Hello to you listening in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds (and a bit more for a story) for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

How do we get good at turning toward the uncertain future?

How do we sustain ourselves, and each other?

How can we help each other, even--or especially--those with whom we don't agree, through the revolutions ahead?

I have an idea. We can share our stories. Here’s one.

The great Polish rabbi, Israel ben Eliezer, also known as the Ba’al Shem Tov, deeply loved his people. Whenever they were troubled or persecuted he went to a sacred place in the forest, lit a sacred fire, and said a special prayer asking God to protect his people. It was enough and the people were saved. But in time the Ba’al Shem Tov died.

Later, his disciple, following in his master’s footsteps, went into the same part of the forest and said, “Creator of the Universe, I do not know how to light the sacred fire, but I do know the special prayer; please, hear me! and help your people.” And it was enough.

Generations passed and when the next Rabbi saw how his people were being persecuted, he went into the forest and said, “Oh, Lord, I don’t know how to light the sacred fire, nor do I know the special prayer, but I still remember the place. Help us! Protect the people” And the people were protected.

Decades later, a very elderly rabbi seeing his people being persecuted, spoke to God saying, “I don’t know how to light the sacred fire, nor do I know the special prayer, and I can’t even find the place in the forest. All I can do is tell you this story and hope that you will hear me. Please help the people!” And again the people were spared.

Story Prompt: When we find ourselves lost in the forest, do not know how to light the sacred fire, or say the special prayer, we can share our stories. What else might we do to help each other? Write that story!

You’re always invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe and spread the word with a generous 5-star review and comment - it helps us all - and join us next time!

Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:

✓ Check out Services I Offer https://www.quartermoonstoryarts.net/services/,

✓ For a no-obligation conversation about your communication challenges, get in touch with me today

✓ Stay current with Diane as “Wyzga on Words” on Substack and on LinkedIn

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

All content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.

Hello to you listening in Painesville, Ohio!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Thoughts on Thursday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

Let’s call it like it is: We are living in decidedly difficult times. As a result we might feel restless, anxious, irritable, impatient or just plain cranky. That negative tension fills our body affecting us from head to toe so we have difficulty managing even simple everyday situations.

In my experience breathing exercises hold the key to relieving anxiety.

Practical Tip: Try this: sit quietly and begin to breathe slowly in and out. With each breath calm your mind by releasing troubling thoughts. Focus on the ways in which your body begins to relax. Encourage your body to reach deeper states of calm by breathing more slowly, more deeply. You might repeat to yourself: "Breathing in, I know I am alive; breathing out, I smile to life in me and around me." With this simple technique you are decreasing stress, anxiety, and fear.

Question? How does this work?

Answer: Breathing deeply floods your system with oxygen and calms you. By mindfully slowing your breath, you send a signal to your body that all is well, peace is within you. As soon as you become aware of tension rising in you begin slowly and deeply breathing to dispel the anxiety you feel. It works. Guaranteed.

You’re always invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe, share a 5-star rating + nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time!

Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:

✓ Check out What I Offer,

✓ Arrange your free Story Start-up Session,

✓ Stay current with Diane on LinkedIn.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

All content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.

Hello to you listening all over the world!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.

I coined the term “engaged storyism.” What do I mean?

“Engaged” in something means to be actively involved, focused, and committed. “Storyism” is concern about and action aimed at advocating for narratives that unite, not divide; that raise up, not beat down; that include, not exclude. Most importantly storyism is a willingness to examine our narratives, reconfigure outdated beliefs, and undo memories that keep us attached to the old ways and self-images so that we evolve from who we used to be to our better selves.

Authentic narrative has been fading while social media encourages algorithm-driven opinions encapsulated as sound bytes and masquerading as wisdom. We have a duty to revive stories that have the power to heal people and cultures, unbalance the status quo. When we employ stories as a bridge to peace, to the greater good, we can help each other out of the dark places or, as I have said for years: “Each One Lift One.”

Following are four questions to kick-start “engaged storyism” conversations through the revolutions ahead:

✓ How do we engage in empathetic imagination?

✓ How do we get good at turning toward the future, no matter how uncertain it may be?

✓ How do we extend kindness to each other, especially to those with whom we disagree?

✓ How do we sustain ourselves, and each other?

Question: Engaged storyism is a collective effort. What thoughts and ideas do you have to help us help each get really good at turning toward the new narrative future?

You’re always invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe and spread the word with a generous 5-star review and comment - it helps us all - and join us next time!

Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:

✓ Check out Services I Offer https://www.quartermoonstoryarts.net/services/,

✓ For a no-obligation conversation about your communication challenges, get in touch with me today

✓ Stay current with Diane as “Wyzga on Words” on Substack and on LinkedIn

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

All content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.