Hi,

January 25, 2012 By 2 Comments

 The Unleashed Homemakertm

create your own happily ever after…

Does the question “Now What?” echo as a vague whisper or a loud demand?  Have you spent your whole life taking care of others and now look up to discover your family has grown up, your marital status has changed, or you are experiencing health problems? Perhaps your children have grown, or your job has been reorganized.

Do you feel

  • invisible?

  • disconnected?

  • voiceless?

I know how you feel and I founded The Unleashed Homemakertm to help you along the journey from the woman you no longer recognize to the woman you want to become.

One of the goals I am no longer putting off is writing my book. I am the author of The Secret Artist, give yourself permission to let your creativity shine ! Tapping into our creativity has amazing power and I look forward to introducing you to so many fun things we can do to get in touch with our creativity.

I also realize the name homemaker brings up all sorts of thoughts and I’ll let you in a little secret – we are all  homemakers whether we create a home environment for a family unit, or practice self-care to nurture our bodies which is the “home” we all dwell in.

I have had two breast cancer diagnosis,  I am passionate about encouraging everyone not to wait until they have a health crisis to UNLEASH and take care of themselves.

You too can  create your own happily ever after. 


Filed Under: communications, copywriting, General, Memoir, nonfiction writing, Personal, Productivity, Speaking, story, Workshop, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Summer magic

May 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I’t official…Memorial Day was yesterday. Are you anticipating summer magic?

You know what I mean…long lazy days at the beach, exploring new experiences at the local county fair, annual music festival, or the local farmer’s market.

What about organizing your own summer camp?

Create summer magic for yourself by scheduling enjoying summer adventures throughout the summer. Check your local newspaper calendar of events. Take a picnic to the park and catch a performance…your favorite music in concert, Shakespeare-in-the-Park, go to your city’s Chamber of Commerce calendar to see what’s coming up. Does your local college have a summer program? Summer school and community education classes often have special short-term offerings to give you a taste of the curriculum.

Summer is a great time to give yourself permission to explore those subjects that intrigue you. Watch what can happen when you take time to work some magic in pursuit of your dreams. Pause to play with a new way of being.

Filed Under: Coaxing Creativity Tues Tip, General, nonfiction writing, story, Stress Tagged With: , , , , ,

Decoration Day

May 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 Today is a day of remembrance. We remember the legacy of those who have gone before. A day to appreciate being able to live your life – to live your legacy. Because it is a national holiday, many of you are probably busy with what we usually do when we have a day off – playing catch up. Perhaps it was a chance to do a little spring-cleaning. Maybe you went out and took advantage of a great sale. Or, you had a BBQ in the back yard with family and friends.

Decoration Day, that’s what I heard it called when I was growing up, and still hear it referred to as that. I didn’t know the official name for the day was Memorial Day. It made more sense to call it Decoration Day because that was what we did. We went to the cemetery and decorated the gravesites of our loved ones. My mother bought geraniums in pots, or bouquets of lilacs in mason jars to put beside the gravestones of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and my older brother’s tiny angel stone, who will forever remain an infant.

Every Decoration Day, my father and his fellow armed forces representatives of the American Legion Color Guard marched in uniform and in formation into the cemetery. After a prayer from the priest and Taps were played, they fired a 21-gun salute.

 I’d like to offer a prayer for to all those brave men and women remembered with ceremonies and salutes, and especially for those who go uncelebrated. Everyday heroes like my father, George H. Prescott, who left their farms to serve in WWII. He was part of the 4th Cavalry Division. You can see from his picture that the “horse” he rode had horsepower, but no hooves. He was ruggedly handsome reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart’s good looks. He seldom talked about his Army life, settled back into small town life, raising a family.

That was his legacy. Seeing how he lived his life for his country, his family, the land, I experienced his legacy first-hand. I am blessed to have been a part of it. I’m living my legacy through my writing, loving my family and sharing my story.

 

How do you live your legacy?

 

 

Filed Under: communications, General, Memoir, nonfiction writing, Personal, story, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

For me, Memorial Day means…

May 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Write a response to the phrase “For me, Memorial Day means…”  Friday 5-minute writing prompt.

