Creativity Exercise from Julia Cameron & Kimberly Wilson

 I continue to follow my favorite blogger Kimberly Wilson.

On a recent blog post she summarizes her visit to New York City where she visited Julia Cameron and heard her speak on The Artists Way.

Kimberly also penned her answers to some questions that were presented during the discussion.

As I am on a quest to improve my creativity and especially work on my writing, I answered the questions below. It turned out to be an enlightening experience as I realized that I am creative in so many ways.

 

Questions:

fill in the blank:

Artists are amazing.

Murikami

list 5 imaginary lives and 5 actions to get you closer to them

WRITER

·         Write, Read, Edit, Study, Write

LAWYER

·         Study, Intern, Network, Join, Practice

TRAVELER

·         Create reliable income, Get time, Companion, Maintain health, Research

EVENT PLANNER

·         Business Plan Create, Funding, Network, Intern Experience,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIST 15 things that make you happy
Color, Modern Design, ebay finds, organization, hubby, kids, beauty, yoga, exercise, summer, warm climates, travel, planning, research, day dreaming, writing, creating

 

5 things you love

·         My hubby

·         My backyard in summer,

·         A good book,

·         Good food,

·         Entertaining

 

what do i need to know?

·         California Law,

·         How to network,

·         How to make and keep friends,

·         How to budget and save money,

·         How to earn money and invest

 

what do i need to do?

·         Pass the Bar

·         Study for the bar

·         Outline my book

·         Finish outline books

·         Finish writing book

·         Find critique partners

 

what do i need to try?



Sailing

 

 

Rollerblade Dancing

 

 

 

Skiing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

what do i need to accept?

• My children are growing up and  becoming independent.

 

• I have a short period of time until I need to retire 15-20 years and it will go fast.

 

• I have to change my eating and exercise habits to maintain my health

 

 

• I need to max out my retirement account.

 

• I am fabulous.

Rate these areas of your life (think wheel of life) and list 1 action to enhance each category:

·         Spirituality 3 – Find a church home.

·         Exercise 2-3 – Just do it.

·         Play – 3 – Enjoy self more.

·         Work, 3 - Focus

·         Friends 2 –Make some.

·         Romance 4 – Spend more time together

·         Adventure 3 – Take more risks

Rate areas of your body and list 1 action to improve the area

·         Hair – Condition, Nurture

·         Feet – Regular pedicures

Rate areas of you home and list 1 action to improve the area

·         Bathroom 1 – Paint

·         Bedroom 2 – Paint, De-clutter

·         Living Room 3 – New furniture

Fill in the blank:

·         If I didn't have to do it perfectly, I’d try to make friends by talking to more people.

Fill in the blank:

·         I’d love to travel.

List 5 ways you are mean to yourself

·         Eat too much

·         Not sleeping enough

·         Isolate from others

·         Not exercising

·        Getting angry that I am not where I want to be.

List 5 actions to be kinder to self

·         Kind words

·         Make friends

·         Exercise

·         Sleep

Fill in the blank:

·         An adventure I’d love to have is traveling for an extended period of time on a cruise.

 
5 things you really love doing

·         Planning

·         Research

·         Decorating

·         Entertaining

·         Travel

5 characteristics you want in a creativity god

·         Sense of humor

·         Experience

·         Compassion

·          Talent

 

Pen a note to your creativity god on where you are and where you need help

Dear Creativity God,

I have been on a quest to explore many creative pursuits. In the past I have taken classes and tried my hand at interior design, sewing, scrap booking, stencil painting walls, writing, jewelry making, gardening, digital online at pinterest.com , polyvore.com, entering contests, journaling.

I need help in getting ideas flowing, remaining consistent, and staying focused. I need help in knowing what I am good at, becoming good at something, and developing my craft whatever it may be.

Pam

 

Pen note back to self from creativity god

Dear Pam.

KEEP doing what you are doing. Follow your heart. When you lose track of time when you are doing something then that is a sign that you may have found something that is important to you and your heart.

I UNDERSTAND the need to find a space for you to pursue your activities and interests. It will come. I encourage you to set aside some money to buy a small shed or trailer or other structure to utilize for your writing, crafting, creative space. You should also remember that it will not be long before your children move out into the world and pursue their own life. At that time, the rooms they use as bedrooms will be available for you to use.

 I encourage you to pay attention to what has been working for you so far.

CONTINUE

·         Continue to explore different art forms that interest you.

·         Take classes, workshops and courses.

·         Participate in writers groups whether or not you feel they are benefiting you.

