Creative Life Midwife

Inspiring Artistic Rebirth

Read Until You Arrive at the PS

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This is how deadlines work: we draw a line in the mud, or in the sand or on our foreheads.

We put our heads down and move toward that line.

On the day I wrote this haiku it was possibly the last thing I wanted to do. I have a lot going on in my spirit, I had a lot of responsibilities of leadership and my energy was sapped due to grieving and sadness and not feeling “up to it.”

Instead of avoiding it, I did my best.

I allowed myself to be where I was, without judgment.

I moved forward, with love.

While in process, it looked like the blurry screen, the not quite there words. When I called it finished -well,

here’s how it turned out:

Haiku 13/37

They’re still dancing

Taming from yesterday’s storm

blossoms still open

I may morph this into a tanka. It may take a variety of forms. For right now, right here, this is just right.

Plantain lilies in the church/manse yard, gentle yet harsh teachers.

Coming upon the intimate scene, I chose to honor them and didn’t get as close as I might have usually gotten. Maybe tomorrow, maybe not.

This haiku included study, contemplation, research and presence.

I will remember these lilies, as they were and as they are. Yes. Will return tomorrow.

Is anything about this haiku or what I wrote particularly earth shattering?

No. It is none of those things. 

AND it is earth shattering in that I stayed the course. I shared my progress. I was authentically, whole-heart-and-soul present.

It is so easy to walk away.

The next time you have the thought “Why bother” in one of its many variations, I hope you will remember this moment of time: showing up, in that moment’s best. Not worrying about comparing that moment’s best to anyone else’s best.

PS: This is also why I use the word “Guidelines” instead of “Deadlines.” Guidelines are full of life and possibilities. Deadlines remind us of the losses that loom. I would rather focus on possibilities, even within loss. Guidelines do that for me.

A blurry computer screen and a blurry notebook: sometimes getting to clarity is a journey from deadlines to guidelines and beyond.

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she has recently finished her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

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Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

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The Day’s A-Wastin’ (Or Is It?)

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This is what happens when you start your day reading an emotionally rich, well written, best selling novel: in this case it was “Hello Beautiful” by Ann Napolitano

Haiku 17/37

Entire head stuffy

Each and every feeling –

Stories connect us

I don’t think that final line is the right one. I’m being impatient because I want to get on with my day. It’s 7:18 am the days a’wastin’!

I have no idea where I picked up that phrase, but being the daughter of an early riser and having given birth to early risers may be a part of it.

I read more than 150 pages this morning, I’ve been reading since 5 am and refused to move until the last words in the book. This doesn’t feel like wasted time, it feels like enrichment.

I would have loved “Hello Beautiful” even if it didn’t pay homage to Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” but with many twists and turns along the way. William isn’t Laurie – or is he? I always thought of Laurie as Thorea-like, but William is… much more like a blend of my son and me. The book opens and closes with words of him and words spoken by him.

“But if you’ll allow me, I’d like to help.” Spoken by William, who was a newborn in the first line of the book, “For the first six days of William Water’s life, he was not an only child.”

That first sentence from the book is almost like a koan, one of haiku’s cousins.

I have more to say and that last line of the haiku to rewrite, but a red cardinal is outside telling me to get on with the day. Last night perhaps it was the same cardinal who flew quickly toward the porch and then darted away before it sat down close to me, seeming to be shocked by my presence.

It is time to go downstairs and begin my day. The clogged head from tears cried and tears held back has lessened.

What is favorite book you have read in 2023?

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she has recently finished her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

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Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

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Word-Love Revisited

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There was a time several years ago where I would use “word-love” the same way some people use other phrases to say “hello” “good-bye” and “you look fantastic today!” and “so glad to see you.” and “be safe!”

“Word-love!” said everything.

I don’t know when or how it slid away.

The images in this blog post were when word-love morphed into mixed media and poetry performances and an art hop night in downtown Bakersfield. I wrote personalized poetry on refrigerator magnets for people and offered passers-by the chance to make art instead of just look at art others had made. 

Words – love – and art – in – braided wonderland… and as I said before, I wasn’t conscious of word-love’s slow sliding somewhere beneath my feet between then and my near-death and now, reconciliation is on the verge. It’s happening. So I declare.

My personal word theme of today (I came upon it during my morning meditation) is invitation. A-ha. 

Feeling the combination of invitation with word-love’s quiet exit may be asking me to create a lasting and meaningful reunion. What do you think?

