Day # 133: More about storytelling

#133

I was just really hungry, I gulped down my shrimp and asparagus and could eat another whole platter.  I just got a full body massage paying attention to my back for a good long time.  I think not only did it relax me, but it stimulated my energy  to pulse   through me.  It is  interesting to be relaxed, ravenous and energized all at once.

I said on Monday I would tell you about the Plan of Concentration for which I acted  as outside examiner.  The  students plan was a psychology, art and writing plan; an interdisciplinary comprehensive study on the development of identity and how stories inform and create identity across generations.  

 Of course it excited me.  It excited me theoretically and artistically.  It fit right into my focus on story telling.  It also made me think about  whether I am using story telling in a way I believe is therapeutic or as a tool that encourages development?  And what is the difference? Can one use a therapeutic tool and not be doing therapy per se?

It may be important to look at story telling or the passing of stories as a means for bringing issues to a meta cognitive level and then to use those stories to try on truths or authentic voices.  In this way they are healing, but not doing the actual therapy, rather are used to illustrate and help one to see and try on change or sameness.