Storytelling in the Desert - Inspiration and Perspiration!
It was incredibly hot, sauna hot, they said more than 40 degrees in the shade and the desert wind was blowing dry and sandy around me. I had packed light but in this heat and after walking awhile, I could feel the weight on my back. I walked the way we had come, but the uniformed official told me to go back and departures were on the other side. It was sleepy in the heat and everyone seemed very relaxed or perhaps just numbed by the hot wind. The border police checked my passport asked why I wasn't smiling; I said I'm sad to leave with a big smile on my face! Then a young man approached me and said he was doing a survey from the tourist ministry, could he ask me a few questions.
How long had I spent in Jordan? Just 24 hours I replied. Where did I visit? Aqaba, I said. Was it business or pleasure? Business I said though I thought both! I explained that I had been sent for work, a workshop hosted in a hotel in Aqaba.
I didn't get the chance to explain that I had been invited to run a workshop for 'Creativity for Peace' a wonderful organization I have been honored to work with. Their vision is to be 'committed to a time of peace when people and nations coexist by understanding and respecting each other'. They focus on 'developing the next generation of female leaders and peacemakers in Israel and Palestine'.
As I worked with these wonderful, inspiring girls, I saw that their commitment is stronger than the daily discomfort, threat and sometimes even ridicule they face by their idealism and vision. I was reminded of the power of storytelling and storylistening to transform lives and even society.
Nobody claims that we can change the world with this work, but if we can listen to the story told by 'the enemy;' and feel safe in telling our own to them, then perhaps there is hope for a better world. When we tell our story and can listen to theirs, we realise that we are more alike than different; we realise that despite what other people may say and believe Peace is possible.
It was a long journey home. In Dan Yashinsky's amazing book "Suddenly They Heard Footsteps" he talks about the how the storyteller has been called a Storm Fool. Those guys, in Northern Canada, who went from camp to camp telling stories, bringing news, even through the worst storms. Though they were elders and healers, the people thought they were a little mad and so called them 'Storm Fools'. Dan describes their commitment, vision and undying enthusiasm to tell a story with great romance and idealism. This week, as I crossed borders of the land, mind and heart, I was proud to feel that I am following the footsteps of the storm fools.
The ministry official asked me my profession. I said, Storyteller. He wrote it down slowly and looked at me with a puzzled expression. I smiled and nodded and he said, wow, nice job! And I replied, the best in the world!