Sharing stories is both a means of entertainment and a method of conveying values. Stories give us insight and deeper understanding about ourselves and each other. I’ve been drawn to performing arts from an early age and to understanding human behavior for almost as long. Embarking on this new adventure of sharing a story with you each month of 2021 was born out of the marriage of two of my loves.
This tale marks the culmination of my storytelling voyage on fulfilling our potential. It is based on the work of Scott Barry Kaufman in his book, Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization.
“The Rose Prince” helps us realize our option to have a moment of clarity in the midst of our culture’s self-defeating messages. We can choose peace.
Achieving transcendence is hard work, a lifetime task. How do we promote inner harmony and then translate that into harmony with others? How do we develop a sense of our value and purpose? I will continue to use stories to help find the answers to these questions. I’ll be doing that through telling stories with other tellers, as opposed to recording them for my website. I invite you to share your stories with me. Blessings on your journey.
Here’s the punchline to the series of stories I’ve been telling this year. They are all about the hierarchy of needs that lead to fulfillment. It’s not about money, success or even happiness, but about becoming the best version of ourselves. This story focuses on what it means to live life on purpose.
When we find a pursuit that gives us a sense of meaning, we experience success. We cannot borrow or take this from anyone else. These gifts are within us and radiate out to others, giving us a reason to live. After my husband’s death, I realized I had a new identity. Who was I without him? My shirt with the label of wife was gone. Without my shirt I was reborn. Why had I come to earth? What gifts did I have to give? How could I be fulfilled without him? Where do you find purpose in your life? What shirt might you need to give up to find your true identity?
Beauty and the Beast teaches us lots of lessons about love. This relationship is not based on Beauty being blinded by passion for the Beast and he realizes it will be his heart that wins her, not his looks. Neither the Beast nor Beauty try to change the other, but slowly with time they get to know and like each other for who they truly are. They both grow because of their love for the other. The Beast becomes more giving and Beauty looks beyond the Beast’s exterior appearance.
Certainly Beauty and the Beast’s relationship has excitement and mystery. Even though the Beast turns back into a prince at the culmination of the story, I trust that the way their love began will continue throughout their marriage as they respect each other’s individuality. All and all, this is truly a story of mature love.
Do you get energized by the possibility of exploring something new? Engaging in exploration is a necessary element in our growth. The Stars in the Sky is a story of imagination. The star in this story is a girl who had a huge rush of dopamine flowing through her brain with the possibility of a reward. It was driving her motivation to explore and to find delight in the unknown.
I’m finding meaning and growth in my life by exploring stories and telling them to people like you. How are you being energized by the possibility of discovering new information and finding meaning and growth in these experiences. Please take ten minutes to watch this story and email me about how you are reaching for the stars.
What does it mean to have a healthy self-esteem? How do we overcome childhood experiences where we came to believe we didn’t matter? What might we learn from stories like “Cap-o’ Rushes” about what it means to believe we are worthy?
Narcissism has been in the news as of late and these stories cause me to wonder if at times, I am being too arrogant or in need of acclaim from others. In my opinion, the Cap-o’-Rushes story shows a woman who recognizes her good qualities and her ability to rise above her challenges without seeing herself as superior. I invite you to listen to my telling of this ten minute story and to share with me your insights.
The Four Friends and the HunterIn this time of pandemic, connection with friends and family is more important than ever. These connections enrich our lives and infuse it with meaning and growth. The story of “The Four Friends and the Hunter” illustrates the power of true connection. I am grateful to each one of you for our encounters, which have brought immense joy into my life. You are invited to take five minutes to sit with me around the fire while I share a video of my rendition of this ancient Indian story, originally written in Sanskrit.
Snow-White and Rose-RedBefore we can go anywhere in life, it’s helpful to have a sense of security, a feeling that we are safe from danger. This story reminds me of the contentment I experienced as a child growing up with my only sibling, my sister. It didn’t matter that we grew up relatively poor. Our parents were kind and compassionate and we learned to convey that to others in our lives. My sister and I have faced many challenges, but we have always stuck together.