One of the things I absolutely loved about this book is that it’s not just full of interesting theory – there is lots of practical advice in it, too. Maisel offers several thinking/writing prompts – including a set of questions at the end of each chapter – to help you interact with the material and make it your own.

Maisel is the author of over 50 books and the father of Creativity Coaching. He understands the creative process – both professionally and personally – and he freely shares what he knows.

Divided into nine sections that Maisel calls “keys” (Mind, Confidence, Passion, Freedom, Stress, Empathy, Relationship, Identity, Societal), the book offers a complete guide for creative and performing artists. Maisel offers advice on dealing with marketplace issues, as well as identity issues, developing a creative practice, and dealing with stress and anxiety (and more!)

Because this book is written to appeal to most any creative, Maisel does not offer specific advice on approaching galleries, finding an agent, etc. Nor does he include information on social networking or creating marketing plans.

What he does talk about, however, more than makes up for what he doesn’t talk about. He goes into the importance of maintaining the right mindset, developing a daily practice, and the importance of the artistic identity. He even includes an “Artistic Plan” that summarizes the book’s content in an easy-to-understand guide that includes daily, monthly, and long-range planning ideas.

I read a lot of books on creativity and this is one of the best, most complete, guides I’ve read in a long time. Typical of the way I read books – I flew through it in about a day and a half. I can’t wait to work my way through it, writing out answers and making hard plans. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me!

As I said at the beginning, I’m thrilled that Eric agreed to answer a few questions for me.

CJL: You’ve written a lot of books for artists – maybe 20 or so. Why this one?

EM: The challenges just don’t go away and there’s so much that needs to be said about how a creative person needs to manage his mind, upgrade his personality, manifest his potential, deal with his particular anxieties and stressors, accept his role in the marketplace, and more. I wanted to provide additional practical tips in all of these areas because each of these challenges can prove so daunting!

CJL: Is there one habit or practice that really makes a difference between getting your creative work done and not getting it done?

EM: Yes, it’s a morning creativity practice, the idea that you get directly to your creative work before your “real day” begins. Most people are too tired by the end of the day to get to their creative work; it’s much smarter to get to it first thing. That way you’ll get a lot of creative work done, you’ll be able to make use of your sleep thinking (the thinking you’ve been doing during the night), and you’ll have the experience of having made some meaning on that day first thing and your day will feel more meaningful. Those are a lot of good reasons to institute a morning creativity practice!

CJL: I know you’re interested in “meaning making.” Can you talk about creativity/art as a meaning making activity?

EM: Creating is one of a score or so of meaning opportunities available to human beings (others are relationships, service, activism, etc.). It isn’t the only way that a person can provoke the psychological experience of meaning but for a creative person it is one of her first choices in that regard. Once you realize that you are obliged to make the shift from seeking meaning or waiting for meaning to arrive to actively making meaning on a daily basis, it follows that you will try to decide what are the best ways for you to make that meaning. For a person with the desire to manifest her potential, use her imagination and her brains, and do something she’s probably loved from childhood, creating amounts to one of her prime meaning opportunities.

We don’t have children so my kitties are my babies. I love them; I care for them and I nurture them. I try to teach them acceptable behavior. I comfort them when they’re frightened and I cuddle them when they’re cold. They bring so much joy in to my life, so much laughter. Next to my family, they are the beings I love most in this world.

Friday afternoon, I went to the vet’s office to pick up Frankie’s ashes. They’ve been ready for a few days, but I just didn’t have it in me to go pick them up. Don’t get me wrong — I knew the vet staff would be wonderful. They allowed us all the time we needed to spend with our beloved Frankie before we said good-bye, and all the time we needed afterward. They were kind and genuinely compassionate toward us. You could tell they were animal lovers too, and they were personally pained by what happened that afternoon. Even with their support, I just wasn’t ready for it to be final.

