I went to a really (really) good half-day workshop on “aging” recently, put on by Eremos and facilitated by Carolyn Scarborough.
I expected one thing and got another.
I thought we’d be studying aging and working our way through the issues associated with it. But Carolyn rather quickly got us out of our heads and into our hearts, into the joy of life, rather than bemoaning life’s aches and pains. She skillfully rerouted my thinking and lead me in a different direction.
We acknowledged our suffering, yes, but in that little created community of people on that Saturday morning, we set our intentions and through a number of modalities (poetry, reflective writing, objects in the room, etc.) became curious about each other, ourselves, and our surroundings. We shared our thoughts and stories and came alive.
I left the workshop feeling so much better than when I arrived.
It was another lesson in reframing the story that, without realizing it, I had been telling myself.
So what story are you telling yourself?
It might be a good time to pay attention to those stories because…the most important story you’ll ever hear is the one you tell yourself.
Join us for an evening to explore what you’re telling yourself and an opportunity to rewrite or “re-story” some of those thoughts.
Jeanne, it was such a joy to have you in the workshop! As the old saying goes, it takes one to know one. I am so filled up at your Re-Story Circles and workshops as well. Sending love and hugs…
Here’s to many more. You’re good for my soul.
Thank you Jeanne for capturing so beautifully the experience of that morning. The community, conversation, and re-thinking about aging Carolyn so skillfully created in that 2 1/2 hours was all that we at Eremos could have imagined. It’s a testament to the power of telling ourselves a new story about aging and being witnessed in some of this telling by our peers that no one wanted to leave when it was over! Bless you for the work you do as well in helping us open our hearts, minds, and eyes to new ways of seeing our lives and telling our stories.
Thanks, Dianna. Your kindness+sincerity+humor is what the world needs.