·         Outline your stories ahead of time.

·         Sit in the same spot every morning.

·         Participate in programs where you have to provide accountability such as GIAM 100X100. There may be others.

·         Continue to work with what you are working with. 

·         Write blog posts

·         Follow life coaches, complete their questionnaire

·         Join web groups

 

REMEMBER that your current and most important project at this time is raising your children. You are helping them become the young people who will grow into young adults.

It is also important to remember that you are a creative person in many aspects of your life already. It is important to acknowledge the beautiful things that we create just by existing in the universe,.

 

ACKNOWLEDGE your creativity is also evident in every aspect of your life whether or not you realize it or not. It is apparent in the way that you decorate for Christmas. Your tree, your mantle and your table are examples of your creative work. Getting together the Christmas party and the presents for your family is an expression of creativity. You exhibited much creativity when you designed your vow renewal ceremony last year. You are creating when you plan your wardrobe for next year’s cruise. The way you dress each day is an expression of your creativity.

 

APPRECIATE the opportunities you have to explore your creativity and experiment with different art forms. The fact you get to travel and learn and make mistakes. These are all forms of creative expression.                              

Love,
Your creativity goddess.

Year in Review! 2012

I've been inspired all year by Kimberly Wilson at www.tranquilitydujour.com weekly and monthy recap. I've incorporated that inventory taking into my own life and included it in my blogs for the past few months. I continue to look for ways to clarify and acknowlege the fabulousness of my life.

So I ran across this online life coach who was offering an end of the year 28 day of truth-telling, reflection, fun, rejuvenation and connection before 2013. It sounds like a really great course but they want $49 for it. It's a four week curriculum that is as follows: Week 1 Review, Week 2 Reset, Week 3 Revive and Week 4 Restart. Check out http://resetreviverestart.com for more information.

Anyway, I decided to do as much of it as I could before I decide if I want to invest. Here is my review of what I've accomplished this year. I broke it down into a bunch of categories and kind of got obsessed with it. This is sort of personal but I need to write it down and put it out there so that I can learn from my mistakes and success from 2012 in order to move on and up in 2013.

Writing

• Entered 5 RWA writing contests
• Renewed RWA National membership
• Placed 2nd in Duel in the Delta RWA writing contest Romantic Suspense category
• Judged WisRWA Fab 5 Writing contest Historical Category- 7 entries read and rated
• Continued as preliminary reader for Wild Rose Press - 6 mss reviewed
• Found critique group on RWA national forums
• Reviewed/ critiqued writing of partner in Florida
• Joined Facebook writing groups
• Completed several Savvyauthors.com chats.
• Completed 28 days with GIAM 100X100
• Restarted GIAM in December

Finances

• Paid off Nordstroms Card
• Renewed RWA National membership $125
• Registered for RWA Convention then cancelled with resulting $150 fee
• Recharged Nordstrom card up again
• Saved $1500 for Daughter's Apartment
• Saved $1000 for car tune-up repair
• Sold over $400 of stuff on ebay
• Booked and Paid for NCL cruise 2013 - $1755
• Purchased son bass and amplifier -$600
• Discovered TJ Maxx clothing store

Creativity

• Attended August Scrapbook Expo at Santa Clara overnight at Hyatt Regency
• Completed 20+ pages
• Updated mspamoore.blogspot.com & penned 25 blogs posts this year.
• Discovered clipart candy website for cheap creative clip art to spice up website.
• Discovered Polyvore.com ; published 21 sets
• Discovered Pinterest.com and created 15 boards

Home

• New Patio furniture
• Planted, Harvested Vegetable garden including strawberries, small pumpkins, bitter cucumbers, tomatoes
• Recycled waterbottles that hubby insists on buying at center for cash. Now put in blue can.
• Bathroom door fixed.
• Cleaned/ re-organized closet. Eliminated clutter.
• Cleaned garage twice. Eliminated clutter.
• Cleaned out kitchen cabinets. Eliminated unused items.