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use their computer. If that is your preferred method to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period of time.
If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – “For me, Memorial Day means…” or any other phrase that is comfortable for you. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes: this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and/or fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

Filed Under: Five Minute Writing Prompt, General, Memoir, nonfiction writing, Personal, story, Writing, Writing prompt, Writing Wisdoms from Your Writing Mentor Tagged With: , , , ,

Quick question for you…

May 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Quick question for you…

Which of these describes your usual morning routine?

1. Did the morning begin with a gradual awareness because your internal alarm clock started you stirring minutes before the mechanical (or human) alarm signaled it was time to get up?

2. Did you hear the alarm, immediately hit the snooze button – once, twice, perhaps three times – while covering your head with the pillow?

3. Or, did you awake refreshed, stretched leisurely, spent a few minutes visualizing the day’s activities, then jump out of bed eager to start your day?

I know all of those mornings.

On the days when I am well rested, I have no trouble moving from my cozy nest of warm covers to the daily routine of my writing ritual of tea, journal, inspirational reading and meditation before I shower and check in at the “office,” AKA – turning on my computer.

The days when I have not had enough sleep, I hit the snooze at least once, tell myself it doesn’t matter if I write in my journal every day, and who would notice if I answered those e-mails today or tomorrow?

Does that sound familiar?
Yes, I know you are nodding your head in agreement.
What can be done about this dilemma?

Anxious thoughts make sleep difficult and cause you to wake up during the night. A racing mind fueled by anxiety is not easily turned off.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Disorders, 65% of Americans lose sleep due to stress

The stories we tell ourselves do matter.
 
YOU can do something about the stress in your life.
Change your story and you’ll change your life. By story, I mean the chatter in your head. The rationalization, the reasons, or the blah, blah, blah (you fill in the appropriate “the dog ate my homework” phrase).
I’ve changed my story many times.
  • Coping with my two breast cancer experiences and sharing my strategies with you.
  • Overcoming the challenges of uprooting our family and moving across the country – twice – because of my husband’s new jobs. Learning how strong and resilliant I am – and helping you realize that YOU ARE TOO.
  • Discovering the power of tapping into my creativity and how it has made a difference in my healing process and passing those tips along to you.

I know it is next to impossible to eliminate all stress in your life. However, here are a few suggestions to help you at least get quality time with your pillow:

1. Put away your “to do” list and give yourself permission to go to bed.

2. Go to bed by 9 p.m. at least once a week with the intention of doing a relaxing activity (no channel surfing, or video games): reading for fun, knitting, working a jig saw puzzle.

3. Create a sleep ritual. An evening routine before bed (bubble bath, meditation, inspirational reading) signals your body to settle down for the night.

4. Keep regular hours. Going to bed around the same time each night and waking up close to the same time each morning (and that even includes weekends) keeps your biological clock in check.

5. Sleep in a cool, quiet, dark room and invest in not only a supportive mattress, but also comfy sheets, blankets and pillows.

6. Regular exercise can help relieve daily tension and stress, but experiment to see if gentle exercise before bed relaxes or stimulates you. Some people love to have their work out in the evening, others need to do it in the morning to get their day kick started.

I have done both Pilates and Yoga in the early evening and found them to be wonderful preludes to a good night’s sleep.

7. Before you go to bed, create a routine to put the day behind you and prepare for the next. Pick up an inexpensive notebook, or journal and each evening write 5 things that you are grateful for that happened to you during the day. Below your gratitude list, write a sentence or two about something you are looking forward to tomorrow. Set the scene for the next day and go to sleep with positive, up-beat thoughts.

Anyone who knows me, will not be surprised to hear me admit that a bubble bath and journal writing is part of my evening ritual. I have kept a Gratitude Journal since reading about it in Sarah Ban Breathnach’s SIMPLE ABUNDANCE almost 20 years ago. I marvel at all the many blessings in my life on a daily basis with this small, but powerful, exercise.

The stories we tell ourselves matter; they matter a great deal.

 

Unleash,

Mary

author and speaker

founder of The Unleashed Homemakertm
 
P. S. Change your story and you’ll change your life. Let me know how your story changes when you implement a suggestion you read here.
 
