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In This Issue:
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Artistic People Radiate Imagination's Light '06
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Things That Grow
Your Creativity
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New Member to
Kaizen-Muse
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Creative Happenings
Calendar
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A Kaizen-Muse
Creativity Coaching
Client Speaks
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Become a Certified
Kaizen-Muse
Creativity Coach:
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DEAR MUSES Column:
Advice from Wily and
Modern Day Muses
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Dear Creative Reader,
Well, there are many reasons I invented a Muse called Spills, the Muse of Imperfection, Flubs and Prematurely Sent Muse Letters. If you received an earlier half-cooked Muse Letter - just Spills. Try to ignore her as not to encourage more late april fools antics. The staff of the Muse Letter (that would be me) apologizes profusely, sincerely and red-facedly. When I shrieked upon seeing that the Muse Letter had inadvertently gone out, Muse Bea Silly said "So what.. send it again." Muse Marge said "Okay-then, yah, but how about finishing it this time?" Muse Audacity said "Just tell them you meant to do that and make it a Spills fault." Lull said "A nap - take two."
So yadda yadda yadda ... and here's the full version with all the links, subliminal messages and sustenance you need to grow your creativity during April. April, after all, is a month of rebirth, restoration, returning beauty, religion, resent newsletters and really big chocolate bunnies.
A relevant time to embark upon a juicy beginning is during a New Moon. This month the New Moon is on April 27th. Lunar energy fuels such new beginnings with the promise of recycling fullness - which is also a promise of Spring so double header at cha of good oms to creatively grow with.
So here's some stuff you get to play with if you so desire to muster up Muse mayhem. Complete the following sentences over and over with reckless abandonment, lunacy, your dark side, or unfettered lightness. Once you've exhasuted one incomplete sentence go on to the next or just pick one that energizes you and wax away. If one of your completions takes you into an effortless flow.. follow it like a moon shadow. Ready? GO:
This new beginning brings me ...
My creativity wants a new dose of ...
I will revisit things that work for me like ...
Fun is beckoning me to ..
I feel awe when ...
Twice upon a once again ...
Unfinished sentences...
The reason I'm not doing this is ..
And THEN take something you wrote and imagine it as a visual -or don't think- just doodle it with a thin permanent ink pen or one that bleeds - depending on the effect you fancy or want to experiment with. Lay a watercolor wash over the top or color in with pencils or crayons- water soluble ones are not just a little fun.. they are a LOT of fun. Give your doodle a title.
If you're feeling audacious, do more than one, cut them up and make a collage called Pieces of April or Spring's Promise or, I dunno, YOU make up a title..
And THEN for extra credit, draw a tilted watering can (imperfectly) and have doodles and words pouring out of its nozzle over a garden of your growing creative ideas(words or images). Color it, frame it hang it ..sing to it, dance around it every new moon, kiss it every full moon and don a smile at it during the crescent.
If you're in or close to Chicago, I'd love to celebrate the New Moon with you at Transitions Bookstore April 27th at 6 pm- it's a Creativi-Tea Workshop followed by an Author's event at 7:30. Surprises abound. http://www.transitionsbookplace.com//tlcworkshops/workshops.html
~Wishing you Muses at your every endeavor,
Jill
April Acronyms: (May we have some for May?)
From Jeanne Hillson:
April's Pulse Reawakens Instincts Lost.
Always Plead Really Innocent...Lovingly.
Artistic People Radiate Imagination's Light.
From Mary Gray:
All People Revel In Light
Advance, Proceed, Realize, Illuminate, Love
And Prudently Reverent I Learn
From Laurie Hawley:
Artic penguins relish igloo living.
Abundant productivity resurrected in Lull
From Cheryl Finley:
Art Personifies Rippling Ingenuity Laughingly
Authentic Prizes Reap Immediate Luxury
Appreciation Propels Radical Inspiration Latitudinally
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19th 5pm PDT, 7 CDT, 8 EDT
Marney and Jill's Kid-scription Teleconference. Please join us for another original workshop from the comfort of your home: Does God Play Dress Up: Transforming Spirituality Through Art and Play
www.artellawordsandart.com/ecourse.html#god
THURSDAY, APRIL 20th 7 - 9 p.m. April Writing Workshop Del Mar Flower Hill Mall at Book Works ...
