Yes, what to do next is always the question. So, in addition to classes coming up, there are enhancements coming too, to make the community experience more interactive. It will all be in the next newsletter, coming soon.
And over the last while, I've been compiling my own life stories and journals. Not just one box, but boxes since college days. There's happy stuff and there's adversity, as with every life. But it sure gives a picture you can look back on and say, yup, I did that, I thought that, I said that, that actually happened and here I am. Actually there aren't that many boxes. I'm not a pack rat where you walk into the house and have to burrow your way through the maze, only 4 boxes. But I never realized that I journal so much. I just filled the books and stashed them. Who knew?
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Classes and More
Well, I have been thinking quite a bit about the Power of Intention these days. I've been reading Wayne Dyer's book with that name and there are some wonderful insights to be had. My intention right now is to offer more classes on TellOurLifeStories. We had fun at the last class in February and I just looked at the calendar and, yikes, we are well into March with nary a class scheduled yet.
But, I have been busily reading Natalie Goldberg's new book, Old Friend from Far Away, the Practice of Writing Memoir that just came out mid-February. As I read, I am thinking of a lesson plan for the new classes.
So there will be more classes coming up soon. My intention is to offer more classes, with a variety of teachers too. So lo and behold, someone I emailed long ago, today replied to my email and wants to connect. I had given up on her. There might be something to this intention stuff.
But, I have been busily reading Natalie Goldberg's new book, Old Friend from Far Away, the Practice of Writing Memoir that just came out mid-February. As I read, I am thinking of a lesson plan for the new classes.
So there will be more classes coming up soon. My intention is to offer more classes, with a variety of teachers too. So lo and behold, someone I emailed long ago, today replied to my email and wants to connect. I had given up on her. There might be something to this intention stuff.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Where Were You on That Day in History?
In various conversations I have heard people say, "who would be interested in my life story?" As my friend Jay says, "you are interesting now, but you will be fascinating 50 years from now!"
The real food for life stories is in the details! When I think of my grandmother born in 1899, I recall her telling me she would rather take the elevator than the escalator. She didn't like the idea of a moving staircase and was afraid she would get her shoe stuck in it.
I remember the family getting together at her home to watch Neil Armstrong take the first steps on the moon. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," he said. That was July 21, 1969. Richard Nixon was the president.
And I remember standing in the living room glued to the TV and seeing Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald. It happened right there, right on that black and white TV screen in front of all of America. It was November 24, 1963 and I was 12 years old. And what about the motorcade and John-John Kennedy giving that salute at the gravesite and Jackie Kennedy in her veil holding Carolyn's hand.
I was in Catholic grade school at the time and when the news came about the assassination, we all went into the church to pray. I had a hard time on the kneelers because I had just torn up my knees falling off my new blue Schwinn bike.
My church recently went through a process to become "green." The goal was using all recycled products from copy paper to plates. This means we'll be doing more dishes, of course.
What will people 50 years from now say about our interest in the environment? What will have occurred by then? How will people be living? Will everyone have electric cars and solar panels?
All the stories are in the details!
The real food for life stories is in the details! When I think of my grandmother born in 1899, I recall her telling me she would rather take the elevator than the escalator. She didn't like the idea of a moving staircase and was afraid she would get her shoe stuck in it.
I remember the family getting together at her home to watch Neil Armstrong take the first steps on the moon. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind," he said. That was July 21, 1969. Richard Nixon was the president.
And I remember standing in the living room glued to the TV and seeing Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald. It happened right there, right on that black and white TV screen in front of all of America. It was November 24, 1963 and I was 12 years old. And what about the motorcade and John-John Kennedy giving that salute at the gravesite and Jackie Kennedy in her veil holding Carolyn's hand.
I was in Catholic grade school at the time and when the news came about the assassination, we all went into the church to pray. I had a hard time on the kneelers because I had just torn up my knees falling off my new blue Schwinn bike.
My church recently went through a process to become "green." The goal was using all recycled products from copy paper to plates. This means we'll be doing more dishes, of course.
What will people 50 years from now say about our interest in the environment? What will have occurred by then? How will people be living? Will everyone have electric cars and solar panels?
All the stories are in the details!
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Slightly More about Classes
Gregory Kompes is an accomplished online class instructor and he'll be taking us through the process of beginning to write a memoir. It promises to be a fun experience! More to come...
Classes Coming Up Soon!
Hi Friends!
In addition to the free live teleconference that we are hosting on Feb. 6 (see last post below) we will soon be offering online classes in writing your life story. Gregory Kompes (visit Gregory at www.kompes.com ) stay tuned!
In addition to the free live teleconference that we are hosting on Feb. 6 (see last post below) we will soon be offering online classes in writing your life story. Gregory Kompes (visit Gregory at www.kompes.com ) stay tuned!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Free Live Teleconference!
We will be hosting our first FREE live teleconference on Wednesday evening February 6 at 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. I met Jay Speyerer through an article that I read a couple of years ago in Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Jay's website is http://legacyroad.net and Jay has been helping people to write their memoirs for a number of years. He's come up with a whole Story System that folks can use as a guide when writing their life stories.
Jay and I are creating our lesson and we're looking forward to joining with our audience as you begin the adventure of telling life stories. We'll talk about how to begin, provide some ideas about topics for getting started and help you to embark on this journey.
Email margaret@tellourlifestories.com to receive the phone number and password for the teleconference. You can cozy up in a your favorite chair for 55 minutes and join us for some conversation!
Jay and I are creating our lesson and we're looking forward to joining with our audience as you begin the adventure of telling life stories. We'll talk about how to begin, provide some ideas about topics for getting started and help you to embark on this journey.
Email margaret@tellourlifestories.com to receive the phone number and password for the teleconference. You can cozy up in a your favorite chair for 55 minutes and join us for some conversation!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Today's News
The first newspaper article just appeared in the MarinScope newspapers http://tellourlifestories.com/Ross_Valley_Story.htm. From the beginning, this website has had a life of its own.
I also just recently had a chance to interview Natalie Goldberg, who has written several books over the years about how to write. Her most widely-read book is Writing Down the Bones, which I've had on my shelf for 20 years. Since I've been a fan for so long, it was great to have the chance to interview her.
Look for the interview on http://www.tellourlifestories.com/.
I also just recently had a chance to interview Natalie Goldberg, who has written several books over the years about how to write. Her most widely-read book is Writing Down the Bones, which I've had on my shelf for 20 years. Since I've been a fan for so long, it was great to have the chance to interview her.
Look for the interview on http://www.tellourlifestories.com/.
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