Space for your story

I turn up. I make time, I open a Zoom chat, come to your home, welcome you to mine, or meet you in another warm, inviting, environment.

When I turn up, I am present with you. I have detailed to do lists and allocated times through the week when I know I will attend to those commitments. I am free, then, in this hour, or two or three, to concentrate on you. I have people with whom I share my story, reflect on significant joys and struggles. I do not need this time for my story. I am practiced at the disciplines of curiosity for your story, and restraint for where and when to tell my own (and that is rarely in these moments with you). I am free in this hour, or two or three, to concentrate on your story.

I have prepared. Prepared myself to be nurturing my own wellbeing, so as to be at peace, at ease.

When I turn up, I am present with the Sacred. I give attention to breath and place and Story. I am grounded in the Divine beyond myself. I nurture my connection with creation – our wholeness is found together. I am steeped in a story, in tradition and practices, that have nurtured the wellbeing of generations, and I trust that I am held.

I have prepared. Prepared myself to feel confident and secure, so as to be at peace, at ease.

When I turn up, I bring skills, gifts, and experience. I understand the theory and practice of story as healing, and human. I have gleaned wisdom from my own practice and that of others; wisdom, resources, exercises to explore and enhance your story and the meaning you find through it.

I have prepared. Prepared myself with expertise developed for this moment with you. So I can meet you at peace, at ease, with the gifts from which I may choose to meet you in your story.

This is what it means, for me, when I say I ‘hold space’ for you. When I hold space for your group on retreat, entering the sacred story with wonder, imagination, openness to Spirit. When I hold space for your group in a workshop exploring story, poetry, prayer, and your own creativity. When I hold space for you, with your story, seeking its best shape for sharing meaning with others.

Retreat facilitator. Workshop leader. Teacher. Story Coach. Mentor. Spiritual Companion.

I hold space for you, your group or community, and your story. I hold that space as sacred and safe. I am prepared to meet you where you are.

Through Sarah’s careful and gentle guidance and expertise, I was able to work through my story and gain confidence in performing it. Sarah made gentle suggestions which made my story less of a “recount” and more an actual story that engaged the listener. I couldn’t have done this without her guiding hand!

Sarah definitely knows her stuff and is a gift to anyone wishing to explore their story.

James, Canberra 

I have just participated in one of Sarah’s storytelling sessions and I am over the moon with excitement!

I now have a plan to record my stories, and share with my family. I wrote my first one on the day, came home, read it aloud and promptly burst into tears. It wasn’t a sad story, but it was very meaningful to me.

Thank you, Sarah, for giving me the tools to tell my own story!

Gail, WA