This book is a transcription of a 12-tape series entitled "The Joy of Creating" recorded in 1995.
It was imperative that I remain faithful to the recording. Therefore, words, word connotation, subject matter and general principles of writing DO NOT APPLY.
I am the first to admit this is difficult reading; especially if you are quick to be emotional and slow to be thoughtful.
It's not everyday that you are asked to listen through words.
In this book that is what's required.

The words were spoken from the subconscious; true spirituality cannot separate—it is a part of everything.
This book gives you a look at how being separate in consciousness does not separate you in spirit.
It seeks to jerk you around and disallow you to assume understanding.

It's senseless unless you're ready to be something more than what you presently are.
Its purpose is to bring to the surface the pain that is entrenched in the structural process of constant change.
You are not here to save the world.
You are here, complete in your individuality, to work with other complete individuals to complete another whole.
You don't have to wait until you die—to know.

The so-called "Intelligentsia" call them "aphorism", but they are much better known as one-liners, wisdoms, proverbs, quotable quotes, and so on.

They are a form of creativity far above creative writing; they are a form of "creative thinking". They come natural to most persons whose brains have not been stunted by too much brain-washing called education; they can be learned by anybody willing to tap and develop their dormant thoughts.

Composing them can be very "soul" satisfying. Writing them can become a delightful hobby.

No matter what you call them, each one offers a penetrating insight into the foibles of the people and society that surround you. If you study one a day, even briefly, you will gain the equivalent of a doctorate in wisdom. Sorry, I retract that statement. I've known too many arrogant Ph.D.'s who were nothing more than learned fools.

So I should have said, you will gain the wisdom of that extremely rare entity - a wise person. You may even begin to understand yourself. You may even begin to understand your spouse. It has been done.

Some readers might find this book has an anti-feminist tinge. But I am far from being an anti-feminist.

Some of my best friends are women. This sentence reveals one of the tricks of writing aphorisms. Simply take a well-known saying and change only one word. The original saying was: Some of my best friends are...

"Michael's stories have the same combination of clarity and intuitive richness as his music. A fine,contemplative guide to the artist's dedicated life."

David Whyte
poet,lecturer
author of The Heart Aroused and Crossing the Unknown Sea

Michael Jones' inspiring and award winning book about his life at the piano offers many rich insights to help the reader find this story for themselves. "Who will play your music if you don't?" He asks. "What is emerging at the periphery of your awareness now? When do you feel that you are fully living your own 'signature in creation' - a place to which you often long to return?"

Too often we focus on building our careers, based upon an identity crafted from our trained skills and abilities - an identity that does not accurately reflect our primary strengths, wants or needs. Michael suggests an alternative - through personal narratives that burst with wonder and magic - he offers vivid portrayals of how, through seemingly ordinary people and events, we can discover clues for living a fulfilling and imaginative life.

Each story builds upon another as Michael reveals his journey toward creating a life that feels whole and complete. Throughout he offers others an invitation to reconnect with the essence of who they truly are. To begin he suggests that we learn to trust that there is a dimension of life behind life, one that lives through us and brings with it a renewed sense of dignity and grace each time we do what we love, feel what we feel and simply be ourselves.

Virtually every page of this truly beautiful book provides wise and wonderful clues for allowing the creative impulse within us to emerge.

Throw out your books of creativity exercises and read this book instead!

This book is a transcription of a 12-tape series entitled "The Joy of Creating" recorded in 1995.
It was imperative that I remain faithful to the recording. Therefore, words, word connotation, subject matter and general principles of writing DO NOT APPLY.
I am the first to admit this is difficult reading; especially if you are quick to be emotional and slow to be thoughtful.
It's not everyday that you are asked to listen through words.
In this book that is what's required.

The words were spoken from the subconscious; true spirituality cannot separate—it is a part of everything.
This book gives you a look at how being separate in consciousness does not separate you in spirit.
It seeks to jerk you around and disallow you to assume understanding.

It's senseless unless you're ready to be something more than what you presently are.
Its purpose is to bring to the surface the pain that is entrenched in the structural process of constant change.
You are not here to save the world.
You are here, complete in your individuality, to work with other complete individuals to complete another whole.
You don't have to wait until you die—to know.

The so-called "Intelligentsia" call them "aphorism", but they are much better known as one-liners, wisdoms, proverbs, quotable quotes, and so on.

They are a form of creativity far above creative writing; they are a form of "creative thinking". They come natural to most persons whose brains have not been stunted by too much brain-washing called education; they can be learned by anybody willing to tap and develop their dormant thoughts.

Composing them can be very "soul" satisfying. Writing them can become a delightful hobby.

No matter what you call them, each one offers a penetrating insight into the foibles of the people and society that surround you. If you study one a day, even briefly, you will gain the equivalent of a doctorate in wisdom. Sorry, I retract that statement. I've known too many arrogant Ph.D.'s who were nothing more than learned fools.

So I should have said, you will gain the wisdom of that extremely rare entity - a wise person. You may even begin to understand yourself. You may even begin to understand your spouse. It has been done.

Some readers might find this book has an anti-feminist tinge. But I am far from being an anti-feminist.

Some of my best friends are women. This sentence reveals one of the tricks of writing aphorisms. Simply take a well-known saying and change only one word. The original saying was: Some of my best friends are...