Courtship Stories

I love the love stories; how people first meet and find their way to each other.  I met Paul when the Hendersonville Community Co-op first opened its deli on Dec. 11th, 1999.  I know that because we stood next to each other at the kiosk filling out forms to be eligible to win prizes.  I was aware of Paul because he was taller than I am.  I am six feet.  I paid attention.

He turned to me and said "Do you think I'd be eligible for more prizes if I had kids or pets?".  I said, "Get a dog".  Paul was tall and playful.  I was aware of his presence as I shopped.  I ran into a friend and we sang some carole on aisle 4.  I was really singing to the tall man. 

When I went to leave the co-op, I saw that he was no longer in the deli.  Too bad.  I drove off and as I passed Barnwell's, I saw him walking on the side of the road.  He didn't walk like someone who had to because of a DWI.  His posture was elegant.  I passed him by and felt such a strong sense to turn around, which I did.

I pulled up next to him and rolled down my window and looked at him.  I had no idea what to say.  A moment is pretty loaded when you pull up in front of someone and engage them and don't say anything.  I finally did say, "You're a pedestrian".  It just came out.  He introduced himself.  "I'm Paul, the pedestrian."  I asked him out right then and there and the story continues.  It's a good one. 

Living Stories

How well have you lived into your stories?  What faces, rooms, smells, feelings, emerge with your memories?   I can unearth the view from my life over the years and see my own personal "lost and found".  I affirm the brilliant, treacherous, intimate course I have taken in the branching points ofmy life.  I realize that I love my stories, the light and dark of them.

The process of recalling and writing our stories is powerful.  I am so new to blogging and will be working on navigating my way around.  It might be best to call me or email me at dianerhoades8@bellsouth.net to have a conversation about what support I might offer you.

 

Therapeutic Writing - Personal Legend

Writing Your Stories

Write a book!  Write an epic or a vignette.  Just write. I have years and years of stories and I have learned to dignify the well lit ones that are full of delight as well as the darker ones that were work to live through.  I would no sooner discount them than I would fire my best teachers.

What are your stories?  What faces, rooms, smells, feelings, emerge with your stories?  Reflect on life at your home, at your table, in your community.  What was wonderful?  What was missing? 

What did you long for and who do you cherish?  Who inspired you towards freedom and love?  Where do you find your stories? 

 

Right - Left Brain Gymnastics 

The right brain works as the creative agent, recognizing new information.  A child’s curiosity is tuned to awe and wonder since much is brand new.  Our right brain registers images, understands without knowing, and takes in all stimuli without needing to organize it.  It is the home of the BIG picture.

The left brain is our personal archivist and coordinator.  It takes everything the right brain has already recognized and finds a place for it to make sense.  It grooves on order.  It integrates, catalogs, and allows for simple thoughts and actions to happen with relative ease.  Our left brain is often the voice that offers resistance to writing because it isn’t as comfortable with random associations and the questions of where to begin, what to say, how to end…. 

I chose the word "Writing" and wrote all these words.

  

CLUSTER

 Play                                                    Self Train

            Fun                                 Vehicle

                         Writing

            Chaos                    Cowgirl with words

Confusion       Freedom          Accessorize with images

                  Express

               Touch

Then I wrote my vignette.

VIGNETTE

Vignette (Little vine) – A small, graceful literary sketch.

Here’s my cluster transformed into a vignette. 

I never ride so fast as when I write.  I move at the speed of light and shadow.  I chase my thoughts; corral them until I find what I mean to say.  My chaos settles around the fire.  In the quiet, they touch me.  I sleep deep in moonlight, a cowgirl in soft moonlight.

 

Paulo Coelho in his book, "Warrior of the Light," gives us a vocabulary a personal legend is somebody's blessing, the path chosen for him. It gives satisfaction and passion that carries on day to day leading to the fulfillment of dreams. Write as a means of expressing what your life is all about, including your passion, beliefs and what you believe you were born to do.