Story Institute Imagine Your Stories Again…

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As we walk down our chosen paths, we look forward at the steps ahead and examine those we have taken. Some paths were selected by us, others were chosen for us. Either way, they were chosen. Watch each of the stepping stones and appreciate the support they provide us from planting a [...]

When we act in a manner consistent with our words and beliefs, we are thought to have integrity. People look for that behavior as they determine whom to trust with their stories. Those tales can be the relationship they just began, their financial records, or the loss they just experienced. Having integrity [...]

Staring at a set of stairs from the bottom can be a daunting task. Viewing the same steps from the top may bring a sense of hope as you venture home. Stairs lead to another place, with new people, some different, some the same as the ones on the other end…Stairs can be [...]

On the border of sand and water…looking for the bright beacon to lead us to shore. Humans have braved across dangerous waters to reach yet another shore. We look for reasons to seek adventure in order to reach something familiar. Long wooden planks connect our tethering to the known…the shore. Whereas, [...]

Balance can be about your ability to stay on top of the a spinning log in the water, a very thin line high above an awed audience, or maintaining your sanity between work and home expectations. Life sometimes causes us to walk a little crooked and bouncy, making balance a challenge to achieve across [...]

Honesty helps us interact with each other in a sincere manner. Honesty helps build trust and grow relationships. When we think of the words that tie into our personal vision of honesty, we may reflect on situations rather than words. Relive those situations. Think of the emotions that you experienced when someone [...]

We don’t want to leave,
We just need to go home…
We hope you understand the brevity of our stay,
It is always too short…
We hope that you will visit us,
And, stay longer next time…
We don’t want to leave,
We just need to go home…
We hope you will visit us via voice or video
Over the next few months…
We hope [...]

Waiting, watching, wasting
The time away into
Some other place…
Some other time…
Some other thought…
Where did the day start
That is ended so off track…
Where did the sun go
When it disappeared before it set…
When will we see
Where the rain fell
During a much longer drought…
How can we bring back nature
Into a crowded, abbreviated room…
By: John E. Murray, III

I…
Often wonder…
About the path…
My life has taken…
The Beale Street we called home…
Was quite, secure, and middle class…
Loud, motor, not steam boats covered…
The rocky, slow moving river where we fished and played..
Driving here to just about anywhere was the norm…
While flying was left to later, family days, and…
The dreams to reach the encouraged heights…
Maintaining used swampland [...]

Have you ever seen paradise,
Yet, could not smell the flowers?
I have.
Have you ever crossed the finish line first,
Yet, did not win the race?
I have.
Have you ever heard the thunder,
Yet, never felt the rain?
I have.
Have you ever touched the stars,
Yet, never seen the moon?
I have.
Have you ever felt complete joy,
Yet, feared its source?
I do.
By: John E. [...]