tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:59:01 +0000A study weblog for posts and ponderings about narrative applications in helping professionshttp://www.revisionsplus.com/narrative.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)Blogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-2557147957790394854Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:47:00 +00002010-01-21T08:59:01.394-05:00This past weekend I began a year's worth of training at the Indianapolis Gestalt Institute, where I will add a specialization in Gestalt approaches to the MDiv in pastoral care and counseling. I love both narrative and Gestalt and find that they work together harmoniously to help us be aware of the energy that's arising in the present moment and notice the story that is shaping the expression of http://www.revisionsplus.com/2010/01/group-voice.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-8388826584119452731Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:32:00 +00002009-12-10T06:42:02.275-05:00For as long as I can remember, I have used the phrase "popping the lid on our thinking" to describe that kind of thought that makes a numb for a moment as we feel a new thought sweeping through our minds and opening us to new ideas. Popping the lid means you open to new things and let the fresh breeze of possibility into your consciousness. It's a good thing. :) Today is Emily Dickinson's http://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/12/popping-lid-on-our-thinking.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-1271892567586080568Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:43:00 +00002009-12-09T06:56:24.406-05:00Last night I had a conversation with a friend about the nature of discouragement and the feelings of hopelessness and "why try?" that go along with it. It seems we all run through cycles of times when internally we feel ready and able to take on any task, and then times when we feel overwhelmed and too ineffective to resolve even the tiniest challenge. I'm not sure why our emotional boats pitch http://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/12/dont-let-cloud-win.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-5798382574682389129Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:11:00 +00002009-12-05T20:52:00.029-05:00This morning a thought occurred to me about a subtle difference in listening that can make all the difference in relationship. Last night I saw the movie Everybody's Fine with Robert DeNiro. It was a sweet movie with a simple a painful premise: when we tell people in our lives--especially those to whom was are closely tied--that we are "fine" and cover up the real struggles, events, and http://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/12/listening-to-receive.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-3604721680493005606Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:14:00 +00002009-11-30T13:25:53.463-05:00At my Quaker meeting, we have lost three wonderful women in three weeks. Mary's death was unexpected and a shock--she was in her 50s, a peace activist, a gentle, beautiful woman. Hilda was in her late 80s, and even though she'd lived a long wonderful life, she was strong and sure, with a great sense of humor and more than a little twinkle in her eye. Her loss is huge for all of us. And Betsy, a http://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/11/community-losses.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-1334504700110491677Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:07:00 +00002009-09-28T12:13:17.353-04:00This morning for some reason I found myself mentally tabbing through many of the best experiences of my life, and I noticed with some wonder that many of them had something in common. Beautiful landscapes. A sense of openness, freedom. A timeless quality that brought peace and a sense of limitless expansiveness. In some situations those where real physical landscapes: watching a thunderstorm out http://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/09/thinking-landscapes.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-4176032388805143744Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:53:00 +00002009-09-27T09:03:33.917-04:00A few days ago the Dulwich Centre officially launched Explorations: An E-journal of Narrative Practice. Editor John Winslade writes a wonderful opening piece that sets the stage for the discussion and welcomes input from practitioners, professionals, students, and just people like us living this life all over the world. The Centre is inviting feedback and wants help in shaping the journal in the http://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/09/new-international-ejournal-in-narrative.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-5838950071189760753Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:55:00 +00002009-07-02T23:17:12.341-04:00Impermanence and the Nature of ChangeI ran across a Buddhist Web site tonight that had a link in the navigation bar called Impermanence. When I clicked it, the screen said simply (on a white background) This page sometimes links to pages that no longer exist.That is, of course the nature of impermanence. It is so easy to think that in order for a thing to be real and true, it must be solid, http://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/07/impermanence-and-nature-of-change-i-ran.