Just Be

Ever receive something in your inbox that just makes total sense for your life at that moment? Happened to me this morning and I thought I’d share it with you:

“Lose yourself in the moment at hand instead of contemplating the moment to come. When you play a game with a child, don’t think about what you need to do after the game. Instead, jump into the game, absorb it, laugh, be fully present. When having a conversation with someone, listen with your heart and mind versus thinking about what is around the corner or what will be said next. Becoming more attentive, moment to moment, is one of the quickest ways to a more joyful heart and rich life.”

 

This was taken from Brook Noel’s Good Morning message. sign up for her dailies – you’ll be lifted each morning.

With this direction in mind, I’m off to relax and explore in nature with my husband and two sons this weekend. Happy Writing, all!

P.S.

some links from what I learned this week:

Teaching:

From Teaching Authors blog:  3) AYouTube-available video of A School Visit by best-selling Author/Illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka.
Sit yourself down in the school auditorium, surround yourself with kiddos, and listen and learn how and why Jarrett makes books.

Marketing:

http://www.thursdaybram.com/2009/07/24/day-24-build-your-expert-reputation

HelpAReporterOut (HARO) mktg/platform tip

 

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What I learned this week…

Through surfing the net, posting on other blogs and scanning Twitter, I will post each Friday the valuable lessons I’ve learned about writing, marketing, teaching and living : )

Marketing

• Just linked to this great post by Thursday Bram, who will be blogging daily this month on how to market yourself. Be sure to bookmark this and come back daily through July. Great tips on building your niche.
• Yesterday I pounded the pavement in downtown Downers Grove getting to know the community shop owners and passing out flyers on my Young Writers Summer Studio: I met some helpful book sellers at Anderson’s BookShop, the manager at My Favorite Toy Store and an eclectic artist at Poe*m Art House (get out there and get to know your neighbors!  Support local vendors and they will reciprocate!)

Organizing/Time Management

• Found on Twitter: an article that gives the pro’s and con’s on on-line organizing app’s, especially for organizing your to-do lists. (You know I’m a big “list girl!”) cheat: google’s gmail won! I’ll be checking this app out this weekend; let me know your fav’s!
• Teaching Authors has been posting a series on how to organize your time and increase productivity. Two suggestions I’m going to start using: set timer for tasks like emails, blogging, research and WRITING! AND, track my actual time spent on these activities. Get more tips here and be sure to add your own in our “comments”

Refresh

• Earlier this week, I posted about hitting the  “refresh” button on your writing career. I urged everyone to take a day or two to just “play” and refresh their well of creativity. I found that my kids are a huge source of fun and inspiration for my writing; my husband helps me to focus on my true writing and teaching goals and to by-pass the busy work and fluff; and being outdoors fills me with hope and peace.
• I also stumbled upon this amazing blog: The Happiness Project. I’ve added this to my favorites and have been reading archives here daily. Author Gretchen Rubin has her own set of Ten Commandments and urges others to create their list of 10, as well. Dont’ we all need a little more happiness in our lives?

Thanks for stopping by Writers Inspired.  Please share what you learned this week in writing, marketing, teaching and life!

Happy writing!