Colleague Sean Buvala just wrote a wonderful blog post about his resolve for 2014 to be organized. It’s his way of making a resolution and commitment to himself for the New Year. I highly recommend it.
I recently saw the movie, “The Dallas Buyers Club”. Outstanding performances by Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. It’s a very powerful story about the main character’s reaction to his diagnosis of HIV (in the era of 1985) and the statement of his doctor, “Get your affairs together. You have thirty days to live.”
I began to think about what I would do if I had been told the same thing; given an ultimatum of a death sentence. I have no concrete answer. I am still thinking about it. It is an ongoing exercise.
In “Zorba the Greek”, Zorba tells the story of a man who continues to plant trees, every day. He says, “I live life as if I would never die.” Zorba responds, “That’s crazy! I live life as if I would die ANY minute!” He proceeds to live with gusto and abandon and a voracious appetite. Experience all you can because you may die tomorrow!
Many stories contain this motif. The protagonist is given a seemingly impossible task or an impossible time frame in which to complete it. The essence of the story is not so much about completing the task, but rather about what creative aspects or skills that the hero may discover (perhaps with the help of a helper) that will enable them to approach the task in an extra-ordinary way.
So here is the task (for your protagonists, and YOU AS A STORYTELLER): What undiscovered (up to this point) creativity, energy or knowledge might I discover, deep down, within myself that will assist me in surviving? Can I do it alone? Do I need a helper (coach)? Do I need a real-world time limit, impossible task, or the challenge of a “death sentence” to spur me to action?
What do you need?
- National Storytelling Network? You should be.
Classes start the week of January 13th, so make sure you register now! PLUS - tell your friends and colleagues who keep saying to you, "I should really take a class there."
Saturday, January 11th ~ 10am - Noon
Saturday, January 11th ~ 10am - Noon
There are still a few spaces left for Sean Buvala's
