the inaugural poem we should have had

February 24, 2009 by rachel

Over at absolutewrite.com, discussion regarding the January 20 inaugural poem led to a contest, “the inaugural poem we should have had.” I didn’t take part in the conversation, but I was intrigued by the idea. They’re currently displaying the 15 entries, which anyone can view — and people who register (free) at the site can vote until March 1 via Private Message (PM).  I have a poem in the field, but I’m not really trolling for votes.  Unless you recognize […]

Categories: barack obama, poetry, writing & creativity • Tags: absolutewrite.com, creativity, inaugural poem, Obama inauguration, poetry, poetry contest, writing

india arie, rumi, writing, automotivology, forgiveness, & remembering who you are: favorite posts of 2008

January 6, 2009 by rachel

Even though be whole now is not yet a year old (like me, my blog is a Piscean), the start of this sure-to-be-unforgettable new year is a good time to unearth and recycle some memorable posts from 2008. Here are a few of my favorites, based on a purely non-scientific selection process. 1. I never tire of watching diva India Arie sing the James Taylor classic, The Secret O’ Life. Every word speaks directly to my soul. Maybe yours, too? […]

Categories: body mind & spirit, eclectica, inspiration, love, ordinary oracles, personal growth, poetry, spirituality, transformation, video, writing & creativity • Tags: awakening, body mind & spirit, consciousness, creativity, ecstatic union, forgiveness, India Arie, inspiration, James Taylor, life, love, new paradigm, ordinary oracles, personal growth, poetry, prayer, radical forgiveness, Rumi, The Secret of Life, transformation, video, wisdom, writer, writing, your inner writer

great gift ideas from creative folks i am proud to know

December 11, 2008 by rachel

One of life’s greatest pleasures as a “creative” person, is getting to know other creative types. One can only toot one’s own horn for so long, so herewith, some enormously talented and creative individuals, each of whom I am proud to call “friend.” Carlos Smith I first met Carlos on the labyrinth, which he considers a gift from Mother Earth, a pattern for wholeness, a path to transformation and healing of the human spirit. Later, I learned more about this […]

Categories: eclectica, inspiration • Tags: Add new tag, art, body form workshop, Carlos Smith, creativity, fine photography, gifts, Indie Traffic Jam Radio Show, inspiration, labyrinth, life coach, music, photography, Renewall Coaching, Richard Cummings, sacred art, Scott Von, Tisha Pletcher

enough! manifesto for artists, writers, and lovers of beauty & truth

September 24, 2008 by rachel

Now is the time to say Enough! to the marginalization of all who walk the path of beauty and art To the unyielding duress of seeking to balance deep and soulful expression with the strictures of daily existence, Enough! To systems and models that devalue currencies of the heart, imaginings of the soul, visions and dreams fueled by wisdom, experience, and an unquenchable yearning to connect heaven and earth, Enough! To the relentless negation of the unimpeachable sine qua non […]

Categories: body mind & spirit, inspiration, poetry, spirituality, transformation, writing & creativity • Tags: art, artists, beauty, creativity, culture, heart, inspiration, life, manifesto, music, philosophy, spirituality, theatre, truth, writers, writing

voice lessons: finding your inner writer

June 6, 2008 by rachel

No word yet from the NYC agent who requested (and received) the complete manuscript for my first work of literary fiction. In honor of my continuing patience (and said agent’s ongoing health, wealth, and happiness!), here is a piece I wrote back in 1999. Other than a few changes aimed at de-genderization, it appeared in the August issue of The Women’s Times, a monthly newspaper based in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and distributed throughout areas of western Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, eastern […]

Categories: humor, inspiration, uncategorized, writing & creativity • Tags: creative expression, creativity, humor, inspiration, journal, morning pages, motivation, newspaper, novel, publishing, voice, writer, writing, writing process

i love my blog so much there ought to be a law

May 21, 2008 by rachel

If there isn’t already a commemorative holiday called I LOVE MY BLOG DAY, someone should just proclaim it and get the ball rolling. (Oh wait, I think I just did!) Yeah, I know it would get more attention if I called it I HEART MY BLOG DAY, but OMGIJUSTCANT! Sorry. My blog and I have been together for not even two and a half months yet, but we are totally, you know, committed. We spend time together every day – […]

Categories: blogkeeping, eclectica, inspiration • Tags: blog, blog romance, blogerotica, blogging, creativity, humor, inspiration, joy of blogging, love, love my blog

the secret life of words revealed

May 11, 2008 by rachel

As someone who has always danced with words, I frequently face this conundrum (BTW, one of the greatest words ever, no? ): In one way, words mean everything to me; from another vantage point, they increasingly mean nothing at all. In my reality, every letter, every sound, each phrase, each word, is a living organism. They breathe, vibrate, sing, dance, live, die and are reborn. They inhabit some vast otherwordly universe, awaiting deployment. Some bide their time patiently — others […]

Categories: inspiration, spirituality, writing & creativity • Tags: creativity, language, literary, living organisms, living words, Margaret Magnus, phonosemantics, secret life of words, spirituality, words, writing

poetry & the creative om: in the flow, out of the way

April 8, 2008 by rachel

This post is about the creative process — or at least it started out that way. If you have ever (1) solved a problem, (2) made something out of nothing, (3) improved or adapted a process, (4) improvised, or (5) pondered the what if, why, or why not of a situation… … this means you. Doesn’t matter if you call it beekeeping, art, writing, flyfishing, music, leatherwork, risk management, healing, entrepreneurship, parenting, or activism. Ultimately, it’s all poetry. Doesn’t matter […]

Categories: poetry, spirituality, writing & creativity • Tags: creation, creative process, creativity, get in the flow and get out of the way, Jalaluddin Rumi, Kabbalah, letters, love, opening heart, poetry, secret life of words, spirituality, Sufi Mysticism, words, writing