Hello,

I am so pleased to have your subscription to A-Muse Letter! I hope you are enjoying receiving it.

As you know, each month I offer coaching tips, ideas and inspiration to support you in your writing, creativity and personal growth. Please send your comments and questions and I'll write back personally or respond in a future edition of A-Muse Letter.

AIN'T NO CURE FOR THE SUMMERTIME BLUES

You might remember a song called "Summertime Blues," written and recorded by Eddie Cochran and later recorded by Alan Jackson. The lyrics tell the story of a teenager bemoaning his plight---having to work at a summer job. The catchy refrain is of course; "Ain't no cure for the summertime blues."

I don't know about you, but I've been feeling a bit of the summertime blues the last few days as I realize how quickly the summer seems to have flown by!

I invite you to join me and shake off the summertime blues. Get creative with these last few weeks of summer before school starts and fall programs begin.

Grab your journal to make notes and find a quiet, private spot. Then try these three ways to savor what remains of these precious summer days.

SAVOR THE MEMORY

When you've settled in, close your eyes and take several deep breaths. Let your breathing slow and deepen. Now, remember three absolutely favorite moments of the summer so far.

One of mine was watching my grandsons play with a Lego set with intense concentration and total involvement in their task. What do you remember? A walk on the beach as a cold wave lapped at your ankles? Cotton candy at a state fair tasting just as good as you remembered it from childhood? Pause, remember and make some notes.

SAVOR THE PRESENT

Today, right now, stop whatever you are doing (even reading this article!) What are you aware of? What do you notice as you look around? What do you see that brings you pleasure?

I'm sitting in my office as I write this, a Steven Halpern CD, in the background. I stop for a moment and let the music wash over me; hearing each individual instrument and the harmony as the sounds meld. I smile as I look more closely at a portrait on a wall calendar, seeing details in the picture I never noticed before. Stay present with your experience. Then, make some notes.

SAVOR THE FUTURE

As you settle, become more relaxed and take a couple of deep breaths, use your imagination and think of something coming up in the near future. Are you going camping in the woods next weekend? Are you anticipating an exceptionally mouth-watering meal?

As I close my eyes, I think about getting back to a laugh out loud book I have been reading. I think of the farmer's market I'll shop at in a few days and the taste of ripe strawberries. Write down what you anticipate and increase the depth of your savoring.

You get the idea. So, is there a cure for the summertime blues? Try savoring your experiences---before, after and during. It's practically guaranteed to cure the summertime blues!

Take good care,

If you find yourself needing help managing your summertime blues contact me and request a GRATIS SESSION via phone or in person. Phone (800) 552-WRITE, that's (800) 552-9748 or write to me at susan@susanborkin.com to find out more.

[back to top]

UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS:

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008 - COMPLIMENTARY MONTHLY TELESEMINARS

Join us each month for live teleseminars on support and tips for writing and creativity. Calls are at 12:00 noon, Pacific (1:00 pm Mountain, 2:00 pm Central and 3:00 pm Eastern).

Tuesday, August 19, 2008, 12:00 noon (Pacific time)

TOPIC: WRITING BEYOND DEAR DIARY – DEPTH, DETAIL & DIALOGUE

Learn 3 immediately applicable ways to create more interesting, engaging and colorful prose, journal entries and blogs.

These techniques will change not just how you write, but how much you connect with and enjoy what you are writing!

Can't make a seminar? No worries. Sign-up anyway and we'll send you a complimentary recording after the call.

Never been on a teleseminar? A teleseminar is a virtual classroom. Accessible by telephone, you simply sign-up beforehand then dial in at the appointed time. No travel, no hassle. Listen or be part of a seminar from anywhere in the world!

CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT, NOW!

FRIDAY – SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10TH & 11TH - Second Annual “Wellness & Writing Connection Conference in Atlanta, GA. Susan will present a workshop entitled: “Me, Myself & I: The Healing Power of Dialogue."

For more information on the conference, go to: http://www.wellnessandwritingconnections.com/

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH, 2008 - PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR NEW AND BEGINNING WRITERS Full-day workshop: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, De Anza College, Cupertino, California.

If you want to start writing and don't know how to begin, your writing has stalled, you are feeling out-of-focus or you simply want to bring more writing into your life, this is the seminar for you. Although publishing may be your eventual goal, emphasis will be on the process of writing. All genres and skill levels (including absolute beginners) welcome.

Included:

• Tips and tricks to get started writing and keep going
• Get moving again when your writing has stalled
• Get your writing organized!
• Keep track of your ideas
• Silence your inner critic
• Manage your resistance
• Break through writer's block
• Deal with rejection
  

[back to top]

Susan Borkin, M.A. is a licensed psychotherapist, coach and writer. She is the founder of Write Now! a professional practice specializing in the use of writing for personal and professional growth. Susan specializes in helping people overcome creative blocks and achieve deep personal transformation through the use of writing. A personal growth writing teacher for more than twenty-five years, she is the author of When Your Heart Speaks, Take Good Notes: The Healing Power of Writing and Writing From the Inside Out: Using a Journal for Personal Growth & Transformation.

[back to top]

BOOKS TO STIMULATE YOUR WRITING AND CREATIVITY By Susan Borkin

Writing From the Inside Out: Using a Journal for Personal Growth and Transformation When Your Heart Speaks, Take Good Notes: The Healing Power of Writing

Both books are available for previewing and ordering at www.susanborkin.com. Sample chapters are only available to preview.

[back to top]

GRATIS CORNER

• Sign up for complimentary monthly teleseminars!

• If you find yourself needing some help managing your summertime blues or if you have questions about your writing and creativity practice, contact me and request a GRATIS SESSION via phone or in person.

• Need some journaling tips? Send for your GRATIS BONUS ARTICLE, 'JUMPSTART YOUR JOURNALING'. Send an e-mail requesting the article by name.

• Have a question about writing or creativity? E-mail your question to Susan. She may use your questions in future issues of ' WRITE NOW! A-Muse Letter by Susan Borkin '.

Phone (800) 552-WRITE, that's (800) 552-9748 or write to Susan at susan@susanborkin.com to find out more.

[back to top]

You are receiving this ezine either because you signed up for it via one of my books, websites, classes or presentations or have otherwise indicated your interest. Please, if you would prefer not to receive it or I have sent this to you in error, let me know.

Subscribe - Sign up on our Website at www.susanborkin.com to receive your own copy of this monthly ezine. You may always click on the CHANGE link at the end of this ezine to update your email address or otherwise change your account.

Unsubscribe - If you wish to cancel your subscription, please click on the CANCEL link at the bottom of this ezine.