The Artist Date (Momentum for Your Muse Series Part 2)

Momentum for Your Muse Series Part 2 

This, Momentum for Your Muse series is designed for writers, but it can apply to any artist  or business person because creativity is a major ingredient that is necessary in all that we do.

 The Artist Date

 “How vain is it to sit down and write when you have not stood up to live.” – Henry David Thoreau

In the book, The Artist’s Way, the author, Julia Cameron suggests that once a week we take ourselves out on what she calls an Artist Date. An artist date is an outing that serves the purpose of sparking your creativity.  This date does not have to cost money, but it should add value to helping refresh your mind so that you can create. Below you will find some suggestions for artist dates on a budget. 

Cultural Arts Experiences

Visit your local museum. If you live in the Detroit area, I suggest doing the tour at the Motown Museum or the tour of the And Still We Rise exhibit at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Did you know that if you live in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties that your admission to the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is free?  If you are a Bank of America customer you can visit the Motown Museum, the Henry Ford Museum and other places for FREE on the first weekend of every month.

Regardless of your region, there will always be art. Pay a visit to your local museum or art gallery and just sit back to wait for and watch the mental magic that will occur. 

Movies and Music

Do you remember the dollar show? Well we still have one in Warren, Michigan called Cinemark 16. The price has hiked up to a whopping $1.50, BUT they have specials for children, seniors and the first show of the day.

As for music, I often enjoy my favorite local jazz/funk/neo-soul fusion band for free at various venues around that city. Live music just does something good for the soul.

Nature and Architecture 

No matter where you live, there is usually some beautiful park, body of water or natural scenery that you can enjoy. My park of choice is Belle Isle in Detroit where I walk the perimeter (5 miles around so it’s a great workout too) and enjoy the view of the water and wildlife.  When it’s colder I like to drive along the shore headed East on Jefferson Avenue, passing through several small cities while enjoying the water to my right and big, beautiful homes to my left.

These are just a few suggestions to get you started. This week (and every week hereafter) I challenge you to visit a venue that will ignite your creativity. 

If you haven’t done so already, check out part 1 of this series where we talk about making mental space. Next week we will discuss how to set up your work space and environment in a way that will motivate your muse.

Make Mental Space (Momentum for Your Muse Series Part 1)

This past Saturday I had every intention of facilitating a custom workshop that I designed for the Motown Writers Network called “Momentum for Your Muse.” My body had other plans. It completely shut down on me and I was so sick that I could not move for over 24 hours. I still hope to facilitate this workshop at some point, but in the mean time I want to leave you with a series that highlights the main points and ideas from the workshop. This workshop was designed for writers, but it can be applied to any creative or business process. I’ll give you one small chunk to focus on each week to keep the momentum going for whatever project you are focused on for the New Year.

Make Mental Space

“We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” – Ray Bradbury

Our minds are often so cluttered with thoughts, ideas, tasks, responsibilities, drama and worries that little space is left for creativity. For most of us, the mental noise begins before we even wake up. We begin to go over our to-do list, we mull over things that happened the day before, we think about everything that has to be done and how little time we have to make it all happen. Whether it is a business plan, a workout plan, a recipe or a book, we must find a way to clear our mental space to be able to create.

Deep Restorative Breathing

Clearing you mind may be as simple as taking a series of deep restorative breaths. Breathe in deeply for a slow count of four through your nose and breathe out of your mouth deeply for a slow count of four. I recommend at least four of these deep breaths, but do as many as you need. Go ahead…try it now...

How did that feel?

Meditation

Those deep breaths can lead to another common practice which is meditation. This is one that I have yet to master, because I find it extremely challenging to sit still.  There are many books, blogs and even classes on how to meditate, but the simple definition is the practice of concentrated focus. This focus can be on your breathing, a sound, an object or visualization. It can be used to contemplate or reflect. While meditating, be mindful not to let the millions of thoughts flood your brain again, that is why it is important to choose a focus.

Prayer

“Creativity is God’s gift to us. Using our creativity is our gift back to God.” – Julia Cameron

Another practice similar to meditation is prayer. Ask for forgiveness, give gratitude, as for what you want or need including the mental clarity and inspiration to be able to create. After the prayer, take a moment of time in still silence. We often pray and then keep it moving instead of waiting and listening for guidance, direction and instruction.

Journal

In the book, The Artist’s Way, the author, Julia Cameron suggests that we write what she calls Morning Pages every day. These are three pages written in a journal or notebook about any and everything that is on our minds. These writings are not meant to be creative or profound (though they may end up that way), they are just meant to take all of the stuff that is in our minds and put it on the page to clear that space for creativity.

This week I challenge you to try one or all of these methods to make mental space for that which you desire to create. Next week we will explore how you can spark or ignite that creativity once the space has been made.