Family/Kids

• 8th grade graduation/ 9th Grade registration
• Signed son up for football/ purchased equipment/ hair cut
• Attended 8 football games and 2 post season games.
• Made turn around trip to L.A. to sign apartment lease for daughter
• Purchased son bass guitar & amp
• Send daughter to Washington D.C. for week in February 2012
• Daughter signed up for cheer

Love/Marriage

 

• Romantic getaway to Queen Mary in Long Beach in April
• Date night in Los Angeles at La Lousiana
• Date night with hubby at Azumo's in Oakland
• Date night with hubby at Roys in San Francisco
• 2 Dates to Pear Street Bistro for happy hour
• 1 Day Trip to San Francisco's Golden Gate Park & Stinson Beach
• Happy Hour & High School Football Game
• Shopping on with hubby in Los Angeles day after Thanksgiving
• Regular trips to the gym to workout together
• Christmas Party #1- Arkansas Club
• Christmas Party  #2 - BAA

Travel

• Four trips to Southern California /Los Angeles Area
• Overnight trip to Santa Clara for Scrapbook Expo
• Booked Caribbean Cruise for 2013

Self Care

• 2 dentist appointments - 6 months apart
• 1 OB/GYN Appointment
• 1 Mammogram
• 2 physical exam appointments
• 2 visits to EAP
• 3 months paid weight watchers membership
• 2 weeks Overeaters Anonymous HOW membership
• Attended 1 OA HOW retreat
• Walked track (4-6 miles in 2 hours) during August Football practices
• Regular Manicure/Pedicures
• Discovered Rose Lee Nails in Richmond
• Purchased a bunch of new bare escentuals makeup
• Discovered New Estee Lauder mascara
• Celebrated 48th Birthday

Career

• Applied for Program Specialist position
• Interviewed/ made hiring list
• Applied for another position/ Interviewed
• Completed at least 5 applications for various positions outside of present employer
• Attended PH Network group
• Clinical Providers symposium
• Allocations Process Complete
• PCRS training
• STD for Non-Clinicians Training
• Grew Consortium membership
• New supervisor
• Trained/ Oriented new Program Specialist
• Mentored student intern

Giving Back/Volunteer

• Volunteered at White Elephant Sale March 2012
• Donated soaps/ lotions to Richmond Shelter
• Cleaned closet donated clothing to Thrift Town
• Donated books to paperbackswap.com
• Volunteered at 8th grade graduation parking

Collections/Fun

• Completed Bratz Babyz doll collection- via ebay purchases
• Purchased a number of David Douglas Genie Bottle decanters and matching trays, cups and candle holders
• Trip to Alameda  NAS Flea Market - Realized I'd seen it all Nothing new.
• Shopped for linens at White Elephant Sale for Oakland Museum

Sharpen the Saw/ Spiritual Education

• Subscribed to Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Family Circle magazines
• Subscribed to 4 Cooking/ recipe magazines
• Followed Tranquility Du Jour Blog
• Joined Traniliity du Jour Facebook page
• Purchased one month May of Tranquility du Jour Tranquility $12
• Signed up for emails from Life Coaches
• Listened to "Playing Big" conference call
• Downloaded workbook from FreedomJunkie.com
• Considered/considering $21 sparkle e-course
• Considering $49 revisit, restart, reset end of the year course.
• Read __ novels.

Favorite New Fashions Purchased in 2012

• 2 Pairs NYDJ skinny jeans
• 1 Black Leather Jacket
• 1 Pair suede boots ebay
• 1 Floral romper - ebay
• 1 Grey romper - ebay
• 5 cardigans from TJ Maxx (pumpkin, grey, black long sleeve, black short sleeve, grey)
• Leopard Print flats - Payless
• Leopard Print Scarf - Target
• 2 Jessica Simpson Dresses - 1 blue & 1 Red (for Christmas party)
• Yellow Espadrille Platforms
• Black cold shoulder tee from Dress Barn
• Bright Blue cold shoulder tee from Nordstrom
• Quacker Factory embellished embroidered tunics

Challenges

• Staying on a low calorie diet
• Exercising regularly after work
• Walking during lunch or mid afternoon
• Writing daily

Learning Experiences 2012

• Debit Card being stolen twice - Don't use it anywhere and everywhere. Keep it to get money out of bank atm. Spend a set amount of cash per budget and then stop spending when run of cash.
• Spending during PMS- I spend more during PMS.
• I write more when participating in GIAM 100X100
• I write more when I sit at the kitchen table.
• I write more when I am entering contests for review.
• I am shy.
• Walking during lunch or during the day helps maintain my weight.
• Eating a lot of fiber and salads helps too. Stay away from the salami sandwich at Nob Hill. Delicious but swells me up.
• It is easy to obsess over stuff.

More to come as I review 2012 and plan for 2013.

 

Month in Review! October

 

Accomplishments/ Achievements

1 Dentist appointment - semi annual cleaning!

Doctor's appointment Check-Up

4 Midget Football Games

1 High School Football Game - Homecoming!

Left cheerleader and cheerleading team alone!

