Writers' block - have you had it, and what helped if so?

Oh yes...writers' block!  I certainly have experienced it, but first - perhaps I should explain exactly what that is (to me).  Writers' block is a term that means a mental or thinking 'block' created by none other than fear that comes from a number of things:  it could be a mental type of decay caused by limiting beliefs or the fear associated with them.
At one time, I used to have a terrible time with this very tangible thing.  My thinking used to include stuff like:  I'm not that good or good enough to be a writer so what chances do I have?  Or, who would want to read what I write?  (Yes, I know...it was a harsh beating up on myself as a result of poor self-esteem at that time or taking everything personally due to repeatedly hearing from three individual teachers that I'd "never amount to anything!" So much for their 'thinking'.)

In the movie called Throw Mama from the Train, the actor Billy Crystal said, "A writer writes - always!"  That quote inspired me to ask my mother, "How does one become a writer?"   She smiled and replied, "They write, of course!"  
Always the questioning one, I asked her again:  "But HOW do I write, Mom?"
Patiently, she said: "Well, it all begins by picking up a clean piece of white, lined paper and your pen...and you begin to write whatever it is you want to say.  I have a very good idea for you that involves us taking a little trip to a nearby spiritual shop in another city.  I think you'll really like it - I know that it helped me a lot when I was having difficulty with the same thing".

A couple days later, we went for that drive and ended up in the shop my mother had mentioned.  There, she directed me to a beautiful book called The Artist's Way by author Julia Cameron.  Not only that book, but also a companion journal.  I never knew exactly what it was but if it had helped my Mom, I was pretty sure it would help me!  She said to me, "Lance - you'll enjoy this journaling process; it will get you to write every day with contracting yourself to do it - it's an amazing journey!"  

Pretty soon, my pen began flowing, my 'programmed' beliefs (from others) began to leave and, with supportive help, I engaged in empowering myself rather than judging harshly.  The end result?  I snapped out of the foggy mental state that my mind had been in, and the positive flood gates opened up.  So, it's too bad for those whose beliefs include what I am, or am not capable of - who asked for their input, anyway?  Not me - the now-published author of my first children's book, this website blog or prose/poetry, and in the manuscript evaluation stage of Book 2 with my publishing partner!  :)