From Storytelling to Speaking, Finding Joy

The Tapestry of Tales Storytelling Festival (http://www.multcolib.org/events/tales/) in Portland, Oregon, November 20-22 will again feature Anne-Louise Sterry as a regional teller. Sterry is not only an internationally known storyteller/singer but also a fast rising speaker on the subject of choosing joy; and not just now and then but every day.

Portland, Ore. (PRWEB) November 17, 2008 -- The Tapestry of Tales Storytelling Festival (http://www.multcolib.org/events/tales/) in Portland, Ore., November 20-22, 2008, will again feature Anne-Louise Sterry as a regional teller. Sterry is not only an internationally known storyteller/singer, but also a fast rising speaker on the subject of choosing joy; and not just now and then but every day.

Sterry states that in today's tumultuous world, it seems many people feel overwhelmed, powerless and victimized. She relates current brain research showing that everyone haa the power to change these feelings by changing the stories they tell themselves, and that carefully and deliberately changing these feelings will change their life.

Growing up in a large Italian Catholic family in northern NJ, I was surrounded by an extended family that made an art form of being victims. It was like a lightning bolt when an older wiser friend told me I did not have to be a victim and I could choose to look at my life in a different way. I was already 40 years old!

Sterry a former nurse turned speaker, storyteller and musician will tell you that this is true. "Growing up in a large Italian Catholic family in northern NJ, I was surrounded by an extended family that made an art form of being victims. It was like a lightning bolt when an older wiser friend told me I did not have to be a victim and I could choose to look at my life in a different way. I was already 40 years old!"
        
She recommends a few small steps to take on your journey to change your feelings and change your life. 'I promise you it works. I went from being a professional victim to a person who is following her dream…who knew!"

• "Collect Joy. Our Grandmothers told us to look for the positive side in every situation, to see the glass half full. We often forget that simple idea. To capture this 'half fullness', get a note book, one that appeals to you and feels good in your hands. Look for tiny moments of joy all day long - best you can. Record these moments in the book. See what happens after a week... two weeks... a month..."
• "Practice kindness toward yourself and others. For yourself, pretend you are your best friend. What would you say to them? Say it to yourself. For others…if it wouldn't feel good to you, it won't feel good to anyone else! Ask this question… 'What's my part?' We always have one! Remember it is not always 'about me'."
• "Choose a different story, a story that helps you feel good rather than bad. For instance here is a typical story many people slip into: 'There is so much to do I will never get it done.' Now here is your new story: 'I always get the important things done. I choose to move though this calmly. I can always make that choice for myself. It feels good.' Notice how you feel with the new story. Write that down in your book and again see what happens after a week... two weeks... a month..."

You can see Anne-Louise and Aunt Lena on their respective Web sites www.anne-louise.com and www.auntlenasez.com

###