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-7717778781328327208Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:58:00 +00002009-06-28T10:03:57.803-04:00What brings you joy?Just a few moments ago I posted a reflection on a momentary joy on my other blog, and was struck by the realization that the way in which we experience and frame joy may have interesting connections in terms of personality, agency, and outlook.Is joy to you an inward thing you find yourself?Is joy a shared experience with a loved one?The accomplishment of a task or project?Thehttp://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/06/what-brings-you-joy-just-few-moments.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-7629633953540300789Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:57:00 +00002009-06-20T13:49:18.667-04:00Themes worth exploringToday is the birthday of Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk (nod to Writer's Almanac), and here is a quote that to me points directly to the power and potential of narrative:"What literature needs most to tell and investigate today are humanity's basic fears: the fear of being left outside, and the fear of counting for nothing, and the feelings of worthlessness that come with such http://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/06/themes-worth-writing-about-today-is.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-1668832427566313491Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:46:00 +00002009-04-05T09:53:45.956-04:00Rulesuma reflexãoRules. Lines. Schedules. Deadlines. Task lists. Expectations. Minutes-Hours-Days. Weeks. Tomorrow. Yesterday. Plans. Itineraries. You. Me. Them. Buildings. Structure. History. Success. Failure. Right. Wrong. Fences. Treetops......oh......sky...http://www.revisionsplus.com/2009/04/rules-uma-reflexao-rules.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-1163226298148328748Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:28:00 +00002008-12-04T08:39:36.170-05:00An Emancipated MoleI am reading The Wind in the Willows by Alexander Grahame right now (the one illustrated by Ernest Shepherd...wonderful!). It's one of those books that kept popping into my head repeatedly, so I finally gave in and began reading it. This morning I read about Mole's adventure as he, overcome with reckless joy at the end of a wonderful adventurous picnic with Rat, grabs the oars http://www.revisionsplus.com/2008/12/emancipated-mole-i-am-reading-wind-in.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-3584674601789588255Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:17:00 +00002008-09-20T08:29:10.450-04:00The big story of a lifeLook at the book I just ordered from Amazon.com! I'm very excited about it. This morning first thing I read today's Writer's Almanac email newsletter (which I always do) and discovered today is the anniversary of the day Magellan's crew (18 remaining of 270) made it back to Spain, completing the first successful circumnavigation of the globe. On board was a quiet scholar http://www.revisionsplus.com/2008/09/big-story-of-life-look-at-book-i-just.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-8286199899663681262Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:42:00 +00002008-09-16T08:57:43.877-04:00A History of HealingI received this link from a post on the Narrative Medicine listserv this morning: Mental Health Survivors' Movements. It's really a fascinating look at the development of mental health reform and growth in the U.K., from 1845 to the present day. The site offers a staggering number of links and resources--it's perfect if you're preparing a presentation, paper, or simply want tohttp://www.revisionsplus.com/2008/09/history-of-healing-i-received-this-link.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-2059558277793186152Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:17:00 +00002008-09-13T07:28:27.946-04:00Life as (a Prerequisite for) ArtI found this story from today's Writer's Almanac fascinating: "It's the birthday of Roald Dahl, born in Llandaff, South Wales (1916). He was sent off to private boarding schools as a kid, which he hated except for the chocolates, Cadbury chocolates. The Cadbury chocolate company had chosen his school as a focus group for new candies they were developing. Every so http://www.revisionsplus.com/2008/09/life-as-prerequisite-for-art-i-found.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-7561388280810257610Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:31:00 +00002008-09-11T20:31:23.538-04:00Who are you?The more I notice stories around me, the more they begin to multiply and expand and move and change. Stories are very organic, living things--moving almost like streams through consciousness, sometimes full and expansive, sometimes barely trickling and drying up. A person with little access to his or her own story is like a dry creekbed. A person with a rich, rolling, full storyline http://www.revisionsplus.com/2008/09/who-are-you-more-i-notice-stories.