leaves and fruits
weekly story work exercise
If you’re new here, Story Work is the name of my current book-in-progress. It describes a process of reflecting, reclaiming, and reimagining the stories of our lives. It involves looking at your life experiences as creative material that you have the power to shape.
The weekly story work topics cover universal life themes with references from literature, philosophy, science, and spirituality; offering perspectives that spark ideas for personal growth and creative expression.
Paid subscribers receive Story Work exercises every Sunday night at 8 pm et.
Hi everyone,
Before we get into this week’s exercise, I have a gift for subscribers. I started sharing these weekly story work exercises on Substack in November 2023. Prior to that, I posted weekly behind a paywall on my website. There is a year’s worth of exercises there and to show my gratitude for you being here and engaging with my work, I’m making these archives open and available until the end of July. It’s a treasure trove of exercises for anyone who is invested in developing their life stories. You can dig in and explore here.
I also wanted to remind you that we have our monthly group journaling session this week.
The Practice Session #16: Dialogue with the Inner Critic w/ Erica D'Eramo
Wednesday, June 26 from 7 - 8:30 pm et (free for paid subscribers or $15 drop-in fee)
Each Practice journaling session features a community member or invited guest who shares insights on the topic and a journaling prompt with the group.
Many creatives have a complex relationship with their inner critic. Rather than working to silence this voice, we will seek to open up a dialogue with her based on curiosity and exploration. By the end of our session, we will walk away with some tools and tactics for relating to her in a healthier, more productive way.
Erica D'Eramo is an ICF-accredited coach, columnist, and creative, as well as the founder of Two Piers Consulting. As a former engineer, she loves exploring how systems and environments impact the ways we show up in the world. She specializes in working with those folks who are breaking molds and trailblazing paths to create impact. Erica and her partner live in midcoast Maine and are proud pet parents to four feline friends and a flock of feathered ones.
***Also, check out my recent podcast interview with Erica on The Power of Community.
Okay. Let’s get into this week’s exercise.
…
“So the tree rustles in the evening, when we stand uneasy before our own childish thoughts: Trees have long thoughts, long-breathing and restful, just as they have longer lives than ours. They are wiser than we are, as long as we do not listen to them. But when we have learned how to listen to trees, then the brevity and the quickness and the childlike hastiness of our thoughts achieve an incomparable joy. Whoever has learned how to listen to trees no longer wants to be a tree. He wants to be nothing except what he is. That is home. That is happiness.”” — Herman Hesse
leaves and fruits
The Tree of Life exercise that we’ve been working for the past few weeks was created by David Denborough. It’s a visual metaphor representing life and the various elements that connect a person’s past, present, and future. So far we have done roots and grass and trunks and branches.
If you’re just joining us, definitely start at the beginning with drawing your tree. You can find the starting instructions here. We’re taking this exercise step-by-step, journaling about the stories that come up as we go.
This week we will reflect on our leaves and fruits which you can label on your drawing as follows:
Leaves
The leaves represent people (or animals) that you know personally (or not) that have played a significant role in inspiring or supporting you. Think of friends, family, classmates, teachers, public figures, etc.
Fruits
The fruits of your tree represent gifts and legacies that you have been given by others. You can define the gifts and legacies for yourself. They can be material things like money or land, or intangible things like values, unique experiences, lessons, etc. You can look at the people you wrote on your leaves and the fruit that came from those relationships.
As you complete this step, notice any new insights come up from the parts of the tree you’ve already completed.
…
Mental Health Note: Keep in mind that this is a creative exercise that may bring up painful memories and feelings. Check in with yourself as you proceed and seek professional help or support from loved ones as needed.
Exercise:
Journaling can help you explore the connections between each section as we make our way up the Tree of Life for the next few weeks. For now, use the following questions to reflect on this week’s elements:
Look at the relationships between your leaves and fruits. Journal about the tangible and intangible gifts you’ve received from the significant people in your life.
What patterns or themes do you see that connect with the other parts of the tree we’ve covered so far?
What forgotten memories about impactful relationships have you uncovered while doing this exercise?
Write a memory or story that allows you to explore these connections and how the fruits of these relationships are impacting your life today.