Julie Unplugged: Bloggers

November 25, 2013

Stay Unstuck: "Hear Blessings...." Rumi Quote & Prompts for Your Blogging, Writing & Creative Inspiration

Live the Question: How are "blessings" related to gratitude?

Stay Unstuck:

A practical way to stay unstuck with your blogging, writing and creativity as well as "out of the box" thinking.

Each day, a quote, an image, several questions and a writing prompt are offered to you to use for Your Blogging, Writing & Creative Inspiration in order to increase your creative thinking as well as your personal and soulful development.

Todays's Quote:

“Hear blessings dropping their blossoms around you.”

Rumi

Questions:

How often do you focus on your blessings in a conscious, focused manner?

What are some actions you may take in order to “listen” for blessings everywhere?

In what ways has your life work/business been blessed and/or is your life work/business a blessing to others?

Lists:

Make a list of 5 - 10 Audacious Lifetime Blessings (What might be considered a wild blessing for you)

Make a list of 5 – 10 Blessings you have “heard” this week.

Make a list of 5 – 10 Blessings you have noticed in others.

Bonus: Share your witness of blessings with others.

Take the items on the list that most resonate and write about them starting with the simple (and effective) prompt, “I remember….”

Traditional Writing Prompts (write in a stream of consciousness style for 5 to 10 minutes without stopping. If your words stop flowing, simply restate the prompt or add the next one to your writing.)

If I was asked to describe the blessings I see, I would say…. (be specific about what you see using concrete words rather than concepts.

Blessings may also be referred to as ______ because……

I will be more aware of blessings when I…..

>> ---<<

One helpful creative thinking strategy is to read the quote, questions, prompt and list and not to "take them on" all at once, but to allow them to simmer in the back of your mind throughout the day. Sure, you may "write" one immediately, but don't call it "done" until you have allowed your powerful subconscious mind to bring up some unexpected responses for your conscious mind to create within.

Remember, though - there are no rights and wrongs, there is only showing up for your life and your creativity. Brava for being here!!

This Blog Series was created to increase your creative thinking process as well as inspire writing and ideas to take form that may not have taken form without these specific quotes, questions and prompts. If you find them helpful, I hope you will pass them along to friends as well.

I’m so glad you are here, reading and creating.

Julie Jordan Scott is a writer, performance poet, Mommy and mixed-media artist. Her word-love themed art will be for sale at First Friday each month in Downtown Bakersfield. Check out the links below to follow her on a bunch of different social media channels, especially if you find the idea of a Word-Love Party bus particularly enticing.

Follow me on Twitter: @JulieJordanScot

Be sure to "Like" WritingCampwithJJS on Facebook. (Thank you!)

Follow on Instagram

And naturally, on Pinterest, too!

Posted at 07:51 PM in Bloggers, Blogging, Blogging tips, Writing Inspiration, Writing Practice, Writing Prompt, Writing tips | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

November 08, 2013

Style and Clarity: Inspiration for Your Blogging, Writing & Creativity - Quote, Prompts & More

Each day, a quote, an image, several questions and a writing prompt are offered to you to use for Your Blogging, Writing & Creative Inspiration in order to increase your creative thinking as well as your personal and soulful development.

Quote

“Have something to say, and say it as clearly as you can. That is the only secret of style.”

Matthew Arnold

Questions:

When you work on your blog or an essay or a chapter or a poem, are you conscious of your style?

When others describe your style, what words do they most frequently use?

How much time and effort do you spend on revising your work for clarity?

Lists:

List 5 to 10 people in your life who have a distinctive style – use one or two words to describe them.

List 5 to 10 bloggers, authors, poets, or performers you value who have a distinctive style – use one or two words to describe them.

List 5 to 10 different ways you express your personal style in your blog, your business or your other creative outlets

Traditional writing prompts:

I would define style as….

My writing style is….

My opinion of my writing style is….

I am the most clear when I write about…..

Bonus:

What is one thing you could focus upon improving in your style?

Creativity Coaching/Personal Growth:

How devoted are you to becoming a more clear writer?

On a scale of one to ten, how much does your personal style show up in your creative work. Write about that.

>> ----- <<

One helpful strategy is to read the quote, questions, prompt and list and not to "take them on" all at once, but to allow them to simmer in the back of your mind throughout the day. Sure, you may "write" one immediately, but don't call it "done" until you have allowed your powerful subconscious mind to bring up some unexpected responses for your conscious mind to create within.