Monday Morning Motivation: Take Action

Over the past few days I have read post after post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram filled with anger, sadness, frustration and despair surrounding the Trayvon Martin case and the Zimmerman verdict. The posts that resonated with me the most were the ones that encouraged or challenged us to take action. So I gave it some thought..."What immediate action could I take?" I realized that there is certainly a need for motivation, inspiration and encouragement during this sad time, so as a result, I have made both of my motivational eBooks, "Monday Morning Motivation" and "Momentum" free. Please download them (by clicking on the titles), read them and share them with someone who you know that needs a lift. 

Complaining is easy and it often leads to very little if any change or results. This week I encourage you to identify a way that you can take action that will make a difference, no matter how large or small.

MOMENTUM Mondays

Good Morning! For years you have read my Monday Morning Motivational messages. It was because of you that many of them are now compiled into a book. I thank you for your constant support. Now as I am growing personally and professionally, I feel somewhat of a shift. The messages will still be motivational, and they will come out on Monday mornings, but I will be weaving in another theme…Momentum.

As many of you may know, I just released my 7th book. It is an eBook called, MOMENTUM: Daily Meditations from the Minds of Millionaires. This book is a synthesis of all of the wisdom that I have gathered from readings, events, classes, mentors and the like on my journey to financial freedom. What I found most interesting was that the habits that have been proven to lead to wealth, prosperity and financial freedom, are not what you might typically associate with money.

When we think about acquiring wealth, some of the first things that may come to mind are to work very hard, get a good job and save. What I found in my study to increase my financial literacy was that it doesn’t matter how much money you can get, if you don’t THINK, ACT and LIVE in ways that are aligned with wealth accumulation, you can lose that money faster that you got it.

So from this week on I want you to think of this as Momentum Monday. A day where that first step that

we take at the beginning of the week can lead to another and another and another toward the life that we desire. What one step can you take today to get things moving in the direction of your dreams?

Let the MOMENTUM begin!

MOMENTUM

One of the main areas in our lives that we often need inspiration is in the area of finances. For that reason, please allow me to introduce my NEW Book...

 MOMENTUM: Daily Meditations From the Minds of Millionaires.

MOMENTUM

Daily Meditations From the Minds of Millionaires

by Monica Marie Jones

Synopsis

Financial literacy is not a subject that we learn in school. If financial wisdom is not inherited from or taught by financially free family members or mentors, many often miss out on this very important skill. Even the most talented, creative or academically gifted individuals with multiple college degrees or in professional positions can be completely clueless when it comes to managing money.

The author of this book found herself in this very situation which led her on a personal quest for financial freedom that began with studying those who had achieved it, and resulted in the launch of a career as a successful real estate investor.

Instead of reading the thousands of books that are out there on how to become wealthy, why not read just one? One that synthesizes some of the most inspirational quotes, thoughts and points from several of those books and brilliant minds in one, small, manageable message per day, every day, for one month.

Science says that it takes one month to form a habit so let this book guide you on a momentous journey toward wealth, prosperity, financial literacy and ultimately, financial freedom. Let the MOMENTUM begin!

 

CLICK HERE to Download  and Join me on the journey to Financial Freedom!

Most Sincerely,

Monica Marie Jones, MSW
Author and Motivator
www.monicamariejones.com
www.literaryloft.com

Don't Let Your Sentences Become Your Sentences

How does it feel to be locked up? Something that you have been saying has you confined in a cell. Which

of your words are holding you back?

Perhaps you say things like "I'll never find a better job." "He or she is the best I can ever get." "I'm too fat." "This just the way it has always been."

Forming these thoughts are the crime. Speaking the words are your sentencing. Everything that follows is you doing time. You are the criminal, the judge and the jury, and now you are living a reality that you have created with your words. This all unfolded clearly for me when I was in my integrity class last week and I heard my friend Michelle say, "Your sentences will become your sentences." What type of time do you want to serve while you are here on this Earth? Do you want to punish yourself with hard time? Or will you speak words that create a life that you love?

This week I encourage you to examine your sentences. What do you want for your life? Are the sentences that you say in alignment with that?

You have the choice between prison or prosperity. Jail or joy. Lock down or love. Confinement or courage. What will you choose?

Freedom lies within your words.

Reside in Right Now

Where are you right now? Literally, you are probably sitting at a desk, looking at your computer or phone, in your home, office or a coffee shop. Even though that is where your physical body is, is the rest of you there too? 

You are probably watching the clock in anticipation of your next break, lunch or the end of the work day. You may be thinking about what happened yesterday, last month or ten years ago. You might be worrying about a bill that is due, an upcoming event, or dreading something that you’ve been putting off and you’re not looking forward to doing. One thing that I can almost guarantee that very few of you are doing right now is being present. 