Frankie (named after Old Blue Eyes, himself — Frank Sinatra) came into our lives several years ago. When we first met him, he belonged to our next door neighbors. He used to sit in the living room window with another cat, Zale, and watch John and I go by. We’d talk to the cats as we walked to our apartment. Little did we know that both cats — and a bird — would eventually live with us!

Our neighbors got evicted. They didn’t have any where to go, so they asked us to take care of their animals until they could get settled somewhere. We brought all three into our home, committed to taking care of them until their people could return for them. For several weeks, they — the ex-neighbors — left food and litter on our doorsteps. That dwindled down and then finally stopped.

Frankie, Zale, and Tweeter Pete were ours.

Zale went outside one day and never came home; Tweeter died of natural causes a couple of years later. Frankie had a hard time adjusting to life in our family. We had several other cats around our house (we fed the neighborhood strays), and he was unsure of his position with them. One by one, Frankie made friends with the others — or ran them off! At any rate, we eventually settled into a comfortable little family with three kitties (Frankie, Nana, and B’Orange). We said good-bye to B’Orange a couple of years ago, and we adopted Gracie a few months later. The dynamics of the family changed, but Frankie stayed steady.

Despite his initial trouble adjusting, he became the sweetest, most lovable cat I’ve ever known. When he first came to live with us, Frankie and I used to dance. I’d hold him close, sing Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra songs and sway to the music. Frankie would snuggle into my neck and purr so loudly it tickled my ear. He eventually grew tired of that game, but I never did.

When he was a young adult cat, he loved high places. It was not unusual to see him sitting on top of the six-foot high bookshelf behind the sofa — or scheming on how to get up there! In later years, he couldn’t quite make the leap, so he was content to sit on the bed, curled up on the heating pad, or on the back of the couch, calmly surveying his kingdom.

He was picky about the cat food he ate, but not about the people food he ate! He loved French fries, guacamole, and he’d even nibble on the lettuce John pulled off his tacos. He thought he ought to have dinner with John and I. Some how, we developed the habit of feeding Frankie a plate of deli turkey or ham when we sat down to dinner. Sometimes, he even got a bite of what we were eating: fish, potatoes, lemon mustard chicken!

Frankie grew up to be quite a lover — and not just of fine people food! In his later years, he would crawl up in bed with us as we were trying to get to sleep. He would sit on my chest or in the space between our pillows and take turns “nosing us”. I’d say “Find Daddy” and that sweet ol’ kitty would climb all over John and rub his wet nose all over John’s and purr. If John tried to hide under a blanket, Frankie would try to find him. He would sit on my chest while I was getting ready to sleep, and he would do the same to me. He sure did love his people!

Frankie also loved being out-of-doors. When we lived in the desert, he absolutely couldn’t go outside unsupervised — there were just too many dangers. But sometimes, one of us would take him out into the fenced backyard and let him wander around. Our backyard was all gravel, with three small bushes and a couple of trees. The first thing Frankie would do when he got outside was roll around on the warm sidewalk. Then, he’d head straight for the bushes! He’d stick his nose in the bush and just sniff. There were sometimes birds landing in the bushes (not when the cat was outside, though!) and I’m sure Frankie was taking in the bird smells. When we moved to our current house, we would let him out in the backyard here. Again with the bushes! He’d walk straight over and stick his head in. Eventually, we let him out the front door, and he loved that. He’d go to the house next door and nose around at the food the neighbors left for the strays. He was picky about what he ate at our house — but not so picky about what the neighbors offered.

A couple of evenings before we said good-bye to Frankie, I gathered all the cats around me and read them a story about Cat Heaven. All of the cats listened with rapt attention. I’m sure it was just the sound of my voice, but they seemed to be paying attention. I explained what was about to happen and why it had to happen. Frankie curled up against me and purred. It was almost as though he was affirming our decision to let him go. It was still a hard thing to do, but easier somehow, because of his acceptance. The day it we took him to the vet, I got his carrier out of the closet and put it out in the living room. Frankie went right over to it and jumped in.