Remember, though - there are no rights and wrongs, there is only showing up for your life and your creativity. Brava for being here!!

I’m so glad you are here, reading and creating.

Follow me on Twitter: @JulieJordanScot

Be sure to "Like" WritingCampwithJJS on Facebook. (Thank you!)

Follow on Instagram

And naturally, on Pinterest, too!

Posted at 08:22 AM in Bloggers, Blogging, Creativity, Life Coaching, Life Writing, Writing Inspiration, Writing Practice, Writing Prompt, Writing tips | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

October 29, 2013

Inspiration for Your Blogging, Writing & Creativity - Louisa May Alcott Quote

Wisdom from Louisa May Alcott to help inspire your work.

Each day, a quote, an image, several questions and a writing prompt are offered to you to use for Your Writing & Creative Inspiration in order to increase your creative thinking as well as your personal and soulful development.

The most helpful strategy is to read the quote, questions, prompt and list and not to "take them on" all at once, but to allow them to simmer in the back of your mind throughout the day. Sure, you may "write" one immediately, but don't call it "done" until you have allowed your powerful subconscious mind to bring up some unexpected responses for your conscious mind to create within.

“I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
― Louisa May Alcott

Questions

What “ship” are you learning to sail?

What can you do now to be prepared for the “storms” ahead while staying firmly planted in the present.

Lists: Make personalized lists and then use them for future blogging, writing & creativity prompts

List 5 to 10 times you have been afraid. (For the list) What happened next? (as a prompt)

List 5 to 10 (or more times) you have successfully weathers a storm. Tell of your experience and victory. (as a prompt)

Traditional Writing Prompts:

I am not afraid of…..

I am learning how to…..

Life Coaching/Personal Growth possibilities

From the lists, think of stories to write for your blog or use as examples in your coaching –

What are the storms your ideal clients are weathering? What can you do and who can you be to empower them as they find their way -

>> -- <<

I’m so glad you are here, reading and creating.

Follow me on Twitter: @JulieJordanScot

Be sure to "Like" WritingCampwithJJS on Facebook. (Thank you!)

Follow on Instagram

And naturally, on Pinterest, too!

Welcome to my twenty ninth post (of 31!) for the October Ultimate Blog Challenge. Watch here for Your Writing & Creative Inspiration! Word-Love to YOU!

Posted at 09:52 AM in Blog Boost, Blog Challenge, Bloggers, Blogging, Confidence, Contemplate, Writing Inspiration, Writing Prompt | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

October 24, 2013

#31Days of Living a Passionate Life: Stop. Look. Notice. Explore. Document. Create

Beloved friends from 31Days, I need to remind you today that simply being more aware of your life as it unfolds will increase your passionate life. Florence Littauer, one of my teachers said the most important thing we can do as creative people is to "Be alert to life."

I wrote this in a moment of freewriting. It says exactly what needs to be said about this subject for today.

This morning I groped hungrily at the gate of ecstacy, hopeful, anxious, slightly scared and tingling from the top of my scalp to the bottom of my soles.

How can it be as good as this?

My mind briefly fluttered on creative folks who feel the need to travel far and wide who somehow forget to look right outside their own windows where the muse is patiently waiting, hoping to be noticed.

This morning I noticed.

And I noticed.

I took gritty, urban photos some people in Bakersfield would not recognize as being in their town.

I took photos of brightly painted brick.

I took photos of brick from the early twentieth century.

I took a variety of sunrise shots from the different angles and perspectives that caught me along the way.

I even managed to visit and photograph a friend's public art.

This was a grand day so many times over. I'm taking it, hook line and enormous sinker.

There is a grand day waiting for you just outside your window. What's taking you so long?

Look. Notice. Explore. Document. Create.

<< I need to update my list of all the other posts I have written.

It is on "The To-Do" for first thing tomorrow morning.

Thank you for reading!>>

This post was inspired by the #31Days challenge on TheNester.com

So far it has been a wonderful experience of creativity and community. I hope you will continue to follow along on my adventure AND the adventures of others.

= = = = = =

Please stay in touch: Follow me on Twitter: @JulieJordanScot

Be sure to "Like" WritingCampwithJJS on Facebook. (Thank you!)

Follow on Instagram

And naturally, on Pinterest, too!

