flowers.

Think of where you are as a writer and where you wish to be. As you walk, should anything negative appear in your thoughts, simply close that chapter of your mind, as if it were a page in a book.

When you are ready, rise from the bench and walk over to the entrance of the garden labyrinth.

The green, grassy path is your path of transformation, a path to reconnect you with your writer's voice and mission. The grass feels soft and cool under your feet. Marking the path are large flat stones of shimmering, pink quartz. See how they sparkle like fairy glitter in the sunshine! Their wonderful pink radiance makes you feel hopeful, supported, and loved.

There are seven miniature gardens within this labyrinth.

Notice how the labyrinth moves in a gentle spiral path. As you walk along, concentrate on the rainbow of colors and what each can bring to your life. You are closing the book on worries and discouragement. You are closing the book on writer's block and procrastination. It is time to create a new chapter in your life.

The first garden you see is a grove of beautiful red roses. You bend down to gently stroke the soft, velvety petals.

Feel the warmth and energy of the color red. Red is the first color of the rainbow. It is the color of passion, enthusiasm, and survival. Red helps you obtain your material needs and it helps you to ground. Think of red when you wish to become more courageous in your writing. Breathe in the color red. Grow power and stability with red.

The next garden you see is an orange chrysanthemum.

Orange is the second color of the rainbow. Touch a chrysanthemum and become the color orange. Orange is a joyful color, so feel happy about your decision to become a writer. Think of orange when you wish to be more creative and motivated. Breathe in the color orange. Grow joy and creativity with orange.

Now, walk through the third garden with its sunny, yellow buttercups. Feel the sunshine and power of yellow surround you. Yellow is the third color of the rainbow. Yellow gives you better confidence in your writing abilities, no matter how many rejection slips or criticisms you receive. Think of yellow when you wish to improve your mental concentration. Breathe in the color yellow. Grow confidence and optimism with yellow.

Next is a garden of sweet, green clover. Green is the fourth color of the rainbow. It is the color of harmony and balance and abundance. Green gives you the gift of good physical and emotional health. Think of green when you are stressed and hurrying to meet writing deadlines and your balance will be restored. Breathe in and breathe out the color green. Grow good health and financial abundance with green.

You are now standing in the center of the labyrinth.

There is a crystal clear pool here and a small waterfall which flows into the pool. You kneel next to the pool and lean over to see your reflection. Your face looks rested and you are smiling.

You see yourself at a desk where you are finishing your book, your article, your screenplay. You see your name on the first page of your document. On the desk, there is a stack of assorted books. You see your name below the title of each of these books. There is also a stack of uncashed checks with your name on them.

You are a published writer. You see your family and friends joining you. They are praising and encouraging you to keep on writing. You have finally achieved independence, joy, confidence, and peace.

You are anxious to begin your journey back through the labyrinth and to live your dream, so you turn to continue your journey.

The path is leading you through a field of bluebells. Blue is the fifth color of the rainbow and offers you the gifts of peace and communication. Think of blue when you wish to communicate well and with truth. Breathe in the color blue. Grow peace and integrity with blue.

Soon you are walking through an indigo patch of deep blue-colored irises. Indigo is the sixth color of the rainbow. Indigo gives you intuition and imagination. Think of indigo when you seek wisdom in all your business dealings, whether it is with an agent, an editor, a publisher or a fellow writer. Breathe in the color indigo. Grow imagination and intuition with indigo.

Now there is only one garden left to explore, the violet-colored lavender fields.

Violet is the seventh color of the rainbow. It is the color of faith and spiritual meaning. In your journey as a writer, remember violet when you need to expand your horizons. Breathe in the color violet. Grow faith and opportunities with violet.

You have reached the end of the labyrinth.

You see your bench and notice there is a shiny colored object on the seat.

As you grow closer, you find that it is a brand new pen in your favorite color. There is a beautiful feather attached to it in the same color. With this pen, you are ready to explore the source of your pain, your creativity, and your love. With this pen, you have all the courage you need to write your stories.

You sit on the bench, feeling the richness of the earth below and breathe in all the colorful beauty which surrounds you.

You feel a powerful light emerging in you. You know you are safe and can write anything now.

You must write now. For you are, indeed, a writer.