This month's source of inspiration comes from the Earth or whatever loose association seems to float out of a surrounding book.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20051221-9999-m1m21tfdmar.html
THURSDAY, APRIL 27th New Moon Creativi-tea Workshop and Author Event at Transitions Bookstore 6 - 7 p.m. Chicago
What better way to celebrate April's new moon than by having tea and cookies? And why not throw in some Muses...? And indulge in a few tricks and triggers for new ideas? Author and humorist Jill Badonsky will share secrets from her modern- day Muses in this playful, inspiring, and experiential Creativi-TEA Workshop. Learn how to move up to the next level of your creativity! Break through habits of procrastination, fear, self-sabotage, and perfectionism! Experience a playful ritual to rid yourself of your inner critic and let your creativity shine!
http://www.transitionsbookplace.com//tlcworkshops/workshops.html
http://www.transitionsbookplace.com/tbauthorevents/cafe.html
SATURDAY APRIL 29, 2006 Chicago: Creativity Coaching for Healthcare Professionals. A workshop to inspire more creativity for your coaching or therapy practice and in your life. At Vision + Voice: Charting the Course of Arts, Health and Medicine Society for Arts in Healthcare 15th Annual International Conference. http://209.200.109.67/template/page.cfm?page_id=21
MAY 1 - 16 THE MUSES GO TO ITALY FOR PLAY, PASTA and PAINTING.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17th 5 PDT Another Marney and Jill Teleconference.. watch for details at www.artellawordsandart.com
MAY 26th KAIZEN-MUSE CREATIVITY COACHING CERTIFICATION TRAINING: A limited number of people will go through a 14 week course to become certified as Kaizen-Muse Coaches. See a little more about Kaizen-Muse below but for a full description of this program please email: Barbara Benedict at Info@TheMuseIsIn.com
JUNE 26th and for 12 weeks following CREATIVITY SUMMER BOOT CAMP on the phone and over the email. A 12 Week Muse Journey from the comfort of your home that will take you move you past limitations into elsewheres of possibilities. People are raving about the Muse Journey with Denise Mihalik and Jill… the influence of Denise's weekly inspiring visuals and Jill's phone calls with powerful experiences and guided imagery gives you the inspiration and tools you need to make creativity a life time habit. Your commitment to the journey is modified according to your life load.. some people just like hanging out in the company of creative kindred spirits, others use the structure and playful tools to bring into fruition dreams that have formerly been put off due to overwhelm, fear, frustration, perfectionism or the unsatisfying habit of comfortable routines. The creative call never goes away, but the fear does. You receive a $35 discount if you subscribe to the Muse letter for 2 or more months. For more information please email me at jbeansky@netscape.net See more about Denise at www.denisemihalik.com
Muse Journey stuff here : http://www.denisemihalik.com/?page_id=27
http://www.denisemihalik.com/?page_id=24
testimonials http://www.denisemihalik.com/?page_id=25
TUESDAY, AUGUST 15 and WEDNESDAY AUGUST 16 PHOENIX for ART UNRAVELED!!!!
Jill will be teaching two workshops at Art Unraveled this year - There's a Muse in the House
http://www.artunraveled.com/MuseintheHouse.htm
and Mortals Who Collage with the Muses
http://www.artunraveled.com/MortalsWhoCollage.htm
SEPTEMBER 8,9, 10 … Hiawatha, Iowa CREATIVITY WEEKEND At Prairiewood Retreat Center
SEPTEMBER 21 -23rd, 2006 SAN DIEGO Jill teams up with UCLA's author, psychologist and international seminar leader, Dr. Robert Maurer (www.scienceofexcellence.com ) to present a dynamic one and a half day workshop on Kaizen-Muse techniques to break through creative blocks. This is the Muses latest state of the "arts" ingenuity in what truly works to make creativity an effortless life-long habit. You will establish new appealing ways to help banish the fears, overwhelm, lack of focus, and perfectionism that frustrate you in the creative process. Additionally, Dr. Maurer will be doing a three-hour workshop on Overcoming Self Sabotage . Registration is limited for this special event so register early. Please email for details to jbeansky@netscape.net
OCTOBER 5- 10, 2006 Art and Soul Portland, Oregon
I get to be open this Paris themed extravaganza with a performance keynote at the Tuesday evening dinner and facilitating a workshop on Friday, October 6th . I hope to meet you in person in Portland for a week of creative Parisian wonder. See http://www.artandsoulretreat.com/portland-workshop-single.php?workshop=253
MUSE FACILITATOR TRAININGS Facilitate Muse Groups and workshops in your area for an additional stream of income and joy using the wisdom and magic of the nine modern day Muses (and of course the bodyguard). Receive a comprehensive instruction on how to run, market and delight in running Muse groups. Go deeper with your own creativity the same time you are spreading the fulfillment of creativity to others. Muse Facilitators receive priority when applying for Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Certification.
