September 30, 2012

New Beginnings: How to Start Again with Wonder & Grace

New Beginnings: These are the tunes October, 2012 is singing to me. I am participating in an almost ridiculous amount of writing events this month… and it feels just right.

If you haven’t met me before, you have no idea that in the past two and a half weeks I found out I had melanoma, had surgery, and have been recovering from surgery. The right side of my face has been rebuilt. In public I wear scarves.

Today one of my friends told me I looked very exotic!

I like to think that’s the truth. I just don’t want people to get grossed out upon seeing me or feel embarrassed about how I look without the scarf right now.

I have built a completely new relationship with my face since this all started.

And as I listen more to my body, I am following a few dictates that would have helped me to start following years ago.

Monitor and closely nurture the inflow/outflow of energy you receive from being with certain people, attending certain events, and doing events of any sort, even if they seem like tasks that appear to not cause an expenditure of energy. Everything expends energy. Some things bring me a positive inflow or it depletes me. Neither is good or bad, each one simply is what it is: an energy expenditure.
I have been saying YES or NO with conscious thought based upon the inflow/outflow of energy. I have gotten very good at saying MAYBE and then confirming yes or no right up until the moment of whatever it is begins.

Having a daily plan or possibility list is more comforting and inspiring than I ever knew it could be, especially when framed NOT with MUST do, but as options like different kinds of chocolate ice cream. Sure, I love chocolate ice cream but sometimes I turn down Rocky Road yet welcome Mocha Fudge.

Did I mention during these last few weeks - both before and after diagnosis - I have been creating OctPoWriMo - 31 Poems in 31 Days? Yes, I know. Nutty. I am beginning one of several writing challenges. It has my passion fire burning, crackling clean and bright.

What relationship do you have with New Beginnings?

What are some of the ways to make New Beginnings be a cause of increased celebration for you?

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This is my first post (of 31!) for the October Ultimate Blog Challenge. Watch challenge posts which will include Writing Prompts, Writing Tips and General Life Tips and Essays.

Julie Jordan Scott has been a Life & Creativity Coach, Writer, Facilitator and Teleclass Leader since 1999. She is also an award winning Actor, Director, Artist and Mother Extraordinaire. She was twice the StoryTelling Slam champion in Bakersfield. She leads Writing Camp with JJS & this Summer will be traveling throughout the US to bring this unique, fun filled creative experience to the people wherever she finds the passion & the interest.

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Posted at 10:17 PM in Befriending Fear, Blog Boost, Melanoma, Ultimate Blog Challenge, Writing tips | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The Traffic Jam in My head became, instead, Three Stories to Expand (or perhaps poems to write). Hmm. Interesting.

It is Sunday and beloved Jana, who hosts Stream of Consciousness Sunday, asked us all to do something very simple in the world of stream of consciousness writing: just write, freely, dump what has been stomping around your brain asking for attention.

Hop over to the site and join us. It is so much fun!!

Ready? WRITE!

Permission to dump my brain? Seriously, Jana?

My thoughts immediately line up like cars in one of those four way freeway exchanges. Rumbling, roarding and not wanting anyone else to get ahead in line.... so since I only have five minutes:

There are these two older guys who apparently meet every morning at McDonald's. Samuel and I have been going there, him for breakfast, me for coffee, because he gets obsessed with any possibility of winning money so he could buy some more video games. Yes, I'm serious and I play along so he learns something of frustration and disappointment without it being anything seriously personal. We Moms with kids on the spectrum do what we need to do, sometimes by complete accident.

Anyway - we sit in the same spot and so do these two older guys who just happen to go to the church where I used to go.

This one guy was talking about the way another church lady gives "full body hugs" and he told how only once did his wife complain when she said, "Do y0u have to hug her that way?" to which he played, not surprisingly, dumb.

"I have dreamed about those hugs," he said, "You could feel every contour...." and though I couldn't see his face, I could hear the longing, dreamy expression on his face. I'm starting to enjoy listening to their conversations and feel only slightly guilty about it.

Another thought, coast is clear!

I have been working on being unconditionally loving. Not long ago I had the unfortunate experience of being cheated on. Now, some people would throw their arms up and storm out of the room. I didn't do this.

