MY KIND OF ... LEARNING

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Created on Tuesday, 23 June 2015 19:22
Written by Marian Moore

 

Marian @ Krysan

THE WELLBEING CONSULTANCY

Planting Golden Seeds in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and Durham

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  • Painting: Fallen Apples
  • Artist: Julie Dunbarton
  • Source: Biscuit Factory Website 

 

 

 

Draw back the curtain

MY KIND OF ... LEARNING

HUMAN TO HUMAN 

Memorandum

  • To: Kindred Spirits (everywhere) 
  • From: A North East Storyteller
  • Date: Tuesday, 23 June 2015
  • Theme: STORYTELLING AT THE SAGE (SO-ME)

Dear Friends 

Grace, Justice and Beauty

My gratitude is extended to the ever-growing numbers of people around the world who commit themselves tirelessly to the growth of their families, communities, and organisations in so many ways.

You have the power to create.
You have the power to act.
You are everywhere.

In essence, You belong to the largest Social Movement in history restoring Grace, Justice and Beauty to the World.  Let Us now grasp the nettle and support the notion of the 'transformative conversation' where we emerge a slightly different person.  Let's talk.

Human to Human

Yesterday, I spent a day at the Sage, Gateshead.  The event was the national conference for Public Health Employees 2015. I wasn't there as a delegate, rather as a storyteller.  This was alongside a dozen or so other people from Time to Change from around the country.  All would see themselves (like me) as being experts through experience in mental health.

At the risk of over-sharing, here's the profile that I conjured up prior to the event. So-Me, so very, very (uniquely) me ...

Follow me

My name is ...

Tweet: Mine is the story of the road less travelled.  If there is one word I could take with me into eternity, it would be 'give' ...

Work/Volunteering: I am a retired teacher turned wellbeing consultant/writer/speaker.  I am also a volunteer/governor for a local NHS Trust.

Where I'm from: I was born in County Durham.  

Where I live: for almost 50 years, I have resided in an 'ancient township' in Tyne & Wear.  

Music: I like most kinds of music, but am particularly fond of country music and the music of Josef Locke and Eva Cassidy.

Books: I love books and have a great collection of non-fiction books on Philosophy, Psychology, and Spirituality.  One day, I intend to write a novel set in the North East.

Film: I rarely watch films, but have several DVDs on Laurel and Hardy on standby for when I have more time.  I love TED talks.

TV: I am a fan of Conscious TV and BBC News.  Of late, I have now and again tuned into 'Made in Tyne and Wear'.  I also regularly watch Sky Arts.

Online: My online presence involves regularly updating my wellbeing website.  I also Tweet (daily) and am on Linkedin.

Interests/Hobbies:  I enjoy being around interesting people, so you could say socialising is both my interest and my hobby.  I am North East and Proud.

The Outsiders CIC - Open for Business

Prior to the event, the above profile had been laminated (by creative director, Oz Osborne) onto an A3 sheet of paper and conspicuously displayed on a large blue stand, this alongside 12 other profiles of individuals from the service user community.  All had presented themselves at the Sage in person - Third Floor - to lend their support by telling their recovery stories (human-to-human) at this massive two-day Public Health event on the banks of the River Tyne.  All systems go.

Having navigated the journey and an early start, the morning of 23 June 2015 saw our gallant troupe of men and women fully-briefed (by Oz) and also 'ready to go'.  The idea was that (prompted by SoMe posters situated around the Sage) the public health delegates would pay us a visit, peruse the blue display board, and then select someone's profile whose take on life interested and/or intrigued them. Choice made, they would then be formally introduced to said expert by a So-Me volunteer - profile in hand.

Let's Talk

I have to say that - as a seasoned Time to Change campaigner and champion - I have taken part in many interesting 'human to human' conversations throughout England, each being a brave attempt to help combat the stigma and discrimination that comes with ignorance of the 'facts of the matter'. But this was different!  This was a brand new creative concept, giving an entirely new flavour to being 'up close and personal' in one-to-one conversations - with perfect strangers.  Days later, I am still 'plum tuckered out'.  

Imagine ...

I can only speak for myself, but I loved being part of the event. Throughout the day, I had conversations with public health workers from near and far - even a delightfully astute university professor from Denmark stopped by for a chat. I salute you and indeed all the worthies who followed your lead to Time to Change in The Sage, Gateshead.  Ander - you were (and are) a sage amongst sages.  Chief sage!

Feeling Safe with a Person

When things were quiet on our 'TTC Third Floor Space', we honoured guests seized the opportunity to talk amongst ourselves.  The more curious and adventurous also familiarised themselves with the wonders of live-stream tweeting as news of our conversations was spread across the planet in bite-sized chunks - Tweets.  This event was (at least, to me) also 'peer support' at its very, very best. Censorship of words, thoughts and feelings was not required or even deemed appropriate.  

In hindsight, it is my sincere belief that

  • new friendships were forged;
  • old friendships were strengthened;
  • ancient wounds were invisibly mended.

The importance (and comfort) of feeling safe with a person is so beautifully expressed in the quotation below.  This dropped into my Inbox this very morning - serendipity at its most magical. The Master's Hand at work - again?  I rather think so.

"Oh, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person - having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away". - Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

Humans are Designed for ...

One last thing.  

In my introduction to this blog, I invited you to grasp the nettle and support the notion of the 'transformative conversation' where we emerge a slightly different person.  Nettle now well and truly grasped, by extension, let us celebrate our untapped love for all new possibilities, new experiences, and new connections. 

This is my kind of ... learning.

 

  • Marian Moore
  • Wellbeing Consultant/speaker/writer
  • email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Quotable quotes

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.  

- Maya Angelou

'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'

'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.

'I don't much care where', said Alice

'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.

- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

  

 

Statement of Intent

Books: I love books and have a great collection of books on Philosophy, Psychology, and Spirituality.  One day, I intend to write a novel based in the North East.

HAWKEN, PAUL (2007), Blessed Unrest: How the largest social movement in history is restoring grace, justice and beauty in the world.  pub. Penguin Books, London.  

 

 

A Tear, A Kiss , A Smile

Music: I like most kinds of music, but am particularly fond of country music and the music of Josef Locke and Eva Cassidy.

  

 

Interconnectedness

 ... So-Me ... So-You ... So-Us ...

When the pupil is ready, the teacher will appear.  It is written.

 

 

Ends

2015-11-16  : 1,308 hits 


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