A Wooden Seat

A horse-drawn hearse’s wooden seat, horse hair falling though the frame, memories flooding my mind, I stopped by the funeral home. My Father’s former horse-drawn hearse now resides there, I stood holding the remaining part as said my good-byes to it and the memories – some of the stories that defined our lives growing up. Public reactions to two young children peering out in the area where coffin’s are carried, clopping along down public streets. Hooped skirts, tall top hats and black formal suits appeared as griever and driver fall in parade route lines. Stories, memories, the very things that add meaning and define the meaning of our lives.

Standing in the waiting room, I spoke with a woman about her life and life living memories. She talked about the care packages of cookies and bread, that at age 40 she still receives from her 92 year old grandmother. The care packages that she herself now sends to a friend and her family, due to unforeseen circumstances, is stranded, with out friends or family in a country not their own. Now further carrying on the tradition of care packages, she is adding a recent high school graduate, off to collage, his first time away from home as the next recipient of memory, story laden care packages.

Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!

Today’s Leap into Tomorrow’s Story Goal line!

Welcome to a bran new baby day? What would you like to experience today! Another chapter in a familiar, but fossilized story? A new variety of  an old favorite? Or a brand new story, never before told or retold, in celebration of this most magnificent day?

Each day, like an incredible story, starts with things are; change happens; a new normal unfolds. Your next life’s story supplemental goal line options and opportunities . . .

Magical Kiss Number 1:  Write up and imagize what you already know how to do, with a slight increase in skill value.

Bulls Eye Number 2:  Write up and imagize what you think that you can do and accomplish. This of course requiring a much higher practice and skill level than the first.

Golden Harp Number 3:  What do you really, really, absolutely  really want to do? The very thing that makes your hair stand on end, your feet uncontrollable leap into the air and your nose hairs to get stuck in your bronchial tubes. You have not idea how, but you know and you know you know that some how you will. When the will becomes the realization of how and how becomes the realization of a first food to arrive at goal line’s destination – Wow! Life transformation celebration! Now kidding, thank goodness, relief sighing extravaganza, someone out there really is listening life will never be the same again, personal life living transformation.

Looking forward to hearing of your life’s story’s new normal unfolding!

Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!

“Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast!!!!!!!!”

Thank you Produce Timothy Burton in the movie Alice in Wonderland! I love it, especially in the scene where Alice must face, to the death, the dreaded Jaberwalki – a huge, winged, creature with teeth half the size as Alice.  Through the encouragement of the Mad Hatter, Alice thinking of the Six impossibly things that have happened before breakfast:  falling down a rabbit hole, pastry mix that made her grow instantly grow larger and smaller, the key to the tiny room . . . listing them off one at a time until she reaches number 6 – Killing a Jaberwalki. Seconds later he takes a near fatal swing at her. Gathering her courage she affirms number six on her list – “Yes, and Kill a Jaberwalki”, as this remains the only impossible task that has not been possibly accomplished thus far. And yes again, Alice does indeed kill the Jaberwalki and defeats the evil Queen of Hearts.

Using the power in the blood of the Jaberwalki, she is able to return home through the rabbit hole of transformation. Dusty, dirty, filled with confidence, courage and determination she tactfully declines the marriage proposal from one she never loved and one that never loved her. She continues on in her new found strength of self assurance and renewed life purpose and addresses the other bullies, ruling lords and want a be’s in her world, saving the most transformative for last.

Standing in her almost former, now never to be, Father in law’s office, she proposes a business transaction in a never done before trade with China. Seeing the confidence, vision and raw courage of this amazing you woman, he agrees, noting that if this idea had been spoken from the lips of any one else, he would surely have said no.

Wow! Yes, we have all completed the five impossible tasks before breakfast, with number six pending.  What is the five impossible tasks that you have completed before breakfast? What is the sixth impossible task that will be completed before supper?

Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!

Thank You Storyteller Bill Harley!!!!!!!

“Stories Out Loud”
My TEDx Talk

In April I gave a talk at a TEDx event at Moses Brown School in Providence, RI. For those of you not familiar with TED, it’s a conference and website that offers talks by interesting people doing interesting things. In my talk, I tried to distill the essence of what I have learned and think about story and storytelling. I was supposed to talk for ten minutes, and talked a little longer (what do you expect from a storyteller?). But I think it captures what much of my life’s work has been about and thought you’d like to take a look at it:

Awesome! Inspiring! Thank you Bill!

Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!

Tiger’s Goat Bleeting Identy

It happened, one of those strange tragic moments in life’s predatoring prey cycle. A tiger, as hunger as she was full with child. Seeing a herd of goats, using every source of strength found any where in her entire being, she ran, she pounced, she collapsed. Goats scattering in all directions. With in her final breaths of life, she gave birth to a beautiful little cub.

Sensing that danger was no longer a threat, the goats return to their grazing land only to discover a new-born stranger in their midst. Being community oriented and parentally inclined, the goats take in and raise this stripped, hornless creature.