Unleash Your Creative Brilliance today - Go to my online calendar to set up your complimentary 30-minute strategy session appointment.
Filed Under: communications, story, Stress, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Enjoy the view

May 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

May is National Photo Month. Do you enjoy going to new places and photographing the exotic locations? Of course, you document your vacations, graduations, weddings, births and monumental moments in your life. But there are lots of “ordinary” moments you are not recording.

What about taking a tour of your neighborhood and taking a closer look at your own exotic location. Walk slowly and purposefully. Take in all the sights and situations you miss in your determined mission to get from Point A to Point B without ever enjoying  the journey. 

Looking at the world through a view finder can give you a whole new perspective on what surrounds you. Take along a notebook with your camera and jot down your thoughts about the scenes you observe. What are people doing? What do the sunshine and shadows tell you? What are the stories? 

Do you feel invisible behind the camera? 

Do you feel more power from that location?

Are you more approachable with a camera?

Are you more likely to approach someone else and initiate a conversation when you have a prop – such as the camera?

Perhaps your home offers opportunities to produce unique photos of your objects d’art. Pretend you are an explorer or a scientists and come upon this habitat, scene of domesticity, or work environment and wonder about the person/s who inhabit this place. 

What can you learn about the things they love?

What can you learn about the person they are striving to become?

What can you learn about the person they are right now this very minute?

Filed Under: Coaxing Creativity Tues Tip, nonfiction writing, Personal, Writing Tagged With: , , , , ,

In my wildest dreams…

May 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Friday five-minute writing prompt - In my wildest dreams…Last night, last week, last year, or something you’ve only fantasized about.

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use their computer. If that is your preferred method to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period of time.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – In my wildest dreams…

 or any other phrase that is comfortable for you. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes:  this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and/or fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

 

Filed Under: Creativity, General, nonfiction writing, story, Stress, Writing Tagged With: , , , ,

Still breathing

May 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed you literally could not breathe?

Times like that where it is fight or flight, which do you do?

Do you dig your heals in and say bring it on…

Or, do you swallow your tears, resign yourself to having no options and go numb?

I know what that feels like. 

I know what both sides feel like. 

I was rear-ended in a car accident and experienced one long headache for almost a year and a half after the  accident. Yes, the incident was a pain, but that’s not the ache I’m referring to. I literally had a headache that never went away no matter how many Advil I took or long baths I soaked in. I received some relief from neck massage and finally made the connection that my headaches were from the fact I was still reliving the impact of the car accident every day. I was holding my breath and tensing up my shoulders as my bumper crumpled in and accordion fold into the trunk of my car.

When I made the connection of the pain in my head and the story I kept reliving, I was able to seek a way to find a solution to my headaches.

I was not responsible for the accident. But I am responsible for changing the story I am living so that I can move past what caused the pain in the first place.

You can too.

Breathe!

Sound too simple? Perhaps, but give it at try. Stop what you are doing and fill your lungs. Now breathe out slowly. Do that for five more breaths. What do you feel? Maybe not a significant difference. Maybe you will even say nothing’s different.

It works for a lot of people not just me; I’m not the first person with this little bit of simple wisdom.

Fight or flight is a choice we face every day in a hundred different ways. Tapping into my creativity, writing in my journal, seeking simple stress management techniques (soaking in a bubble bath, getting a massage, attending a Yoga class) to I manage my survival instincts.

I’m still breathing.

How do you keep breathing?

 


Filed Under: copywriting, General, nonfiction writing, story, Stress, Writing Tagged With: , , , , ,

Take time for an Internal Audit

May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Hearing the word audit my thoughts turn to the April 15 deadline and the number crunching for the Internal Revenue Service. No, the Internal Audit I’m asking you to consider is all about the resources we deplete to the state of exhaustion and have such a difficult time replenishing. Don’t know what I’m talking about?

Do you ever skip breakfast and substitute a giant cup of coffee or tea, along with a bagel or jelly doughnut?

Do you ever grab a candy bar for lunch? Do you ever skip lunch and inhale the contents of your refrigerator standing up when you get home from work?

Do you ever feel as if you could sleep the entire weekend because you are exhausted from the stress of the week?

Now do you have an image of the “resources” I’m talking about? The Internal Audit I’d like you to conduct involves a notebook, a pen, and you sitting quietly for 15 minutes to answer the question: How do I build up my resources? Or, what is my plan to nurture myself to avoid depleting my valuable internal resources?

