BREAKING THROUGH TO LIGHTEN UP IN DARK TIMES!

Photo by Larry Pence

Are you struggling with something that doesn't seem to give way despite your best efforts?

The dynamic metaphor we call a story galvanizes powerful internal energies needed to change our realities -- for ourselves and our world. That's why we tell stories; that's why we listen.

Here's some encouragement from the Story Zone for you.

Three-fourths of the way through a good story, the protagonist, who has long been oppressed by the forces of darkness, suddenly gains the upper hand through a transformational insight or surge of power. Call it the Grail moment—when the truth hidden deep within the crisis is revealed. In a revolutionary action, the protagonist seizes the sword and kills the enemy. With that, the world changes.

What has happened is that our protagonist's relationship to the problem changed.

The moment of highest tension and ultimate constriction becomes the one of complete unknotting. The most excruciating pain opens to joy, and joy expands to freedom.

It is here, in the most awful place, that the protagonist has claimed the inner quality needed for breakthrough. Now they can truly claim the identity of Hero -- the one who changed the story.

The plot changes from quest to return, as our hero slowly finds the way back to their waiting land or cuts a swath to a new home that is ready to receive the priceless gift they bring.


Imagine yourself into the above scenario.

What is your challenge?
What or who stands between you and the solution?
What qualities have helped you overcome challenges in the past?
How can you put them to use now?
What will you do when you've solved the problem?

For story-based help in dealing with your personal or group challenges, write me at julietbrucephd at gmail.com