Creative Life Midwife

Inspiring Artistic Rebirth

Note to Self (and to YOU, reading.) Continue: When All Else is…..

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Note to self and to you: when all else feels like it is failing, all I need to do is this:

Right now, as a vibrant member of the human community I choose to….continue. To grow, to feel, to express, to love, to seek understanding and compassion. Reminding oneself, daily, of wonder right in front of us.

Here is what happened when I reviewed a line of Diane Ackerman’s poem, SCHOOL PRAYER and used it as a writing prompt. The actual visual prompt is beneath my writing for YOU to use. Also below is a video I created as a result of this writing.

I offer myself as a messenger of wonder –

How do I do this?

I open my mouth.

I open my mouth and I speak what is in front of me.

I open my mouth and I speak the details of what is in front of me – the lines, the light, the way the lines and light reach back to me and fill my hand with energy that ignites my muse and makes my fingers push the keys that become these words and further the process in an infinite loop de loop when someone else lifts her or his or their chin and sees… oh, the plug.. oh the chord into the plug that makes the light turn on. The switch. I hear the click, I see the light turn on and suddenly I notice…

And the a-ha’s flow because people say “I never saw it like that, I never thought of it like that, I never… until now and suddenly the plug becomes an object of wonder and curiosity and we appreciate those who created the plug and the lamp and our heartbeat joins their heartbeat and the collective heartbeat and….

In what ways am I currently a messenger of wonder?

Here. Now. This. You. Look. Listen. Translate. Taste. Touch. Cry when you feel it, laugh when you feel it. Feel free and stand with it, allow yourself to hold onto that fearful moment with the same gentle tenderness as you hold onto a first kiss or a first bite of the most incredible taste ever (pesto, dark chocolate, pear brandy come to mind) and then….. recognize the divinity of that moment and….

How would I like to further my message of wonder in the world?

Increase the people I interact with and who appreciate what I am up to… invite them in. Cherish their them-ness. Reflect this beauty of humanity so the static will be silence and the pure breath and tone and light and harmony and dissonance and choking and relaxing back into presence flows….

Right now, as a message of wonder in my world I choose to….continue.

And now it is your turn: write about being a messenger of wonder in your unique way. Splash words and images freely on the page. Ready? Here’s your prompt:

 

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Inspired by Equinox: Poetry and Writing Prompts Lives Again

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My original livestream periscope show, writing and poetry prompts in the park is being revived. It may not always be in parks AND it will always be poetry, curated by me, and offered to you with prompts to guide your creative process.

Our first broadcast will have a series of Autumn Themed Poems – this prompt came from the poem “Equimox” by Elizabeth Alexander. You may find it on the Poetry Foundation Website here: Equinox by Elizabeth Alexander:

The Broadcast may be enjoyed below with my written response to the prompt below it:

Now is the time of year when I feel free to settle into my recliner and write, ignoring everything else. We cocoon and it’s cool. We cover up with scarves and softness. We have permission.

I have permission. I cocoon and it’s cool. I can hide in my Virginia Woolf room and leave the loudness of shouts about football and politics to others. Bring me in a plate of warm cookies and mocha and I’m happy for hours.

This is the time of year when I’ve had repeated illness and periods of letting go, usually together like companions in stopping the thread of what ceases to serve when this time of year rolls around.

This is the time of year I got married long ago and Katherine is getting married soon.

This is the time of year I got back up on stage, the time of year I watched a General Assembly general session, grieved more than one election, never had a child. Interesting: this is the season of “No Birth” and “No Death” just illness and letting go. Interesting.
Now is the time of year for putting on costumes and taking off metaphorical masks.

See the words with pluses? These are all words I could use for “pulling apart” in my mother’s sewing (actually preparing to sew) her least favorite part of the process.

Now is the time of year for blank paper and canvas, research rituals and learning anew. Stepping back into the classroom, delighting in connections found there, forgetting things and being forgiven for the forgetting.

Usually.

And letting go of those who don’t understand grace. And that’s ok, too – because that’s what grace is, right?

This feels like the longest five minutes on record and my timer says… “Recollection is over!”

= = =

Sometimes it feels like our brain dump goes on too long but when I keep writing I discover the juicy stuff is right there…. on the otherside of my opinion!

= = –

#5for5BrainDump has a new challenge starting next week if you’re up for it check it out now at our companion website:

#5for5BrainDump – YAY!