We are often everywhere but here. The top three places that we tend to live are inside of our head, in the past or in the future.Unfortunately, spending the majority of our time in these places leads to discomfort and a lack of enjoyment which makes us miss out on the true experience and adventure that is life. I read the following quote the other day…

“When I am anxious it is because I am living in the future.When I am depressed it is because I am living in the past.” ~ Author Unknown

I know firsthand what anxiety and depression feels like and they are NOT fun feelings. So this week I encourage you to move out of those places and take residence in the present. Look around you. Take in what is there right now. If you are outside, look at the sky, the trees and the beautiful spring colors. Take a deep restorative breath. Have an actual conversation with the people around you instead of the people on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram and in your phone.  

We often look to the future for our happiness and blame the past for our lack of it, but the secret is that true joy is only found in the right now.  Move in to this moment and finally find what you’ve been searching for.  Move out of the future and the past so that you can reside in right now.

Your TODAY List

For most of my life I’ve operated from a daily To-Do list.This is generally a long list of tasks that I’m not particularly excited about doing, but I know that these things must get done and I have to write them down to make sure that I don’t forget them.

I rarely get through the entire list in a day and the chores often carry over for days, weeks or even months depending on how unenthusiastic I am about the item to be accomplished. So the other day I thought, wouldn’t it be exciting to put things on the list that were fun and crazy. This led me to thinking about how we are really only promised this moment. We really only have today for sure. What if we lived as if each day was our last? How different would that To-Do list look?

For me, it would become a Today List and it would include adventurous activities such as taking a spontaneous road trip and having dinner in another state or country (Canada is right across the bridge from us here in Detroit), or visiting one of the amazing places right here in my city that I often take for granted, like the Motown Museum because it is so close that I figure I can just go any time…Perhaps making a call to say “I love you” to a Grandparent or someone who you rarely reach out to but you hold dear to your heart.

This week, I encourage you to spice up your regular list and make it a Today List, living each day to the max as if it is your last.

Enjoy!

Spring into Action!

Last weekend I had the amazing opportunity to be a speaker at the “Living By Design” Spring Social that was hosted by a really positive organization called EBG (Empowering Brilliant Generations). The theme and title of my speech was “Spring in to Action” so this morning I want to share that message with you…

I started off my presentation with a brand new copy of my book, “Monday Morning Motivation” in my hand. I then said, “This is free and it has some money in it. Come and get it.”  Only two people made a move. I gave it to the young lady who made it to me first and I asked her to open it up and tell us what was inside. She shared that there was a crisp $20 bill inside as well as an inscription that read, “When you believe you most certainly receive. ;)”  I then gauged the audience to see who thought that I was just joking, or that it was a trick, or that there really wasn’t any money in the book. Several people raised their hands.

How often do we miss opportunities because we do not believe?

How often do we miss opportunities because we fail to spring into action?

A year and a half ago I got into real estate investing because a friend told me that houses were selling in Detroit for $500. He didn’t have to tell me twice. As I saved money and prepared to make my investments I studied real estate, attended events and talked with people about my plan.Several people said that all of the houses would be crap. Many people did not believe. Others believed but did not take action. A little over a year later, I acquired eight properties with sixteen units among them, fixed several of them up and placed six tenants. Of course there were challenges, but I was able to realize a long term dream and goal that I had by simply believing and then springing into action.

At the end 2007 I sprang into action when I left my full time job. Just recently I learned that that period of time was probably the worst time ever to walk away from a job…

“The hemorrhaging of American jobs accelerated at a record pace at the end of 2008, bringing the year’s total job loses to 2.6 million or the highest level in more than six decades.” –CNNMoney.com New York

How dare I walk away from a job at a time when so many people who wanted their jobs were losing them?

I did that because I believe that sometimes you just have to commit and THEN figure the rest out. The action of commitment in itself often opens up many doors and opportunities that would not exist without first making that decision.  If we try to figure things out first, we will find a million excuses and reasons to get out of making that decision or taking that step toward our dreams and goals. This is why I encourage you to make the commitment first, and then allow things to fall into place.

In order to spring into action, I suggest a certain process.Let’s think about the season of Spring. Rain, gardens, plants, and flowers and new beginnings are often associated with this season. So let’s apply this to our life when it comes to the preparation for springing into action…

Picture a big lot or field of vacant land. It is more than likely over grown with weeds. People have dumped  trash and debris there. It is really not the ideal space for planting initially. Therefore the first step is to…

Clear the field

What do you need to clear out of your life before you can move forward? Is it a habit, a belief, a person, job, or a fear? Is there someone you need to forgive…yourself perhaps?

Next we must…

Plant the Seeds

What type of seeds do you need to plant in the field that is your life? Do you need to save, invest, write a book, apply for a job, or audition for something?

Finally we must…

Tend to the Field

If you clear the field and plant the seeds but don’t tend to it, what will happen? Eventually people, or bugs and rodents will eat your fruit, walk all over your flowers, throw in junk and trash…or weeds will grow and take over.