Drove and picked up cheerleader two home games.

1 Date Night with Hubby

1 Birthday Celebration Dinner with Family

1 New hair style

2 Blog posts

Booked Valentine's Cruise for Me and Hubby!
Bought airline tickets.
Found reasonable hotel for pre and post stay.
Planning wardrobe ideas on polyvore.com.
Sold over $400 worth of stuff on ebay!

 

 

 

Wish List for the rest of November!

Attend clothing swap and support meeting this Saturday.

Safe trip to visit in-laws and daughter.

Post season play-off football games.

Possible championship football game.

Make final payment for cruise.

Complete Christmas shopping list.

Start Christmas shopping.

Create art journal with ideal daily schedule visualized.

Blog weekly.

Draft Plot and synposis for next novel Hurricane Heat 

Write 500 words daily.

Exercise Daily.

Abstain from coffee.

Abstain from sugar & flour.

Date night with hubby!

Celebrate mother's birthday!

Get car washed and detailed.

 

Wish List for Next 8 Weeks!

Stay on 3-0-1 plan.

Attend 8 meetings to support efforts.

Save at least $250 dollars

Open Christmas savings club for 2013

Enter at least 2 contests on Polyvore.com

Celebrate a healthy happy Christmas and New Years with family!

Exercise at least 4 days a week.

 



Halfway through the month of October and things are picking up for me.

I booked a Caribbean cruise for hubby and I for the new year. Yeah!
I've been researching and day dreaming about this cruise for a long time. Finally found a price that I couldn't pass up. I put a deposit and have a month to pay it off. We are calling it our Valentine Cruise! We had been traveling in November to celebrate our anniversary but that wasn't possible this year.

I have to recommend the boards and forum at www.cruisecritic.com . There is a wealth of information there about cruise ships, the cruiselines and activities on board. Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about cruises can be found there.

Hubby paid for the airfare. Yeah! It's my birthday, anniversary, Christmas and Valentines gift. LOL.
Hubby insisted we travel a day early. He is concerned about missing the boat. He also didn't want to fly into Fort Lauderdale which was the cheaper airport. sigh! So I found  a direct flight from SFO to Miami. My concern about flying is comfort. Hubby is well over 6 foot 6 inches and he needs legroom. We aren't in a position at this time in our life to afford first class tickets but I have learned to upgrade to the "premium" seats which have a little bit more leg room.

Check out the website www.seatguru.com for recommendations about what seats are good. You have to know what type of aircraft you are flying on but when the make a reservation online it will show what type of plane the flight is.

Next on my list was getting a hotel and transportation to and from the port.
The cruiseline had some pre and post cruise hotel packages. I had booked through an agency and they said I could add the hotel. Since hubby and I would be in Miami for 24 hours before and a night after I thought it would be nice to visit or stay in the South Beach area. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Beach

Bottom line. It's expensive. Cruise line wanted a total of $685 for one day pre and one day post cruise including transportation to and from port. It didn't include transportation from airport.
So I looked up same hotel online. Hotels in the South Beach area start at $325 a night and go up. Marriot was about $550 a night.  Sigh!

It might be possible to stay one night in South Beach, either before or after but not both. I'll have to look into that. Anyway, I did find a small hotel, the Hyatt Place near the airport in Doral area which will pick us up at airport, and transport  us to the cruise port and includes buffet breakfast for $179 night. The hotel will also pick us up after the cruise for $12 pp. I have points for the Hyatt so I can get one of the two nights we need FREE!. So this is the deal we are going with. I guess after we get there, we can figure out how to visit South Beach if we even feel like it. After the cruise we will probably be so tired or broke that we won't want to do anything but get on the flight home.

The only thing left to do is pack. I start packing the moment a trip is booked and have begun sorting through my closet already and considering options. I've finally figured out that the best thing to do is pack everything that I want to. When I went to Hawaii two years ago, I had a huge suitcase set out that I began packing months in advance. As the trip approached, hubby decided he didn't want to wait for luggage so we had to use carryon size duffle. So, I cut down on what I wanted to take and ended up not having half of what I wanted or needed to wear.

Next trip was the cruise and again I didn't take everything I wanted. I had most of what I wanted but there was a little set that I didn't take that I wished I had. So now even though I am 4 months out, I am carefully considering what I would like to take. Initially, I wasn't going to buy anything but that idea has gone out the window.

