Trails in the Mist

" In wildness is the preservation of the world."
- Henry David Thoreau

A friend and I recently bemoaned the fact the world is growing too loud. Not the actual planet - the society we live in. There is so much noise around us. Everywhere you turn media is pounding into your head. From restaurants offering up the latest news via a bevy of flat screen TVs to the cell phones tweeting in our pockets and everything in between there is noise and interference and static. We wondered how anyone could feel joy or peace when they are so removed from the beauties of nature and the wonders of good conversation.

Later, my daughter informed me the people around her were fighting via text messages...while sitting in the same room! I'm all for utilizing the marvels of technology, but give me a break! When was the last time you turned everything off and went outside? It's pretty phenomenal out there - give it a try!

"I am well again, I came to life in the cool winds
and crystal waters of the mountains..."
- John Muir

Getting away from the noise is only part of the reason for seeking a respite in nature. Nature renews us, lifts us, empowers us to face another day. We walked to this water fall one summer day in June. There are those who would say the day was ruined because of the rain and fog. I was entranced. The renewing power around me was tangible. My heart grew light, my skin was caressed, my eyes were gifted with wonder after wonder. My soul cried out with the desire to spend more time than I could allow.

"...It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men's hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of the air, that emanation from the old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit." - Robert Louis Stevenson

The day ended far too soon. I vowed I would return. Not perhaps to that exact place, but I will return to the light and shadow of the deep wood. I will walk again under the healing embrace of the trees. I will revel in the pristine blue of the sky and dance in the rain when it comes again. I will fill my heart with images to carry me through the noise and confusion of some future day. I will do all of this.

Will you?

What Would You Do?

I watched a powerful video today about the rapidity of shift in our lives. Check it out at http://www.flixxy.com/technology-and-education-2008-alt.htm then ask yourself this:

What if it all ENDS tomorrow?

If the world-wide-web crashed, if TV and satellite and all technology ceased, what would you do? Imagine looking up from your blackened screen into the fear-filled eyes of the masses. Would your thumbs twitch? Would your family sit in stunned silence?

What would you do?

A young mother asked me that very thing recently. She wanted to cause me concern about the loss of data I have stored online. Things like photographs and online books and more. I believe she expected me to panic. Actually, I found the idea rather invigorating. Without a moment’s hesitation I responded, “Wouldn’t that be wonderful! Sure images and data would be lost, but no failed technology can rob me of my stories unless I stop sharing them. My life’s memories are intact as long as I take the time to reflect on them and share them. If the internet failed, I’d be the expert on hand to help everyone learn what I already know - storytelling is the essence of humanity.”

I went on to glory in the idea of families sitting around the dinner table talking. I waxed nostalgic about the return of visiting neighbors clustered on front porches, and the whispered gossip sessions over back fences. The young mother’s eyes got a little dreamy. “I’ve never experienced any of that, wow, what would that be like?”

“Why don’t you find out,” I replied, “In fact, I dare you to try.”

Sometimes, I feel like Don Quixote chasing windmills when I talk about storytelling. There’s been a renaissance over the past 30 years or so in regards to the importance of storytelling. Storytelling festivals have popped up all over the country. Professional storytellers can be found in every state in the union. In deed, storytelling has come to be recognized as an art form. I embrace and applaud all of that. Yet, storytelling as a life skill and core principle of family togetherness has slipped through the cracks.

Family time has devolved into a rush of timelines and orchestration of schedules. Meals are grabbed on the run, or in front of the TV. Communications have collapsed into texted chore charts and check ins.

What if it all ENDS tomorrow?

Do you ever find yourself feeling sad or lonely in a crowded room? Have you had days when you realized no one looked you in the eye, or stopped long enough to listen to how you really are? Do you ever feel like life is zooming by so fast you can’t catch your breath, more or less remember a single thing about yesterday?

Stop. Breathe. Close your eyes and take a moment...

What if we all decided to take a stand? What if we reclaim the family dinner and return to being fully present when our children want to talk about what happened at school and who they have a crush on and who broke their heart? What if, instead of firing off an angry email to those who we disagree with, or who have hurt the ones we love, we sat down and really talked? What if we declared technology free zones once a month, once a week, or once a day where whatever we did had to involve the sharing of story?

Imagine the impact of introducing the up and coming generation to the indescribable joy of listening to some one else’s story.

In a world where WW II vets are dying at the rate of 1000 per day we can’t afford to imagine, we have to act. Think of all that is being lost each time the coffin lid closes over the wrinkled old face of someone people have stopped listening to.

I’m not suggesting we stop technological progress. I’m not presuming we can block the shift. I’m suggesting we make sure we don’t discard our human connectivity in the midst of it all.

After all…the power has gone out before, it will go out again. Will you be ready with a good story?

I can help.

Contest Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Carolyn Stearns! Winner of the "Family Chat" card contest. The winner was chosen through random selection. (i.e. my 11 month old grand-daughter pulled a winner from a pile of numbered slips of paper in my hand.)

All of the entries were excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed them. (You can read them too - see the comments from my post: The Most Important Things in Life) Thanks to everyone who entered. Keep checking back, I'll be launching another contest soon.

Remember as you go through your day that things my not be as they appear. Take this old house for example. At least, I always assumed it was an old house, until I actually went inside. Then I discovered it was an old school. Former students (or their children and grand children) have visited the abandoned structure over the years and scribbled memories on the walls. There are tales of children riding to school mounted three & four to a horse, or x-country skiing to school in the winter, there's random poetry, regret for neglect, and yearning for bygone days. I've always been entranced by this structure and it's unique location, but once I knew part of its story I cared even more. (You can see more pictures at my post: The Power of a Personal Tale)

Look around...are there people or places you pass every day that you think you know? Have you stopped moving long enough to learn their story? Make today the day you step beyond the assumptions!

What's Most Important in Life?

There's nothing that warms my heart more than shared laughter and smiles amongst those I love.

Yet, sometimes the trials of life dampen or block the joyous moments. That's when I roll up my sleeves and take charge!

It happened last summer. My daughters and I decided it was high time we got their father into the woods. His medical conditions made this a bold goal, but we were determined. We loaded up the camping gear and Dad, and headed for the forest. There would be no hiking or boating this trip, but that didn't mean we couldn't find laughter and joy!

We were essentially grounded, so we built a nice fire and sat around it instead. "What are we going to do now? This could get real boring, real fast," our patient declared. Undaunted we pulled the "Family Chat" cards out and started asking questions. To say our patient was resistant would be an understatement. But we would not be swayed...it only took a few cards before he got into the spirit of it. We were 50 cards, three stacks of wood, and well past midnight when we finally stopped laughing and sharing enough to call it a night. It's an evening we all reflect back on fondly. A night filled with story and discovery, laughter, warmth and joy.

I want everyone to have such moments! Let's start right now. Look at my previous post. There's a picture of a chat card - take a moment to reflect on the question then post your response right here. Don't forget your email address and you'll be entered to win a set of "Family Chat" cards for yourself! Hurry - this contest ends March 17th.

I can't wait to read your stories!

Family Chat - Rediscovering What I Know!

Have you ever noticed that we continually forget and relearn and forget and relearn?

This is the tale of such a journey.

I know storytelling is the life blood of families. I know we make a better world each time we take a moment to listen to the memories of the people we love. But sometimes, the busy crazy moments of life get in the way. And sometimes, life takes your breath away and you don't know what to say.

That's how I felt last week. We almost lost my mother. There were a few days when I wondered how much of her we would be blessed to keep. There were a few days when she didn't recognize us or understand what was going on around her. Blessedly, that situation changed and she began to respond and remember. That's when I forgot everything I knew. I was at a loss for words! What do you say to a loved one after such an experience? I found myself staring more than I was talking.

Then I remembered the Family Chat cards in my bag. I pulled them out and suddenly the awkward silence was filled with memory - her memories.

I'm not claiming they cured her, but I am claiming they cured me! As soon as the warmth of cherished memory cascaded over my soul I regained my footing, I caught my breath and I listened with delight.

Susan Klein reminds us, "If you were stripped of all you own, the one thing you would still have would be the stories of your life. Knowing that means also knowing that our life stories are sacred possessions."

There's no time like the present - start listening and paying attention to the stories of life found in your family - start honoring those sacred possessions!

The Power of Story

At first glance you would know Heather was different. Her lips and cheeks were chapped from mouth breathing, constant watery eyes, and runny noise. Her body was slightly twisted and her gait was jerky. Her voice was husky and strained. No one anticipated she would enjoy, or thrive during, my 7th grade storytelling residency.

The theme of the residency was Storytelling Builds Communities. While clustered in groups, students were led through exercises which inspired the sharing of personal experiences. Groups were specifically designed to place students in new circles of people they didn’t usually hang out with. Heather ended up in a group well beyond her comfort zone, but when she started telling her stories they listened. There was a moment when she actually paused in wonder – because they were hanging on her every word! Throughout the week the size of the circles grew until the final day of the residency they told in front of their entire class. Heather had originally announced she wasn’t going to take a turn, but after being encouraged by her original group, she took the stage. The class loved her story. They laughed at all the appropriate moments and cheered loudly at the end. Heather beamed.


The final moment of the residency was a storytelling assembly in front of the entire student body. 10 students of the core group of 60 were selected to perform. Heather was one of those. There was a hushed silence as she took her slow and jilting steps towards the stage. A collective gasp rose up from the audience when she almost fell on the stairs. But Heather kept going. She took a moment when she reached the microphone to look out over the student body. This was a tough audience for any storyteller – Kindergarten through Eighth grade. But Heather owned the moment. The story she told was of her most embarrassing moment. Her pacing was excellent, her delight in the humor was obvious, and the crowd loved her. When she ended her piece they exploded in applause. Heather beamed and smiled from ear to ear then rose her clasped hands above her head like a champion athlete and soaked it all in.

It’s a moment I’ll never forget, but I believe the sweetest moment came after school. Heather was outside waiting for the bus with a cluster of students circled around her. They were reveling in her moment and telling her how incredibly cool she was. There’s only one word for the expression on her face – priceless.


I believe this transformative moment will be cherished not only by Heather, and I, but by the teachers and students of her school because they were given an opportunity to see past her disability into her heart.


That is the power of story!

Cherish Bound's “I’m An Author” program can bring that transformative power to your schools. I'd love to tell you how.



Follow this link to learn more:


http://www.videoutah.com/videofiles/CB/CherishBoundSchool.mov

Never Forget - Never Be Forgotten

This summer I took the opportunity to go for a walk with friends in the Smoky Mountains. We came to an old cemetery far off the beaten trail. It enchanted me.

Then I found a tombstone that rocked my soul. Granted the silk flowers are faded, they could have been there for 20 to 30 years or more. But this child died in 1879! Somewhere along the way, the story of this child was told so well that she was remembered and honored over a hundred years after her death. What a remarkable testament to the power of love and memory.

Never underestimate the incredible influence of shared memory to keep those we love and those who have gone before us alive in our hearts.

Given my experiences this year with personal story and my moments of reflection in this graveyard I can’t help but believe I am on the right course with Cherish|Bound. While I know full well the best way to share a story is face to face, I also know it’s not always possible. Now, more than ever before, we need tools to help us remember and be remembered. Our world moves at such a frantic pace that we sometimes go days without connecting with the ones we love. Most people will never tell a story from the stage. Yet everyone needs to know they are valued and loved. Everyone needs to know they are an important part of the story of our lives. Everyone needs simple tangible reminders that their time on this earth has mattered.

Picture this: Chaos reigns as wrappings are torn off and squeals of delight fill the room, except in one corner all is calm. Grandma has stopped unwrapping gifts and is reading a book! Eyes misty, a smile lingers on her lips as she looks across the room towards you. Your eyes lock as she tries to whisper a thank you. Words fail her - instead she clutches the book to her chest as tears spill over her cheeks. The room falls silent as all stop to watch this tender scene. Realizing she has their complete attention, Grandma opens the book and begins to read. Gifts are put aside as everyone leans in to hear the story.

Obviously, this is no ordinary book! It's a Cherish|Bound book created just for her. It’s filled with stories and images custom selected to honor her. This is not a fictional tale, it can really happen - I've seen it!

That’s why I’ve aligned myself with Cherish|Bound. They’ve got the tools you need to find, capture and share the most priceless moments of your life. This is more than a picture book, more than a digital scrap book – this is a STORY book. From story creation to publication I'm committed to helping you succeed! NOW is the time to create the books that will lead to magical gift giving moments.

Visit www.cherishbond.com then email me at teresaclark@cherishbound.com and I’ll get you started on creating your customized story books today. It’s not too late to make this holiday season be the one everyone remembers!

Never Forget - Never Be Forgotten

The Power of a Personal Tale

There’s an ongoing debate in the world of professional storytelling. It regards the use of personal story vs. sticking to the ancient folktales. The argument goes that the folktales have endured for centuries – thus they are tried and true – simmered down to the essence of what a tale should be - and are consequently most powerful for learning and telling solid story structure.

I agree they are powerful tools to use and maintain in the quiver of every storyteller. Most of my residencies and festival performances begin with such tales. However, I have come to believe that there is a hunger in the world that must be fed by personal tales. Perhaps it’s due to the lack of front porches and traditional sit down dinners, but it seems few are being heard or listening anymore. Humans are social creatures. If the opportunity to share personal experiences is blocked - community is harmed. This isn’t merely supposition on my part it’s based on actual experience.

I was performing at a festival accompanied by my 20 something daughter. I’d told folktales throughout the festival with positive results. I was feeling good about my performances, until my daughter looked at me and said, “When are you going to tell what you’re best at? When are you going to tell them a personal story?” I was somewhat taken aback, but I decided to listen to my story-savvy daughter. My next set I told a personal tale. This is the performance where people rose to their feet! From 3 year olds to 90 year olds, audience members lined up afterwards to thank me for sharing such a moving piece of my life with them. I was stunned.

I decided to take this exercise into the class room. Every residency I have done this year has been focused on telling personal tales. I’ve seen storytelling transform lives before, but nothing like this! The stories I’ve heard are amazing. I’ve heard a former gang member share the moment he realized his choices were destroying the friendships he cared most about. I’ve witnessed a pregnant fourteen year old tell how the day she became pregnant was the day she became invisible. I agonized with a student who told of a field trip to court the day her father was on trial. I’ve mourned with a 12 year old who shared the details of her grandma’s passing. I could go on and on.

My point is this. Everyone has experiences they need someone to listen to. Everyone has a vast supply of memories pushing at the floodgates to be shared. I’ve found starting the novice storyteller out with the sharing of personal tales has empowered them to begin in a place that is comfortable. I’ve also found that real community and trust is created when beginning storytellers share their lives with each other. Later, when they move on to folktale, they are better suited for guiding one another because of the trust that was formed before.

Ultimately, I think this is the way folktales evolved. Personal experiences shared within intimate circles which had staying power expanded and evolved in the retelling until they crossed continents and cultures and became traditional tales. Could it be the personal stories of today will become the folktales of tomorrow? Could it be the fabric of a successful community is woven first from the thread of personal story? I believe the answer is yes.

Everyone has stories they need to tell – let me help you tell yours!