Self-expression is one of the more important ways we show whom we are and why we are here. Most of us are not living who we really are. We are living lives imagined and pressed upon us by our parents, schools, government, culture, and media. We have been told what emotions and actions are acceptable and which are not. Our very idea of self has been molded by outside influences. Usually it is not until adulthood and often well into mid or later life that we start to question who we really are or could have been if we were open to our own internal influences.

The life unexpressed consists of all facets of who we are: our ideas and concepts, our thoughts and emotions, our spirituality, our careers, our relationships, our creativity, and even our traits and characteristics. Most of us have overdeveloped some characteristics. We see ourselves as very musical, or extremely organized, maybe good with people or very logical. The underdeveloped or even totally denied traits turn into "shadow" selves. All of us are capable of all traits and emotions including the ones we view as "negative" and the ones we see as "good". All of us are capable of hate and capable of love, capable of rage and capable of nurturing, capable of being numbers oriented and capable of being artistic. But we mostly think of ourselves as being a certain set of traits and having certain emotions and no others are possible. All that we deny of ourselves goes unexpressed.

So, at this point, you may say, "so what!" Unfortunately, all of our emotions and characteristics, even our purpose(s), that go unexpressed do not lie quietly in dormancy with no effect. It is our very nature to express our whole being; all parts of us. When we reject or suppress parts of our nature, they become stifled, repressed, discordant, and tend to act out in ways we do not intend nor welcome. They can wreak havoc in our lives in every way. While one can turn a young musician into an accountant, usually it turns out badly in the end. The inner musician wants and needs expression in the outer world to be healthy and happy.

The unexpressed has powerful repercussions on our lives. Not being whom you really are and were meant to be in this life can negatively affect your mental state, your perception of life, your self-esteem, your health, your happiness and blocks your energy. Many of our current serious health problems can be traced to denial of self, suppression of our emotions and ignoring our innate desires and needs.

Psychiatrist David Viscott in his book "Emotionally Free" refers to the state of having stored-up feelings as emotional debt, which he links to aging: "Sorrow ages you prematurely. When you're in emotional debt, you're pessimistic about the future, and even in your green years, long to return to the past to remedy the shortfalls of love and opportunity you suffered. Sometimes you yearn for more caring, for more time with someone who is no longer here, for a chance to speak your mind and release your emotional burden, or just to resolve your confusion by finally discovering what really happened to you."

In her book, "The Sound of Paper", Julia Cameron says, "...thoughts float in from nowhere and dance on the edge of consciousness. "I would love to..." they might begin or, "Wouldn't it be fun to try..." Most of us are adroit at ignoring such gentle thoughts. We swat them out of our consciousness, saying, "Not now. I'm too busy" or "Not now. I don't see how it can be done." A great deal of the time we dismiss our longings on the grounds that they aren't reasonable --- and often they aren't. Where did we get the idea that life was intended to be reasonable? And where would we be if Columbus, for example, had listened to reason? We have very little evidence that sensible and frugal are actually qualities cherished by the Great Creator."

It is the whispers and inner voices that tell us what we are missing. If we can tune into and listen to them, we will know what to do. Whatever is asking to be expressed does not have to turn into a career or be done well as judged by some external criteria. It only has to be done with curiosity and gentleness.

Here are some activities to get you started on what your inner self may be trying to express:

• List five imaginary lives that sound fun or interesting to you.
• Finish this sentence: A great adventure I'd love to have is ...
• Finish this sentence: If my ego would allow it, I'd ...
• Finish this sentence: Something I really would love to do is ...
• Finish this sentence: I hope that ...
• Finish this sentence: If I could ask for help with anything, it would be...
• Finish this sentence: If I didn't have to do it perfectly, I'd ...
• Finish this sentence: If I had the money, I'd ...
• Finish this sentence: If I had the time, I'd ...
• Finish this sentence: I could never be a ...
• Finish this sentence: Secretly, I always wanted to ...

Another way to tell what you are missing is to sit down and make a list of people you don't like. For example, you may not like a co-worker because he is lazy, inefficient, and sullen or bad-tempered. Those very things that you do not like about him are the things that you have not accepted as part of yourself. He serves as a mirror for you. Remember, all of us have all emotions and traits within us and are capable of expressing them. It is the parts we deny or suppress that cause trouble.

Now this is not to imply that you must express every feeling you have or every thought you think to others. You do not need to tell your father how angry you are at something he did 35 years ago or tell your co-worker what a jerk you think he is. You only have to be aware of what is unexpressed and acknowledge it. Take action such as expressing it through art or writing a letter to be burned or even discussing it with a trusted friend. Unburden yourself, but not necessarily with others.

Begin today to notice what your inner voice is asking you to express. Give a voice to all parts of you. It will add joy and peace to your life and may improve your relationships, life satisfaction and health.

I just finished reading a wonderful book by Julia Cameron, the author of "The Artist's Way" and "Vein of Gold". The book, "The Sound of Paper" came out in 2004, but I just came across it. It is basically essays on creativity with exercises at the end of each chapter. However, what excited me so much was that even if you are not "creative" in an artistic way, it applies to everyone as they "create" their own lives. It is beautifully written and easy to read. To see more about The Sound of Paper

If you haven't checked out Artist and Creativity Coach Kay Kemp's programs yet, go to www.WildHeartArt.com Be sure to read about her retreat in the Hill Country of Texas in March 2006.

