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.

NEWS:

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17th - VIRTUAL WRITING CIRCLE

Join our Virtual Writing Circle! We meet two times a month by telephone bridge line.

If you are:

A writer or aspiring writer, wanting to connect with other writers Looking for support and gentle feedback on your writing An experienced writer, wanting to jumpstart a writing project Needing to brush up writing basics and improve your writing habits

Then a Virtual Writing Circle may be for you!

You'll receive:

Two one-hour sessions per month of a professionally coached group writing experience A facilitator who is a licensed and experienced psychotherapist, as well as an experienced writer, coach and teacher A supportive community of other writers you can connect to virtually An opportunity to meet with Susan 1:1 by phone for monthly mini-sessions, as needed

This is a great opportunity to receive group coaching at a fraction of the cost of individual coaching.

Only $65 per month.

For more information: Click Here for a Q & A (pdf) document or contact Susan Borkin at susan@susanborkin.com or call 1.800.552.WRITE.

To register: Click here to register!

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009 COMPLIMENTARY TELESEMINAR

Learn The Secret Link Between Creativity & Happiness!

Tuesday, February 17th     12:00 noon (Pacific)

This 1-hour interactive seminar kicks off our brand new 2009 teleseminars series: "Write, Creativity & the Pursuit of Happiness."

Does writing make you happier? Or, does being happy make you more creative? Join us and learn the secret link between creativity and happiness!

Learning Outcomes:

• How to increase Flow in your writing and creative projects
  
  
• How to become more engaged and focused when you are writing
  
  
• How total engagement will make you feel happier and more productive in work and at play

Imagine being able to write from greater and more frequent states of "Flow!"

Can't make the teleseminar live? No worries. Sign-up anyway and we'll send you a free recording.

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 28th, 2009 - 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

To register, phone: (408) 864-8817

If you are interested in finding out more about Susan Borkin’s availability to speak to your group or organization, click here or contact Susan at 408.973.7877

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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.

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GRATIS CORNER

Find out! Just contact me for a Complimentary Coaching Consultation and we'll talk about it. Phone (800) 552-WRITE, that's (800) 552-9748 or write to me at susan@susanborkin.com to find out more.

• Need some journaling tips? Send for your GRATIS BONUS ARTICLE "JUMPSTART YOUR JOURNALING" Send an e-mail to susan@susanborkin.com, requesting the article by name.
  

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ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE

Valentine's Day need not be the only day to express love. Expressing gratitude everyday is scientifically proven to increase happiness and well-being. This month we'll look at four different ways to write about gratitude.

GRATITUDE LIST

Most of us are probably familiar with the Gratitude List. It is simply a way to bring your attention to what you are grateful for. Since gratitude attracts more things to be grateful for, try writing down at least five things every day that you appreciate. It may be something simple, like "I'm grateful the sun has come out today." Or, "I am grateful for my good health." Before you begin writing, sit quietly for a few minutes and gather your thoughts. Notice how you feel as you add new things to your list.

THREE GOOD THINGS

Martin Seligman, Ph.D., considered one of the forerunners of the Authentic Happiness movement suggests listing three good things that happened to you during the day. You might write, "My article got accepted by a magazine I queried." Or, "I had a great visit with my friend, today." By the way, this is a great dinner time exercise to do with your children!

Now here's what adds to add a little punch to this list. Next to the good thing that happened to you, note what part you played in making this happen. For example, with the article acceptance you took the time and energy to create and send a good query letter. In the case of your pleasant visit, you either initiated or accepted the invitation to get together with your friend.

Why is the reason so important? After several days of keeping track of three good things and noting how you were involved in making that happen, you'll actually start looking for positive things and ways you can influence how you feel. Additionally, realizing the impact you have on your choices raises your self-esteem.

APPRECIATIONS

With either your partner or a friend you would like to share this experience with write down at least four things you appreciate about that person. It may be something you have said before like, "I appreciate you baking your delicious chocolate chip cookies." Or something that just happened recently, like "I appreciate you sending me such a sweet card for no particular reason."

Once you have both completed your lists, share each item one at a time. Do not rush through this exercise! Go slowly and savor each and every item you both read and receive. Take time to let what you hear sink in.

EXAMEN

Try this exercise known as the Examen. At the end of the day or first thing in the morning, write down the best thing that happened to you that day. (If you are writing in the morning, write about the day prior.) It might be that you ate in an especially healthy way and felt very good about yourself. Or it may be that you finished a project you have been working on for several days.

Next, write down the thing that you liked least about the day. Perhaps it was that you slept poorly or found you were procrastinating on getting a particular task done.

It is helpful to set these lists up in columns or even in an Excel spreadsheet. After several days, look over what you have written. What do you notice? What patterns are beginning to emerge? What can you learn about yourself? What behaviors might you need to change?

Don't let February 14th be the only day you share your love. Try these writing ideas and make everyday your own Valentine's Day!

Take care,

If you find yourself needing help managing your creative process 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.

ABOUT SUSAN BORKIN

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.

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