Instead I had the strong awareness that my dear one had never had the experience of grace and unconditional love that I could offer, as someone who actually believes in such things. I offered him grace. He gratefully, confusedly, accepted.

It may have been more like six weeks ago - but with my surgery and all, I thought it was shorter.

The timer went off but one last thing: my melanoma surgery was a success. They got the entire tumor off my cheek bone so lately I have been sporting scarves. I never knew how much attention a woman would get for wearing scarves. People look at me, quizically, probably because they are not used to seeing blue eyed women with their heads wrapped this way.

Since I can't smile my usually geeky way, I have been practicing a Mona Lisa smile. One of my friends thinks people will think I was beaten by a man. Remember, though, I am practicing grace. I find it amusing in not a ha-ha way that when I discovered my dear one's straying and stopped yelling deliriously I said, "And I have to add your timing sucks!"

It was discovered, afterall, when I was waiting for my biopsy, waiting to see if it was cancer. I was thinking it was basal cell carcinoma, more common and less serious, but when I learned it was melanoma... wow. Anyway.

My brain dump worked. These were the two "cars" that got through (or actually three) the traffic jam.

===

Five minutes gone, just like that!

**********************

This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

Set a timer and write for 5 minutes.
Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post. No proofreading or spellchecking. This is writing in the raw.
Publish it somewhere. Anywhere. The back door to your blog if you want. But make it accessible.
Add the Stream of Consciousness Sunday badge to your post (found at Jana's Thinking Place). .
Link up your you got it now, at Jana's Thinking Place!
Visit your fellow bloggers and show some love.

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Posted at 11:52 AM in SOC Sunday, Stream of Consciousness Sunday, Woman Writing, Womanhood, Word-Love, Writing Block, Writing Prompt | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

September 29, 2012

If I Was Given the Opportunity to Create a New Month, Where Would I Put it? How about YOU? #abc

September 30 - If you were to add a 13th month to the year where would you insert it? Before I answer, I was thinking how fun this would be to ask while sharing coffee or tea or a glass of wine with friends.

I love this question!

I would insert my new month between October and November, simply because autumn goes by too fast and sometimes I find myself scurrying from Halloween through January 1.

This way, I could enjoy the holidays much more.

This year, though, with my daughter in Scotland, I

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wouldn’t mind cutting out a week or two!

Posted at 07:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

September 28, 2012

Today's Challenge: Post the best landscape photo you have ever taken.

I have a confession yet again. I have a difficult time deciding which of my whatevers is best. I have my favorites but perhaps they won't resonate at all with you.

There are some I took near my home and others I took far away.

And then there are the scads of graveyard photos. In my mind they qualify as landscape photos - especially for those of us who find cemeteries a unique place to spend quality time with ourselves and many other people who sometimes have even talked back to me.

I digress.

I chose four photos. I broke the rules. I am slightly nervous about going against the flow.

Mesa Verde in Cortes, Colorado. It was a dream come true experience for me.

Samuel and Hank at the Bakersfield Bluffs: Landcape including the life blood of our economy: oil. See the field in the background?

More of the Bluffs at Bakersfield at sunset with Tree Sentries. I have taken many photos with those trees in them. I just love their pose!

Canyon de Chelley: another magnificent spot to visit in the Navajo Nation

I have so many more. Perhaps one of these days I'll do what Cameron always tells me to do: as I take photos, set aside those which I consider worthy of "Julie's Best of" photos. It definitely would have helped here!

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Have you been looking for a poetry writing challenge created within a community of poets whose goal is to encourage, inspire and share thoughts with one another? Join me at OctPoWriMo Now - only days before we begin... and a bunch of tips are on the website now to get you started!

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= = = =

Posted at 10:45 PM in Autumn Blog Challenge, Blog Hop, Photography | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

10 Simple Steps to Creating an Effective, Inviting Writing Practice

For those of you from SITSGIRLS, yes, I am cheating. I am giving some preface to my “last year’s link.” I can’t help myself and I trust, no matter what, you will smile and shake your head and hopefully… read on.

It is so interesting that our assignment today is to share a blog post from a year ago, given what took place in my life fifty-one weeks ago… or fifty one weeks and five days ago to be exact.

