Yosemite National Park in California is a spectacular valley of natural wonder and wildlife. First protected in 1864, the nearly 1,200 square miles are covered with waterfalls, deep valleys, ancient sequoias, and vast wilderness. With black bears, coyotes, bobcats, and big horn sheep, the park is full of wildlife. However, according to a ranger when …Read More
Month: February 2018
Noa Baum: Bridging Differences Through Storytelling
“Compassion does not mean pity… compassion means putting yourself in the position of another person, learning about their pain.” ~ Karen Armstrong Using storytelling to bring polarized groups together is not about changing their minds so that they agree. In storytelling, we suspend disbelief and activate our imagination. Using storytelling to bring groups together is …Read More
Episode 1: Teachings of Bear Heart (Molly Larkin)
Interview Series by Dr. Joel Ying. “People of passion and purpose, doing interesting things, living their present moment.” LivingthePresentMoment.com/podcastshow … Guest: Molly Larkin is a spiritual teacher, author, and workshop facilitator. Find her online at mollylarkin.com. On this interview, she shares with us her experiences with Bear Heart, a Native American Shaman, that saved her life …Read More
Organ Donor, Organ Harvest
In medical school, I had the opportunity to observe a “Harvest.” I had observed many surgical operations, but never this procedure. The young man had been in a motorcycle accident, and the tests showed that he was brain-dead. He was an organ donor, his family consented, and now an organ harvest was scheduled. I walked …Read More
Episode 0: Welcome to the Podcast (Joel Ying)
Welcome to “Living the Present Moment” – The Podcast. My name is Dr. Joel Ying, and I’m a Physician, Educator, and Storyteller. This podcast is part of my blog at LivingthePresentMoment.com. I host an online study group with live interviews and conversations with people of passion and purpose, doing interesting things, and living their present …Read More
A Story Well Told – Coldplay Gravity
It’s not the high definition reality flat panel massive screens that I am looking for. That will not move me. Those who know the power of story know that instead it takes very little, requires that we use less. It is the simple lines drawn across my mind that reminds me of an age old …Read More
How Storytelling Becomes Mainstream in Southwest Florida
“The Elephant” appeared again to a sold out crowd! On January 31, 2018, the second annual event at Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers, Florida, opened to our storytelling fans with a showcase performance of ten amazing tellers. The stories ranged from personal to folk tales that captivated, titillated, and inspired our audience. (You …Read More
Poem: Derek Walcott – “Love After Love”
Love After Love ~ by Derek Walcott The time will come when, with elation you will greet yourself arriving at your own door, in your own mirror, and each will smile at the other’s welcome, and say, sit here. Eat. You will love again the stranger who was yourself. Give wine. Give bread. Give back …Read More
ManKind Project – Redefining Modern Masculinity
“We believe that emotionally mature, powerful, compassionate, and purpose-driven men will help heal some of our society’s deepest wounds. We support the powerful brilliance of men and we are willing to look at, and take full responsibility for, the pain we are also capable of creating – and suffering. We care deeply about men, our …Read More
Kurt Vonnegut: The Next Million-Dollar Story
Do you want to write the next million-dollar story? Listen to Kurt Vonnegut. All you need to do is follow one of the classic “Shapes of Stories.” To all my fellow storytellers, aspiring novelists, and budding screenwriters, you don’t have the recreate the perfect plot, start with one of these, then add a little creativity …Read More