Selling Storyteller Gratitude

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gratitude.  What a rich and emotion-packed word, capable of attracting tender and cool-hearted alike.  It was that word that got me thinking about offering an aptly-named writing workshop.  The idea had been brewing for years but bore fruit when it dawned on me how many storytellers (men and women) I’d been blessed to work with who possessed loving and generous hearts – grateful hearts, really – for the lives they’d lived thus far.

Those special storytellers made me wonder how many more people had a similar heart’s desire but because of a lack of exposure to writing story, didn’t know it yet.  The majority of those I’ve worked with tell versus write their stories.  Either way, I am awestruck by the common thread that runs through each storyteller, offering simplistic words of hope, happiness and appreciation for the gift of memory.

I knew the Guided Gratitude Workshop would never come to life until I began thinking and writing about my own gratitude, which was relevant, personal and timely.  It culminated in 2019 when I made a big move from Denver to my hometown, Virginia Beach, after being away for decades.  And, although I wasn’t a stranger to the area, I was new in business here and it affected how I spent my time.

I saw that sourcing new clients for the memoir-writing side of my business was going to take a little while.  I am confident the business will grow, given the number of military families and retirees, and the financial health of residents in this resort town.  Tending to a personal history business is a bit like gardening, and requires preparation, patience and waiting.

As I met new people this year and gave my well-practiced elevator speech, I was surprised at the number of contacts who expressed interest in my teaching a class and/or leading a group at their facility.  As soon as this fact dawned on me, I changed gears and followed a slightly different direction.  I took my Power of Story program to several communities, and was more determined than ever to develop the gratitude workshop.

Unexpected events are always a catalyst for changing plans and venturing out in other directions.  We can’t help but grow (and be grateful) when we’re forced to stretch.  I began researching articles on gratitude, intentionality, health and mindfulness.  I shared some writing rules, such as finding a fine-feeling pen and using a clock timer.  I found a number of great gratitude resources and incorporated my favorites into the program.  Guided writing topics range from Heroes to Hallelujah stories.  I found some awesome and short videos to show before each 20-minute writing session.  I developed an onscreen list of questions to answer while exploring each topic.  When I was finished, I was pleased.

The Guided Gratitude Workshop is the kind of course I’ll be updating with regularity.  In July, I offered a 3-week session to writers at a local senior community and in November, a 2-hour session at the Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR).  In early December, I led a group of 20 church women on a half-day Advent retreat.  Perhaps the greatest compliment a teacher receives is feedback.  One participant and his wife said, “Thank you for teaching the course and for just being you.  We really appreciate you!”

In 2020, I’m scheduled to present to several entrepreneurial groups where I’ll have center stage to talk about my business model, which includes memoir, business and pet stories, photobooks, self-publishing and editing as well as guided workshops and presentations.  It is an honor to have the chance to encourage others as they ponder their own heart-felt stories, remembering the gratitude they feel for special people, places and events of their lives.  For a lot of storytellers and their readers, I believe it is the learning, the lessons, the positivity that underlies the experiences and the words that make personal history worthwhile.

So, what are you grateful for, and why?