Sharing stories throughout our lives, helps us understand each other and often builds community. In this fast paced world of social media and the ever pressing need to identify ourselves as individuals; creating a facebook feed that skims across the surface…………….storytelling and journalling can become a source of reliable and tangible self governance. Your story belongs to you. Pictures do not tell a thousand words – but a story can bring you closer to self actualization and understanding, if you allow it in and use your imagination.
Encouraging myself to write, fulfills a need in me, that I lost a decade ago. I remain deeply committed to story telling as a way of expressing shared histories and maintaining a balance between thinking about things and doing things. Self reflection is a unique power that allows us to better understand not just ourselves, but further deepen our relationships and friendships.
Why do you think journalling is often suggested by psychologists and teachers, who are on a mission to sustain growth and healthy development in their patients and students. My students and I journaled a few times a week and often shared our stories aloud. I never felt like the process was as successful as I wanted it to be. There were time constraints, way too many kids in my classroom to effectively be able to encourage each one of them, and I wanted kids to be a able to remain anonymous if necessary. Few people are going to share the sad tale of trauma or abuse in a classroom setting. So…….we never really get to know the truth. It is easy to imagine a person is completely unhinged when you don’t know their story.
Since covid, I have noticed that friendships are as elusive and fragile as a broken heart. The lack of understanding is palpable. One wrong move, three words expressed hurriedly; are too often the death knell of many a lifetime friendship. Texting is not enough. Phone calls fall short and lately rarely happen. An attempt at an email can destroy connection.
How much do we allow people to really know us? This is the question that fuelled my curiosity for the honest story. What if we were able to bridge the divisive gap between how we feel and sharing how we feel.
Recognizing our need; for understanding the self, might include studying the child in all of us that may have felt like they had ADDHD, were lonely, isolated, angry, abused, confused, bullied, traumatized, independent, loved, secure, parentified…..the list goes on.
So, I welcomed short stories from friends and relatives. I have heard many interesting stories about my family and extended family and we talk about the daily journal. I had a daily diary starting in grade six but, I have not maintained it. I have friends who keep a daily journal. If anyone is interested in participating, please email me at kathrynkastner1@gmail.com. I would like to share some of your stories, with permission; or just enjoy the story.
Weekly and monthly jams at HouseonTheHill have included the outloud sharing of our stories – it is amazing to see the discussion that comes up!
I sure hope you will consider sending me a story. And please leave a comment if you can.
Kathryn Kastner 