Calling All Voices!
I was with a group of friends last night, sitting around telling stories. Someone referenced that quote about “may you live in interesting times…” Personally, I don’t believe there has ever been a time when life was not interesting. As a species, we humans are the masters of drama. As the old joke goes, why did God invent humans? Answer: because she loves stories. We cannot NOT tell stories – they are woven into the fabric of our existence. We use stories to organize and define who we are and how we see the world. Think of the last interaction you had with someone – I’ll bet a story got told.
So if stories define who we are and how we see the world, and the world is not the way we want it, then doesn’t it make sense to start telling a better story? As an inspiration to that end, I would like to share with you some words from a wonderful colleague of mine and passionate champion of telling a better story. I hope that it will touch your heart like it touched mine and serve as reminder that we are all connected. What we say, what we do and what stories we tell matter – and if we are to survive at all, we need to not only tell better stories, but ask better questions as well…
Calling All Voices: Four Questions to Reveal the Message Written in Your Soul
By Gail Larsen
We are all here at this time for a reason that is written deep within our souls and it is time to find and live our true callings. The questions we are asking in our national and global dialogue keep us stuck in an old paradigm of right/wrong, win/lose. The issues are complex and while we flail around looking for answers, I propose new questions. Here are four to support you in claiming your purpose and activating a new stor
1. What delights you and brings you alive?
When you experience the vibration of joy in your very being, you’re on track to identifying your place of greatest contribution as well as attracting those who will join you. The poet David Whyte in his exquisite poem Sweet Darkness reminds us: “You must remember one thing. The world was made to be free in. Give up all other worlds except the one to which you belong. Anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.” You can no longer play small, although I am reminded of Mother Teresa who reminded us we can do small things with great love. I call that playing big.
2. What breaks your heart?
Rumi said, “Break my heart, oh break it again, so I can love even more again.” Or if you prefer a more contemporary philosopher, try Leonard Cohen: “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” What pain are you avoiding? We must be willing to feel our heartbreak and pain. Each time we avoid our descent into the well of grief, we lose a part of our voice. By allowing ourselves the healing of this natural process, our hearts can be broken open and our purpose revealed.
3. What does healing look like?
The pain will push us until the vision pulls. In Proverbs we are told, “When there is no vision, the people perish.” To change the world, it is time to tell a better story. What is the inspiring new story you will tell to show us the way to a vision of what is possible?
4. What one life-affirming action will you do beautifully and consistently, with love?
Rather than being hypnotized into a wait-and-see stupor, what will you commit to doing right now that supports the healing you envision? Singer Holly Near, in her triumphant song Planet Called Home, sings of presence in these times in a way that expands my idea of how we may be called to serve. Her inspiring words suggest your calling may come, for example, from your own hero’s journey with illness. Perhaps your way of contributing is through the courage you demonstrate to others as you live with uncertainty. Download Planet Called Home from ITunes and sing your song!
Whatever act you choose to do consistently and beautifully, with love, bring to the forefront the question asked by the Iroquois grandmothers. Does this support life? These revered elders viewed life as the entire interconnected web, and their decisions were based on what would serve seven future generations.
Calling All Voices! Let yours be heard as you cherish the strand in the web of life that is held in trust for you.
© 2010 Gail Larsen
Reprinted from “Real Speaking Power Points” a free e-letter by Gail Larsen, author of Transformational Speaking. To subscribe and receive occasional insights and ideas to enhance your public speaking and communications, go to http://www.realspeaking.net
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