167 StoryWork: What It Is and Why It Matters with Dan Allender and Cathy Loerzel
Jan 6, 2025
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Dan Allender, an author and speaker specializing in the intersection of story, trauma, and faith, is joined by Cathy Loerzel, who collaborates with him in exploring story work. They delve into how our family origins shape our current thoughts and actions, emphasizing the healing power of understanding one’s personal narrative. Through personal anecdotes, they illustrate the transformative impact of self-reflection. They also promote an upcoming StoryWork conference in Atlanta, inviting listeners to engage in their healing journeys through storytelling.
Engaging with personal narratives allows individuals to confront past traumas, fostering personal growth and healthier relationships through reflection and understanding.
Understanding one's family of origin story significantly influences current behaviors and emotions, emphasizing the need to listen to and learn from individual experiences.
Deep dives
The Significance of Story in Our Lives
Human experiences are deeply intertwined with the concept of story, which shapes the way we understand ourselves and the world around us. Stories are not merely facts but encompass context, characters, and plots that contribute to our identity and learning. Engaging with our personal narratives allows us to reflect on themes that influence our lives and decisions, bringing awareness to how the past impacts the present. By examining our stories, we can uncover the wisdom they hold, which often reflects both the hardships and triumphs we have encountered.
The Journey of Engaging with Our Own Stories
Engaging with one’s own story is a vital practice that involves examining the narratives that shape our actions and reactions. This process requires an often difficult confrontation with past traumas while also recognizing the resilience and beauty present in our survival. Understanding our background allows us to acknowledge parts of ourselves that may have been neglected or overlooked, fostering a sense of kindness and curiosity towards our own experiences. By doing so, we can transform pain into insights that guide us toward personal growth and healthier relationships with ourselves and others.
Listening to the Voices of Our Past
Our past experiences serve as essential guides that can illuminate our current reality and future possibilities. By actively listening to the narratives of our lives, we can better understand our unique contributions and the beauty inherent in our identities. This exploration can reveal our calling and encourage us to face the grief associated with our experiences, engendering a sense of purpose. Ignoring our stories might lead to a superficial understanding of ourselves, but truly engaging with them can spark profound change and joy in how we navigate our lives.
You have a story and that story matters. Your story in your family of origin significantly affects the way you think, feel, and act in the world today. This is why Dan Allender says, “It is time to listen to your story.” What if healing begins by listening to your story? By reflecting on the experiences in your growing up years, you can better understand why your brain has been shaped in the way that it has. If you want to experience more of the healing power of understanding your own story, join Dan, Cathy, and myself in Atlanta, GA, on Saturday February 22, 2025, for the StoryWork Conference. The conference will be live streamed if you can’t make it to Atlanta. You can register by going to adamyoungcounseling.com. CEU’s are available for therapists.
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