Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean-- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don't know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do With your one wild and precious life?
Mary Oliver
In our psyche there are plot structures that work both consciously and outside our awareness, making meaning of events, influencing perception and behavior. These plot structures are a combination of archetypal themes, beliefs and values we absorbed from parents and culture, emotional imprints of past events, cellular memories, and the purpose and genius with which we were born.
Join us as we tell our stories in word, image, song or movement. We engage in a process of reflection, and creation. We develop clarity about our authentic self and our individual purpose. We are more able to let go of plots that do not serve us, that run contrary to our bringing our gifts forward with fullness and joy. Old beliefs and values that do not truly fit us can be replaced with those that do. Telling our story is a way to more consciously engage in the process of co-creating our life. This creation of our life story is a mutual project between the invisible world of spirit and our full-of-potential self.
The Group: Join us in a group of individuals (limited to 8) committed to exploring, creating and telling our stories in a safe harbor of honesty, support and playful experiment. We meet for one hour, every other week, joined together by a phone bridge. You are asked to commit to the group for three months at a time.
Ruth and I will serve as facilitators/coaches, or as Clarisa Estes says, "little wild mothers," to the unfolding of your truest stories, your most enlivening dreams. We will also participate in the process, sharing our stories as we go. Writing exercises, poetry, myths, fairy tales and other stories will be used to prime the pump and unleash the creative spirit.
Fee: $150/month with members making a commitment of 3 months at a time. Scholarship available depending on need.
Ruth Hofstatter is a psychotherapist, executive coach, workshop leader and artist. She works with individuals, corporate and non-profit groups as a teambuilder, mediator, and retreat facilitator. Connecting to and manifesting the creative process in each one of us is her passion.
Dates and Times: To be announced. Beginning fall of 2005.
Coach/Facilitators: Susan Crew, Ph.D. Ruth Hofstatter, LPC
Ruth and I are impressed with the depth and strength of connection that participants in our small group teleforums develop. We welcome you to join us.
Contact Ruth at 860-233-4830 #4 or Susan at 513-559-1193or crewsusan@fuse.net. Let us know of your interest. We will contact you when meeting times are set.