Why would getting to know our attendees or vs versus be so important in a creative, soulful retreat?
This Ted Talk explains it so well.
Everyone has a story.
Everyone desires to be heard.
We all want to know our life matters, that we count in the bigger picture of the world.
Giving the gift of being there for another person in your life or that comes into your life by a serendipitous moment, to stop...be quiet...and listen, can be profound.
As both of our events last year in 2014 unfolded, we saw a common bond throughout both of the retreats. It was important to celebrate our differences and recognize within each other there are many threads that tie us all together, as there are differences. No matter what our background, job or career path, level of income, ethnicity or religion, we all have walked along a path that we can pull similarities from and had experiences that are worthy of sharing. It was even more important to let those stories be heard. In a art/creative retreat, you don't often have time for that, but at ReMe...being heard and discovering as much about others as you do yourself, is at the core of what we facilitate and embrace.
Whether you have joined us in the past or are thinking about joining us in the future, take this little bit of inspiration with you and incorporate it into your life if you can:
Stop and listen to someone else and give them the gift of your time and interest in hearing their story. It's a treasure you'll receive that could be life changing for both you and the person you are giving it to.
And now to share that talk that reminded me of ReMe: David Isay began a program that has grown over the last several years where they provide a platform in which two people and a facilitator can sit down and record an interview, asking poignant questions and just being there to listen to another human being. That dialogue is recorded and uploaded into a bank of discussions for future generations. It's a modern take on how history has been documented since the beginning of time. Listening. Sharing. Writing. Photos. Art.
It's good to be reminded from time to time to slow down and just be present for someone else.
What is that you would ask someone important in your life about if you had the chance? What nuggets of wisdom would you like to harvest from their life bank of experience?
What is it that YOU would like to share with a loved one? What if this was your last conversation, what would you like them to hear?
We'd love to hear that 'question' you would ask or want to be asked during an interview. Please leave a comment here with a question you'd like to ask that person.
Do you have a story that you'd like to tell? We are here...and we want to HEAR you, too--whether or not you have joined us or will be joining us, we are are all brother's and sister's in this world together.
Thank you for being a part of the ReMe family in your own way.
If you'd like more information about a ReMe event or would like to join us in October 2015, please drop us a line at reme@remeretreats.com .
I think that everyone has several stories to tell, I know that I have a few...and in light of the phone call that I got this morning I wish that I could have shared one with my niece (actually, the niece of my sister in law- close enough). She tried to commit suicide for the second time last night and everyone is waiting to hear if she will pull though.
ReplyDeleteI would tell her the story of the beautiful things that I have seen and the hope that I have for the future. I would tell her of the things that inspire me each day, the little things.... I would like to tell her that it will get better, with help. I want to tell her the stores of wonder in life, but I am afraid that I won't get the chance. So, I will tell you and hope that you will tell someone in your life about the small things that inspire you, the things that make you smile for no reason, the things that people take for granted.
My heart goes out to you and I'm praying that your niece pulls through this ordeal. We will most certainly honor your wish to inspire others by celebrating the little things in life.Just like you said, it's so easy to take those for granted, we forget that life is not about the big moments...those are so few and far between. It's all about the little things that are all around us day to day to find joy in. Dark days do pass with time, I hope your niece sees the light soon and you can share your thoughts with her once again.
DeleteShe is alive and angry at everyone for interfering.
DeleteI will look for that ap. I'd like to interview my father. He is now a retired State Trooper. In 7th grade we were given an asignment to write a poem. I wrote one called "My hero my Dad". I couldn't wait to rush home to share it with him but when I got home he wasn't there. Infact, he didn't come home at all that night. Finally the next morning he woke me before school. He wanted to be the first to tell me the news; he had been forced to take a life that night. It was his job. Then, I handed him my poem; "My hero, my Dad". Now that I am an adult I would like to interview him and ask him how he felt at that moment, and to let him know that then, and now, he is still my hero.
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, that is profound,too....The timing of your poem and your Dad's experience at work fell into place in ways I'm sure you could have never imagine. Your gift to him came at a time that you most likely needed it most. This would be a great interview question for him and an exceptional dialogue to have with your Father.
ReplyDelete