Holiday Survival Guide
Make a Joyful Noise December 11,2009

Seize a creative perspective.
"A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment one man contemplates it and holds within him the vision of a cathedral."

"The stars are the street lights of eternity."
 
"On Saturdays I'm a superhero with polka dotted socks, a low maintenance 'do and an invincible 'tude."
 
"Creative perspective" (seeing the world with ingenuity instead of fear, choice instead of societal hypnosis,  and a unique slant instead of failure to use the imagination) is not only a holiday survival guide, it makes the whole life-thing easier and even festive. Our point of view CREATES our reality.You can make it up as you go along.
 
Creativity is becoming the next "yoga."  Its surge in popularity is due to the discovery (FINALLY) that creativity is not just for a gifted few. It's a way of life and a way of thinking that awakens our soul, fuels our happiness, and empowers our brilliance. Like yoga it stretches us into new places that feel good. It brings grace to our lives because we see the possibilities in everything and become confident and clever in our adaptability. We reinvent ourselves when we need to. Take advantage of the tips you are about to receive..get better at receiving inspiration.
 
For a list of creative offerings, events and goodies: CLICK HERE
Gift yourself or a friend with a pouch of Modern Day Muse Cards.
P.S. Hi There.
Enjoy your mind...you can even open it before Christmas.

Let Your Heart be Light

Ya know that mild depression thing that many creative people experience? Perhaps partially due to our high sensitivity?  It's an insidious force that can render us hapless.  With the power of creative thoughts and deeds we can replenish our haps regularly.. we will be capable of multiple haps. 

In order to dance with life's funny poetry rather than get lost in the weave of my "down"comforter, when a moment of energy makes itself known, I know I need to
call upon the company of nine modern Muses - creative principles that keep me boyant. That's what keeps my spirits up. (Catch Molly Child's interview with modern day Muse, Albert at Creativity-Portal) 
 
If you would like to join me for 90 days in 2010 for Creative Focus and Follow-through with the Modern Day Muses and Kaizen, come to my December 16 free informational call.. it will be recorded as well. Details will be available Dec 17th.
 
This issue includes some ways to survive not only the holidays, but also the subterranean abyss that tries to lure us to the the dark side all year long when we're not paying attention. It's about regenerating creative haps.
 
Creative Hap Restorer Number ONE: MUSIC
Jump in the line! Rock your body in time.
You can move your body while you're sitting there reading if you don't want to get up. Take turns tensing and releasing your left and right butt cheeks, shimmy those shoulders to the beat of Harry Belafonte.  "
Jump in the saddle, hold on to the bridle!" Notice your mood. "Somebody help me!"
 
And if that's not enough, watch a young Winona Ryder work the song in midair here.  (fast forward to 0:27)  Notice later, when Michael Keaton gets his head shrunk his creative perspective is "Hey, this might be a good look for me." Okay, maybe we won't get our heads shrunk... but when our egos shrink, it can look REALLY good on us. Its a creative perspective.
 
Here's a seasonally-correct song, but I use it all year long: How can anyone stay in a funk after listening to the Russian Ballet from the Nutcracker Suite? Permission to dance around your living room like this. 
 
Do you have your mood-changer songs downloaded on your i-pod? Go do that now.

breathe in awareness, breathe out poetry

“You are all geniuses, and you are all beautiful. You don't need anyone to tell you who you are. You are what you are. Get out there and get peace, think peace, live peace, and breathe peace, and you'll get it as soon as you like.” ~John Lennon
 
Unleash your beautiful genius.
 
Creative Hap Restorer Number Two: Write
“Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.”  ~Thomas Gray

“Writing is a form of therapy; sometimes I wonder how all those, who do not write, compose, or paint can manage to escape the madness, the melancholia, the panic fear, which is inherent in a human condition.”   ~Graham Greene
 
If you have holiday angst... use it for poetry or prose or a rant. Let your seasonal affective disorder fester so colossally that poetry drips out of your furrowing brow. Serve with hot chocolate. Then give-up a convenient parking place to someone else .. the walk and the good deed will do you good.
 
Write a holidaze haiku. Short but satisfying.
 
Write down your struggles, time travel in your imagination to the future, write how you got through those struggles. Serve with Russian Tea Cakes and ginger tea.
 
Take a Christmas classic and write a new version of it with you in it.
Or here, I wrote one for you. Make some mulled wine, put on your nightcap and read my warped Christmas Carole.  text is here 
 
Here's one from my friend, Alex Bosworth that's even more warped!
 
Creative Hap Restorer Number Three: Breathe..
 
“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself the world operates best one moment at a time. Spike your moments with joy even if it's just 5% more than usual.
 
Make a list and check it twice.. but make it a list of where you're getting it right, what you're glad about, what made you laugh, words or sentences that bring you alive, what made your year fabulous, or just number the page and doodle after each number. (Don't forget a partridge in a pear tree).
 
Creative Hap Restorer Number Four: Create Your Own Reality
You have a creative mind. You don't have to buy into the holiday stress. Make up your own rules. Say "no" to anything that doesn't energize your spirit.
"I live in my own little world. But that's okay.  They understand me."
 
Creative Hap Restorer Number Five: Pets and Laughter
Pets don't have holiday expectations like humans do. They are a refreshing companion and 9 out of 10 times we feel better when we're around them. Hang out with your pets or someone elses. Youtube can help if you don't have your own..you may have seen this but here's 17 seconds of a REALLY cute cat.    
But this might crack you up even more (have to see the cute cat video first).
This just in from my friend Joanne.. it's pretty funny.
 
Creative Hap Restorer Number Six: Play
Play with Portraits here.. it's worth the wait.
Play with Places here.

Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach Spotlight: Laurel Aston

"Laurel's heart is generous and her imagination is filled with surprises. She holds a gentle, intuitive space for both her clients and her groups. Her compassion comes from a wise place of deep experience." ~Jill Badonsky
 
Laurel Aston is a certified Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach who delights in helping people recover a creative identity.
 
Did you give up on a creative dream? More than one? When you notice a strong urge to revive a dream, or make a new one, it is a beacon, calling you to creatively survive, and you are ready for Kaizen-Muse! Laurel’s coaching through Sparking Art Studio focuses on partnering and pacing and building small successes as we go.  
 
 
Laurel is a visual artist, specializing in the use of art process for creative growth and life transition. You may contact her for a complimentary coaching session. She currently has a couple openings in her coaching practice.
 
www.sparkingart.com
Expanding heart through healing and art
 
Certified Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coach
Modern-Day Muse-Group Facilitator
SoulCollage(R) Facilitator

Click Here to See Laurel's Muse Journey Slide Show

Events and Goodies

Beam yourself here to read about Kaizen-Muse Happenings including the upcoming Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Certification Training.
 
Free Teleconference
Information about the Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Training that begins in February. Get your questions answered before the early registration deadline January 15, 2010.
 
Again and again ~ Return like mountain ~ Release like ocean ~ Relax like sky ~ And rest ~ Rest in the heart of pure awareness. ~Living Buddha
 
May this and every beautiful moment be beautiful,
Jill

Click here for Classes and Workshop Page at The Muse is IN

 
The Muse is IN • 3142 1st Ave • San Diego, CA 92103
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