Here, Take This Gift

Posted on April 5, 2017 by Julie Tallard Johnson

For life to happen we have to receive the first breath. For life to continue we have to receive the abundance of light, nourishment, love and care offered us. If we don’t know how to receive, we will starve. When we are not receptive, we become like Hungry Ghosts. These are the creatures from a Bardo state, where ghosts have small mouths, so little nourishment gets in and the food just falls through their phantom bodies. As a result they are always hungry. Parker J. Palmer refers to this state of chronic hunger as the “Empty Self Syndrome.” We may even win the presidency … Continue reading →

Two Fundamentals

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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I encourage writers to include two fundamental habits in our life: secure that place and time to write (everyday); gather with other writers. Today I am sharing some places to come write, gather, learn, and make contact with your Muse (and the page). Let me start with the FREE WRITERS’ Retreat: Spring Green, WI. On SATURDAY MARCH 4th we are offering my first 2017 (free) WRITERS’ RETREAT at a friend’s home southwest of Spring Green in Clyde Township in her spacious, lovely home. Begins at 10:00 am and goes till 4:00. Write, enjoy a sunny spot on a window bench (she has a large home with plenty of writing … Continue reading →

Fire Ceremony

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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It’s time for a fire ceremony! Do you feel it too? Do you have something to release into the fire to help make room of what’s next in your life? On FRIDAY OCTOBER 7th I am offering my final (free) WRITERS’ RETREAT at my home and retreat center for this year. Click here for more information: http://www.julietallardjohnson.com/calendar/41 As our wrap up on Friday’s retreat at 3:00, we will have a FIRE CEREMONY. Before coming to the fire circle, create an offering out of burnable materials, typically a small stick. This “spirit arrow” can represent an issue or something that needs to be honored in order … Continue reading →

Give Your Self A Day: It’s Free

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

On this coming FRIDAY AUGUST 5th and then on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2nd I am offering my (free) WRITERS’ RETREAT at our home and retreat center: Thundering Clouds Center for Creative Living, LLC. Begins at 10:00 am and goes till 4:00. Bring own lunch. Write, walk the labyrinth spiral in the restored prairie, stalk the woods, visit with the horses. Take a spot on the deck. Enjoy the awakening inside and out. We have 40 acres to explore. Or, sit comfortably in the Writer’s gazebo. At 3:00 we have a sharing circle. The prairie spiral is in full August bloom. This is an opportunity too … Continue reading →

How Not To Be Discouraged

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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. . . it is important that awake people be awake, or a breaking line may discourage them back to sleep; the signals we give–yes or no, or maybe– should be clear; the darkness around us is deep. –William Stafford, A Ritual To Read To Each Other For many of us these can be discouraging times. Then again, I doubt any of us get through our lives free of discouragement. Like me, you may be discouraged by the outpour of support for Trump. Or you may be in a job or relationship that undermines you. Or you have experienced a great … Continue reading →

You Live (and Write) By The Light You Find

Posted on December 23, 2015 by Julie Tallard Johnson

We must tend to the inner light, that flicker that never goes out as if everything else depends upon its heat. Because everything does depend upon the condition of this inner light. If the flicker is so small, the light so dim, that even as the host we cannot benefit from its heat or light, then we are likely causing more harm in the world than good. We are likely relying on false and faulty ways of being active in the world. In buddhist teachings these faulty ways, that lead to an increase in suffering (and a dimming of the inner … Continue reading →

Ask The Expert This

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Julie Tallard Johnson

There are no experts on a subject. I trust the teacher (doctor or friend) who is still learning about their subjects. I trust the one who continues to explore subjects. When someone stops exploring, they stop learning and this “quitting” interferes with their capacity to truly contribute. When they stop their exploring their view becomes increasingly narrow where they ignore a wider berth of possibilities. I don’t seek “experts,” unless they are willing to engage in authentic conversation. In this authentic conversation we both explore together, so that we may discover what is truly possible. If we “already know” then we are unlikely to discover anything new. For … Continue reading →

Frogs Into Princes

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Julie Tallard Johnson

The Vulnerable Man Who? Who is to turn this frog into a prince? Who is to wake the one asleep inside the virescent, damp skin? I see him glimpse out into this cast spelling world . . . Who? Who is to release the Divine, hidden in the heart of the exiled Beast? Beauty me? Beauty you? Beauty before, behind, below? Who? Who cast the spell? drove the beast into exhile? made thorns on roses? Who? Not me! Have the Maker kiss the emerald frog, break the wet skin that holds the inner man Have the Maker and Caster … Continue reading →

Opportunities and Gatherings

Posted on September 9, 2015 by Julie Tallard Johnson

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Dear Writers, Today’s blog is an invitation to join me in any of these upcoming offerings: September’s FREE Writing Retreat is Friday September 25th! This is an opportunity to meet up with other poets and writers. http://www.julietallardjohnson.com/calendar/41 I offer these days in remembrance, and as a way to honor the poet and essayist, William Stafford. He appreciated the written word as a way to maintain the integrity of our shared humanity and felt it worthwhile to support other writers and poets. He lived an open life. Please email for directions and to register: julie@julietallardjohnson.com A unique opportunity to VISION THROUGH Breathwork: (Evening of … Continue reading →

Bewitched By Backstory

Posted on April 29, 2015 by Julie Tallard Johnson

At 5:15 each weekday morning I am up with my virtual writing support group. About eight of us have committed to “write together.” By the time I have sent my daughter off to school I have fulfilled one creative intention. This accomplishment lifts me up throughout the day. Still, this getting to the page isn’t any sort of magic pill. I still have to get the words out. I still have to have my words find a way to become a scene of a good story. And there in is a glitch — Somewhere in my fiction writing I find myself … Continue reading →