Dear wonderful woman,
For a gazillion years, the question has been asked of artists and writers: “How do you get these creative ideas?†While I’m sure stacks of research exist regarding this topic, my own opinion is that the good stuff comes to us from God—or as I often say, the Divine.
We each have our own favorite word for God, so I hope my word is inclusive for you. In my worldview, the word Divine covers pretty much every spiritual entity who might be whispering in your ear. Today’s guest writer has her own set of words, phrases and experiences.
Rosanne has a conscious mission to write with the Divine. She writes from her soul, with an honesty that engages both the heart and the mind. Here’s how she explains her writing journey.
Pep Talks to Jump-Start Writing
by Rosanne Carlson
My writing process is a spiritual exercise, and its purpose is to help others. My friend recently asked me what my “writing process†was. Huh? I don’t know. I needed to think about it for a while. I think  she wanted to know how I get started or come up with my writing ideas. This question made me stop and ask myself, What IS my writing process?
For me, the writing process began many years ago as I struggled to stay strong and centered during difficult circumstances. Writing became a survival tool that I used to keep myself on track—and not fall to pieces. What I’m going to tell you next may sound a little odd, but it’s the absolute truth!
I never slept well because I was up several times a night taking care of my son, Geoffrey, who had a seizure disorder which was always worse at night. By morning, I could hardly drag myself out of bed to help get my other kids ready for school. Some days I just wanted to cry.
I’d be in the bathroom brushing my teeth, looking into the mirror. How am I going to get through another day? On one particular morning, something made me think about Saturday Night Live. Back in the 80’s, Al Franken played a character on the show named Stuart Smalley.
Smalley was a nerdy self-help guru who always had things going wrong in his life, but at the end of the day, he looked at himself in the mirror and said, â€I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like me!â€
There I was, ready to cry, but instead, started to laugh. I thought, I’m going to start saying something like this to myself every day! So, from then on I made up my own positive sayings, found  Bible verses, wise sayings, or other uplifting messages and taped them to the mirror. I noticed that my days got off to a better start when I did this. We call these affirmations today, but back then, I just thought of them as giving myself a pep talk.
Recently, world renowned motivational author and teacher, Louise Hay, has come out with a process called Mirror Work. Amazing! The premise of the work is to speak to yourself lovingly while gazing into a mirror. And, yes, even saying to yourself, “I love you!†This can be quite difficult at first; especially if you feel unloved or have been made to feel like everything is your fault. NOT! With a little bit of practice it gets easier and easier.
As for my writing process, I don’t stare into the mirror, but I do look at myself when I say the affirmations, and then move on to my writing space. I say a prayer or affirmation before I write. I sit in a quiet, peaceful area of the house and wait for the ideas to flow.
Perhaps, I should move my desk in front of the bathroom vanity. This has been a lesson in self-love and knowing that my Creator loves me too!
Remember: “You’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and dog-gone it, people like you!â€
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If you are fortunate enough to know Rosanne, you’d agree that people do like her and even more importantly, she is worthy to write! Her life’s challenges have built resilience, resolve and resourcefulness. This gives her something valuable to say and her inspired writing has  already helped many people—and she’s just beginning!
Your life is also rich with lessons to share. I’m happy to announce a new tool we’ve developed to jump-start writing your life’s story. We call it Footprints on the Trail and I’m proud to say that Rosanne used her Divine guidance to help name it!
Good things happen when you think,write and live in communion with God!
May your Spiritual Anchor support your Confidence,
Jan