Our little family is different now. The two girl cats have adjusted quicker than I expected them to. It’s me who’s having trouble adjusting. I miss his wet nose sliming all over mine. I miss his almost creepy kind of intelligence and the intense looks I used to get from him. But mostly, I just miss his presence in our family.

RIP Frankie. I hope you’re enjoying Cat Heaven. I can just picture you sliming G-D or one of the angels on the nose!

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I have an important doctor’s appointment tomorrow. I’m meeting with the rheumatologist to get test results. A couple of months ago, she tentatively diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia, pending tests to rule out some other things. I’m not sure what I’m hoping to find out tomorrow, but I know I want answers. I’m tired of living, not just with the pain and fatigue, but with the uncertainty. I know from my experience with another chronic condition, that having a name to put with my symptoms can make all the difference when it comes to dealing with those symptoms. A name is not only informative, it’s affirmative, especially with something that seems to be all in my head.

I’ve already taken steps toward dealing with the tentative diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and I’m feeling much better these days. I’m hoping to continue to feel better, no matter what the doctor says.

As a student of the Law of Attraction, it would be tempting to try to ignore the symptoms and hope that by focusing my energy somewhere more positive, they’d go away. In fact, I’ve been publicly criticized for my attention to my symptoms and for trying to find answers. Here’s the way I see it — The pain is sometimes severe enough that ignoring it is simply not an option. With a diagnosis, I have a direction for the changes I need to make. And, without so much uncertainty, this won’t be at the forefront of my mind. I’m actually, by pursuing medical treatment, taking the path of least resistance. I’m actually paying less attention to it than I was before I started seeing a doctor about it. Sometimes days go by that I don’t think about the pain (since there’s less of it because of the changes I’ve been making) or wonder what’s going on with my body. For days at a time, I’m able to feel good and enjoy the feelings.

To me, that’s progress!

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John and I got up early enough to go have breakfast at one of our local hangouts. I always enjoy eating out, but I particularly enjoy breakfast out. It feels like such a luxury. When I was a child growing up, we occasionally went out to dinner, but the only time we ate breakfast out was when we were on vacation — and those didn’t happen all that often!

Later in the day, friends came over for gaming. When Alison and her husband got here, we played Descent (my favorite board game) for a few hours. We were already winning when Hal got to the house later and joined the game. A few rounds into the last dungeon, Alison welded the final blow against the dragon and WE WON! In all the scenarios we’ve played, we’ve only lost twice — and once was the last time we played. Luckily, we made better choices (and better dice rolls) this time, so we stand victorious!

I always play the same character  – the Runewitch Astarra — when we play Descent even though there are several to choose from. She’s a mighty character. At one point toward the end of the game, the Evil Overlord threatened that if she died, she was being taking from the game and I couldn’t play her anymore. I got really hung up on that! The Runewitch must not die! I said every time I lost hit points or someone else made a crucial decision.

And, she didn’t! She wasn’t even close to dying when we won.

Whew!

Once that game was over, we picked up on the last session of an interesting Pathfinder campaign. Well, actually everyone else played, and I watched. The game got very exciting. Hal’s a pretty good GM and the story was intriguing. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the game, I had no interest in picking up a character. I just don’t enjoy roleplaying.

So, why am I bummed, if I had such a delightful day yesterday?

Because I forgot to blog! By the time everyone went home and we got the kitchen cleaned up, I was ready to unwind and get ready for bed. I didn’t make a conscious decision not to blog; it just didn’t occur to me. Not for a second.

I guess I broke my streak, but I’m going to try to carry on for the rest of the month. I’m not going to let that one skip throw me completely off my game.

