December 2008 Newsletter
Online Issue # 20

Practice Page

“If people knew the story of their lives, how many would elect to live them?”

-Cormac McCarthy

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

-Annie Dillard

Here's an idea for you to think about, write about, talk about, wonder about, and try out.

In my work with small groups and individuals, I use several experiments that allow a kind of  stepping back from everyday life to view the story we are living and creating. While it's true that some of the story is already history, whether or not it's been recorded, I want people to see the unfolding story of this moment, and the still to be lived story of the near and distant future.

Working with this idea, some people find it more appealing to think in terms of a film or movie rather than a story. Others like the idea of a screenplay, documentary, novel, soap opera, comic book, tv series. Use whatever form inspires, energizes and resonates with you.

Challenge: Step back from the everyday perspective of your life and see anew.

Use the following questions as a guide to learn more about the life you are currently living.

Setting:

Where does your story take place? Consider all of the places you spend your life. You might want to include your home, work place(s), school, fitness center, favorite hangout, library, where you volunteer....

The Main Character (You):

Who is the main character? What distinguishes this individual? Be specific. Think about physical appearance, personality, beliefs, habits, occupation, friends, family, beliefs, special stuff....

Supporting Roles:

Who else is in your story? What are their roles? What is your relationship with each of them? What are your feelings for each of them?

Plot:

What is your story about? What makes it interesting or fascinating?

Conflict / Tension:

What does the main character (you) want or need to do? What is the dilemma? What complicates things?

Working Title:

It's time to give your story a working title. Make it one that captures the predominant theme of the life you are currently living.

Next Challenge:

Reflect on what you've discovered or remembered about your life as you worked through the above sections: setting, main character, supporting roles, plot, conflict / tension and working title.

Repeat the experiment, making whatever changes are needed to create a new version of your story that feels like a life you want to be living, a life you are willing to create. By taking this step, you are clarifying what you need to focus on and bring into your life. You are probably also identifying some of what needs to go. Let your own words and images guide and inspire you—pull you—into a story and a life of your own choosing.

“Your own words are the bricks and mortar of the dreams you want to realize. Your words are the greatest power you have. The words you choose and use establish the life you experience.”

-Sonia Choquette

“...for to adopt a poetic attitude toward one's own life means not only discovering a different way of telling one's story but a different way of living it.”

-Christine Downing

Sending you infinite blessings.

Laurie Mattila
© December 2008

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