Honing Your True Story
Write the Truth James Pennebaker and fellow researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that a simple writing exercise can help free people from emotional burdens, as fi rst reported in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Here’s how to apply it: Every morning for four consecutive days, write down feelings about what is bothersome:
Something you are thinking or worrying about too much.
Something you feel is affecting your life in an unhealthy way.
Something you have been avoiding for days, weeks or years.
The idea is to write about the emotions that surround this thing you’re reluctant to admit or speak about. Pennebaker says it’s not necessary to reread what’s written or tell anyone about it. The simple act of writing down emotions surrounding a story begins the process of releasing it and relaxing.
Story Slams The Moth organization features true stories told live by people of all ages on The Moth Radio Hour, the Internet and at group story “slams” around the world. At
TheMoth.org, would-be storytellers fi nd tips on how to craft their tales for a listening audience at live story slams around the world, as well as via
24 Central Florida natural awakenings
webcasts. They can then record a two- minute story pitch in order to be accepted as a live storyteller during a future slam.
Ask and Answer Moving through the process Byron Katie calls “the work” uncovers the truth about the stories we are telling ourselves in order to create newer, healthier ones. First, think of a negative thought that’s worrying you, such as “I’m stuck.” Next, ask four questions about it.
Is it true? Can I absolutely know it’s true?
How do I react—what happens—when I believe that thought? Who would I be without the thought? Now write down honest answers,
which might be something like: “I’m not really stuck, I just think I am. Deep down, I know I have the power to move forward, but am unsure about the direction or way to go about it, so I feel anxious. Without the thought of ‘I’m stuck,’ I would feel freer to fi nd a solution.” Then, turn those thoughts around, for example, to, “Really, when I think about it, I feel much freer than when I deny or gloss over my erroneous thought.” When we turn around a specifi c limiting thought, we can experience the power of letting go of not only a misguided, but ultimately untrue internal story.
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