Posted at 10:34 AM in 30 Day Challenge, 31 Days of Living a Passionate Life, Blog Hop, Bloggers, Blogging, Mommying, Passion, Woman Writing, Womanhood | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

September 03, 2013

May I Offer You a Cup of Tea? For Those of Us Who Love Living on the Island of Misfit Toys -

I look into these photos from this morning and think, “This could be my self portrait.”

I showed my art in process to Emma and she cocked her head to the left and said, “They don’t really match.”

I cocked my head to the right and responded, “Yeah, that’s sort of the point.” Or perhaps I should say one of the points.

It started with the tea cup.

I bought it at an estate sale for several reasons: first of all, she was without a saucer, which I learned in kindergarten from my teacher, Miss Wick, is a horrific faux pas. I didn’t want to leave the poor tea cup all alone in a sea of teacups with saucers there being offered to other estate sale shoppers. I also noticed the insects she was wearing on her sides. Having never seen a teacup with insects on her side, I knew this was definitely my tea cup.

Her throne base comes from my daughter Katherine’s watch box. Well, it was my daughter Katherine’s watch box. She left the box on the kitchen counter so I snatched it up, realizing it would be perfect for some future project. I fetched some Asian book pages – foolishly accepting they were in Japanese because somehow to Universe would send me characters to match the Nippon on the bottom of the teacup which I learned gives my sweet little friend a birthdate between the 1920’s and 1930’s.

My twelve-year-old son, Samuel, who has become our family expert in all things Asian language related looked at it and declared it to be Chinese. Ooops. My poor not yet assembled art piece had another flaw even before I “stitched her together.” I got the paper from one of the Friends of the Library book sales. I still have more that is becoming more art as I type. Art-in-progress: how I adore that, too!

The saucer where she sits was bought as a prop for a play I was in last May: The Nerd. I broke lots of sweet saucers so I had to have plenty to mash up. The only problem is this particular saucer and her sisters were apparently made to not break, so I saved them…. for whatever perfect project happened to appear. She is covered in book page leaves because of the insects, naturally. They need some “leaves” to prance among, right?

You add together all these mismatched, misshapen remnants and get a sum total of… very close to me and perhaps, close to you, too.

I made this for all of us who feel mismatched or unmatched at all – certainly too much to be understood or appreciated by anyone.

Who would want a cracked, stained tea cup from two generations past sitting atop some Asian language that can’t be understood and grass leaves made of a children’s text book from the 1970’s and a English composition book from 1934?

I would. So I took her pictures and imagined what it would be like to gather with a bunch of other mismatched souls who by some miracle match me enough that we can fully appreciate the quirkyness of one another.

Oh, can you imagine the reflection of that crew if you held a mirror to us?

I’ll take that view, and that cup of tea, anyday.

*****

Julie Jordan Scott is a writer, performance poet, Mommy and mixed-media artist. Her word-love themed art will be for sale at First Friday on September 6 in Downtown Bakersfield. Check out the links below to follow her on a bunch of different mixed media channels, especially if you relate to being mismatched and/or living on the island of misfit toys, teacups and people. You are love!

####

Please stay in touch: Follow me on Twitter: @JulieJordanScot

Be sure to "Like" WritingCampwithJJS on Facebook. (Thank you!)

Follow on Instagram

And naturally, on Pinterest, too!

Posted at 09:59 AM in assemblage, Bloggers, Blogging, Book Art, Books, Mixed Media, Mommying, Out of the Box, Parenting a Child on the Autism Spectrum, Parenting Teens, Self Care, Storytelling, Vintage | Permalink | Comments (7) | TrackBack (0)

October 18, 2012

Look: #FiveMinuteFriday Meets the Parent Trap Meets Kite Flying...

It’s #FiveMinuteFriday free write time! <—click to tweet this!

Where a flash mob of folks spend five minutes all writing on the same topic and then share ‘em at LisaJoBaker.com.

Words from my five minutes on....LOOK

Look –

I remember when I saw the newer version of the Parent Trap and my favorite moment in the entire movie is how the Dad looked at his first wife (the twin’s Mom) when he was in a romantic clutch with his much younger fiancé.

I said to myself, “I want someone to look at me like that.”

I could stop this blog post right here and say, “My son looks at me similarly, with pure love in his eyes,” or I could say, “It is not in the way someone looks at me it is in the way I look at them that counts.”

That isn’t entirely authentic, though, because…well, it is THAT look I am talking about, not just a lackadaisical, “Hey how’s it going you’re looking great and mighty convenient” kind of look.

