Dancing is not what I do. It is apart of who I am. However, I do many other things besides, some of those things, out of necessity. I know many artists that, to my surprise, have fascinating and contributing careers outside of dance. I know chemists, seamstresses, professors, and theatre instructors. Like them, I create, I tell a story, not with needle or potions or stage, but with pen. Often the stories I tell are not of fiction either, I tell of my life, of real lives, of the struggle and the grace. Of the dance between passion and circumstance, I tell of fear of insecurity and freedoms purity. I find freedom in the dance and in the pen. Between those lines I remain until necessity no longer applies.

Thank you Jeff: http://youareawriter.com/contest/

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Letting Go 05/15/2012
 
  The biggest struggle for me, as an artist, is the dichotomy between finding time to write and pursue my research essential for the material, and finding a paying job. I worked with the same heart-less, ergonomically perilous corporation for a decade till right before Christmas. They forced me out. I felt free. I was free. Withdrawn 401k later, I am still free, and late on rent; unemployment denied. This story rings like a million others these last three years. But, I gave up so much, so much to keep that job. I put off my life's ambitions and believed the responsibility illusion. When I started to see through the fog about 3 years, and self- published my first book I was elated. It flopped. Yes, yes I know what you are thinking, and the War of Art is sitting right next to me- beaten and highlighted to hell. Resistance. It is resistance. So now, to return to the traditional work force seems like emotional suicide. The scope of my ambitions are immense, however my resources seem sparse. Still, it all comes  down to doing the work and letting go of the outcome.

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I am in the process of writing a book that explores possibilities for non-theists in 12 step programs. It is not intended to give preference or reason for theism or non-theism, but simply seeks to interpret the information in a modern, scientific and all inclusive fashion; an 'update'. I am not a spokes person for AA or any addiction program- nor may I speak for them. This is a personal undertaking, for which I do because I believe it necessary. Please sign up for updates at AgnosticRecovery.com  This is one part of something I call My Support Network. It is comprised of an interactive, multifunctional network that includes The Gratitude Wall, The Support Wall Journal, App, and Twitter feed. It is intended for all but particularly those struggling with addictions, recovery, loss, insecurity, abandonment, and rejection, or just plain fear and anxiety. This is a safe place... solution based and supportive. Equal rights and access to support regardless of age, gender, orientation, religion or spiritual beliefs, or lack thereof are VITAL to this campaign. "We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness."

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Seriously? Does it matter? Is he kidding? This author suggests that assaulting another person for fun because of their mannerisms is somehow equivalent to Obama having eaten dog in Indonesia or Bill Clinton "not inhaling". This is disturbing that the media would go along with Romney's down play of an act of sociopathic violence as a joke. No Sir, I do not think what Presidential Candidates have done in their personal lives should affect the election. However, when they step out of the realm of personal experimentation into illegal discriminatory assault- then we have a big problem.
-My commentary on article below

Was Mitt Romney a bully? Does it matter? Posted by Chris Cillizza at 12:04 PM ET, 05/10/2012
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His newsletter has almost 10 thousand subscribers. He inspires hundreds to pursue their writing with vigor, and has successfully published yet another ebook with rave reviews. But, I think Jeff might have missed something in his diligent presentation of forward literary crafting. There is an age old adage at the core of his success.

So wait, who's Jeff?

Jeff Goins is an author of numerous publications, an inspiring Top Writer's Blogs winner and has just released a new ebook, "You are a Writer (So Start Acting Like One)".

In Jeff Goin's "The Writers Manifesto", he shows us the importance of self branding. Speaking from a decade of marketing experience, I absolutely concur. However, it is not the simple yet effective true-to-himself Jeff brand alone that boomerangs his followers back.

We email, buy, read, comment, follow, share Jeff, because we care about Jeff.

Jeff's work creates a subtle but powerful connection with his readers. As fellow writer's - colleagues - we are not only invested in his success but also his satisfaction. He has struck out on a path, one he alone can take, but not wholly dissimilar to our own. We, other bloggers and authors, see in him what may be created for ourselves. Our admiration of his drive strengthens this bond, which may be seen as validating the brand, but is fundamentally human connection. Each may even experience almost an indemnity, because as they invest in Jeff's work, so they invest in their own potential. For art is a risk. We take part in Jeff's quest. We care about his quest. But being around one so brazen is dangerous, their ideas are infectious. Persisting to be your authentic self is a gamble. We turn to Jeff for a moment of inspiration, maybe a gentle push, and he says "Believe you already are what you want to be. And then start acting like it."