On-line and Teleconferences: 12 weeks begin the end of September 2006
INPERSON (limited to 10)
November 1 –4 2006 San Francisco at the Petite Auberge in downtown SF
NORTH SAN DIEGO EVENTS EVERY TUESDAY at NoonWriting Practice at E Street Cafe in Encinitas.$8 - keep the creative juices flowing easily with a weekly drop-in group. Just show up with pen and paper. http://www.estreetcafe.com/
HOUSTON AREA: Workshop with the Illustrious Lisa Eubank!
Are you serious and wanting to play more?
Play results in creative joy in your life and your career.
"All creative people are kids at heart." -Steven Carmichael
Wednesday, April 19 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
At CenterPoint in Houston, Texas Fee: $20
As adults we spend much of our time being serious and responsible leaving little, if any, time for play and fun.
In this light-hearted workshop, Bea Silly, one of the Nine Modern Day Muses, will show you how play, laughter, and dance can help you unleash and enhance your creativity. You get to experience the ritual that banishes your inner critic, find out how the inner brat can help you overcome creative resistances, laugh and release the stress that interferes with creative thought.
For information or to register, call Lisa Eubank. Certified Muse Facilitator and Creativity Coach at 713-907-1423 or e-mail: Lisa@createinspire.com.
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NEXT certification training begins the week of May 26.
Liberate creativity, defeat creative obstacles, and foster joy through state of the art techniques from international authors and seminar leaders, Jill Badonsky M.Ed., and Robert Maurer, Ph.D.
This is a 14-week on-line/teleclass certification program. Learning, practice and participation take place over 12 teleconference calls, coaching observation, individual practice coaching calls, weekly written assignments, assigned reading, discussion, and email responses.
Objectives:
*Learn the art of designing creativity coaching calls that empower a client through block-busting secrets about the creative process, questions that unleash the creative spirit, powerful depths of awareness and the delivery of a transformative creative experience in every session.
*Enjoy prescribing play, nurturing, and the child-like spirit of fun to move clients dynamically ahead with serious creative progress.
*Understand the desirable distinctions of Kaizen Muse Creativity Coaching and define the population you would like to serve.
*Learn, practice, and prescribe the Kaizen-Muse Ten Tools through observation, reading, self-coaching and practice coaching.
*Master successful creativity coaching marketing skills to find and best serve a full client case load.
*Learn to set up the business of creativity coaching.
*Become part of the Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Network to receive on-going learning, marketing and support services.
*Experience the many forms of rewards that come from being a creativity coach.
Because Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching Training is an accelerated program, students accepted have experience working with individuals in a one on one professional setting or are trained as Muse Group facilitators. A written application and a telephone interview are required to apply. Please email Barbara at Info@TheMuseIsIn.com for more information or to apply.
Your Kaizen-Muse Guides:
Founder and Executive Director: Jill Badonsky, M.Ed. Multimedia artist, performance storyteller, nationally recognized workshop leader, creativity coach, occupational therapist and creativity author. Jill is located in Southern California.
Associate Director: Barbara Benedict, Muse Group Facilitator, Registered Yoga Teacher, Poet, TV Commercial Producer. She resides in NYC.
Luminary Director: Robert Maurer, Ph.D. UCLA psychologist, internationally known seminar leader and author of the book One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way www.scienceofexcellence.com . Bob is located in Southern California and Washington.
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Introducing, Barbara Benedict, Associate Director of Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching
I’ve always loved putting things together in new ways. Even before “multi-media” became hot, I submitted a paper as a slide show with two projectors and a reel to reel audio tape of music – a precursor to my love of telling stories in different ways.
I came to New York City (from Dayton, Ohio) right out of school (Denison University ’76, double major in Film and Communications), with dreams of being an assistant producer at an ad agency. For many years, I’ve loved the process of helping creative teams realize their creative dreams. My job was to find the tools (director, editor, music), plan the budget, and keep it on schedule until it got on the air (including the Super Bowl For Land Rover).