I didn’t know when I wrote the post I am featuring all hell would break loose for me in less than 72 hours, I was just enjoying where I was, happy and productive and free.

That time of hell created a much different October than I had intended.

Nonetheless, we come through these times wiser – and chalk up more experience to fill our writing and our back o’ tricks when someone comes along who is going through a similar challenge. In the end “its all good!” as they say.

So now, here, I am republishing that How-to-Tuesday article which will be helpful to anyone who writes:

How to Tuesday: 10 Simple Steps to Creating an Effective, Inviting Writing Practice

Many creative people will suggest an ongoing writing practice of some form or function is essential to keep your ideas flowing. Some call this “automatic writing” or “morning pages” or “free writing” or even “journal writing”. I am among those folks who chronically harp on this idea of free flow writing daily in order not only to write better but also to live just this side of sane.

On some days my children might argue with you that I am not on the “better” side of sane at all, but I will tell you this: in the periods of my life when I write “without a purpose” every day, not only does my “real” writing flow better, the rest of my life does as well.

Get rid of ruminating, block creating thought patterns. How often do the same thoughts play in our head day after day after day? Writing them down allows them to be heard and then, they stop monologuing in your mind. It feel s miraculous. Perhaps it is.
Give space for “monkey mind” or whatever you call it, to play. Unlike monologuing, monkey mind is the constant chatter, sometimes by a whole tribe of monkeys. In daily writing practice, you can observe long enough to learn their patterns and put their patterns in perspective rather than letting them run your life.
Open up ideas, flesh them out on the page before you speak them out – perhaps before they are ready to be heard and seen by others. One you temper the monologues and chatter, there is room in your mind for the good stuff. Flow begins when the rumination and constant swinging from the trees takes a break.
Say what you can’t vocalize. As soon as I wrote this, I heard the John Mayer song in my mind, “Say what you need to say.”
Create writing games: This is one of my favorites. I may take time to write letters to historical figures or practice internal rhyme or write on specific themes or quotes. When you make your writing practice fun, you are more likely to continue with it.
Try on different forms of poetry or genre of writing. Who says free writing or writing practice must be like diary or personal narrative? Play with writing in a different character’s voice. Try writing in haiku or pantoum or sonnet. Use a different color pen. Try crayon.
Morph, mingle and create writing miracles with your “practical” writing assignments. When I worked for the county, I used beautiful language even in legal briefs and court documents. People commented on how expressive my writing was so my words actually got read rather than overlooked. Double yay, all the way around. Create playful shopping or to-do lists. Write lesson plans as if the most important educator ever was going to use it to teach… because aren’t you the most important educator ever to the students in your classes?
Learn the joy of writing VERY badly on purpose. This may be completely contrary and if so, let’s celebrate. How about writing badly just for fun. Overwrite, underwrite, write in text language, write in a single run on sentence. Write like a pompous, overinflated egotist. Write in the tiniest letters like a frightened sea-nymph on crack. You may find your best writing ever comes as a result.
Use all the bad words you want and break ALL the grammar rules. I rarely use bad language. Well, in most contexts. There is a certain freedom, however, in occasionally letting it all out on the page. Give yourself permission to say bad words and break any rule you have yet to break. Like writing badly, it opens the doors for writing in ways you only hoped for in the past.
Teach your loved ones YOU and your projects are important. If you are lucky – and patient- they will follow suit and declare themselves and THEIR projects are important. My children learned early to respect Mommy’s early morning time at the kitchen table and then, on the porch, with her notebook open and her head bowed as if in prayer. They somehow intuitively knew this was sacred time, not to be interrupted with patter and requests. I still don’t know exactly how it happened so I can’t give you a magical formula, but I can tell you this: when you respect yourself and your time, others will follow suit, whether you are writing, building a business or getting ready to entertain guests.

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Posted at 10:05 AM in Autumn Blog Challenge, Word-Love, Writing Challenge, Writing Inspiration, Writing tips | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

FiveMinuteFriday Writing FlashMob Presents: My Take on the Power and Process of GRASPING

It is time for the Five Minute Friday Flash Mob of writers. I need to tell you, I missed the Thursday party two weeks in a row due to my surgery for Melanoma. I found out yesterday my pathology report came back clear, so I was celebrating when some of the party people were typing up their five minutes on GRASP. Let me tell you, ladies... I am praying I remember and show up next Thursday because the party time is ridiculously fun.

