Stories From Women Who Walk

Hello to you listening in Madeira, Portugal!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds (and a bit more) for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.I taught a story workshop the other day. We began by recognizing that in its very simplest form a story is made up of 3 parts: something was (a routine) + something happened (a complication) + something is (a consequence or result).I remembered an event on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. You must have a sturdy pair of trekking poles (or sticks) to help you navigate 500 miles of muddy, rocky, slippery, downhill slopes; equally steep, rocky, muddy, mountain passes, city streets that go on forever when you can barely take another step. Or maybe to just to lean on and catch your breath. Mine were red and I usually kept them close to hand.Until one day out on the Maseta, the flat dry plains of Spain that stretch to the horizon, I stopped at a café and left my sticks leaning against the outside wall. It’s what we all did. But when I came out of the café my sticks were gone.Now what do I do? I have weeks of mountains to climb. The rains were on the way. How will I manage?I began to run in the direction I was headed. Running, in hiking boots, with a 15 pound backpack, feeling angry, self-pitying, disappointed in all pilgrims, and swearing a blue streak. Finally, I ran out of words, out of breath and stopped. I let it all go. What were sticks anyway but metal and rubber? I could likely buy another pair in some city up ahead. Just then I saw a woman swinging my sticks. I caught up to her, she handed them over without a word, I said Buen Camino! and walked on. Many things we experience in Life are little more than annoyments. Funny thing about Life: it provides when you least expect it and you're willing to allow it.Story Prompt: Sometimes what’s lost will circle right back to you. When has that happened? Write that story!You’re invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe, share a 5-star rating + nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time!Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:✓ Check out What I Offer,✓ Arrange your free Story Session call + Bonus gift,✓ Opt In to my monthly Newsletter for valuable tips & techniques to enhance your story work, and✓ Stay current with Diane and on LinkedIn.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

Hello to you listening in Rock Island, Illinois!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Thoughts on Thursday and your host, Diane Wyzga.Over these several years and a few episodes back I’ve reminded my listeners about preparing for end-of-life wishes. Recently a colleague mentioned that she had gotten some documents ready but now they were out of sight and out of mind. No matter, she said. I’ll leave it to my family to sort out.My mom died after a short battle with lymphoma during which time we were not allowed to ask about or prepare for her end-of-life. It was a scramble of 7 siblings helping dad carry out all the many preparations one isn’t faced with until one is. We did it well, and then we grieved.You would think we learned a lesson. But when dad died all we knew is that he had wanted to be buried in a plain pine box made by an order of monks. Now what? Fortunately, his best friend had the details. Once again we scrambled to get the pine box made and shipped to the funeral home. End-of-life wishes are like a GPS for your loved ones, a way to say to them in their time of grief: Here, my beloveds, I can help you. I have this map of what to do and how to go about it. You won’t be led astray. I’ve provided everything for you. Practical Tip: Decide on your end-of-life wishes and then program your GPS for your beloveds.You’re invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe, share a 5-star rating + nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time!Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:✓ Check out What I Offer,✓ Arrange your free Story Session call + Bonus gift,✓ Opt In to my monthly Newsletter for valuable tips & techniques to enhance your story work, and✓ Stay current with Diane and on LinkedIn.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

Hello to you listening in Bonny Lake, Washington!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.I’m close to launching my new and improved Quarter Moon Story Arts website. It’s taken a long time. Along the way I took time to clarify who I am and what I have to offer. It was a very long road but a worthy venture to examine how I earned the right to carry the medicine of story guide and communication transformation coach.I’ve been a storyteller through many stages of my professional life. I saw firsthand how stories help people. But it took me years to claim my true voice and purpose as a storyteller. I had to discover the “sorcery of stories.” Stories help us to be seen, heard, understood, and listened to.I set out on a journey to create Quarter Moon Story Arts. I bring one-of-a-kind skills, assets, and experiences to benefit people like you become successful story creators. It’s a niche the world needs: helping socially conscious professionals and organizations succeed by discovering and delivering their authentic story messages to connect with, engage and influence their audiences while transforming the lives of those they serve.I’m inviting you to contact me on LinkedIn or Quarter Moon Story Arts to schedule your free Story Starter Session and get to the heart of your message. You’re invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe, share a 5-star rating + nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time!Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:✓ Check out What I Offer,✓ Arrange your free Story Session call + Bonus gift,✓ Opt In to my monthly Newsletter for valuable tips & techniques to enhance your story work, and✓ Stay current with Diane and on LinkedIn.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicAll content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts