Now that the dust of the holiday scramble is settling, I'm rereading the November HASIG newsletter and appreciating it all over again. Your Guidelines article will be a benchmark. I hope you are getting lots of feedback on it.

Item #1 ("Trust the power of storytelling") reminded me of an experience I wanted to share with the SIG. Last month I ran into a woman who had heard some of my stories several years before, who came up to thank me for them again. She said she was the founder of the group to which I had spoken (a support group for Alzheimer care-givers), and that exhaustion has forced her to drop out of the group now that it is solidly in others' hands. But she recalled my stories fondly.

I decided to play Devil's Advocate. My story session took the place of one of the group's usual classes which provide them with practical information. I was very glad that she had liked my stories, but did she feel it was a worthwhile use of these overworked folks' time?

Yes, she insisted, the stories gave her a break that allowed her to return refreshed to her burdens.

I prodded further. I've heard about tired folks who come home from work and plop down in front of the TV to rest and escape. Was it like that?

Not at all, she said. TV washes over the passive viewer. "It's programmed, and it wants to program YOU," was how she put it. She felt that listening to a story, in contrast, is an active experience. The listeners bring in their own history and emotions, paint their own scenes. "They get some exercise, so it's refreshing -- like going for a walk in the woods, in the fresh air!"

I liked her analogy very much. She gave permission to share it with HASIG, and I just apologize for taking so long to write it up.

Best wishes for the new year, Fran

From: Sheila Darr <camak@ONR.COM>
Subject: Re: past tense and controversial stories use of present tense
Hey Greg...

You should check out Laura Simms' story in the Forum section of the website for the Healing Arts SIG @ Www.healingstory.org. She has just the story for you!!

And while I'm at it, I'd just like to plug that website. The leadership of the Healing Arts SIG is not only incredibly visionary but also incredibly proficient planners and hard workers. I'm proud to call healingstory.com my home page!

Sheila D, Sojourner... Tales for Pilgrim Hearts

Would you like your contact and storyteller information on our website to exchange with other tellers using storytelling as a healing art? This is a "Members Only" benefit! The pertinent information that you listed on a data form when you joined the Healing Arts SIG will be posted on our website to enable other SIG members to easily communicate with each other and to help people looking for storytellers working in all the various healing arts venues.

Each member will also have a 50-word text section to describe you and your work which will replace some of the questions on the form you may have filled when you joined. There is a form to fill out on the website in the membership section that can then be e-mailed to us, or write it out if you prefer and mail it to Gail Rosen (see contact info on the executive board list).

HOWEVER, if you do not wish to be listed on the website, be sure to let us know. Email or call or write to Gail Rosen.

The Healing Arts SIG is interested in submissions to publish in our newsletter, journal and on the website. Send:
1. For newsletter publication: Short descriptions (25 words or less) of various formats of telling stories to encourage healing, descriptions of your projects (250 words or less) involving story as a healing art to Diane Wyzga.
2. For journal publication: Articles on telling stories for healthier outcomes, stories for discussion on web site and/or their related uses , successes or failures, & web site addresses related to healing story to Allison Cox.
3. Additions to the resource bibliography to Diane Rooks.

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