Ordinary and CANNONBALL Moments that Create our Stories: The Spirituality of Storytelling (In-Person Program)

Discovering and claiming our stories is an exercise in discerning who we really are – and who we might yet be. Through storytelling, we uncover shared values and build common ground. Built upon the principles of Ignatian spirituality-a way of seeing and encountering the Divine present in all things-and building on the legacy of the soldier-turned-mystic, St. Ignatius of Loyola, this workshop in storytelling will help you discover that even in the mundane, ordinary moments of your life, something sacred is taking place.

The Ignatian tradition speaks of “cannonball moments” — experiences that are loud, messy, traumatic, and yet pivotal to our full human flourishing. Just as important are those quieter moments, those holy whispers, where we, too, encounter sacred opportunities for growth and discovery.

In this program, you are invited to explore both the noisy explosions and the still whispers that make up your life story, and how that story can help you accompany others. You will learn spiritual tools for better storytelling, and practice putting those tools to use in discovering what matters most to your life – and to the lives of others. You will also be invited to practice the Ignatian Examen (a prayer method of examining the day with gratitude) as it pertains to reflecting on patterns in your life story, and to engage in a values exercise, discovering the values that have underpinned important moments in your past and how those same values can guide your still unfolding story. Together, we will engage in small-group conversation and creative writing as a means to deepen our reflection and stories.

Join writer, speaker, storyteller, and teacher, Eric Clayton, for an engaging morning of sacred exploration, discovery, and storytelling.