And we need to change the story!
Years ago someone passed me the Story of Stuff video. I like it so much I passed it along to everyone I know.
Watch Story of Stuff video on YouTube (20 minutes, but very worth it!)
Last week I was introduced to the Story of Change video. Loved it, so passing it along also!
See Story of Story website for more information of what you can do to change the story.
Exercise: Reflect on Your Responsibility
You have a part in every event you experience. Even if you are not participating in an injustice, by not acting against it by default you are acting for it.
- Pick a historical event where a gross injustice occurred. I could be something from your own lifetime or from a different era. Close your eyes, relax your whole body, and go to your sacred place. A sacred place is a scene in your mind where you feel peace and serenity. You might imagine a beach, a cloud, a forest scene. This is a great place to “go” when we need to meet with our higher self or with Spirit. We can go here to imagine, calm down, meditate, find the right path to take, and make a plan for action. Today, please imagine yourself present at the historical event. Look around and feel what it might have been like to be there. Think about what you might do, what actions you might take to change the course of events? Imagine the new story and new results. How did you feel? What were you willing to risk? What happened? Who did you meet/help along the way? What did your actions make possible?
- Now think of an injustice going on today. Close your eyes. Go back into your sacred place and think again about what you might do to change it, in subtle or explicit ways. Make some feasible action steps. When you open your eyes, write down these action steps. It is easy to take risks when it is retrospect, but much harder when it is now. Think about your future self and what he or she would have wanted you to do in this situation.
- Write down any plans, ideas, and/or commitments in your journal.
If time is on your side today, you can read: You Can’t Change the Past? Oh Yes You Can.
Tell me what you came up with! I love to hear from you!
Please share!
I’ll have to come back and check this another day. I have client edits I have to get done. Thanks for sharing though, Jodi.
Kelly Hashway recently posted..Humor, Every Novel Needs Some
Thanks for turning me on to this great organization, and I LOVE your exercise for reflecting on responsibility. Good stuff.
Laura Zera recently posted..Ten Things I Learned at PNWA 2012 Writers Conference
Thanks, Laura!
I really like this visualization exercise. I’ve come to see – particularly in recent years – how the “official history” that I’m attached to is really just one version of the story. And there are other, more expansive and life-affirming stories I could tell myself in its place. It’s pretty amazing how unforseen possibilities and solutions can present themselves when imagination is turned in a new direction. Thanks Jodi!
Seth Mullins recently posted..The Fathers and Sons Collection
That is so true Seth! Oh what we can do that we don’t realize?
Jodi
Responsibility really is the key to freedom and power, and yet the word comes with negative connotations for most of us.
Solid gold creativity recently posted..The Monk and the Householder
Yes, I wonder why. It totally is the key to freedom!
Thanks,
Jodi
At some point I will do this exercise. Right now I’m having a hard time finding my sacred place. The last time I was there I just wanted to stay and never come back. I wanted to simply live there and not experience the pain anymore. I know that’s not the solution so I came back. And the pain is greater than ever and my sacred place now seems out of reach.
Stanley,
Don’t beat yourself up. Trust, you are not trusting yourself. There is nowhere to reach. It is all there. Just keep telling yourself you are OK. I think a huge probelm is that you think you are not OK. And so then are. HUg!
Love,
Jodi
—I close me eyes now, after Kay, and I am willing to risk everything…
I would not have done that 2 years ago.
Beautiful Post, Jodi.
You are an Angel.
My Inner Chick recently posted..11 Things I’ve Learned After Your Execution
Dear Kim,
You are out there. It is all worth going all out. Never hold back your gorgeous soul. Do the work you know you can do!
You are an angel!
xoxo,
Jodi
I tried this exercise and it fills me with anger, I have seen few injustice while traveling to some remote corners of the world and forget historical injustice, even the injustice that I witnessed were too difficult to handle!
Molly Groman recently posted..Should you insure your pet
Molly! You are a passionate person! What would you like to do with that anger? How can you put it into actions that might make a difference? Thanks for caring about the people you saw!
Love,
Jodi