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.

Take Action! FREE eBooks to Motivate, Inspire and Encourage

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.

Book Review: "Monday Morning Motivation" by Monica Marie Jones (Review by Cindy E. Folson)

As the end of the year approaches you are no doubt likely to hear people excitedly speak about their New Year's resolutions-vows to eat better, work harder and do things in a different way than they did in the passing in year. For many the start of the calendar year is an opportunity to wipe the slate clean of past mistakes and regrets, however in Monica Marie Jones' sixth book, Monday Morning Motivation, she challenges readers to view every Monday as a new year, "Everyday is a new day and an opportunity to start over again, but I feel that Mondays are the most powerful because they are the beginning."

The book, which started as a weekly email blast to Jones' close friends and supporters, is a compilation of 52 weekly inspirational messages written to help the reader use Mondays as a chance to re-commit to a lifestyle change, do something differently than done in the previous week and start a journey of letting go of something that negatively impacts your life. True to her previous written works, Monica delivers insights by drawing on personal experiences and revelations starting with Week 1 appropriately titled Out With the Old, In With the New. In this chapter she compares ridding her space of unnecessary, poor quality clothing and household items to people with the same attributes who are just taking up room that could be utilized by things and people that add value. She likens this relationship of holding on to superfluous things and people to comforters- their purpose is to keep us warm and many use them as a security blanket to make us feel good. She states that often times in life we keep people who serve that same purpose, but like comforters one or two is usually enough, anymore and you run the risk of being surrounded by people who simply coddle you and don't force you to grow.

At the end of the chapter Jones challenges the reader to evaluate the things and people they may need to let go of in order to make room for what you want to attract in your life. For each of the remaining 51 weeks, a new subject is presented using real life analogies and practical exercises that not only change your way of thinking, but also allow to you walk confidently in your purpose. So as you make your New Year's Resolutions or when you revisit them months down the line, add reading Monday Morning Motivation to your list to keep you on track for staying positive throughout the year. 

Review by Cindy E. Folson

CLICK HERE to download the "Monday Morning Motivation eBook for ONLY $2.99

EXCERPT from "Monday Morning Motivation" The Book!

Introduction

A New Day

Recently I was talking to a friend and fellow motivator about Monday mornings at his job. He shared that it was the absolute worst time of the week. This was due to the fact that everyone was always upset and depressed because they didn’t want to be there. As positive as he is, one can’t help but be affected by such negative energy; as it is contagious. Finally, he told me that when my Monday Morning Motivation message pops up in his inbox, it ends up turning his whole day around.

When I decided to do these messages I never could have imagined the impact that they would make. More than one person has shared with me that research shows that suicide occurs more often on Mondays than any other day of the week because of that sense of dread and depression that is often referred to as the “Monday Morning Blues.” Each of these readers, who have never met and live in different parts of the world, all said that they feel like these messages are making an impact and a difference when it comes to those statistics. If a little inspiration on Monday morning lifts one heavy spirit or saves one life, then I feel that I have done my job.

I look at Monday in an entirely different way. I truly believe that our health, wealth and how we feel about ourselves depends heavily upon how we perceive things. For example, when I hear the term Monday Morning Blues, I think of how beautiful a blue sky is or that blue is my favorite color as opposed to the negative connotation that the word blue usually holds. Instead of looking at Monday in a dreadful way, I look at it as a new day and an opportunity for a new beginning… as a gift that we are given each week.

I remember when I was a child and I wanted to ask my mother for something, I can’t recall what it was, but I prefaced it with, “Mom, when it’s 1984 again can I….”  She laughed and let me know that years don’t come back around like months and days do. We may not be able to get the years back, but there will always be another Monday.

Every day is a new day and an opportunity to start all over again, but I feel that Mondays are the most powerful because they are the beginning.

How often do we think or say that we wish we had the opportunity to do something all over again? Monday gives us that. Today I challenge you to think about ways to make the most of Mondays.  I’ll start you off with a few, but the rest is up to you…

Re-Commit To a Life-Style Change

Notice that I didn’t say diet. Focus on fitness in a way that is manageable and realistic enough for you to maintain for life. 