Now: my words on Grasp…

Morning after morning, I go over Samuel’s homework with him, attempting to help him the best I can to get it done, all the while wishing I didn’t feel like it is such a chore.

He goes to an afternoon social skills program and doesn’t get home until 5:30 or 5:45 pm and by the time our dinner is finished, it feels like he has no time to just unwind and be a kid. I attempted to share my distaste for excess homework at his IEP last year, but it didn’t work.

What worked was forging relationships with his teachers and getting their help in sending home assignments and we kept in touch with each other about all things Samuel.

This year, now that Samuel is in the General Education Sixth Grade Class – he has high functioning autism – the subjects are getting more difficult. I grasp at some of the facts and google has become an extra good friend. I forget so much of the World History I haven’t studied since my freshman year of high school.

I am more than slightly shocked that I know my way around simple algebra. That happily surprises me. What else surprises me about the math is I actually find myself enjoying it.

Another surprise: I am a writer, but I didn’t know the different types of sentences we had to identify for his homework today. I grasped at what was what….I knew exclamatory. I knew interrogative – mostly because Samuel’s Dad is a lawyer. There was one, though – making a request – and I have forgotten it even after doing the homework just an hour ago with Samuel. I know Declarative.

I laughed with Samuel and told him how my entire eighth grade year was spent diagramming sentences. For some reason, I liked it then and I like it now.

I realize as I wind up here on Five Minute Friday today, that I actually enjoy grasping for facts and gathering up what the answers are rather than just doing the easy stuff.

Grasping isn’t a bad thing, it is a part of the process. My fifteen-year-old wise daughter said something very wise as I cried earlier this week about not being able to make her fancy lunches as I am in recovery for melanoma – skin cancer.

She said, “Mom, it is fine that you can’t make me fancy lunches. Most kids only get sandwiches. Most kids make them themselves. I will be fine: this is all part of a process. In sixth months, you will be much better.”

Somehow, I taught her without knowing it that grasping is not something to turn from, it is something to explore with an open heart and attitude.

(I went a few moments over - so sorry!!)

If you are interested in joining the writing flash mob at FiveMinuteFridays, visit here.

A quick look at the guidelines from the gypsy mama - Lisa Jo Baker who is also our ringleader!

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:

Grasp…

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Posted at 08:51 AM in 5 Minute Friday, Autism, Blog Hop, Blogging, Five Minute Friday, Mommying, Motherhood, Parenting, Parenting a Child on the Autism Spectrum, Parenting Teens, Special Education, Special Needs Siblings | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

September 26, 2012

Ready, Set.... Soon to Go: Joining the Get Your Life Organized BootCamp from @sharonmomof6

My experience with melanoma this September has lead me to reach into my magic chest for different creative endeavors than the norm as Autumn stretches her orange, yellow and red carpet at my feet.

My heart shaped scar right on the apple of my cheek is scary and beautiful. It also pretty much counts me out of stage productions for at least six months.

Instead of theater, I am going to work on my business, creative projects and complete long overdue tasks – the biggies that usually hover over me until they get ignored out of existence.

One of the challenges I signed up to do as a way to stay inspired in October is ….

Announcing….. the “Get Your Life Organized” Boot Camp

I am, by nature, fairly organized. I am, by practice, better when I have more time and am all set up. This is where I have gotten lost over and over as an entrepreneurial mom, volunteer, active community member and artist-about-town. My tendency to “get everything set” has wavered.

I haven’t done the best at training my family to keep everything set, either, so this October we will focus on exactly that: getting – and staying – organized in our household and school/work/life work.

This is an invigorating time for me.

It is true what people say about cancer: it definitely causes one to take a different perspective than the norm. What I am enjoying is my lack of resentment and newfound relationship with grace.

I would love to share my organizing adventure with you and alongside you. Are you up for it?