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-4196438960300131404Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:59:00 +00002008-07-10T12:03:35.658-04:00Stories Aren't WordsIf you have four free moments, take a look at this video clip from YouTube: Where in the Hell is Matt?. Talk about a profound way to connect everyone in one joyful, moving story!http://www.revisionsplus.com/2008/07/stories-arent-words-if-you-have-four.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-6868896121625355694Sat, 10 May 2008 15:47:00 +00002008-05-10T11:57:15.920-04:00EndingsPartly because of finishing grad school (yay), partly because of the passing of Michael White, and partly because it's been a year since my dad died, I've been thinking a lot about endings lately. Today as I drove my son's friend home, I noticed that the three sister cows I always enjoy seeing along that route weren't out in the pasture this year. I discovered that the barn where the pigs http://www.revisionsplus.com/2008/05/endings-partly-because-of-finishing.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-2666669289333082246Sun, 13 Apr 2008 19:26:00 +00002008-04-13T15:37:31.187-04:00Remembering Michael WhiteA really sad event happened this week in the narrative therapy community. Michael White passed away suddenly on April 5 after a collapse the day before. Worldwide services are being held at sunset in a number of different countries around the globe this week to remember Michael and his family during this time. Here is a link to the Dulwich Centre Web site with more http://www.revisionsplus.com/2008/04/remembering-michael-white-really-sad.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-7948915758785140673Sun, 04 Nov 2007 17:19:00 +00002007-11-04T12:21:19.421-05:00More on ConversationsThanks to those of you who participated in the first set of interview questions for my new book on conversations! Here's the link to the second and final set of survey questions: Conversations survey, part 2Please feel free to share this link with anyone you think might be interested. The more, the merrier!:) khttp://www.revisionsplus.com/2007/11/more-on-conversations-thanks-to-those.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-5213707092967972707Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:12:00 +00002007-10-21T14:13:01.913-04:00Want to be interviewed?Hi! I'm beginning to research a new project on the dynamics and effects of conversation. I've created a simple survey--would you be willing to participate? It shouldn't take more than 5 minutes. All responses are confidential (I don't ask anything scary, anyway) and if I choose to quote you, I'll send you an e-mail message asking your permission first.Here's the link, and http://www.revisionsplus.com/2007/10/want-to-be-interviewed-hi-im-beginning.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-3466692707185087133Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:50:00 +00002007-08-31T08:03:09.076-04:00Here like the "here" in this sentenceGreat poem on Writer's Almanac this morning:Poem: "After Reading T'ao Ch'ing, I wander Untethered Through the Short Grass" by Charles Wright, from Appalachia. © Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998. After Reading T'ao Ch'ing, I wander Untethered Through the Short Grass Dry spring, no rain for five weeks.Already the lush green begins to bow its head and sink to itshttp://www.revisionsplus.com/2007/08/here-like-here-in-this-sentence-great.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-8886084847127366901Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:43:00 +00002007-08-24T09:45:54.508-04:00Imaginary FriendsI was checking in on the Dulwiche Centre site this morning to see what new things they are doing in the area of narrative, and I found this delightful article. I love the idea of creating the relationships with loving energy as a precursor to people coming to fill those roles. Enjoy.Imaginary Friends: Who are they? Who needs them?, by Emily Betterton & David Epstonhttp://www.revisionsplus.com/2007/08/imaginary-friends-i-was-checking-in-on.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-6507912704054450315Sun, 05 Aug 2007 15:04:00 +00002007-08-05T11:25:14.171-04:00Ancestors and the Book of LearningI read a quote from Chogyam Trungpa this morning and it got me thinking. He suggested we look at the way our ancestors were able (or not) to deal with issues like ego and neurosis (which is what he calls pain). There seems always to be a tension between the ages--we don't want to do what our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents did (we live in the "modern" http://www.revisionsplus.com/2007/08/ancestors-and-book-of-learning-i-read.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6276111.post-4225259075448329740Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:58:00 +00002007-07-18T20:10:40.571-04:00Themes of HomeMy son and I traveled 1600 miles to visit my brother and his family last week. We had a great time, seeing new places, visiting with family, going to special events, and just being together. I was very aware of all the feelings churning around inside the "leaving home" experience--all the newness, discomfort, worry (will we make the flight? Will security be scary? Will we be http://www.revisionsplus.com/2007/07/themes-of-home-my-son-and-i-traveled.htmlkmurray230@sbcglobal.net (Katherine)0