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Currently on my nightstand:

• Man’s Search For Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl. I’ve read this book, many years ago. Initially, I read it for Frankl’s concentration camp survival story, but now I’m reading it for the shorter section on logotherapy. I’ve become fascinated with meaning, and that essay is — if I remember correctly — an excellent introduction to finding the meaning that I believe is inherent in everyone’s life.
• Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul: How to Create a New You, by Deepak Chopra. I’m not very far into this book, but it’s already made me stop and think. I totally believe that our minds have a big influence on our bodily conditions, so the book is (so far) easy for me to follow. I love the subtitle, too. I like the current me pretty well, but the idea of creating a new me? Love it!
• The Fire Starter Sessions: A Soulful + Practical Guide to Creating Success on Your Own Terms, by Danielle LaPorte.  I read this book right after it first came out and absolutely loved it. Now, I’m reading it again in an online book circle.  I’m actually doing the worksheets this time through. This chica’s got some pretty revolutionary ideas on success and happiness — and how to achieve both. I need to get the audio version of the book, simply because I’ve heard that it sounds like poetry when Danielle (she doesn’t known it, but we’re on a first name basis!) reads it out loud. After listening to the short video she has on her website (A Credo for Making it Happen) dozens of times, I can hear the poetry of her words and her voice in my mind.
• The Coaching Blueprint by Kate Swoboda (aka Kate Courageous). This is a workbook for coaches aimed at helping them build their practice. I’ve been following Kate (we’re on a first name basis, too!) for a long time and I’ve watched her grow and develop what appears to be a thriving coaching practice. I had the pleasure of meeting her at Christine Mason Miller‘s launch party for Desire to Inspire (Kate is one of the contributors to that very special book.) and she was as gracious as she is lovely.

That’s what I’m currently reading — don’t even get me started on what’s on my library hold list!

What are you reading???

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Chopra is talking about the relationship between the soul and the body. “We invented the separation between the two, and then came to believe that separation was real. You may object that you’ve never felt ecstatic or sensed the presence of God. This simply reflects our narrow conception of the soul, confining it to religion.” That brings to mind an idea that (I believe) was coined by Wayne Dyer: We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Both of which bring to mind – What if everything we do is a spiritual, or soulful, experience? I’ve heard people say, “I want to have more spiritual experiences.” What if doing the dishes is a spiritual experience? Paying our bills? Shopping for groceries?

I don’t mean that we make them spiritual experiences, say by practicing mindfulness (which is always a great idea, in my book), but that those things – the moments that make up our lives (not just the transcendent ones) – are spiritual experiences, in and of themselves.

I believe that we are not only spiritual beings having a human experience, but that we are actually the eyes and ears of God. We, through our actions and emotions, are the way that Source Energy (of which we are a part) gets to experience Its creation.  That would make everything we do – from taking out the trash and slaving at the J.O.B. to prayer and meditation – spiritual experiences.

And that would make our lives infinitely more meaningful than we think they are.

That would make our actions divine.

All of them.

I know my money stories don’t serve me, but I’m not sure how to tell new money stories. Actually, I know how to tell new stories, I just don’t know how to believe them! Abraham says a belief is only a thought you keep thinking; I suppose the answer lies in there somewhere. Do I need to tell my new money stories over and over — almost like an affirmation — until they become the thoughts I keep thinking?

My intellectual mind knows my stories aren’t true and don’t serve me. It knows there are better thoughts out there. Hell, it probably even knows what they are! Unfortunately, it’s not my intellectual mind that controls my relationship with money — and my emotional mind doesn’t seem to catch on very quickly sometimes.

For example — One of my money stories seems to stem from a time in my life when I wasn’t very well taken care of. That part of me still needs my parents to take care of me financially, even in some small way, long after their responsibility was over (Factor in the fact that both parents have transitioned, and you see how this doesn’t serve me).