Taking into account what you cleared out and what you planted, what will you need to do to maintain and tend to your field?

During each of the phases of preparation for springing into action I had the people in the audience think about it, write it down and discuss it with a partner. After this I did something with them that I am going to do with you right now…

I have a request that may seem a little unreasonable, BUT in order to get something different, sometimes you have to take away all of the reasons why you can’t, won’t or don’t do things.

Now that you have this working plan, take the next 5 minutes to actually “Spring into Action.” RIGHT NOW I want you to call, email or text someone that you’ve wanted to do business with, someone you need to forgive,someone that you need to ask forgiveness of. If it is someone that has passed away, write them a letter. Take and action RIGHT NOW and be BOLD with it! Ready…Set…GO!

For those of you who actually did it, I want you to post a comment below and share what you did and what happened…

When you spring into action you will find more joy,prosperity and freedom than you can imagine.

Don’t let the action stop here. As you go throughout the rest of your day, week, month and year let the momentum lead you. The past and the future do not really exist because the past is gone and the future may never come…so all that you truly have is this moment…life is right now…and right now…and right now…

SPRING INTO ACTION!

Change Your Story

One day while watching motivational speaker Tony Robbins, I heard him mention a concept that sparked my interest. He talked about the stories that we tell ourselves. I found it interesting, but I wasn’t completely clear on it, so it didn’t really stick. Then, about a month ago I went to an intense personal development experience that took place over a weekend. We spent almost twelve hours each day really digging deep inside of our ourselves to identify what barriers were holding us back from where we truly wanted to be in our lives.

One of the main things that stood out to me in this seminar what that they brought up this concept about stories again. This time it stuck. The basic idea is that when something happens in our life, instead of looking at it for what it is…something that happened, we attach our interpretation or story to it. The problem occurs when that story that we created, which is not the truth, becomes our reality. 

Let me share my story with you….

Here is what happened: My mother and father got a divorce. My father moved away.

Here is the story that I created: If my father left, he must not love me.

Here is how that story affected my life when I allowed it to become my reality: If my father can leave me, anyone else can leave me, so when it comes to relationships let me leave them before they leave me, or hurt them before they hurt me.

All that actually happened was that my parents got a divorce and my father moved away. Everything else that I created was not the truth, yet I allowed it to become my reality and as a result my relationships and the quality of my life has suffered…until that weekend last month when I finally woke up and saw myself clearly for the first time. And finally…I was able to let that story go. I wrote my father a letter asking for his forgiveness and letting him know that I love him and that he is a great father. I’ve never told him that he was a great father before.

I wrote letters and had discussions with the last two men that I had a relationship with, taking responsibility for the role that I played in the challenges that occurred in those relationships. I also asked for their forgiveness.

And now…I am free.

Free to live, to love, to laugh, to enjoy and experience life to the fullest!

What is your story?

Let it go so you can live.

From Struggle Comes Strength

When I started yoga, I used to hate the downward facing dog position. It was uncomfortable. It hurt. We did it too much and we held it too long. This was back in December. As time passed I realized that it didn't hurt so much anymore, and it wasn't as uncomfortable...eventually, it actually felt really good...as a matter of fact, it became one if my favorite poses.

Something similar happened in the cardio kickboxing class that I attend. We had to do this exercise called a burpie which is when you squat down with hands your hands touching the floor, jump back into push up position, jump back to that same low squat and then stand up and repeat…down back and up…down back and up. When we were instructed to do burpies  I would suddenly feel the need to adjust my clothing or boxing gloves, or leave the room to get a drink of water. If I didn't do those things I would only do a few burpies taking lots of breaks in between or I would do then in super slow motion...

Then one day I realized that the burpies didn't feel so dreadful anymore. I didn't feel as tired or out of breath. Suddenly, I was able to complete the entire set of burpies without complaint or any of my aversion tactics.

Had the exercises changed? No. I had changed. I was not only able to endure but to master these things that I'd once thought or felt to be impossible....

I had become stronger.

This week I challenge you to examine an area of struggle in your life. I encourage you to go through it instead of trying to get around it and give it some time. Eventually, that struggle is the very thing that will make you stronger. ;)

The Carpenter

While facilitating a training the other day one of my participants shared a very powerful observation about her husband who is a carpenter. She said that the finished product of a beautiful and smooth piece of wood that we may see as furniture or a piece of artwork only got that way after being continuously rubbed by the rough friction of the sand paper.

Now let’s relate this beautiful analogy to our lives. You may be going through something that feels SO rough right now… and this thing or this situation may have been going on for a while…but know that this experience of friction is merely a necessary part of a process that is going to make you come out more smooth and beautiful in the end. So hang in there my friend and get ready to shine!