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:

NEW! Listen in to - Exceptional Wisdom Radio - Susan is interviewed live by Kay Adams, Founder & Director of the Center for Journal Therapy!

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13th, 2009 - VIRTUAL WRITING CIRCLE

Don't miss this great opportunity to receive group coaching at a fraction of the cost of individual coaching!

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

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, OCTOBER 20, 2009 COMPLIMENTARY TELESEMINAR

"Don't Just Hope - Cope! (Writing Strategies for Dealing with Stress & Trauma)"

Tuesday, OCTOBER 20th, 2009 - 12:00 noon (Pacific)

Continuing with our 2009 Teleseminar Series, "Write, Creativity & the Pursuit of Happiness," we'll address writing strategies for dealing with stress and trauma.

You've undoubtedly heard the adage: "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

In this complimentary seminar we'll explore practical strategies for using writing to cope with both the stress of daily living and traumatic events.

While stress and adversity at one time or another is unavoidable, increasing your ability to cope can profoundly impact your quality of life and level of happiness.

We'll discuss:

• Specific written disputation strategies as easy as ABC!
  
  
• Using trauma as a positive experience for growth
  
  
• The power of both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping
  
  
• Scientific evidence that writing about trauma improves your health

Register for this free teleseminar and learn how you can increase your level of happiness even during stressful times.

Never been to 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 class from anywhere in the world!

Can't make the sessions? No worries. Sign-up anyway and we'll send you the recording.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st - VIRTUAL WRITING CIRCLE "OPEN HOUSE" - NO COST

If you've been thinking about joining the Virtual Writing Circle, but still have some questions, join us for a free Open House Question & Answer Session. This will give you an opportunity to experience a mini-session of the Virtual Writing Circle and get answers to any questions you might have.

Wednesday, OCTOBER 21st, 4:00 pm (PDT). Please R.S.V.P.

Can't make the Open House? That's OK. RSVP anyway and we'll send you the recording.

(Note: This is a complimentary session and when you checkout in the cart, your credit card will not be charged.)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2009 - 3rd Annual Wellness & Writing Connection Conference. Susan will present a workshop entitled "Me, Myself & I: Self-Dialogue as Healer"at the conference in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information or to register for the conference, please go to wellnessandwritingconnections.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2009 - BEYOND DEAR DIARY Full-day workshop: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm, De Anza College, Cupertino, California.

Feeling stuck, out-of-focus or confused in your life direction? Think there is something more for you but not sure what it is or how to find it? Bring a blank journal and a pen and be ready for some surprises!

Beyond diary type writing to record daily events, personal growth writing holds the potential for deep self-reflection, growth & personal transformation. Although often simple in methodology, it is a rich and powerful resource for contemplation, discovery and change. We will explore a variety of writing methods including Free Form, Inner Dialogues, Mind Maps and "Pen-Visioning." Be prepared for an experience that will transform, challenge and delight you!

For more information and to register, contact shortcourses@fhda.edu

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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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KINDLY WRITE THIS!

Last month in our teleseminar we discussed the impact of kindness on our level of happiness. In this article we will review four approaches to kindness and when and how kindness can be most powerful.

MAXIMIZING KINDNESS

Generally we might assume that with kindness, as well as many other things, more is better. But that may not necessarily be so. Try this experiment for yourself. For two weeks, deliberately do three to five acts of kindness. This might include things like holding the door for someone who has their arms full of packages, or making eye contact and smiling at someone in the grocery store. Record these small acts for two weeks and how you felt doing them.

During another two-week period, try doing fewer, but more significant acts of kindness. You might make dinner for a friend going through a difficult time or do the grocery shopping for your shut-in neighbor. Again, record these acts as well and notice how you felt doing them.

What did you learn from this experiment?

KINDNESS VS. UNKINDNESS

Here's another experiment to try. Write about a memory of being unkind, either intentionally or unintentionally to another person. Describe it in as much detail as you can remember. What do you notice about your feelings about yourself and the other person?

Now, write about a memory of kindness you paid to someone else. Describe it in as much detail as you can remember. What happened, how did it feel to you and the other person?

What did you learn from these two experiences and how might that influence your behavior in the future?

WHEN KINDNESS IS NOT HELPFUL

There are times when even with the best of intentions, kindness may not be helpful. Being kind to the degree that your giving to others becomes detrimental to you is one such example. Another example when kindness is not helpful is being kind when you think you should or ought to be, but your actions are not heart-felt.

If this ever happens, stop. Gently examine your motivation and when you can, do some writing and explore what is going on for you.

SELF-KINDNESS

Finally, in the realm of kindness, don't forget about self-kindness. Take time to nurture yourself. Take weekly artist dates and renew your creative soul. Spend time with yourself; use your journal regularly to explore your own feelings and needs.

While you're at it, check out a delightful little book by Margot Silk Forrest called, A Short Course in Kindness or watch the film, "Pay it Forward."

Self-kindness is not just a once and awhile thing, but like kind acts to others, is an important part of your kindness equation.

Kindly take good 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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