Use these five words and one emotion in a story, picture, sentence, poem, or song. Be free and playful with it. You do not have to be a "writer" to do this exercise. It's only for fun to get your creative juices flowing. Five words: sensing, shred, sum, sort, shrimp and the Emotion: scared

I've created a yahoo group where your stories or responses can be posted. If you are participating, but not posting, ask yourself why? Is your inner critic getting the best of you? This is a safe environment, so be brave...step out...enjoy!

The September Attraction Circle Workshop was so much fun and very successful. Read what students said about it: "Thanks, Mary Anne for taking the time to share the Attraction info with all of us. It is truly having an effect on my life and the lives of those closest to me." "Your energy is so empowering and exciting. I feel I can do anything after taking your class." "I thought I knew all about how to attract good into my life, but you showed me new ways that have really helped me expand my ability." "Fun and exciting each week. Couldn't wait to get there." "I've found money every day since the class started! Wow!!" The next workshop starts October 4th. This workshop is all about having fun together, discovering and creating what we desire most in our lives.

THE ATTRACTION CIRCLE: PRACTICING THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION AND LEARNING TO MANIFEST YOUR DESIRES

• Weekly fun-filled experiential exercises designed to uncover your ability to allow and attract desires with ease.
• Learn tangible, pleasurable ways to remain in a state of receptivity and vibrational harmony with your desires.
• The exercises allow your deepest desires to surface.
• Recognize the power and joy in achieving all that you desire in life.
• Yes, you really can!

Embark upon your journey toward conscious co- creation today by joining our Attraction Circle now. We're going to help you amp up your energy around your desires and give you lots of practice.

Call Mary Anne at (713) 528-5971 or email maf@lifeunfolds.com for more information and to register. Also see http://www.lifeunfolds.com/attraction.htm for more information.

• Starts October 4th.
• Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 pm, four weeks.
• Held in Heights area in Houston, Texas.
• Fee is only $89.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you register with a friend for the Attraction Circle Workshop, you each receive a 10% discount off the tuition. If you register with TWO friends, you each receive 20% off the tuition.

Related reading:

Ask And It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks

The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer

The Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale

Attracting Perfect Customers by Stacey Hall and Jan Brogniez

Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan

Notes From the Universe by Mike Dooley

The Magic of Believing by Claude M. Bristol

I'm Rich Beyond My Wildest Dreams by Thomas L. Pauley and Penelope J. Pauley

The Feel Good Guide to Prosperity by Eva Gregory

Here's a short exercise to get to one of the root causes of dissatisfaction with our lives. First, write down a list of ten activities that you love to do. Then make a list of ten things that take up most of your time. Now compare the two lists. If you are like most people, very few or no activities are on both lists. If that is true for you, it's time for a change, maybe even a big change. Get out of the rat race, make time for yourself and your dreams, and get a life! Even a small step in the right direction can do wonders for your happiness. Do it today.

THE AVERAGE PERSON “The average person considers their life boring or uninspiring because they’ve made little or no attempt to gain knowledge and information that will inspire them. They’re so hypnotized by their environment – through the media, through television, through unattainable ideals of physical appearance, beauty and valor that everybody struggles to become but cannot – that most people surrender and live their lives in mediocrity. And they may live those lives, and their souls, their desires, may never really rise to the surface. So, they may want to be something else. But if they do rise to the surface and people ask themselves, is there something more, or why am I here? What the purpose of life? Where am I going? What happens when I die? When they start to ask those questions, they start to flirt and interact with the perception that they may be having a nervous breakdown, and in reality, their old concept of how they viewed their life and the world starts to fall apart.” ---Dr. Dispenza, featured teacher in the movie, What the Bleep Do We Know?

"The real death of America will come when everyone is alike." — James T. Ellison

"If we are to achieve a richer culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place." — Margaret Mead

I wish that great title was my own, but it's actually the name of a new play by playwright Lane Devereux. It is a play that "celebrates life through the lens of death" and is being produced by Wings Productions for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. If you happen to be in Houston, you owe it to yourself to check it out. It starts September 30th at 7 pm at the Barnevelder Movement Arts Complex at 2201 Preston and runs through October 8th. Call 713.529.1819 for more information. Tickets are only $12.

I have two new mini-workshops in October. These will be held through Leisure Learning in Houston, Texas. Check them out and join me! I promise you'll learn something new and have fun at the same time.

I Create My Day Workshop. This workshop is to help create a perfect start-of-day environment and routine, developed just for you. This helps you to be energized and productive and to have more ease in your life. We also will develop a statement (or meditation) of what you intend to create that day (based on the I Create My Day talk from the movie, What the Bleep?). Powerful and fun class. $25 fee, Thursday, 7:15 to 9:15 pm, October 6th, 2005.

It's Not Just About Money -- A Personal Prosperity Map. Create your own personal prosperity map...a big poster describing what you want to do, have or become. The sky's the limit! This map supports your big dreams, offers you a visual reminder, and gives your goals and desires a focus. Seeing the images every day helps concentrate your thoughts, emotions and actions to attract more of what you want and less of what you don't want. This is a fun class with serious results. $35 fee, Thursday, 7:15 to 9:15 pm, October 6th, 2005.