The other piece that popped into my mind was the first line of a poem I wrote when my son was a baby. It kind of faked people out:

“Falling in love with you was not what I expected.”

I use words out of love, admiration, optimism, hope, healing, connection…understanding. 

I honor myself and I honor you with my words. 

I offer my gifts to the world with my words, in word-love, whether I am writing an essay, a poem, a script, a story, a sales letter, a social media or blog post, my writing practice. It all blends, in an infinite loop de loop of love. Word-love.

Now it is time to return it to you, an invitation to pass along or hold for a while as it feels refreshing, sacred, holy. Separately and together. Lasting. Meaningful. Reconciliation. Word-love.

Have you ever considered how you might define word-love?

Woman hugging a cartoon tree - white with black polka dots

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she has recently finished her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

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Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

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Is the Train Moveable? Joyful Haiku… Waits.

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Confession: these first few days of July have been an energetic, emotional slow motion train pause… not really a wreck but definitely a something that doesn’t feel good. Maybe train stuck on the rails without any knowledge of when it will move.

I am transparent about my relationship with depression. I have hit that familiar wall many, many what variations of over and over again can I say clearly? I was taught early on smiling through tears is more acceptable than grumbling or grousing or worse yet, letting people know how lousy I might be feeling – and because of my willingness to get deeply close with this “no make up wearing private side of myself” I knew I was both close to tumbling into depression AND close to the next wonderful “thing” – so this morning when I woke up cranky and wanted to cancel my first work session of the day what did I do?

I negotiated with myself and took a quick shower.

I got up and got dressed.

I walked down the stairs and shifted halfway down the stairs, almost like I was a stern version of me telling myself to lift my chin up. “Aim high in steering” from sophomore in high school driver’s ed, “keep going even if you don’t want to” that I have done more in the last four years than in the previous two decades.

Interesting to note when I looked at this photo the first thing I notice is the cut across my knuckle. The sort of cut it could be so easily torn back open. In running my thumb across it, I can’t even feel where the cut begins. It is healing well. Just like I continue to heal well, too, emphasis on the ING, the process, the movement in the stillness and the stillness in the movement.

I have started the process of creating Beta Reader Packets. This is HUGE hello HUGE! It is also a new thing for me so naturally between finishing my book and doing this, resistance showed up and is teaching me now to remember to be with the ING, the process, the movement in the stillness and the stillness in the movement.

Ahhhh, paradox again.

From both photos you can see it would be wise of me to clear my space again. I will, soon.

For now, I am grateful to be feeling better and more movement is afoot, in my knuckles, in my knees, in my makeup free face, in the deep and quiet joy I’m feeling right now.

I’m so grateful you are here, reading.

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she has recently finished her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

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Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

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Shopping Cart Haiku + Assemblage Art

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Haiku 346/377 

ship wreck stuck in time

on a deserted island

where is the captain?

My first photo of a shopping cart was in 2013. Many people think this is a downright bizarre fascination. Abandoned shopping carts, photographed in “the wild”. My one rule is I cannot take photos in a grocery or big box store parking lot.

Each shopping cart photo tells a story. The one for this haiku was on a center island on Ming Avenue near New Stine in Bakersfield. I almost passed it by on the way to “something better” but after I saw a second abandoned shopping cart I knew I had to go back and honor the unheard storyteller who left his or her shopping-cart- home behind.

When I looked at the photos and realized none of them clearly illustrated how this cart was on a median, in the middle of a busy street, distinctively on an island…. this haiku fell onto the “page” here on my phone in an instant.

I’m reminded of the movie “The Dead Poet’s Society” when the boys climb on their desks and say, one by one “oh captain, my captain” as their beloved teacher Mr. Keating leaves the classroom. Administrators meant his dismissal to be in shame and for his students, it wasn’t shame they felt at all, it was honor and love and compassion and understanding.

Your task today if you choose to take it is when you come upon someone you haven’t taken the time to see lately, pause and see them, wholly and holy.

*This is an excerpt from Julie’s soon to be published book, Living the Haiku Life*

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she is recently finished her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

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Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

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How Stream of Consciousness Writing Makes Everything Better

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How Knowing What You Want (Even in the “Little Things” helps with more than you might think) … and putting your desire awareness in the forefront of your subconscious mind helps with even more than that

What my morning writing practice told me:

It came up over and over during my morning writing practice.

What do I want? What are my true desires right now?