Coming Up: 30 Days of Writing Passionately

Julie Jordan Scott inspires people to experience artistic rebirth via her programs, playshops, books, performances and simply being herself out in the world.  She is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy-extraordinaire and mixed media artist whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people’s creative lives. Watch for the announcement of new programs coming in soon!

 To contact Julie to schedule a Writing or Creative Life Coaching Session, call or text her at 661.444.2735.

Check out the links below to follow her on a bunch of different social media channels, especially if you find the idea of a Word-Love Party bus particularly enticing.

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Writing Prompt: Today I am Choosing….

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Our writing prompt today offers a choice in perspectives. To get your subconscious mind started, consider and respond via comment your initial “gut/heart” response to “Today, I am choosing….. “

As you write for five minutes, allow the opposite or different its space if it enters into your writing. This is a part of “righting” your beliefs and experiences. For “righting” practice, try, “I once chose lack and what I discovered was…..” and as you complete each sentence add, “I now consciously choose abundance.”

Here is what I wrote during my time of 5 minutes of free flow writing we call #5for5BrainDump:

Today I am choosing abundance. I look out my window and I see the early morning slanted light, curling its finger at me, inviting me into a day of lush color and form. I once chose lack and what I discovered was black, white and grey scale. I discovered nit picking and rock throwing and finger poking. I now consciously choose abundance. I don’t choose airy-fairy outside reality abundance, I see abundance in the times of mishaps as well – there is something about the dappled shadow-light I especially love.

I grant myself permission to make mistakes when I choose abundance. In fact, it isn’t even a right or wrong thing when I choose abundance it is a “hmmm. Check this out” kind of thing. In fact, I often feel wobbly when I choose abundance because I am practicing the creation of new more empowering beliefs to build my life upon rather than the oft times destructive nature of lack. Lack architecture has building blocks of “don’t do,” and “can’t do” and “oh my gosh, you’re such an embarrassment.”

Abundance architecture is built upon beams of playful experimentation, hugs of compassion when setback appear, deep eye contact and laughter based in love, not lack’s chosen companion of humiliation.

Today I am choosing abundance. I am choosing to agree with divine favor. I am choosing to be open to what comes and discern as I lift my foot and put it down.

Julie Jordan Scott inspires people to experience artistic rebirth via her programs, playshops, books, performances and simply being herself out in the world.  She is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy-extraordinaire and mixed media artist whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people’s creative lives. Watch for the announcement of new programs coming in soon!

To contact Julie to schedule a Writing or Creative Life Coaching Session, call or text her at 661.444.2735.

Check out the links below to follow her on a bunch of different social media channels, especially if you find the idea of a Word-Love Party bus particularly enticing.

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Writing Prompt inspired by Jack Kerouac: Your Memories + Awe = #5for5BrainDump Magic

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Jack Kerouac said, “Write in recollection and amazement of yourself.” This is a territory ripe for self reflection.

Let’s do this.

First, make a list of 5 times in your life when your actions surprised you.

Scan your list to consider and ultimately choose the one time that is the most appealing for you to write about today. Set your timer for five minutes and write, starting with the prompt, “I remember….”

Note: if that first attempt falls flat and your words don’t flow, try a different memory.

Oftentimes there is something in the way of writing from the first memory and the simple act of completing your writing from another memory will ignite writing flow for both.

Bonus: Share your writing experience with at least one other person today.

NOTE: if you would like to participate in a Writing Community, I would love to invite you to be a part of the Word-Love Writing Community I facilitate on Facebook.

 

Julie Jordan Scott inspires people to experience artistic rebirth via her programs, playshops, books, performances and simply being herself out in the world.  She is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy-extraordinaire and mixed-media artist  whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people’s creative lives. Watch for the announcement of new programs coming in soon!

 To contact Julie to schedule a Writing or Creative Life Coaching Session, call or text her at 661.444.2735.

Check out the links below to follow her on a bunch of different social media channels, especially if you find the idea of a Word-Love Party bus particularly enticing.

 

 

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Writing Prompt: What Compels you? #5for5BrainDump

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This morning I was driven to write about what compels me – what draws me forward – what insistently attracts my attention.  Do you know that feeling?

I even started a short video of what compelled me visually in a neighborhood near my own.

The question, “What compels me?”  or “What calls to me?” may bring up new surprises and delights that are simply waiting for you to take note. Like Greg Levoy wrote, “Calls are essentially questions. They aren’t questions you necessarily need to answer outright; they are questions to which you need to respond, expose yourself, and kneel before.”