A few years later, another larger animal stalks and pounces on the heard, again scattering the goats in all directions. Yes, the goats, not the tiger, for the tiger remains undisturbed, quietly munching on clumps of grass. The larger animal taking full responsibility for his herd scattering endeavors, introduces himself as tiger.

“A vegetarian, the other tiger embodied creature bleets in reply. “

“Embarrassing,” roars the Tiger, watching the awkward slobbering and dirt spitting grazing habits of this misguided carnivore.

Perplexed and stunned, the Tiger turns to the grass feeding one and requests a brief conference at the water’s edge. It is agreed.

The Tiger looks at the grass-eating one, “You too are Tiger.

This grass eater pauses, uncertain on how to respond. Tiger takes his face and positions it over the unwavering, un-shimmering depths of water’s pure reflection. Then too places his face, in water’s reflected images, next to the grass eater’s reflection.

Stunned, the grass eater has to admit that he looks nothing like the animals he surrounds himself with . Too, that while he resembles Tiger in stripes and fur, he does not have the same fullness of shape, development of muscles or vibrancy of color or language that Tiger possesses.

Tiger then takes the grass eater home with him. Entering his den, oozing with the freshness of today’s catch, he rips out a chunk of blood dripping flesh and shoved it into grass eater’s mouth.

Choking and sputtering, the grass eater bleets out, “But I am a vegetarian!”

No cries Tiger, you are a Tiger”

Still choking and sputtering as the richness of the meat abundance enters his body, grass eater begins to step into his true being, as this new food seems to give him a strength and heath that he has not known until now. Using all the strength and courage within his being his fleeting bleet becomes a mini roar.

“Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” Unknown

Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!

50 Ways . . . Myth’s Passionate Embrace!

Sun, waking up the dawning of day, looks out over the depths of ocean’s waters. With his rays touching the first waves of the day, Sun peers into Ocean’s expansive depths artfully illuminating her magnificent array of plants, fish and sea animals pulsing within her waters. But wait. Sun looks deeper into the light of his rays. For there moving between the sky and ocean’s surface, Sun’s eyes see a creature like none he has seen before.  A beautiful mermaid with her long flowing hair, her crystalline eyes, glittering tail and her glowing smile captures his heart. Watching her, never wanting to know what life might be like without her, Sun sends Rainbow to call upon her.

Seeing Rainbow, Mermaid rides skyward on her shimmering tide of color until she appears in the presence of Sun. In a moment of passionate knowing, infinite love and expansive passion, the two join together as one. Mermaid, now joining the village of the sky becomes Night’s ruling light.

In the moments of time, suspended between day and night, when neither is visible anywhere in the expansiveness of Sky, you may wonder. You may even question . . . but the answer is really quite simple. In those special moments you will know that they are together in love’s passionate embrace. Just look to the Stars, their children, to know their story of infinite love.

An island Myth adapted and retold by Storyteller Grace Wolbrink – All rights reserved 2012.

Instead of 50 ways to leave your lover, how about 50 qualities you wish to experience in your lover’s passionate embrace? For those seeking a partner, take a few minutes and write down 50 qualities you desire in a loving, romantic relationship. Carry them with you. Read them often. Celebrate his/her arrival in your life.

Already in a relationship? Write down 50 qualities that you love in your lover. Read them often and share them through out the days, weeks and months that lie ahead. Celebrate your expanding list.

Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!

A Story – An Identy

Sitting in a small conference room, one by one talking with shock, grief ridden staff. The images of their lives, the faces of the ones they loved now passed. Now what?

Many a person I spoke with were caregivers to the people who are no longer with them in the physical form. Their lives, routines, patterns and identy’s were partly defined by the love and support they shared for another, unable to completely care for themselves.

It too reminds me of a story and its basic development. Life is as it is – Change Happens – A new normal unfolds. Redefining a new life’s story! Wow! A challenge, an adventure and a journey rolled into one.

In telling the next part of you life’s story – where are you now? What are you doing? Where do you want to go or to experience? Yes, what do you wish to experience! No, not goals – experiences. Goals you reach for, experiences you enter.

Hold the images of your next life experience in your mind. Talk about them. Ask yourself: Who am I ? Where am I? Who is with me? What am I doing? Build the vivid imagery of your new adventure. See yourself in this amazing, life fulfilling experience. Look around, who is with you, what are you doing? What in your life has challenged?

Remember, just like a story, the ending is never the same as the beginning. Embrace the unfolding of your new life experiences!

Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!

Wild Crazy!!!!!! Storyjize Your Life!

Wow! I had the most wild crazy, infinitely amazing weekend! Hanging out in the desert sands of AZ for a motivational conference. Rolling through the end a missing purse plants seeds of fear and panic. Another day prior to airline take off, shuttles to schedule and  . . of my . . . another day at the hotel! Now what?Cancelled cards . . . now what?

A lady challenges me  to draw a circle and make a list of ways that the funding might come through for the next leg of my journey. Armed with pen and paper, surrounded by the chorus of folkloric voices from our ancestral past, the words poured through. Wow! Now What? . . . . Hum, yes, an Irish all time favorite – so much so that over 140 variants of The Man with No Story have been found.