The ad business changed, 9/11 happened and my life-focus shifted. Drawing on both business and creative skills of a long-time career in advertising (although I continue to produce on a limited basis), I am now more interested in using my skills to help others find and express their unique Creative Voice. Throughout my career, I’ve continued learning, taking workshops and classes in acting and writing and dance, script-structure and have found my own Voice on the page. Currently, I’m in the finishing stages of a book called Finding Home Again, a collection of short short stories. I’ve been lucky to have a few of them [poems and prose-poems] published – even here in Jill’s Muse Letter.
Creativity coaching is what I’ve been doing all along – I just didn’t’ know it until I met Jill at the Taos Writer’s Salon in 2004. Through Jill, I became increasingly curious about her Muses, and since I love learning, went through both the Muse Facilitator training and Kaizen-Muse Creativity Certification program. When Jill asked me to help her grow her message to a wider audience – it was a natural fit.
I’ve had an Executive Coach and a Life Coach work with me, but found neither understood that the creative brain and the creative process don’t fit their models of get it done in neat little squares … I was frustrated about getting the help I knew I wanted until I met Jill. Understanding Creative Process has helped see me through various stages and blocks – I’ve been on intimate terms with most of my – particularly POP (Perfectionism, Overwhelm and Procrastination).
From the Ah-Ha Phrodite curiosity of noticing everything [need I say anything other than NYC!], to Albert’s help as I combine my love of Yoga and Creativity Coaching in my first workshop coming this May: Yoga for Writers, Artists, and other Creative Souls, to the practicality of Marge, who has helped me both as a producer and a writer define next steps and helps keep them happening. Shadow deepens me toward fulfilling my potential in my writing, my life and helps me better understand the creative challenges other people may face.
I love all the Muses, for what each of them brings, how they come in together – whisper, shout and otherwise get my attention. One of my favorite exercises to help me get to actually write [takes one to know one, oh Mistress of Procrastination!] is Marge’s parallel writing sessions. I’ve done them cross country and across a room, with a painter, a playwright, and even with Jill. There’s a magic to the anticipation of the sessions and a spontaneity to what I write. Sometimes I’ll start with a half-finished sentence, sometimes I’ll continue working on an edit. And sometimes, I just write about the moment, filling a page with the senses of what’s always there – if only we pay attention...
Which Muse whispers to you right now?
~Barbara Benedict ~ New York City
Contact: YogaMuseNYC@aol.com
Offerings:
*Yoga for Writers, Artists and Other Creative Souls.
Explore how your Yoga Practice can add fuel to your Creative Practice. Vinyasa and in-class Kaizen-Muse Creativity - Exercises combine in a 2-hr workshop
to help get your creative juices Flowing!
Sonic Yoga, NYC
Thursday, May 4, 6:30-8:30 212.397.6344 for reservations www.sonicyoga.com $15 adv/$20 door
*2 hr. Muse Workshop Introducing the Modern-Day Muses
Practical Methods to Inspire Creativity and Break Through Blocks Based on Jill Badonsky’s 9 Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard) Email: YogaMuseNYC@aol.com for details.
*Continuing 6 week Modern-Day Muse workshop group
Based on Jill Badonsky’s book The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard)- Let the Muses help support your creative work (and life!) through Classes designed to inspire, support, and give you tools for creative success. in a playful environment of like-minded souls. Learn and experience the non-linear nature of creativity: its joy, fulfillment, and power to let you live a rewarding life according to your innate gifts, your authentic self, and your juicy passions. Based on the book The Nine Modern Day Muses (and a Bodyguard): Starts in mid-May. UWS location. Email: YogaMuseNYC@aol.com for details.
Barbara is a published poet, Creativity Coach and
Associate Director of Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching.
She is a Registered Yoga Teacher (Vinyasa) with continuing studies in Anusara. Before filing for her official Muse-ship, Barbara was an award-winning TV Commercial Producer, producing thousands of commercials. She thanks All her many wonderful Teachers for their Inspiration, Guidance and Love. Especially the Muse Queen, Jill B.
Barbara joins Jill Badonsky and Dr. Robert Maurer (www.scienceofexcellence.com ) in coordinating, teaching and getting the word out about Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching.
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Zeus 'n Me
Being three months into this process of giving birth to the next part of my life I am more determined than ever because.....I'm feeling a little different. One of the points of change has been meeting Zeus. I would like to share how it all came about.
I had just finished reading, underlining and copying phrases from One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer. What he said was new and yet it wasn't. It made sense. I knew I could think of some small step to take towards my broadly-defined dream, but would I 'do' it ? Taking action was a touchy subject and I could feel my gut ache for a swift push into 'doing'. Let's see...which one of the million outstanding ideas should I inch towards first. I felt like I was leaning against a Berlin wall. My solar plexus was yearning, pushing against the blockade of resistance. Then a strange thing happened.....I gave up. Thinking, that is.
