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Archive Number 982 | ||
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Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2002 12:40:32 EST
In a message dated 1/7/02 10:25:05 AM, nyannatobin@ATT.NET writes: << Maybe it would help to give personal examples of how a story delivered the needed perspective or Zing for transformation. >> Good idea! So, I wonder what stories have people have heard that changed their lives, to a greater or lesser degree? Or what tales have people told that they believe have had an effect on others? Erica Meade, in her book, Tell It By Heart, tells about meeting up with a former client who, years later, told Erica how much a particular tale inspired her. But usually we have slight evidence of how our tales effect others. In terms of a story that gave me a powerful "ah-ha" moment of transformative insight, one that comes to mind is Jay O'Callahan's original story, "The Spirit of the Great Auk" which I heard Jay perform at the National Festival in Tennessee some years ago (this is now available on audiotape.) I was moved to tears and had to separate myself from the festival and sit down alone for about an hour to think about it. And after that, as a result, I became more involved with environmental projects. But stories that powerful are rare. On a lighter note, just a few days ago on the Storytell listserv there was a tale that was posted by Rose, the Story Lady called "Rocks, Pebbles and Sand" and I find myself thinking about it, especially as I plan the year ahead. This tale tells of a professor who put a jar on the table and filled it with rocks, asking his students if it was full. The class agreed it was. Then he poured in some pebbles and again asked if it was full. This time they were wising up and guessed that sand could be poured in. Now was it full? Yes, they thought. He then poured in some water. Finally, they agreed the jar was at last full. So, asked the teacher, "What should you learn from this demonstration?" Some said was that if you organize and plan your time, you can fit in "one more thing." Others said that what looks full may not necessarily be so. "And, most importantly," the teacher explained, "you have to put in the most important things first or you won't have room for them later." For me I think "transformative effects" comes very gradually and result from the process of living with the stories and telling them repeatedly, deepening into meaning. (This is now about the 4th time I've retold Rocks Pebbles and Sand...) Other examples? Comments? Cristy W. Washington, DC | ||