Times being hard in Ireland, this basket maker kisses his wife good-bye and heads off to the fairy glen to gather some of the finest reeds in all of Ireland. Take a lunch break snooze, he wakes up to slicable thick fog. Tripping along the unseen ground he comes upon a house, entering in tand elderly couple asks for a story for his stay.

A story, why he has none! Oh no!

Finding a buck in his hand he standing at the corner of the well a wind gusts picks him up and swirls him off to another pouch under the clear night’s moon. Ah, a wake in process, he finds a fiddle in his hand, for it is time to dance. A fiddle – not a lesson, but all agreed he is the finest fiddler in all the land. A robe and pray book now in hand, for it is time for the mass. Oh no – church – maybe last century! But all had to agree, he is the finest priest in all the land. Pallbearers called forth for it is time to leave for the graveyard.  Oh my – one too tall in comparison to the other three. He finds a saw in his hand and a mask on his face. Not one class did he take, yet all had to agree he was the finest doctor in all the land.

Four average sized pallbearers lead the wake back over the stone wall.

The winds blows, a basket weaver finds himself back by the well on a foggy night with a story to tell. From this time on he never gain lacked in the receiving of money, food or a place to stay.

Asking for a moment on stage, a folkloric story to tell and new adventure unfolds! Never a detail of missing purse, just a story of someone who found a story to tell. Transportation received, food received and a place to rest my eyes and body received! All for the price of a story to tell!

A special thank you to all the magnificent beings who just “showed up” not knowing why, as my adventurous, story filled journey began!

Until next time . . . Let a Storyographers Journey Begin!

Sisters – Unexpected Suprise!

Sitting inside a standard hotel conference room, event attendees restlessly talking and a few still milling around. The rustling of books, pens, papers and sneak pre-views of promised treasured words and bringing forth, in new light and depth of timeless wisdom shared from our ancestors’ past. Well known, loved and inspirational speaker takes the stand. Welcoming comments, introductions and house keeping details momentary quiets participants. One special introductory invitation follows another as a much cherished older sister now joins her younger sister and conference host on  stage’s platform. Arm and arm a tragic story spills forth. Misty eyed sister, briefly re-visits the pain of her past. The story continues.

Thirty years of marriage comes to an abrupt end. Meeting the challenges of moving from pain and brokenness . . . I am not worthy . . . I am not enough, to finding new strength - an inner voice emerges. Pen to paper, poetry’s story unfolds. Known to one, but not to all, a forward is read, from one sister to another.

“Many articles, books and therapies have been developed to help individuals overcome the hurt and sadness of sibling rivalry.

Can you imagine what it might be like, from the moment of your very first memory, to have a sibling who ALWAYS helped yu feel loved, supported and cared for?

I know, it’s hard for most people to imagine that this could even be a possibility. Yet the book you are about to read is written by such an individual.”

Tears of pain now replaced with streaming tears of unbelievable joy, as her book, the very words she wrote over 20 years ago, complete with cover, forward and a stack of soon to be gifted, first time ever released, publication of her healing work through a journey of poetry strength and prose.

“Jackie is intellectually very smart and artistically, as poet, well, Jackie is simply GIFTED.

The book you hold in your hand is an account of her journey through the end of her marriage and finding her ay into her new life. Here you will find gold nuggets of Truth and encouragements of awareness that can support your entire’s life journey . . . “

Forward by Mary Morrissey, Jackie’s forever grateful sister in Jackie’s now freshly published book entitled: From Dumped to Dazzling by Jackie Henry.

Now there is a story to tell!

Until next time . . . Let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!

3 Key’s in Making a Story a Story!

What is Story?

Story:  the place where the ending is never the same as the beginning A story is the place where life is as it is – Change Happens – Now What? Begins . . .  The unfoldment of life’s new normal or the impact of life’s new awareness.

The Power of  Story

It is in the mind’s ability to process story that we are able to see beyond the current moment in time. The human mind processes information through images. The words we read have meaning only in the images that they describe – cloud, monster, snoring . . . The images we see, hear or experience too have no meaning except for the meaning we give them.

The Power of Folktales and the Hero’s Journey:

It is in the stories that have been told through the centuries of time that still touch our hearts and lives today. For it is in folklore that we find every condition known to human kind. It is through the Hero’s Journey that we step out to seek our fortune, find true love, conqueror giants, defeat the evil lords, embrace our unseen helpers and solve the seemingly unsolvable mysteries of life. It is through these stories, their hero’s, their challenges and their victories that we too find the strength to step out on our own hero’s journey, knowing that we too will be aided by unseen helpers, defeat evil lords and solve the seemingly unsolvable mysteries that now lie ahead of us.

Hum . . . what adventurous story is touching your heart and life today? Take a few minutes and image your incredible life’s transforming image at the end of your magnificent journey! Looking forward to hearing your new life story, beginning with:  Life is as it is – Change Happens – A new normal unfolds! Remembering, of course, to celebrate your life’s incredible destination, as you stand in the image of this story’s ending, in the excitement and knowing that the ending is never the same as the beginning!

Until next time . . . let a Storyographer’s Journey Begin!