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.

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.

MOMENTUM by Monica Marie Jones - Motown Writers Network Video Interview

NEW RELEASE! "MOMENTUM" by Monica Marie Jones

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

MOMENTUM by Monica Marie Jones

 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!

Inspiration Ink Summer Writers Retreat July 19th-21st 2013!

The Literary Loft Presents...

The Inspiration Ink Summer Writers Retreat

Friday July 19^th- Sunday July 21^st 2013

Walden Woods Resort and Conference Center

2975 Old US Highway 23  Hartland, MI 48855
www.waldenwoods.com

An intimate gathering of poets, novelists, journalists, playwrights, songwriters and aspiring and established literary artists of all genres in a serene and inspiring setting. Come with a vision and leave with a completed project or plan.

$370.24 Per Person (Only 15 slots available)

Payment Plans and Promotional Discounts Available (See Below)

Registration Fee Includes:

• Lodging for two nights (Friday and Saturday Night)
• Welcome Reception on Friday (Gourmet Appetizers and Drinks upon Arrival)
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner on Saturday
• Breakfast on Sunday
• Swag Bags (Filled with all types of goodies for writers)
• 3 Writers Workshops (Poetry, Planning Your Project, and Intro to Self-Publishing)
• Professional Photo-shoot including author head shot (Friday Evening)

Schedule Overview

Friday
4pm Arrival/Check In/Photo Shoot Sessions
6pm Welcome Reception
                Gourmet Appetizers and Drinks

    Community Building Activities                 

7pm Workshop: Planning Your Project
8pm Night Write!

Saturday
6am Morning Muse (Optional)
             Prayer/Meditation/Nature Walk
8am Breakfast/Goal Setting
9am Write Time!
12pm Lunch/Sharing Time
1pm Workshop: Poetry
2pm Write Time!
5pm Dinner and Sharing
6pm Open Mic Jam Session
8pm Bonfire
10pm Late Night Write

Sunday
6am Morning Muse (Optional)
             Prayer/Meditation/Nature Walk
8am Breakfast and Sharing
9am Workshop: Intro to Self-Publishing
10am Full Group Reflection/Next Steps

Payment Plan
$100* Deposit Reserves your spot due May 15th
2nd Payment of $100* due May 31st
3rd Payment of $100* due June 15th
Final Payment of $70* due July 1st
*additional processing fee added at check out

Buddy Promo
$600 *Register and Room with a Buddy and Save $50 each off of your registration cost!
*additional processing fee added at check out

Register online at http://www.inspirationinkwritersretreat.eventbrite.com

Check and Money Order Payments can be mailed and made payable to:

Literary Loft LLC
P.O. Box 441134
Detroit, MI 48244

This retreat will be hosted and facilitated by Author, Publisher and Motivator, Monica Marie Jones, MSW...



Monica Marie Jones Bio
Monica Marie Jones is an author whose published works include The Ups and Downs of Being Round (Fiction/Self-Help), Taste My Soul (Poetry), FLOSS (Fiction), Swag (Urban Fiction), Sweet Soliloquy (Poetry) and Monday Morning Motivation (Inspiration). She is a contributing author in Chicken Soup for the Girls Soul, New Directions for Youth Development, 44th (A full color coffee table book about President Barack Obama) and Souls of Our Young Sisters: The Next Generation of Women Tell Their Stories, Overcome Their Challenges, and Heal Their Spirits. She has also contributed to several publications and youth development training materials for the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation and the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality.

She has worked as a columnist and freelance writer for various publications and websites including the Michigan Front Page Newspaper and is an active member of the Motown Writer's Network where she hosted her own radio show, “Marketing and Motivation Mondays with Monica Marie Jones” on the Michigan Literary Network Radio.

Monica received her Bachelor’s Degree and teaching certificate in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University. She also received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan.

Monica is a youth development expert that does training and consultation for the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality.

She is a professionally trained dancer and dance instructor that has danced with Gospel recording artists such as Dorinda Clark-Cole, in several venues around the United States, and a three-city tour in Japan with Kierra 'Ki-Ki' Sheard.

Monica uses her gifts, talents and expertise to inform her work as a motivational speaker with a focus on topics including but not limited to self-esteem, empowering women and girls, fitness and wellness, and youth development.

She is the owner of the publishing and literary consulting company, The Literary Loft; the motivational speaking, training and consulting company, Inspirationista Ink; and a partner in ownership of the real estate investment company, Team JP Enterprises LLC.

For more information visit her website at www.monicamariejones.com