Failure or Fear stories, reflected back to affirm creative thinking

This activity combines a number of suggestions from the week 3 think-pair-share.

Overview: Help us acknowledge multiple allies for our risk-taking, aspirations for our lives, significant discoveries, problem-solving practices, etc. so as to affirm the creative thinking we already do and reduce the power of fears that are limiting our lives. We might notice the contrast between this approach and others that encourage the individual to move on beyond fear and failure (example).

(Inspired by the work of Michael White and others in narrative therapy and community work; see http://www.dulwichcentre.com.au)

Share-Think-Pair-Share-Think-Share

Think = Freewrite and Make notes so you can tell a story of a situation in which you failed or fear was significant, but not so strong that you could not eventually move beyond that situation. (10 minutes)

Pair = Supportive Listening, in which each person tells the story while the other provides undivided and appreciative attention. (5 minutes each)

Share = Volunteer (yy) tells the story to a facilitator while everyone else listens attentively. Facilitator then asks five questions to three people pre-arranged to be outsider witnesses.
a. What particular words or phrases struck you as yy was speaking?
b. What images came to mind about what was important to yy?
c. What is it about your life that meant these images came to mind?
d. What has been confirmed for you by making this connection with what yy said?
e. What difference will remembering this make in your own life?

Facilitator then ask yy a similar set of questions about what s/he's heard:
a. What particular words or phrases stood out for you?
b. How are they connected to values that are significant for you?
c. Does anything seem more possible for hearing these things?
d. Can you describe what the first steps to take might be?
e. What's it been like to talk as we have been?
f. Is there anything more you want to say?

Think = Gather thoughts for yourself about what you are taking away to think about, adopt, adapt.

Time and volunteers permitting, repeat Share and Think.

Share = Closing circle: single reflection on the activity.