I spent five minutes to investigate via writing, stream of consciousness style, the most basic of what was happening right then, what happened yesterday, and what was the plan for today:

I am doing my morning writing practice. Is this what I want? Yes, it is good to be here again

I had a conversation with Marifran yesterday. Was that what I wanted? YES. Definitely.

I went to that pizza place yesterday. Did I want that? Meh. That was an “I settled for that.”

Today I am doing double open mic duty. Yes, I definitely want that.

Today I wanted to be outside and walking before 6 am. Did I make it? I was outside at 6:03 and had a marvelous time before coming here to write with Rob who is working on his screen play. Stakes, he reminded me of stakes. Did I want that? 

I wanted to be outside and I was close to being on time so that was a win. 

Did I want to work with Rob? I was looking forward to working with Andrea so was surprised when Rob appeared  – and was immediately engaged and reminded “What are my stakes?” in my own writing projects.

 Even though I didn’t realize I wanted that, now I see the desire is always underneath, to connect and be inspired.

Were my wants all met and did I only do what I believed I wanted? 

No, they weren’t all met and no, I didn’t only do what I believed I wanted and YES I am satisfied, content and ready to face the day with much more happiness – and devotion to following my desires, finding the place where my desires and wants in the moment match my vision for the day and my future.

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she is recently finished her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

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Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

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I finished! The book is done!

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Haiku 3/37

Sleep in Saturday

Slanted light slips through the space

Lean back on pillows

———–

I woke up at 7:05 on Saturday morning, which for me is luxurious. Most mornings I’m happily working in my office downstairs by now, often co-working with someone in Europe at this time of day.

Yesterday I completed the final section of the book during a co-working session with a woman named Sara. I co-work with two different Saras.

This Sara works in tech and her tasks are often in sharp contrast to mine. All I knew was I was very close to finishing and needed one more session to hopefully complete these last revisions.

I scheduled a co-working session based on who was available among the people I knew (I know this makes zero sense to people who don’t use focusmate but I have a list of favorite people. Lately I have perused my favorites and chosen from then instead of being assigned to random co-working partners.)

It was a completely ordinary and beautiful and fulfilling and remarkable 25 minute session.

Now the next phase begins on the way to getting this book on its way to “the world”.

This morning as I leaned back onto the pillows I had carefully arranged before journaling and meditating, I saw the light come into the window and I felt that same feeling as when I reported to Sara “I finished the conclusion. The book is done.”

Ordinary excitement from deep inside.

Another day is here. I am here. You are here.

All is well.

Happy July

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she is working on finishing her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

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Haiku: Leaps to Steady the Course

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I was doing my best to stick with my normal routine this morning but had very little success due to connections not working. I did some testing – all appears to be well now but I also felt strongly I was meant to go for a haiku field trip.

I ate my breakfast and headed out to Liberty Loop Trail, 12 minutes from my house and a part of the Walkill River Preserve like the Wood Duck trail.

I was reminded how a change in scenery, even quite brief, changes so much.

Bridge over the Walkill river with this Haiku written on it. Haiku 6/37 Yellow pike lifts, leaps black shoes hover above ground scales flop, meet water

I’m now sitting at the Winding Waters trail where an AT thru hiker just moseyed by, also. I have seen quite a few hikers this morning as the Appalachian trail intersects with rhe Liberty Loop.

Many are wearing shorts and I temporarily halt the Mom in me from saying “are you wearing repellant? There are ticks around here!”

Both of these trails are flat and easy loops – perfect for this sticky weather.

If you wonder how I got to be such a good fish identifier, google is magic, as is my bird call app which just informed me within 1 minute 9 different birds were singing alongside me. Later I will listen to each of the 9 and continue to practice listening more faithfully.

I knew a fish 🐟 was jumping near me, shallow jumps – so I was primed to spot this grand leap. So I googled and found “walleye” which they also told me is also called a yellow pike. There is a lot of fishing here and they stock the river with these….seeing as I’ve only managed to catch one fish in all my years of living, all fish ought to feel safe around me. 🐠

The first year I wrote haiku was also the first year I saw a fish leap like the Yellow Pike did, today. I believe it is something about practicing close, quiet attention and presence.

I did not want to do much of anything today, but the devotion to writing haiku every day because you might be looking for it dragged me up and out of my doldrums to be on the Liberty Loop Trail and experience these moments of haiku with you.

Do you ever use apps to identify the nature around you?

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she is working on finishing her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

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Welcome to Summer Expansion & Your Next Chapter: The Preface

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I didn’t realize how long I have been away from my blog.

