How about this for a resolution: “I resolve to have more poetic and satisfying experiences in 2016!” Or, if you want to stick with the tired old “I want to floss more,” you can. Up to you. If the former though, we’ve got some good ideas for you. Here are 9 poetic experiences/resolutions for 2016 (or anytime!) that James Broughton himself would sanction.
1. Commune with the Divine.
pic by Aimée Cartier
Do it in whatever way works for you. James’ was forever doing things like leaving love notes and poems tucked into trees. He had a pulsing connection to spirituality that thrummed through his life and work. His relationship with Spirit was an open dialogue. It wasn’t hidden or kept for special occasions or special places. It was woven into his day-to-day moving and meanderings, wherever he happened to be. Why not make your own love notes to the divine and tuck a few in here or there in your yard, neighborhood, or wild?
For more inspiration see our BIG JOY THEME: SPIRITUALITY.
pic by Joel Montes de Oca
2. Add more poetry!
Read more poetry aloud. Write more poetry. Why not? You know, James often wrote poems for specific occasions: A friend’s birthday, an important event. Try your hand at it. Just the act of putting pen to page is a good first step. Here is an audio of James reading one of his: Here’s to It: A Metaphysical Drinking Song. (There are also 10 of these on our BIG JOY soundtrack.) And a handful of Broughton poems to get you started. Read them aloud right now! Better now than never!
3. Adopt the motto, “It’s never too late for love.”
James found his own soul mate when he was in his 60’s.
James and Joel were together for the last quarter century of James’ life. (If you want to see their whole inspiring love story, you can. It’s in our film, BIG JOY:
The Adventures of James Broughton.)
4. Feast with your senses.
Poetry lives in sensation. Experience the bright smell of a fresh lemon and the way the scent and interior juice mists out of the blade’s puncture. For something a little more racy or sublime, wash another or be bathed by someone else. Human sensations can illicit poetic feeling.
As James said, “It is more important to live poetically than to be a good poet.”
Being at one with, aware of and open to the sensational experiences of the human body is one way to do so. If you like men being sensual together, you’ll probably get some good ideas from James film, “Devotions.” (It’s in the short film collection. But here’s a “Devotions” peek from our You Tube Channel too.) If you have a different style, skip the movie and go to your own happy place or favorite sensual experience, alone or together.
pic by Thom Chandler
5. Drink 2 glasses of water first thing in the morning.
pic by Wonderlane
It’s random, but practical. Many recent studies support the life enhancing and prolonging affects of drinking plain old water. James himself drank two large glasses first thing every morning.
6. Be truly present for other human beings.
This can happen in small ways that truly make a difference. In the making of the movie BIG JOY, so many people came forward to express moments they had shared with James Broughton that were deeply meaningful to them. In many cases all James Broughton really did was be his own authentic self while being supremely attentive to the person before him. Many people talked about how James made them feel special and important just by the way he addressed them. He looked into their eyes and often held people’s hands while speaking to them. Isn’t that sweet!? You could try it too! Here’s one of our favorite stories of this by author Tom Spanbauer.
7. Host a good party.
James and Joel were known for hosting fantastic parties. It doesn’t have to be huge. But to be spectacular James Broughton style, it does have to include a certain amount of true presence, panache, and creativity (even if it’s just in the form of what is eaten, discussed, or worn.) If you want more inspiration check out our “Celebration” theme on our BIG JOY Themes page. If you want a few party ideas check out our Host a Salon page. You can do it however you want, though—it’s your party after all. “Follow your own weird!”
8. Explore your sexuality.
Yes, you heard that right. James once said, “Never resist any temptation. Except celibacy.” His words and films depict sexuality as romantic, sensual, worth celebrating, godly. If you want to know more, check out our article on James Broughton’s 8 axioms of healthy sexuality or our Healthy Sexuality BIG JOY theme.
pic from James Broughton’s film “Erogeny”
9. Express yourself creatively.
James had oodles to say on this subject. (He wrote a whole book on it called Seeing The Light. For a tweet or post, you can download his book here.) If you want to see the whole kit and caboodle of what we’ve already published on his creative thoughts you can check out our Pinterest page. James journaled and wrote poetry nearly every day. His journals are also full of whimsical sketches like the one pictured here. 
Daily application of his creative mind helped him produce 23 books and 23 films. How many have you done so far? You’ve still got time! One word, one brush stroke, one idea at a time a new work is created. We’re rooting for you!
pic by Ana Grillo
For more inspiration watch our film, BIG JOY: The Adventures of James Broughton. Seriously, it’s inspiring to watch another artist and life lover’s tale. It gives you ideas of your own. We hear this all the time from our audiences.
You can also check out our BIG JOY THEMES page for more inspiration. These are themes that James Broughton lived in his life, ones that are depicted in his work, and/or seen in our film.
Cheers to a new year!
James Broughton circa 1979 by Joel Singer