• You have doubts as to your own innate powers of creativity and intuition.
  
• Procrastination and fear of success or failure stop you from living your dreams or even discovering what your dreams may be.
• You buy into the myth that creativity is available only to a few select elites who were born with it.

The author, Suzanne Falter-Barns is an example on living one's life creatively. Among Falter-Barns' many accomplishments, is performer, singer, songerwriter, novelist (Doin' the Box Step) and a writer of numerous articles for such publications as New Age Magazine, New York Times, Self, New Woman, Fitness, and Parents. Suzanne also leads workshops on inspiration and creativity, encouraging others to stop fearing failure and to follow their dreams.

Published in 2000, "How Much Joy Can You Stand?" is a wonderful gift from Suzanne to all of us who desire more creativity in our lives. I found it a pleasure to read. Down to earth and straight forward. Reading it was like listening to a very wise, dear friend and mentor. Her writing style shows great humour, enthusiasm and generosity of spirit.

My first impression of the book was I liked the smaller size and squarish shape of the book. It's perfect for taking along with you to read whenever you have a few moments...it's like having your own portable mentor. You can read the book in one quick reading or select a particular relevant chapter.

Suzanne Falter-Barns has not left any stone unexplored in addressing the many reasons we become stuck and blocked in realizing our dreams. You'll think she's been inside your head the topics hit so close to home! One such obstacle is believing in the myths that surround the creative process. Suzanne writes: "Contrary to popular belief, creativity is not a tempermental, whimsical all-too-fragile breeze, that may or may not blow in our direction.......the fact is, your creative instincts are a lot like your underwear: they're right there in the drawer waiting for you to climb into them every day.........your instincts are on call whenever you need them, as long as you reach for them."

Falter-Barns writes, in the chapter How to Get Fire in Your Belly; "..the creative process....is a sensitive beast who comes to sit by your side and befriend you only after you've stroked and fed it everyday for a good while..... The fire in your belly comes only when you're willing to work at your dream for no good reason."

In the chapter "Can it Really be so Simple?" Suzanne writes that creativity is as simple as listening - that the tricky part isn't expressing - its listening, tuning out the negative self talk. "By listening selectively you will tap into the greatest of all possible teachers - your instinct."

In "End of Struggle" Suzanne writes on the difference between struggle and work. "Work in and of itself does not demand struggle. Your dream demands discipline, honesty, patience, enormous effort and a fair amount of heart." "Effort is the clear minded application of one's abilities, whereas struggle is nothing more that a whole lot of unnecessary lather."

On the topic of inspiration, Suzanne believes it begins with gratitude and that one has to perceive their own life as the rich source of information that it is - and begin to plumb it for raw material.

Most of us are affected by the possibility of rejection when submitting our creative works for others to scrutinize. Her chapter Proof that Rejection won't kill you, is based on her own personal experiences of getting her books published. By looking at the larger picture, Falter-Barns puts a whole different perspective on exactly what rejection is and why fear of rejection shouldn't stand in our way.

At end of each chapter Suzanne Falter-Barns has a "TRY THIS" exercise; a simple and fun, yet satisfying way to put into action the ideas put forth in the chapter.

I am grateful to have come across this wonderful encouraging book.
I'll read many times over and use as my personal mentor when my creative juices need a little stirring up.
For workshops, e-courses and to read articles and sample chapters of the book, visit the www.howmuchjoy.com website.

Review by Penn George, April 27/03 copyright womenscreativity.com 2003