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, SEPTEMBER 8th, 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, SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 COMPLIMENTARY TELESEMINAR

"Not So Random Acts of Kindness"

Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 - 12:00 noon (Pacific)

Continuing with our 2009 Teleseminar Series, "Write, Creativity & the Pursuit of Happiness," you'll learn how kindness and writing can increase your level of happiness.

Remember the popularity of the concept "Random Acts of Kindness?" What about focused acts of kindness?

• What would happen if you purposely logged your acts of kindness one day per week?
  
  
• What if you regularly mapped out new ways to show kindness?
  
  
• What if you kept notes on kindnesses to yourself?
  
  And much more!

Find out in this hour-long teleseminar! We'll also explore ways to feel better by learning to "Pay it Forward" how kindness to ourselves is as important as kindness to others and when kindness can backfire.

Kindly register for this free teleseminar and write your way to increased happiness!

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.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th - 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, SEPTEMBER 16th, 9:00 am (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.)

RSVP HERE

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2009 Sangre de Cristo Center. Susan will present a 3-part workshop at Sangre de Cristo Center, an international Sabbatical center near Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Private Event).

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 www.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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HOW TO OPTIMIZE OPTIMISM
PERMANENCE, PERVASIVENESS & PERSONALIZATION

Last month in our teleseminar we discussed how minor changes in our thinking could have large influences on our attitude and outlook. Martin Seligman, a widely acknowledged pioneer in the field of positive psychology states there are three primary dimensions of optimism that can be shifted to better optimize positive thoughts. We'll explore how the thinking patterns of permanence, pervasiveness and personalization can be tweaked for a more optimistic perspective.

PERMANENCE

Do you remember ever having a really bad day and thinking it would last forever? Skim through some journal entries and find such a day or take a moment and see if you can conjure up the feeling. In your journal you might have used phrases like "it's hopeless," "things will never change," or "it's always like this."

Now try looking at that entry and change the words that relate negatively to time or permanence. Here's an example:

"I'll never finish this article. It's going to take me forever. "I'm never going to make any progress."

Change to:

"This article is taking me a long time. I know it will be finished at some point. I've already finished half of it."
What differences do you notice about these two entries?

PERVASIVENESS

Find a recent journal entry that exemplifies pervasiveness. In other words, one negative thing happened, so everything becomes negative. Here's an example:

"I'm really struggling with work right now. I can't seem to get caught up on my projects. And then there's all the stuff to do at home. Oh, and then the kids! They constantly need attention. I'll never be able to sit down and finish writing my novel."

Change to:

"I'm having some trouble getting things done at work. Before I go off in another direction, I'm going to try taking some time today and focusing on a plan to get my current projects up to date."

What differences do you notice in these two entries?

PERSONALIZATION

When it comes to negativity, it can be easy to believe everything is about you. Here's an example:

"What a rotten day I'm having! "The library is closed and I really needed to check out those books for the weekend! Then I go the grocery store and the one ingredient I needed to bake that cake was out of stock? Why does all this stuff keep happening to me?"

Change to:

"I missed getting to the library today, but I can go early next week and do something else for now. I wonder what I can substitute for the missing ingredient."

What differences do you notice in these two entries?

Be positive and 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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