Here is a link to Sharon Rowley's“Get Your Life Organized” boot camp linky. I would love to experience this alongside friends as well as making new friends along the way.

Here is the plan for October

Week 1: Creating Functional Stations in your Home

so that everything has a place when it enters your home

Week 2: Establishing Routines

to help you stay organized and prepare yourself for the day or week ahead

Week 3: Calendars and To Do Lists

Week 4: Getting Ahead of the Game

menu planning, grocery planning, after-school charts, and more!

I don't know about you, but I am excited to end this year with a more organized home and business than how I started this year.

Collect strategies, tips and the best Sharon Romney, a Mom of 6, offers along with a supportive community of fellow Boot Camp adventurers. What more could I ask for than this?

Posted at 07:55 PM in 30 Day Challenge, Busy Women's Tips, Creative Home, Home Organization, Time Management | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Falling Back Into Blogging: An Autumn Ritual Not to Be Missed - For the Love of Apples & My Family

My favorite Autumn ritual harkens back to my childhood, when the family would load ourselves into our enormous van and drive from our home in New Jersey to the luscious Apple Country in upstate New York. I remember rolling hills covered with Apple Trees.

They were perfectly formed apple trees that invited children to climb and laugh and play amongst them.

Sometimes we would go with other families, sometimes we would go with only our family. Everyone participated. All six children, both parents. Any time I spent with my entire family was absolutely magical.

I remember looking for apple picking locations near my home when Katherine was little. We found a bunch of orchards in Tehachapi, in mountain country only about forty five minutes from Bakersfield. We usually leave the task for October, when dear Autumn finally makes her descent here.

Apple picking now is more controlled then it was when I was a child: we don’t climb the trees, for example, and there isn’t grass between the generous nearly sentient fruit bearers. Here, in the desert, there is only gravel – and the paths are all straight and carefully engineered.

I dare not complain to my children, though, because I want them to remember the magic of collecting apples and then baking, cooking, smelling, chopping, sharing Apples with friends, neighbors and especially loving all that family time together building something special.

Emma got a postcard inviting us to make our annual Apple Picking expedition. I’m marking my calendar and making sure my camera battery is fired up and ready.

Wow. I just found this snippet of a Pablo Neruda poem to share with you about the feminine relationship to Apples:

“Carnal apple, Woman filled, burning moon,
dark smell of seaweed, crush of mud and light,
what secret knowledge is clasped between your pillars?”

Yes. We will have a unique and connected-through-generations experience this Autumn as we pick apples. Thanks to Pablo, I will carry a special smile on my face as we fill our bushels.

This post was borne from the Day 3 Prompt from The Sits Girls Blogging Event. There is still time to participate... and I loved writing this one. Reminded me it is that time of year again!

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Posted at 01:19 PM in Autumn, Autumn Blog Challenge, Family, Family Travel, Parenting, SITS Girls Blog Challenges, Writing Prompt | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

Just a Glimpse of How My Friends Show What It Takes to Be Exceptional Friends

Today’s Autumn Blog Challenge Prompt – Perfect! Sept 26-How to be a good friend

I saw this prompt and a quiet smile crossed my face.

This week has been so abundant in good friends. Love personified crossed my path over and over and over again and now, I have a heart shaped scar to prove it. One of my friends saw my scar last night and said, “Who else would get a scar shaped like a heart but you? It is absolutely perfect!”

I was diagnosed with melanoma two weeks ago.

Last week, it was carefully removed from my face in the very able hands of a surgeon.

With my friends I formed “Team Nora” (the name I gave my melanoma) with each member of the team contributing to both my care but also the care and feeding of my children.

Here is a list of some of the ways they were not only good friends, but exactly what I needed… in no particular order.