I remember talking to a friend, Adam, several months back about how my vision of God is like a dear, encouraging friend helping me to fly a kite. He is running alongside me, coaching me and up the kite goes.

This would be miraculous because, top secret confession, I have never in all my years been able to get a kite to fly on my own, even with a human side coaching me.

Adam reflected back to me about some of those things I have accomplished being LIKE flying that kite to God. That He is my kite flying buddy is a metaphor for other things I have managed to maneuver and if you talk to the average Jane I have done a lot that I would have thought was impossible.

Adam said God would look at me like that…

Well, Adam didn’t know my fascination was actually how Dennis Quaid looked at his movie first wife, but I knew exactly what he meant when he said that about my kite flying God.

I can close my eyes and see that exact look.

Timer Chimed…. (with tears in my eyes!)

Five minutes: Over....

The guidelines for Five Minute Friday -

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..

Follow me on Twitter: @juliejordanscot

Be sure to "Like" WritingCampwithJJS on Facebook (THANK YOU!)

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.

Did you enjoyed this essay? Receive emails directly to your inbox for Free from Julie Jordan Scott via the Daily Passion Activator. One inspirational essay and poem (almost) every week day. Subscribe here now -

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Posted at 09:11 PM in 31 Days to Write Your Story with Lisa Jo Baker, 5 Minute Friday, Bloggers, Creative Every Day, Five Minute Friday, Free Flow Writing, Making New Friends, Tweeting, Writing Challenge, Writing Inspiration, Writing Prompt | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBack (0)

October 09, 2012

Comfort Laced Up With Love on an October Day

October 8 at Autumn Blog Challenge and the question today is “What are your comforts?”

This is easy to write since I have been nurturing my comforts for the past several weeks.

Cancer and cancer surgery recovery will do that for a person.

The good news is all this comfort nurturing is working. I actually feel better mentally than I did for months prior to my surgery.

I started uploading photos of my friends who have been accompanying me on my journey of saying “Good bye to Nora” (my personification of my melanoma.)

I love watching sunsets and Michelle and Jennie joined me in being with the sunset.

I love listening to poetry and Kimberly and Jennie read to me.

I love scrambled eggs so Cameron made me some.

I love just hanging out and chatting. Tim, Julia, Jennie, Cameron, Thomas, Emma and I sat. And chatted. And laughed. Nobody minded I was in my pajamas and mostly lying down.

Jennie kept track of my post surgery instructions. She would call out “No bending over!” and the like. I never knew how much pressure pending over puts on my face!

I love tea, hot chocolate and riding in the car watching the world go by.

I love reading.

I love writing – though I didn’t do much at first.

I love hugs.

I love people reaching out to me, I love reaching back, I love knowing people are praying.

Comforts all.

Even now, as I write, I listen to Celtic music – instrumentals, and it comforts me.

My mind merges with thoughts of lunch and as strange as it sounds, I think I will be comforted to eat Life Cereal so that is what’s on the menu.

There are no haftas on my schedule until 4:30 this afternoon. This is a comfort.

At one I am going to turn on my soap opera and watch while I make roses. Comfort.

I plan to work on a fun DIY project. Comfort.

This morning I wrote with friends and we all cried about the words I wrote.

Comfort, comfort, comfort.

Perfect prompt on a lovely day. I write with the windows open and no triple digit temperatures in sight.

I feel blessed by comfort.

There is plenty of time to catch up.

Love, Love, Love reigns, laced up in a comfort bustier.

Follow me on Twitter: @juliejordanscot

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Posted at 06:30 PM in Autumn, Autumn Blog Challenge, Bloggers, Blogging | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)

October 03, 2012

My Wished For Talent ~ #BlogFest2012

Today’s BlogFest2012 inquiry resulted in, perhaps one of my shortest blog posts ever. The question is from our hostess, Syvie at Tree Girly, who you may find here.

By the way, for those visiting from the Fest, I didn’t read Sylvie’s response before I answered.

Here is what she wrote:

“Yes, I am asking you to MAKE A WISH. What talent would you wish for?”

I wish I could paint and draw people, faces, emotions and light.

I paint "stuff" that doesn't require much skill. I create mixed media, but oh, to be able to capture faces and the sun and the moon and shadows.

This is short, I know. My heart is still sad about this, I didn't quite know how sad it would be.

This is about as good as I get!

