What’s conveyed between the lines?

We share small and large conversations with our family, friends and our customers everyday. A few years back, I had an interesting conversation with a local contractor and ended up with a new story to share. I needed some work done on a little house project and called...

The story of No and Yes

No was very powerful at one time in the world. That’s all anyone heard others say and that’s all that was said.  No, I can’t do this. No I disagree with that. No, it is not possible to have that now. And on it went. Parents said it to children. Children said it to parents. Bosses said it to their employees and on it went …

If a story was a marshmallow – here’s a game to keep in your back pocket

This is one of my very favorite games. In my life, this little game has now risen to  the level of a practice!  I’ve done it so often now that it is simply a part of my life. Here’s an example where I compare story(s) to marshmallows … this exercise of taking one thing and comparing it to another is wonderful for gaining perspective in a number of different ways.  It’s a game with legs and you can bring it to your story work, the invitations that  are presented to you in life, or you can use it to add a little humor to your day.  It’s a great little learning tool to have in your back pocket.

When you play – does it mean you’re smiling?

When we think of play, we often imagine ourselves or someone smiling or laughing. But one of the first things I noticed when beginning my story work was that I could also feel sad, satisfied, lonely, happy, irritated, intrigued, frustrated, joyful, angry, curious, etc. while playing with stories. My emotions were real and yet if you’d asked me what I was feeling overall I would have said I was feeling playful …

Storytelling Tip # 9: Shadow Play

My shadow waves back at me as if to say hello. It beckons me to be playful, to stop and share, to consider and reflect, to become more open minded. Shadows are varying shades of grey, they are metaphorical, they follow you and they light the path. They are long and short. The distort and they eccentuate. Shadows ask us to drop assumptions, or see or do something new – they invite inspection.

When someone we love chooses silence

I like silence, there are times I love it. Silence is often beautiful, but it can be perplexing. Especially when it comes out-of-the-blue and there is simply no answer to a text, a call, or why the silence is so loud and long lasting. I have a loved one who has stopped talking, gone their own way. And the thing is I’ve actually benefited from their choice to be silent … What has helped me is to look at what I really want …

Storytelling Tip #7: Tell the stories that you have a passion for

I have a lot of stories on my imaginary shelf. Some have been there for a very long time. I’m sure a new one or two will pop in today. And, some disappear and then are those that pop in and out. I learn something from all of them … What about that passion we have for a tale that has nothing to do with love, the ones that provoke a passionate revulsion – a strong feeling of wanting to turn away – shut the door. The stories that produce those kind of – what some call – negative feelings can be treasures in disguise.