~ December 2010 ~
In This Issue
YOU ARE CREATIVE!
UPCOMING COURSES
FREE WORKSHOPS
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™
WRITING FROM THE SOUL™
Quick Links
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVES
 
"FREEING THE TRAPPED MUSE" INTERVIEW WITH DEBBIE FORD
 
 
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YOU ARE CREATIVE!

I often hear people say "I'm not creative."  I feel sad when I hear that because I know it's not true, and that they're disowning something that is their birthright.  I also know that if and when they claim their creativity they will be happier and healthier.  They will thrive. They'll recapture some of the ease, joy, and freedom they felt as children, and may now sense as a possibility within themselves.

If you're alive you're creative.  Creativity is the life force that pulses in our whole being.  The expression of this vital energy is not limited to artistic and literary pursuits.  We can give voice to creativity in any form whatsoever: cooking, gardening, event planning, and, of course, painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument.


An addiction to busyness is a common obstacle to creative expression.  The drive for activity is an impulse of the ego.  Typically, Western culture conditions us to align with this drive.  And so we do.  Most of us haven't been supported in cultivating the capacity to just BE, to listen, and feel deeply.  This is foundational to the creative process.  Yes, doing is an important aspect of creative endeavors, e.g. finding the right resources, putting ideas into form, completing plans or projects.  The other dimension of creativity, though, is letting go and opening up to insights and our rich imagination.  It's necessary to move beyond the confines of the ego, and create space in our busy lives and within ourselves so that inspiration can find us.  We need to make room for creativity. 


Don't worry if you feel that your creative fire is out.  It's not.  There are burning embers inside of you that just need to be stoked.  You can do that by choosing to direct attention to awakening your creativity, then taking one small step at a time.  Consider the possibility that playing the guitar or planning a unique holiday party is just the medicine you need to help you get out of a rut, or inspire you to feel excited about life again.


I've been writing a book and just completed revision, the most difficult phase of the project for me.  I managed to do this while I was filling in for a colleague who was on sabbatical, taking on a new professional project, and dealing with an unexpected health issue with my mother.  I was able to meet the writing deadline because I made blocks of creativity time non-negotiable.  It seemed counterintuitive.  How could I take one to two hours every morning to cut out pictures from magazines, and draw and write/play in my journal with this much on my plate?  I sensed that tapping into the creative river every day would fortify me, keep the channels open, and give me the fuel and life force I needed to handle these challenging responsibilities.  The experiment worked beautifully.  The revision is done, and I'm not exhausted as I've been before when I pushed through difficult tasks.  I'm still in a flow state much of the time, all brought about by making creative expression a priority.


Please don't say "I'm not creative."  The creative force is innate; it's who you are.  Awakening to creativity will bring joy and aliveness into your life.  If you carve out some time and space for the Muse, she'll reward you tenfold
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UPCOMING COURSES

ADVANCED GUIDED IMAGERY TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION

Telecourse and Free Teleseminar Preview Call

In this five session certification telecourse, you will learn innovative imagery techniques and guidelines for the successful use of imagery for your own healing and transformation and/or to expand the scope of your practice and your work with clients. This course is for helping professionals of all kinds:  teachers, coaches, somatic practitioners, hypnotherapists, psychotherapists, social workers, nurses and physicians.  Nurses and hypnotherapists will receive CEUs.  Pre-requisite: training in guided imagery or hypnosis/hypnotherapy.

Topics and Activities Include:

How to Use Psychosynthesis Subpersonality Work to Heal and Transform "Shadow Selves," such as the Inner Critic

Addiction, Recovery and Spirituality

Joy and the Brain: Techniques to Increase the Capacity to Experience Joy

The Psychospiritual Dimensions of Illness and Healing

Guidelines to Increase the Effectiveness of Imagery

Marketing Tips and Tools

The telecourse begins Tuesday, February 15 and continues on Tuesdays for five weeks.  Each class begins at 5 pm PT, 8 pm PT and lasts for 90 minutes.  All classes will be recorded, so if you miss any, you can listen via recording.  The early bird fee (before January 28) is $217.  After January 28 the fee is $247 and can be paid in one, two or three payments.

FREE TELESEMINAR PREVIEW CALL - "In the Moment" Guided Imagery Techniques 

Tuesday, February 8, 2011
5:00 pm (PT)/8:00 pm (ET)
45 minutes

CREATIVITY and INTUITION

An Afternoon Workshop

In this workshop you will:
  • Learn powerful techniques for igniting and sustaining your creative and intuitive abilities
  • Learn how to integrate creativity and intuition into your daily life   
  • Discover what keeps you from recognizing and claiming your innate gifts  
  • Explore effective strategies for overcoming blocks
Sunday, January 16 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm
6239 College Ave (near Claremont), Oakland, CA
$59 before December 28, $69 after December 28
Early registration is advised
Workshop is limited to 10 participants


For information, or to register for courses, contact me at [email protected] or (415)721-0766.

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FREE WORKSHOPS

WRITING FROM THE SOUL: 
Writing for Creative Expression and Spiritual Growth


Thursday, January 13, 2011
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Novato Library
Novato, CA


BOUNDARIES AND CAREGIVING: 
An Afternoon Workshop


We will explore how healthy and unhealthy boundaries can greatly influence many aspects of caregiving. This workshop is for family and professional caregivers, including health care practitioners, therapists, coaches, and teachers.

Topics include:

  • What are Boundaries?
  • Characteristics of Healthy and Unhealthy Boundaries
  • How Healthy Boundaries Can Help to Prevent Burnout
  • The Power of "No"
  • Creative Tools for Establishing and Maintaining Healthy Boundaries


Saturday, February 19, 2011

1:00 - 4:30 pm
San Rafael, CA
 
For information, or to register for workshops, contact me at [email protected] or (415)721-0766.
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INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™
  
INSIGHT TO ACTION COACHING™ phone or in-person coaching can help you:
  • Achieve your personal and professional goals
  • Navigate through periods of transition
  • Develop strengths and seed potentials
  • Find your purpose and passion
  • Overcome blocks and limiting patterns
  • Quiet the voice of the Inner Critic
  • Access inner knowing for decision-making and clarity about your goals and life direction
  • Ignite and sustain your creativity
  • Create action steps that generate tangible results
I specialize in helping clients overcome blocks of all kinds and translate ideas and visions into concrete action.  Fees for individual sessions are based on a sliding scale.  A coaching package is available, as well.

Contact me if you'd like a FREE CONSULTATION.
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WRITING FROM THE SOUL™ 
Writing for Creative Expression and Spiritual Growth

In these ongoing, drop-in groups you will learn processes to free your imagination, develop ease and confidence in writing, cultivate your unique writing voice and overcome blocks to writing.

 San Rafael, CA
Alternate Thursdays
7:30 - 9:30 pm

Oakland, CA
Last Sunday of each month
6:15 - 8:15 pm

INDIVIDUAL COACHING SESSIONS (phone or in-person): 
  • Overcome writer's block
  • Start and/or complete writing projects
  • Discover your natural writing voice
  • Develop confidence and ease in writing
  • Create attainable short and long term goals
A FREE CONSULTATION is available.
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Click here to visit my website if you'd like to learn more about my phone or in-person Insight to Action Coaching, Writing from the Soul Programs, or The Soul of Caregiving. 
 
A Free Consultation is available.  You can also sign up for my free monthly newsletter.
 
to sign up for a FREE CONSULTATION with Susanne West