Hidden in Plain Sight

       Boundaries and Bridges: Your Interactions with Others

As we move into this new subtopic in our search for "Audacious Self-Care" this year, I want to explore our interactions with a rather ethereal other...the creative Muse.

O.K., I think I know what you're saying....

"'Sounds like fun...you go first, Susan!"

Well, it is a little unusual, so I'll excuse your sarcasm. :-)

And I will go first.

  Hidden in Plain Sight

I was five years old when I got my first glimpse of her. She was walking past the classroom, just as I’d finished making my first collage. At that age, I didn’t even know what a Muse was. But the thrill of making a piece of art that I loved was unmistakable.

As an adult, I tried my hand at writing children’s fiction. At first, my Muse and I were bubbling over with enthusiasm.

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/kemie

When the reality of being a writer settled in, I tried to offset this by striving. That was the absolute worst thing to do! My Muse wanted nothing to do with that writing environment, so I began seeing her less and less.

One day, my Muse stopped by with wise advice. She said, “Let writing go. If it’s meant to be part of your life, it will return.” I knew she was right; I had nearly ruined my health from the stress.

Later, my Muse and I developed a class on journal writing. We had found journal writing to be our easiest way to communicate with each other and strengthen our friendship, so the class was a natural for us to design.

Not long after that, I took training to become a Life Coach. Growing my practice in partnership with my Muse has been a delightful creative challenge!

The four photos below are the facets and moods of my Muse. 

photo (c) iStock/Alina Solovyova-Vincent

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/ChristopherBernard

                                                 photo (c) iStockphoto.com/kate_sept2004    

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/THEPALMER

My Muse may seem like a silent, invisible partner to anyone else. But for me, she has been an inspiring friend…a true catalyst for my creativity.

Now it's your turn!  Please click the "Comments" button below
and let us know about your relationship with your Muse.
Thanks,
        Susan

photo (c) iStockphoto.com/CGinspiration

Attention Local Folks ~ I hope to see you at these events!

"You Can Heal Yourself from Cancer" 

Saturday Morning, October 8, 2011

Presented by McCormick Chiropractic, Pottstown, PA

Come and hear some very down-to-earth speakers talking about prevention and cures!

For details, please see www.mcccormickchiropractic.com

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Boyertown Area School District Continuing Education

Two Personal Enrichment Classes by Yours Truly

Starting on October 17 and 20

For details, please see www.boyertownasd.org

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

"Inner Light Spiritual Holistic Expo"

Weekend of November 12 and 13 in Pottstown, PA

Presented by Inner Light Holistic Center, Gilbertsville, PA

For details, please see www.INNERLIGHTHC.com

``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

**All of Susan's creative4life posts are (c) Susan Cleaver.** 

**Active Member of the TriCounty Community Network at

www.tcnetwork.org **

The Sacred Stewardship of a True Vision

I want to share with you the most inspiring explanation of having a vision that I've ever seen! It was in Jesse Jennings' Q&A column in the latest issue of Science of Mind Magazine.

Jennings explained that when creating a vision, ideally we plan from the outset to work ourselves out of a job. For example, if you start a non-profit organization to help domestic violence victims, your vision would be that of a world where everyone is safe in their own home. That's your ultimate goal...for the organization to become unnecessary!

This doesn't make you unnecessary, of course. In fact, you'd be the perfect person to start another organization with a new vision of another problem that you can see as eradicated!

To me, these kinds of visions are of the highest order, and are true examples of sacred stewardship.

My best to you,
Susan

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

.

What We Gain from Losing Our Clutter

My Latest Decluttering Report and Two Resources for You

.

I'm Half-Way to My Goal of 100 Clutter-Zapping Hours! I logged 11 hours since my last check-in for a total of 50 hours in 4 months. I've done most of this in 30-minute segments and even some 15-minutes segments (when I'm feeling tired, overwhelmed, or under motivated). Using small blocks of time is key for my success. 50 hours is the equivalent of one work week of 10-hour days. I can confidently say I would not have had success with that format!

.

Here's What I'm Gaining as I Lose My Clutter:

~More space to create.

~Visual calm.

~A feeling of being on top of things.

~Order.

~Space for new things to come into my life; room to grow as a person.

~Better organizing habits.

~An opportunity to be a better role model.

~Better energy...for my space and for me. (Four months ago, the bamboo plant on my desk was languishing, despite having adequate sunlight and water. Now it has three new sprouts of growth on it!)

.

Check Out These Two Great Sources of Info and Inspiration!

~When Organizing Isn't Enough: SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life, by Julie Morgenstern (hardcover or audiobook). This book is a valuable resource for folks in transition, whether the change is welcome or unwelcome.

~www.RealSimpleRealLife.com This site features inspiring before-and-after photos and practical tips.

.

Please drop by the comments section and share your organizing success stories!

Thanks,

Susan

.

P.S. This blog has an alter ego! It's my light and inspiring bimonthly snail-mail newsletter, "Susan, Unplugged....Your 'Slow-Tech' Source for Creative and Healthy Living Tips." It's complimentary within the US. To request it, contact me by email, snail-mail, or phone: scleaver@dejazzd.com, P.O. Box 586, Douglassville, PA 19518-0586, USA, or 610-385-3766.

.

***All of Susan's creative4life posts are copyright of Susan Cleaver.***

.