I’ll spare you all the details of where that came from and exactly how it plays out, but suffice it to say that my intellectual mind knows that this is silly, irrelevant, and that it only makes the situation worse. That part of me knows that you can’t really replace loving care with taking care of someone financially — it’s just not the same thing. That part of me knows that this idea is outdated (in so many ways) and needs to be replaced. It even knows that what I need is some radical self-care, to replace the care that I didn’t get at the time; that self-love and self-care are the only things that can fill the void left by a lack of care (the love was there).

Like I said, my intellectual mind knows all that.

But the emotional part of me doesn’t get that anything needs to change. It’s perfectly happy with the old, outdated, thoughts and feelings. It’s perfectly happy with a story that doesn’t really make any sense anymore — if it ever did! — so it’s resistant to a new story.

Hmmm, what started out as rambling just to fill a blog post has actually done me some good. I think I’ve got some answers!

Thanks for listening!

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I’m not talking about making a budget or saving money (although neither of those are my strong suits), but rather my relationship with money. It seems that I have “money stories” that don’t serve me.

I grew up in a home where money seemed to be invisible. I’m sure my parents paid their bills, but I don’t remember ever seeing them sit down with a checkbook and a stack of envelopes. Maybe they paid them after us kids where in bed, or maybe Dad paid them from the office. I really don’t know. I don’t remember specific things either Mom or Dad said to me, but I grew up with the belief that not only did you have to work hard for money, but that the amount of money you received from your job was a measure of your success. There were never any discussions about purpose or enjoyment in reference to one’s job. In fact, I remember asking my dad if he’d enjoyed his 20+ year career in the Navy. He looked at me as though he understood all the words in my question, but he couldn’t quite parse it. Finally he said, “It paid the bills and put food on the table.” That wasn’t really what I asked, but that was the only answer he could give.

I knew, based on my lack of consistent financial abundance, that I had some issues where my money stories were concerned, but it wasn’t until today, when I was doing some exercises by Kate Swoboda from The Coaching Blueprint, that I saw some of the limiting beliefs for what they are. It also came up during a coaching session today (I was the client), so I think it’s something I really need to be taking a look at.

Now comes the hard work — I have to find a way to change my money stories from limiting to serving, and I have no real idea how to do that!

Any ideas?

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I’d like to change that.

I was hoping, over the last week-end, to get enough ahead in blog posts that I had time to do some of that deep writing for my blog. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

So, I find myself — again  – at the end of the day, needing to write to meet my commitment, with no idea what I want to say!

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There is a stirring in my soul that is begging to be explored, but I’ve been pushing it aside. I’m not ready to deal with a major shift, and it feels as though that is about to happen. I’ve been reading a lot of non-fiction lately, and that usually is a sign that something is happening internally. Typically, I let a lot of information, viewpoints, and ideas in and then that percolates with my own thoughts and feelings until something shifts. It’s happened time and time again, so I know the pattern.

I have to admit, though, I’m a bit curious as to what is happening internally. Growth is exciting, even when it’s a little scary or anxiety producing. And this isn’t really all that scary … but I am wondering what it’s all about. Often times, I don’t know until it slaps me in the face!

What typically happens is that during a writing session or a conversation with someone I’m particularly close to, I’ll find myself saying something that I didn’t know I thought/believed/felt. In exploring that further, I’ll come to realize that I’ve grown, changed, or deepened in that area. It’s often very exciting — and I find that it’s much less painful for me than when I angst and worry over the change as it’s happening.

How does personal growth and change happen in your life? Do you have a pattern or does it happen some other way? I’d love to hear from you on this topic!

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There were over 20 food trucks to choose from. I had bacon-lobster-macaroni-and-cheese from Bacon Mania, poutine from The Gravy Train, and corn-off-the-cob, from Corn Heaven. All the food was really good and there were several other trucks I really wanted to try!

One of the more exciting parts of the day was the BMX demonstration. I love X-Game type sports — BMX, skateboarding, snowboarding, etc. — so I enjoyed seeing these amazing athletes strut their stuff. It was my first time to try sports photography, but I was really pleased with the pictures I took. My camera ROCKS!

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