Emotions bottled up can lead to explosions. Young men are often not allowed to have their range of emotions. The tears of sadness are ridiculed. Toxic shame hides under the bravado. There is no place for fear. Anger masquerades as strength holding back the pain of bottled up sadness and shame. This leaves two acceptable …Read More
Author: Dr. Joel Ying, MD
Physician-Educator-Storyteller. Integrating the power of story into medicine, healing sessions, workshops, speaking and performance.
May the Road Rise Up to Meet You
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. ~ Irish Blessing, Author Unknown Today’s inspiration is from …Read More
Choctaw Irish Connections, an act of generosity
In 1830, the Indian Removal Act was signed in law by U.S. President Andrew Jackson. This began the Trail of Tears that forced many Native American tribes from their lands. The Choctaw people were the first to be relocated in a process where thousands and thousands would die. Those who survived continued to live in …Read More
Story triggers
“Now that would make a good story!” When I first started telling stories, the biggest problem was finding the ideas to turn into a good story. Everyone else had these interesting lives and interesting things to talk about. In comparison, my life was just so boring. I sought out mentors and started to listen to …Read More
Leaving a Legacy
“I’d like to tell you and your brother about how I grew up so that you can learn about my life,” said my dad a few weeks ago. My dad is a man of few words. Over the years, he has told few stories about his growing up. The memories are not all pleasant, and …Read More
Three Little Birds ~ Playing for Change
Three Little Birds Project aims to spread an optimistic message, with the conviction that music has the power to unite us and help us overcome difficulties. Featuring : Mimi Maura, Kevin Johansen, Juanchi Baleirón, Guille Bonetto and Diego Demarco among many more. Playing for Change Diamante’s music program in Argentina presents the Three Little Birds …Read More
Get up and move
In my recent post, I told you why I’m just tired of sitting. Now I’m going to tell you what I’m currently doing about it. Get up and move. One great resource is the 10 to 15 minute stretch and exercise video on YouTube. There are many of them out there to try. This virtual …Read More
I’m tired of sitting down
I used to want to sit down when I’m tired. Now with an overabundance of virtual meetings on the computer, I’m just tired of sitting down. With my eyes on the computer screen, my head falls forward, shoulders hunch up, back rounds in a slouch, and my body gets stiff. When I look up at …Read More
Funeral Blues ~ W. H. Auden
During times of crisis when the world is soaked in grief, waves of sadness touch us as we yearn for what has been lost. When in the middle of grief, it helps to know that we are not alone. We find comfort knowing that others have been there and survived to tell about it. W. …Read More
Not how the story should end
In my online workshop on telling personal stories, we devote a whole class to folk tales. You might be asking, “What do folk tales have to do with personal stories?” Folk tales taught me the structure of stories. The classic plots, themes, messages occur over and over again in the folk tales and are reworked …Read More