Journal entry by Al Negstad — a minute ago
Serendipity controls more of life than I often recognize. Consider this: at Easter dinner I unfolded the name/place card prepared by my granddaughters. This was what was printed inside:
"ALL THAT WE ARE IS STORY. From the moment we are born to the time we continue on our spirit journey, we are involved in the creation of the story of our time here. It is what we arrive with. It is all we leave behind. We are not the things we accumulate. We are not the things we deem important. We are story. All of us. What comes to matter then is the creation of the best possible story we can while we are here; you, me, us, together. When we can do that and we take the time to share those stories with each other, we get bigger inside, we see each other,, we recognize our kinship--we change the world, one story at a time..." Richard Wagamese (October 14,l 1955 - March 10, 2017) Ojibwe from Wabaseemong Independence Nations, Canada. Author of "Indian Horse," 2012, "Medicine Walk," 2014
"ALL THAT WE ARE IS STORY." My story, of late, has been life as I experience it in the land of grief. Telling that story had been healing for me and it has found resonance with a 'great cloud of witnesses.' Bonding; there has been bonding with those who read and tell me, and there seems to be other 'witnesses' I sense, who silently participate in my story. Strength flows to me, from both those who articulate their presence. and those who anonymously travel with me. Therefore, I am grateful for both the quiet ones and those who vocalize.
If Wagamese is correct think how important it is to listen! Does not story presume both teller and listener? For, what is story if there is no one to hear? Now, think of the impact of the 'great cloud of witnesses' that follow this blog. While contemplation of all these listeners provokes humility it also fills my heart with gratitude. Yes, I am blessed.
Blessings,
Al
"ALL THAT WE ARE IS STORY. From the moment we are born to the time we continue on our spirit journey, we are involved in the creation of the story of our time here. It is what we arrive with. It is all we leave behind. We are not the things we accumulate. We are not the things we deem important. We are story. All of us. What comes to matter then is the creation of the best possible story we can while we are here; you, me, us, together. When we can do that and we take the time to share those stories with each other, we get bigger inside, we see each other,, we recognize our kinship--we change the world, one story at a time..." Richard Wagamese (October 14,l 1955 - March 10, 2017) Ojibwe from Wabaseemong Independence Nations, Canada. Author of "Indian Horse," 2012, "Medicine Walk," 2014
"ALL THAT WE ARE IS STORY." My story, of late, has been life as I experience it in the land of grief. Telling that story had been healing for me and it has found resonance with a 'great cloud of witnesses.' Bonding; there has been bonding with those who read and tell me, and there seems to be other 'witnesses' I sense, who silently participate in my story. Strength flows to me, from both those who articulate their presence. and those who anonymously travel with me. Therefore, I am grateful for both the quiet ones and those who vocalize.
If Wagamese is correct think how important it is to listen! Does not story presume both teller and listener? For, what is story if there is no one to hear? Now, think of the impact of the 'great cloud of witnesses' that follow this blog. While contemplation of all these listeners provokes humility it also fills my heart with gratitude. Yes, I am blessed.
Blessings,
Al
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