They did my MomSchlep for me. They swooped in to pick up both Emma and Samuel and sometimes provided them after school love-and-care both during my surgery but also after my surgery when I was recovering. Without complaint. This is my least favorite Mom duty and I was so grateful to be able to let it go.
They fed me. Late on Thursday night, I was cooked a feast of scrambled eggs and brussel sprouts. It was the most delectable meal I had eaten in the past decade. Well, at least in that moment. The primary ingredient? Love. I had homemade soup and challah bread delivered to me. Food Love says so much to an aching body.
They read me poetry because it was what I wanted.
They sat with me, quietly, while I slept.
They read my aftercare instructions and nagged me to stick with them.
They helped me with wound care.
They thought of me before anything or anyone else.
They took me on rides and understood when just driving around town wore me out, much more than I ever imagined.
Instead of saying “Let me know what I can do for you,” they offered suggestions. When I am sick or having a hard time, half the time I have no idea what I want.
They sat and waited while I had surgery and talked to the doctor on my behalf. Can you imagine? PLUS they attended and will attend follow up appointments so that I don’t miss anything. Sometimes when you are the patient it is hard to “get” everything. I am usually the advocate. It is beyond words wonderful to have people stand by me in advocacy.
Distant friends prayed. And added me to prayer lists. They sent good vibes, healing energy and one friend did distance Reiki for me and even though I don’t exactly know what that means, I am grateful to the generous outpouring.
Love overflowed. Bountifully. And continues to flow. I am blessed by people who are being SUCH good friends!

Posted at 12:36 PM in Autumn Blog Challenge, Bakersfield, Befriending Fear, Blog Hop, Celebration, Friendship, Inspiration, Julie Jordan Scott, Writing Challenge | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

September 25, 2012

Writing Into the Question: If Oprah Chose to Interview Me, What Would She Be Curious to Know? How about you?

September 25 - Oprah's first question to you would be?

Oprah would be bound to be oh-so-curious about my life (see me insert my tongue in my cheek.)

What might she ask of me? Because no #1 burning question from Oprah rang through my head, I just started writing question possibilities to see what would rise to the surface.

As usual, surprises popped up and rather but sharing my “first question” I would love for you to tell me which question YOU would like Oprah to ask of me first.

Ready?

We share a birthday – January 29. In what ways are we alike? What might I learn from you?

How did you start writing?

What is your favorite place to write?

When you are not writing volumes upon volumes, what are you doing?

Tell us about how some of the not-so-great moments in your life have fueled your creative spirit?

What was it like growing up with six siblings with the brother right below you – only by fourteen months – had Down’s Syndrome?

How would your life be different without your brother John's place within in it?

What was it like to facilitate his Celebration of Life after he died?

What do you make of your “leaving your body” when you got word he had died?

Tell me about your children: the loves of your life.

When did you first start writing poetry?

Who are your three favorite living poets? Hmmm. What gives them this title?

Who are your three favorite all time poets? Hmmm. What gives them this title?

What is your relationship like with your remaining siblings?

How did you start your performing career?

What has been your favorite role to portray?

What do you notice makes an exceptional collaboration? How is it different from run-of-the-mill collaborations?

What do you want to leave behind for the world when you die? Tell us more….

How did you discover you have melanoma?

You have been described as “a brave woman” – do you consider yourself courageous?

What do you suggest our viewers do to become more courageous?

When did you start collecting quotes?

In what ways do you use them?

What has shifted your life the most: death of your firstborn at birth? Your son, Samuel’s autism, Your daughters, Your writing and poetry, your performance careers - victories and losses, where you live?

Tell us about your many friendships –

How did you get comfortable being considered “unconventional” or “out there”.

What would you tell other people about being comfortable not being “just like everyone else.”

What is next for you?

If your next big thing could be anything and fully fundable with each resource you need, what would it be?

How will you contribute (and how do you contribute now) to making this world a better place?

Most importantly, what questions would Oprah ask YOU?

= = = = =

Photo of Oprah courtesy of Creative Commons License

Some rights reserved by Michal Story

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Posted at 01:03 PM in Art Begets Art, Asking and Living the Questions, Autumn, Autumn Blog Challenge, Blog Hop, Family, Fear, High Functioning Autism, Julie Jordan Scott, Life Writing, Living the Question, long ago memories, Melanoma | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

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September 30, 2012

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September 29, 2012

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September 28, 2012

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Grasp…

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September 26, 2012

My experience with melanoma this September has lead me to reach into my magic chest for different creative endeavors than the norm as Autumn stretches her orange, yellow and red carpet at my feet.

Announcing….. the “Get Your Life Organized” Boot Camp

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September 25, 2012

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