Check Jeff Goins & his new ebook out:
http://goinswriter.com/

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What does Resistance feel like?

First, unhappiness. We feel like hell. A low-grade misery pervades everything. We're bored, we're restless. We can't get no satisfaction. There's guilt but we can't put our finger on the source. We want to go back to bed; we want to get up and party. We feel unloved and unlovable. We're disgusted. We hate our lives. We hate ourselves.

Unallievated, Resistance mounts to a pitch that becomes unendurable. At this point vice kicks in. Dope, adultery, web surfing.
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Oh Pell No 04/25/2012
 
Regardless of how you feel about the national debt, the imitation polar party system, or the President himself- this is bad news all the way around. I can speak from personnel experience that the cost of secondary education was quite a shock for my relatively middle income family. Without Stafford Loans, my options for higher learning might have meant evenings with National Geographic VHSs'. The exorbitant cost of education has fortunately lifted the stigma of Community College. With the huge influx of new technologies and flocking students however, Community and State Schools have become equally difficult to afford. The average credit card interest rate probably runs anywhere from 9-15%. Higher interest loans, such as the kind on luxury items, store cards and electronics, may peak as much as 25%. The Stafford loan at 3-4% makes it an accessible product for the burgeoning student, or the parent deferring retirement to afford education. What will happen to this next generation? The politicians deciding their fates paid as little as $1000 a year for their college education. Do they even fathom the impact this decision could have on society? Remember this when you head to the polls next November. The loan you save might be your own.
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I came across an article shared on LinkedIn that I find has some really great points and I recommend anyone looking for a job check it out.

http://www.careerattraction.com/the-truth-about-the-hidden-job-market/
By: Kevin Kermes

I agree with Kevin's approach, but I also believe the job disparity is a rouse and being used to take advantage of people's desperation; not by politicians, by the corporations themselves. From my time on the inside, having watched a small company ride the cusp of a booming industry into the  public market, I learned a lot about prospective interests, profit projection and the like. Put simply, there isn't a  job shortage- there is a hiring shortage. In practise here is the simple concept of supply and demand. As long as demand stays high, even though the workforce has an ample amount of people to draw from, corporations will sit back and act the victim of a bad economy. Labor force as a result has been forced thin, salaries and benefits have stooped to an impossible to live off low, and companies are making huge profits. There is no hidden job market, in fact it is in plain sight. There are plenty of jobs, that companies refuse to fill so they can make more money. Don't believe me, check the next short staffed and overworked retail outlet you frequent's profit margin last year. Highest in over a decade? Not surprised.
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It concerns me greatly this issue of employee benefit cuts for the sake of business salvation. Not only does it undermine the premise of a free market, which is a conversation best reserved for another day, but it is presented as a positive tool out of the standard grim picture. From retail I have seen an epidemic of self important retirees with an over whelming entitlement complex. The grateful appreciation for ones pension, retirement, 401k, social security and medicare, have been replaced by an 'owe me' attitude targeted directly at the younger, poorer or less educated- as if it was their fault. ( what is the average age of law-makers in congress and corporate CEO's anyway? ) There is a prevailing misunderstanding that as these rightfully earned benefits are squished, somehow the end result is money in the pockets of the younger, lazier, less disciplined class. This mistake sadly, is one of many incorrect views; not just because of truth-less stereotypes but because of misplaced blame. The truth remains in the fact that the over worked and discouraged post yuppy generation has no pension, no retirement, will have no social security and certainly cannot afford the minimum 10% set aside for a satisfactory 401k. What's worst is with school cuts, there is no economics class to tell them. This is all in addition to the necks of medicare and medicaids' fate on the guillotine.
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Gratitude 03/04/2012
 
My gratitude carries me... an undercurrent of inspiration guides. Even when I stop pointing with the stream, peaked for success... even when I crumble up into a ball and allow my sweet tears to blend with the salty energy... even still I am afloat and moving forward- driven by heart and rolling with the tide... I tumble along. But today my eyes gaze up, thru the marbled blue I see an expanse of opportunity. There is no horizon, only the continuation of my bountiful journey. When I reflect, my heart is heavy with the forks that seemed to be misguided dreams. I look over my shoulder - there is nothing there. For everything I have is ahead of me, and everything ahead of me is mine to have. I own the greatest gift- endless provision... and as the bread the fish, it will never stop multiplying as long as I give it away. Come with me on my journey, For what great manifestations that awaits are already here at hand.
Originally blogged 2009, Copyright exert from "Recovering the Goddess", by: Tisa Loewen
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