I've found this great website called www.polyvore.com where you can put together collages of items. Making collages is one of my all time favorite activities. It's really easy and fun. The collages can resemble magazine layouts and I am using them as dream boards and packing lists.
See some of my layouts below or on polyvore.


Now that I have gotten the cruise details under way and Thanksgiving is handled. We are going to visit my mother in law and daughter.

I'm making my Christmas shopping lists and plans for Christmas. Yeah!

My favorite month ~ October!

My favorite month of the year is well under way. The kids are back in school and we've all settled into our routines for the 2012-2013 year. Fall is the time when I like to spend a little time, energy and money on myself before the holiday season.

 

 

As my birthday approaches I've decided to pamper myself. Actually, I just needed a makeover.
I started with a trip last Sunday to the nail salon. I treated myself to a manicure pedicure. It became even more special because I tried something new. Purple nail polish. It's the gel type so it's super shiny and it's supposed to last until it grows out. So far I am super excited and happy with it. Usually I go with a soft pink or neutral color so this is a big change. Woo Hoo!

Monday, I took myself on a shopping spree for some, "Trying Not to Look So Old" new clothes.
I purchased up a few pieces that are definitely different from my usual long skirts and oversize blouses. I got two pairs of skinny jeans. Squeeal! One pair is a purple with a waxy coating to look like leather. Yes, purple is my new favorite color this season. And the other pair is a dark red with a subtle python print.

I also purchased a black leather jacket. I've been wanting one for soooooo long. It looks super cute with the jeans as well as with the skirts that I already had. I could almost see myself on the fashion makeover show "What Not to Wear" when the hosts Clinton Kelly and Stacy London encourage guest to try something new on.

I put some hair color into my hair last night to cover the little bit of gray on my temples and have an appointment on Friday with my stylist for new look. Still on my wish list are some false eyelashes but after that bad experience two Christmas' ago I'm afraid of the false eyelashes. I just need to find the right person to apply, for the right price, in the right length.

Now that I've got my its my birthday and I'm getting old but don't want to look it makeover almost complete, I have to arrange some sort of party for myself and my family. Anyway....

I'm also working on an internal makeover.

I've been listening to a number of webinars and investigating career coaching, personal improvement and growth workshops and online sessions.

I recently listened to Tara Sophie Mohr "Playing Big" webinar. It sounded interesting. It's a 6 month course where participants interact online to develop courage to do what they have been yearning to do. The price was $964 or so for the course. I really was considering it but I couldn't identify with the women calling in. Plus I could spend the on a vacation or cruise which am dreaming about. www.taramohr.com/playingbig/ 

I listened to another webinar today put on by three women promoting their online course. It was entitled. Find Your Calling: Awaken Your Life Purpose, Clarify Your Vision & Do Your Soul's Work with Martha Beck, Lissa Rankin & Amy Ahlers www.findyourcallingnow.com.
That workshop didn't really speak to me. It is a four week course with a number of modules, conference calls and worksheets. I've got three or four things going on right now that I feel are my life purpose... I just need to get going on them. Taking a course would just be one more thing on the list.

I've been reading a blog by Kimberley Wilson at www.tranquilitydujour.com every day and I love her philosophy and musing. Something on her website lead me to a book entitled The Fire Starter Sessions by Danielle La Porte. I decided to invest in this book. I'll write a review later.

Still looking for other sources to sharpen the saw and feed my soul.

 

 

I'm dreaming about another cruise with my hubby. Really, I can't stop thinking about it. I've mentioned it a few times and he is definitely on board. It's up to me to make it happen.

 

 

We had such a good time last November when we renewed our vows.

 

 

This year as much as we wanted to go to Hawaii with all the kids for the holiday I couldn't figure out how to make it happen. Our big girl can't travel with us cause she's only got a short break from school and she is working a retail job and an internship and has to be back at work the day after Thanksgiving for the start of the shopping season. Sigh!

So we will just go visit her at college and make a mini vacation trip. It wouldn't be a family trip without her.


My goal is to take a cruise with just hubby and I next February if not sooner, when the younger kids are out of school. No, they wouldn't be traveling with us this time but they could stay with their grandparents or aunts/uncles and cousins for the week. I've been trying to save the money for the cruise and have faith that it will come. There were only three cabins left in the category I want the last time I checked.

I won't be able to take any time off from work after February as my work gets very busy from the Spring through the Summer so I want to do something special trip with hubby. 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, I'll be able to take a cruise and family vacation soon.

I'm very fortunate that everything else is going well for me this month and I am able to do my makeover stuff.