Make a plan right now to decide what you will do when faced with life’s challenges – because we all know that despite our best plans, sometimes we have to go to Plan B or just punt – so figure out what you want to do BEFORE facing those challenges.

1.  Have a quick breakfast option handy for those get-out-the-door-fast days such as a baggie of mixed nuts, or  protein shake/bar.

2.  Make your lunch for the next day while you are putting away dinner leftovers and in the morning all you have to do is grab and go.  

3.  Choose one night a week to go to bed at 9 p.m. Soak in the tub, read a book for pleasure, or catch up those magazines that have been piling up.

Filed Under: Coaxing Creativity Tues Tip, Creativity, General, story, Stress, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , ,

If I told you the truth, you wouldn’t believe me

May 14, 2012 By 2 Comments

I’m not who you think I am.

I am more than the sum of my identities:  wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, and volunteer. I am a problem solver, an investigator, compassionate communicator,  keen observer and a creative individual..

Above all, I am a writer. 

If I told you I only recently had the courage to describe myself with that definitive label, would you be surprised? Some of you would be because I talk about the important role writing plays in my life all the time. No one can utter the words, “Oh, I’m not a writer,” in my presence without a little friendly banter from me. It must seem ridiculous for someone who encourages others to write (to the point of accosting perfect strangers about it) to admit being uncomfortable claiming the mantle “writer”.

It is true.

I was afraid to admit the truth. It was simpler, as well as safer, to keep that part of myself hidden. Buried in my secret place where only I could access the dreams sheltered from the light. I couldn’t keep that part of me hidden because when I suppressed my writing, I suppressed myself. Have you ever felt that way?

 Writing is who I am and how I show up in the world. Writing played a critical part in my healing process from breast cancer, coping with day-to-day stress along with the biggies of moving across the country – twice – after having two jobs dissolve before our eyes.

 Why am I sharing this with you? What does the truth about me have to do with you?

 Because we are connected. While our stories may not contain the exact same details, they are similar enough. I bet you can recognize yourself in what I have shared. Just as I recognize myself in your struggles. We are all connected.

 Writing is how I connect and I would be doing you and myself a disservice if I didn’t share that gift of connection with you. Writing is my thing. Perhaps you know what your thing is…. or not. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is to share your truth and make connections. When I started writing and sharing my writing, my whole way of being in this world changed. I felt more connected not just with the world in general, but also with myself on a much deeper core level.

I encourage you to explore your conduit of connection. Tap into it. Receive the wisdom from your soul. Show up as the brilliant shining light only you can be 

 I’ve told you the truth. I invite you to tell me your truth. 

Mary

The Unleashed Homemakertm

 

P.S.  I am listening.  

 

Filed Under: communications, Creativity, General, nonfiction writing, story, Writing Tagged With: , , ,

Are my dreams bigger than my fears?

May 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Friday five-minute writing prompt – Are my dreams bigger than my fears?

 

Take out a fresh sheet of paper. Natalie Goldberg uses a “fast-writing” pen. I suggest using your favorite writing instrument and an unlined piece of colored paper for fun. I use a fountain pen with purple ink. Some folks opt to use their computer. If that is your preferred method to write, then just open a new word document on your computer and go for it. The point is to keep your fingers moving for five minutes and not stop. I want you to experience how much writing can be accomplished in a short period of time.

If you get stuck, just repeat the writing prompt – Are my dreams bigger than my fears?

Or any other phrase that is comfortable for you and keeps you writing. Do not stop to edit, correct spelling, look up a better word, or rearrange a sentence. Do not question what comes up in the five minutes:  this doesn’t make sense, where did that come from, or what a crazy notion. This is a timed writing exercise so be sure to set the timer on your watch, phone, microwave, computer, or kitchen stove. Whether you use an egg timer, a No. 2 pencil and spiral notebook, your iPad, or even your iPhone, the theory is the same. Keep your hand and/or fingers moving and have fun taking dictation from your unconscious self. Make a list, write a poem, or create a short, short story. This is your time to explore and experiment.

 

Filed Under: Five Minute Writing Prompt, General, nonfiction writing, Personal, Writing, Writing prompt Tagged With: , , , , , ,
« Older Posts