Numb, I picked up a baby zebra hand puppet that-was-purchased-a-month-earlier-and-that-was-intended-for-the-children-I-work-with-but-for-some-reason-never-got-to-school......Hmmmmm......and had a seat in my living room. I had no idea why. I put the zebra puppet on my left hand.
Get a pen and pad, he said.
!?!? What ?!?!
Get a pen and pad.
His beady, close-set eyes were as penetrating and direct as his statement. I got a pen and pad. And shut the blinds. I was ready to break through the wall. But I did require privacy.
The task at hand was writing an outline for a book. It was to be 3 chapters, each 2 pages, for a total of 6 pages, I was informed. That seemed short and do-able. My puppet was fearless in what he knew I could do and persistent in keeping me on task. He led me from one small step to the next in increments I had never considered. Choosing a subject and title was easy. I had had a number of them in mind for years.
List the three chapter headings, he prompted.
I don't know, was my frozen response.
Yes, you do.
Okay.... (I was feeling belligerent)....Beginning, Middle, End.
Perfect, he responded.
(That somehow put me at ease.)
Now write a main thought for each, he persisted.
I did.
Great, Zeus said.
Zeus seemed a fitting name. He actually suggested it noting that he was small yet mighty, and truly, small is mighty. I had to think about that.
Now two subheadings for each chapter, Zeus directed. Think I'll get some coffee and a cookie.
No. Stay. Write.
But.....
Write.
After an hour and a half I had written my first outline for a book. I was thrilled and amazed. And I knew I had a new friend I could count on. He had only needed to be acknowledged.
Zeus is my constant reminder to take action. I've learned not to bend his ear with blah blah commentary involving excuses as he doesn't answer. He looks at me with a loving penetration as if to say "Let's cut through the crap". Only he wouldn't say crap or any negative word, ever. He is pure forward action. But where does he come from? Some call it inner wisdom. Right now that's too scarey. So I'll call it Zeus.
Lynda Treger, March 28, 2006
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY OUT KAIZEN-MUSE CREATIVITY COACHING? Coaches in training are looking for individuals wanting the inspiring structure of a creativity coaching model (over the phone) that understands the resistances of the creative person - the effectiveness of play and creative prescriptions and the magic of Kaizen slowly move to acceleration from frustrating procrastination and self sabotage to ever new creative joy. Please email info@themuseisin.com if you are interested in a low-cost experience that could change your life.
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Dear Muses,
How do I figure out what I would enjoy doing for a living? It has to be something where I can design/create, but I’m not sure exactly what that might be. Can you aim me in a direction that could help me figure it out?
Thanks for your input.
Sunshine
Dear Sunshine,
In the philosophy of Kaizen-Muse, Aha-phrodite would ask you to pay attention to what energizes you. She also says "Ask small questions over and over like 'How would l like to spend my day?,' 'What one small thing would help me to better know what I want to do for a living?,' 'Who is enjoying their career doing something I'd like to do?,' (Talk with them). These questions asked over and over will start your brain percolating on answers even when you don't think it's working at all. Aha experiences often are something that brewed subconsciously for awhile that pop into our conscious. Be in a receptive place.. there are sign-posts everywhere that lead us to our creative passions.. but you must pay attention on a heartfelt, gut level.. not with your fears.
The Shadow Muse would wonder if you (with a name like Sunshine) are owning all of your feelings both desirable and undesirable. When we deny our not-so-sunny traits and feelings, we also deny our passions and joys. Feeling and knowing what we want isn't as clear. Doing work with the Shadow can illuminate all sorts of answers. See the Shadow chapter of The Nine Modern Day Muses for a ray of light.
Marge, the Muse of Okay-Let's-Get-Started says just start throwing yourself into various pursuits A LITTLE AT A TIME - While in the process, while taking one tiny step at a time.. the way is made clear.. the life waiting for you begins to emerge. Action according to signs and gut feelings lead us where we need to go.
Audacity says look up at the calendar of events.. take a class or workshop. The Muse Journey Summer Boot Camp which begins again on June 26th has been known to provide break-throughs in creative knowing.
Above all, be true to yourself and your higher creative call.
Trusting your intuition,
Jill who channels Muses.
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"It's who we become
on the way to where
we're going,
that makes our soul
take flight...and
sing." ~Cheryl
Finley
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