I wish I could paint.

I wish I could draw.

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Posted at 03:13 PM in Art Begets Art, BlogFest2012, Bloggers, Creativity | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

July 20, 2012

What would you do with the $ if you won the lottery? Think about it a minute or twelve....

July 20 Summer Blog Challenge - What would you do with the $ if you won the lottery?

(Submitted by Sara @ Keep up with the Jones family)

I have actually thought about this before and came up with a plan I still stand behind.

The first thing I would do would be to pay off my debt and immediately make arrangements for some long overdue house hold maintenance and repairs.

Then I would sit with my kids and determine which one place we would collectively like to visit.

I would make reservations and go, without worrying about budget yet also being aware not to throw my new found money to the wind.

Upon return to my now fixed up house, I would give myself a three thousand a month allowance for a year and put the rest of the money I won away so that I could spend time researching and feeling my way into my “what’s next.”

And I’ve never had 3K a month play money so that sounds plenty extravagant.

I like the idea of my money multiplying further while I spend an intense year of study about what would be best.

And finally, I would make three sizable donations to three organizations that mean a lot to me. Probably my alma mater, Katherine’s college and a cancer organization of some sort. I’ve lost too many loved ones to cancer.

So there you have it!

How about you? What would you do if you won the lottery?

Follow me on Twitter: @juliejordanscot

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Posted at 09:41 AM in Abundance, Advice, Blog Boost, Bloggers, Creative Home, Creativity, Networking, Peacefulness, Revising | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

July 17, 2012

10 "Lucky" Quotes to Inspire Your Blogging as Well as Your Life.

Sometimes when I start writing I begin with a bit of quote collecting for inspiration. Today as I was working to squeeze the most oomph from one "writing period" of two hours, I realized I could use this practice as a completely separate blog post. My topic: LUCKY -

I started to only feature women's quotes but then decided I didn't want to be exclusive so I added some quotes from men as well. Normally quote compilations are roughly 80% or more male, so here we are 70% female, 30% male.

So, thanks to another participant in the Ultimate Blog Challenge and one of my partners-in-blogging I have never been in touch with until today, Jacqueline Garwood (find her on twitter here) , wrote this blog post about... luck and power.

“Life is not easy. We all have problems-even tragedies-to deal with, and luck has nothing to do with it. Bad luck is only the superstitious excuse for those who don't have the wit to deal with the problems of life. ”
― Joan Lowery Nixon
“Listen Harry, your'e not a BAD person. You're a very good person, that, bad things happen to.”
― J.K. Rowling
“That is life, isn’t it? Fate. Luck. Chance. A long series of what-if’s that lead from one moment to the next, time never pausing for you to catch your breath, to make sense of the cards that have been handed to you. And all you can do is play your cards and hope for the best, because in the end, it all comes back to those three basics.
Fate. Luck. Chance.”
― Kelseyleigh Reber
My idea is this: the artist is extremely lucky who is presented with the worst possible ordeal which will not actually kill him. At that point, he's in business: Beethoven's deafness, Goya's deafness, Milton's blindness, that kind of thing.” – John Berryman
“Sometimes not getting what you want is a brilliant stroke of luck.”
― Lori Myers
“Learn to recognize good luck when it's waving at you, hoping to get your attention.”
― Sally Koslow
“Luck is not as random as you think. Before that lottery ticket won the jackpot, someone had to buy it.”
― Vera Nazarian,
“Concentration attracts luck factor.”
― Amit Ray
“Here's the thing about luck...you don't know if it's good or bad until you have some perspective.” - Alice Hoffman
“Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have it you may be smart enough to see is what you would have wanted had you known. ” Garrison Keiller

Here's what you can do besides just read this and forget it in five minutes. Take the quotes which speak to you the most and open a blank document. Make it into a writing prompt for a future blog post, essay, poem, or email to a friend. Use what you've discovered here and you may just become more lucky as a consequence.

Happy Blogging & Word-love to you!

Follow me on Twitter: @juliejordanscot

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Posted at 01:39 PM in Art Begets Art, Asking and Living the Questions, Behind the Scenes, Bloggers, Blogging, Blogging tips, Curiosity, How-to, Living the Question, Storytelling, Tweeting, Twitter, Ultimate Blog Challenge, Women's Quotes, Word-Love, Writing, Writing Challenge, Writing Inspiration, Writing Prompt, Writing tips | Permalink | Comments (0)

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