I left at the same time I started a 5 day a week, 5 hour a day job after more than twenty years as a creative entrepreneur and freelancer. It was quite a shift to work every Monday through Friday on a contract with an educational institution.

While I am grateful I did so, I am also even more grateful to be back for a time of expansion with you.

I have finished my draft of my book (with a working title) “Living the Haiku Life” which will be going to beta readers next week for the first round of revisions based on other-readers-insights.

The Primary Focus of the Summer Expansion will be sharing a daily haiku with inspirational narrative.

These are the building blocks of the Living the Haiku Life Book and are a part of that celebration. I hope you will return daily in July to continue spreading the joy and experiencing self growth in the process.

Expansion doesn’t have to be a struggle. It may be as easy as an inhale – and an exhale.

Let’s begin now.

Haiku 1/37 Summer 2023

Three birds sing one large,
one melodic, one dainty
Welcome to the porch

Sometimes it is the invisible that matters most.

This morning I took notes before this haiku made itself clear to me. I watched a watery, cool morning breeze play with my hair and the leaves of the bushes in front of me as I rock on this front porch, so different from the Alta Vista front porch.

Last night I had a sacred moment, a time of honoring, with a skunk who took cover in the plants beside the porch to the left of where I am sitting now. What a dear one. They skittered when I turned into the driveway, on an emotional high from spending a good chunk of time with the grandbaby where we sang along to Carly Simon, Jackson Browne and danced with the GoGo’s as we sang.

There is almost nothing more precious than a baby shaping her lips to make the just right sound – and being so thrilled with the result her entire body quivers and leaps as a result.

In July I’ll be sharing haiku from exactly where I am because by the time we are complete at the end of the month days, I will also be complete with my braided memoir which tells the story of how haiku saved my life (across 377 days that time!) after I almost died from Valley Fever & Sepsis in Fall, 2019.

Returning and being in a completely different place seemed so glaringly obvious – and just right.

I am so grateful to share this time with you!

Woman (Julie Jordan Scott Julie JordanScott) seeming to burst through a broken wall on an abandoned home.

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she is working on finishing her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.


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Best Tasks to Assign to ChatGPT or Other AI for Writers & Bloggers

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I get stuck with writing effective titles more often than I care to admit.

I still get tangled up in wanting to be the just right level of attractive, engaging and “Will this intrigue a newcomer to my writing to want to read more?”

On Monday’s blog post, I was in my usual quandary of not knowing what to write for my title so I asked both ChatGPT and Canva’s Magic Write to share with me their best titles.

Now it is your turn to choose which title is most likely to stir your interest enough to continue reading:

ChatGPT titles: “The Seedlings of Self-Discovery: Uncovering Hidden Strengths”

  1. “Growing Through Struggle: Nurturing the Seedlings of Healing”
  2. “Finding the Medicine Within: Harnessing the Power of Self-Discovery”
  3. “The Journey Within: Cultivating the Seedlings of Personal Growth”
  4. “Nourishing the Seedlings of Change: A Guide to Overcoming Inner Struggles”

Canva Magic Write titles:

  1. The Power of Love: A Journey of Resistance and Growth
  2. Nurturing Our Seedlings: How Love Overcomes Resistance
  3. The Invisible Force of Resistance: Love as the Key for Growth
  4. What Does Love Mean? Exploring the Meaning of Love in the Context of Resistance
  5. Planting the Seeds of Love: Overcoming Resistance to Encourage Growth

If you are curious about the original blog post these bots helped me to title, you may find it here. Do you think I made the right choice?

Yesterday, my blog post was almost 100% AI generated. To see how that turned out, you may see “Is Artificial Intelligence for Blogging the Right Choice for You?” here.

Please share in the comments your thoughts – especially about which title resonates the most with you – and if you think Artificial Intelligence will help or harm your writing in the future.

Julie JordanScott is a Creative Life Coach, an award-winning storyteller, actor and poet whose photos and mixed media art graces the walls of collectors across the United States. Her writing has appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List, the Amazon best sellers list and on American Greetings Holiday cards (and other greeting cards). She currently lives in a manse in Sussex, NJ, where she is working on finishing her most recent book project, hugging trees daily and enjoys having random inspirational conversations with strangers.

Follow on Instagram to Watch IGTV exclusive videos, stories and posts about writing and the creative process.

Let our Words Flow Writing Community: the only one missing is you! Join us in the Private Writing Group by clicking here.

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