Are you ready?

This is what compels me: Stories – history – play. Playful stories of history and literature.

People’s lives.

I believe everyone has a story. Truly. I’m not just hanging out in that airy-fairy story of privilege and tragedy or tragedy to victory or pauper to princess or any of the clichés we are so accustomed to today.

Ask people, “What was it that made you decide to….?” And stories tumble out.

Often times the teller doesn’t recognize how interesting or attractive her story is. He doesn’t recognize himself as worthy of praise or admiration. “Oh, this is so easy,” they say, “nothing special” while the rest of us look on in awe thinking “If this is nothing special. I’m in trouble.”

Places compel me – perhaps it is the echo of the people who inhabited the spaces? What did they think, feel, what objects did they cherish? What did they create and what stirred them into creating it in the first place?

What would that 19th century writer want me to know?

I want to hear it – from her, in her own words and cadence and modest luxury, perhaps/

I am compelled by differences, light, reflections and instrumental music. Lately binaural beats have been favored. I wonder if they have altered my mood as I have been cheerier lately.

I am compelled by questions to live and gifts I can give and receive.

I am compelled to know what compels you.

Applause came two sentences ago so I must stop writing, but I don’t really want to stop writing. If you write to this prompt, please comment and share your link below. 

Julie Jordan Scott inspires people to experience artistic rebirth via her programs, playshops, books, performances and simply being herself out in the world.  She is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy-extraordinaire and mixed-media artist  whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people’s creative lives. Watch for the announcement of new programs coming in soon!

To contact Julie to schedule a Writing or Creative Life Coaching Session, call or text her at 661.444.2735.

Check out the links below to follow her on a bunch of different social media channels, especially if you find the idea of a Word-Love Party bus particularly enticing.

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Move Your Writing & Your Quality of Life Forward with Inspirational Quotes

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“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”

Eleanor Roosevelt reminded me of this today. New strength with the sunrise, even if it is invisible – with the new day I have a whole slate of new choices. With each week, a new clean crisp canvas.

Lots of other people complain about Mondays. I rejoice in Mondays and actively seek out fabulousness each other day of the week. Currently I’m working on incorporating a full day of rest at least once a month. Surprising how challenging this has become.

I don’t mean rest to smoosh in all the stuff I’ve missed out on from working – I mean rest to simply sit and be and have a completely open, quiet calendar. Intentionally. Weird. Wonderful.

I am going to repeat today’s quote each day this week for several reasons.

#1) I know is power in memorizing significant thought leaders wisdom. “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”

#2) I believe in the message it sends and it will both serve as a reminder and an attractor of new strength and new thoughts. Remember the tenet, “What we focus upon grows.”

#3) I feel empowered when I hear the quote aloud and feel my pencil write it. “With the new days comes new strength and new thoughts.” My face smiles automatically when I think about Eleanor Roosevelt. Smiles make us happier, instantly.

#4) I think this experiment will teach me, make me aware of new facets of living and writing I am not even vaguely aware of yet.

#5) I intend to have an enjoyable, deeply playful experience of momentum with my writing by repeating and integrating these thoughts more and more deeply via repetition as prayerful affirmation. “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”

I am ready. Are you ready for today’s story? Find a short quote from a favorite writer to use each day this week as I am using the one from Eleanor Roosevelt and experimentally play with the direction it leads you with your writing this week. Please let me know how it goes – –

 

 

 

Julie Jordan Scott inspires people to experience artistic rebirth via her programs, playshops, books, performances and simply being herself out in the world.  She is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy-extraordinaire and mixed media artist whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people’s creative lives. Watch for the announcement of new programs coming in soon!

To contact Julie to schedule a Writing or Creative Life Coaching Session, call or text her at 661.444.2735.

Check out the links below to follow her on a bunch of different social media channels, especially if you find the idea of a Word-Love Party bus particularly enticing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Julie Jordan Scott inspires people to experience artistic rebirth via her programs, playshops, books, performances and simply being herself out in the world.  She is a writer, creative life coach, speaker, performance poet, Mommy-extraordinaire and mixed media artist whose Writing Camps and Writing Playgrounds permanently transform people’s creative lives. Watch for the announcement of new programs coming in soon!

To contact Julie to schedule a Writing or Creative Life Coaching Session, call or text her at 661.444.2735.

Check out the links above and below to follow her on your favorite social media channels, especially if you find the idea of a Word-Love Party bus particularly enticing.

 

 

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