“I want to be able to do that”
I still remember the moment that I first heard someone perform a story. I was expecting an ordinary speech where I could learn something about public speaking. Instead, I was immediately captivated, pulled into the vivid images that story created in my mind. The storyteller transformed herself into the characters. I was on the emotional ride. I felt my whole attention pulled into a single focus. I remember thinking to myself: “I want to be able to do that.”
“I want more of that”
Many months later, I gave myself the challenge to learn and tell a story to my public speaking group. As I learned the story of Anansi and the Tar Baby, the advice in the public speaking manual was to see the images as you tell the story. When I got up on stage, the characters had strange voices that were not mine, the story took on a life of its own. “Where did those voices come from? How did I do that? What just happened?” I felt as if I stepped aside and the story came through me. I felt more alive… inspired… in the flow… and I thought to myself: “I want more of that.”
“Out-of-the-way places”
Thus began a new chapter of my life “in the out-of-the-way places of the heart,” the transformation from physician to physician-storyteller. I started this path simply because it gave me joy. Yet, this passion for telling stories out loud has brought many more gifts into my life. This art of connection has brought me new storytelling friends and communities. I would never have imagined that a decade later my life would shift to include performing, producing, and teaching storytelling as a healing art at a university.
Finding Inspiration
John O’Donohue’s Book of Blessings re-inspires me as I continue this new beginning. He reminds me of the delight when your courage kindled, to leave the seduction of safety, and to awaken your spirit of adventure. I once doctored with only traditional medications, then added alternative therapies, and now I add the powerful medicine of storytelling. The path of the healer continues to unfold for me. I am not quite sure where it is going, but I rest into the feeling again of an inspired new beginning and John O’Donohue’s words.
Bless your own “New Beginning” with this inspiring poem.
For a New Beginning ~ by John O'Donohue In out-of-the-way places of the heart, Where your thoughts never think to wander, This beginning has been quietly forming, Waiting until you were ready to emerge. For a long time it has watched your desire, Feeling the emptiness growing inside you, Noticing how you willed yourself on, Still unable to leave what you had outgrown. It watched you play with the seduction of safety And the gray promises that sameness whispered, Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent, Wondered would you always live like this. Then the delight, when your courage kindled, And out you stepped onto new ground, Your eyes young again with energy and dream, A path of plenitude opening before you. Though your destination is not yet clear You can trust the promise of this opening; Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning That is at one with your life’s desire. Awaken your spirit to adventure; Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
References
- To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings by John O’Donohue