Do Something Differently Than You Did Last Week

Use the weekend as a time to reflect on issues that came up for you throughout the week.  Once you’ve completed that task, use Monday as a day to learn from your mistakes by leaving them behind and moving forward with new goals and action steps.

Begin the Journey of Letting Something Go That Is Not Good For You

Perhaps you want to quit smoking or give up sweets. Monday is a great day to begin and even if you slip up during the week, that’s OK because another Monday is on the way for you to give it another try.

Let’s make each Monday a new day and if you find yourself getting off track as the week progresses, just remember…another Monday is only seven days away.

How to Use This Book

You are more than welcome to read this book all at once, but for maximum impact it is designed to be read one chapter per week for a year. Read each chapter first thing in the morning every Monday when you wake up, before you do anything else, or as soon as you arrive at the office, before you begin your work for the day.

Apply the topic of the message for each week to your life by focusing on the challenge posed or questions asked at the end of each chapter. Continue to apply and review the concepts, ideas and suggestions that you read in the motivational message for the entire week.

After reading the message, or at the end of the week, reflect on your progress. This can be done alone or with a close friend, family member, co-worker or group. Encourage the person that you share your thoughts with to read the book right along with you. (See the Book Club Guide at the end of the book.)

If you decide to reflect alone, record your thoughts, your answers to the questions, or the action steps that you plan to take to meet the challenges in a journal.

Now sit back, relax and enjoy the read!

"Monday Morning Motivation" The Book Coming November 12, 2011!!

Pre-Order NOW for ONLY $8 at http://www.monicamariejones.com

PRE-ORDER Monday Morning Motivation!

The holiday season is near. Get some of your shopping done early by getting a copy of this inspiring book for all of your friends and family for a discounted rate of ONLY $8 (Plus shipping and handling).  

"Monday Morning Motivation" is NOW available for Pre-Order! CLICK HERE to place your order today! 

 

The "Monday Morning Motivation" Book Release Celebration!

WHO: Author and Motivator Monica Marie Jones (www.MonicaMarieJones.com)

WHAT: The "Monday Morning Motivation" Book Release Celebration!

WHEN: Saturday November 12, 2011 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM

WHERE: At The Essence of Motown Literary Jam and Conference
Literary Market Place
located in The Virgil Carr Cultural Center
311 E. Grand River
Detroit, MI 48226

WHY: (Book Synopsis) Monday morning is a new beginning...a fresh start! It's a time to start over and get it right this time. Sadly, for many it is a time of dread and despair at the mere thought of having to embark upon another week in a situation where they don't want to be. Monday mornings are an amazing opportunity to re-energize, refresh and refocus so it's time to change the way that we think about them.

Just like a good cup of coffee or a warm ray of sunshine, the motivational messages in this book give you that boost that you need to start your week off right. Each chapter will leave you encouraged, inspired and excited about the new week that lies ahead.

~

50 Swag Bags FILLED with all types of FREE goodies will be given to the first 50 people to purchase a book at the event.

SPONSORS:
The Motown Writers Network www.motownwriters.com
Author Sylvia Hubbard www.sylviahubbard.com
Yum Delish www.yumdelish.com
The Literary Loft www.literaryloft.com
Inspirationista Ink www.inspirationistaink.com

More Sponsorship Opportunities Available. Contact TheLiteraryLoft@gmail.com for more information

Keep Checking Back For Updates...

Monday Morning Motivation by Monica Marie Jones

 Inspirational Messages That Motivate You To Start Your Week Off Right

Monday morning is a new beginning...a fresh start! It's a time to start over and get it right this time. Sadly, for many it is a time of dread and despair at the mere thought of having to embark upon another week in a situation where they don't want to be. Monday mornings are an amazing opportunity to re-energize, refresh and refocus so it's time to change the way that we think about them.

Just like a good cup of coffee or a warm ray of sunshine, the motivational messages in this book give you that boost that you need to start your week off right. Each chapter will leave you encouraged, inspired and excited about the new week that lies ahead.

COMING NOVEMBER 12, 2011!!