"We always fall in love with a story,
not a name or a body, but what is
inscribed in the man."
Susana Fortes
All you need is a pencil and some paper and scheduled time to not be interrupted. Sit silently for a few minutes to clear your mind of the day's tasks, family obligations or career expectations, This time is carved out just for you.
You then take mental steps backwards from your life. The screen becomes so wide you find it easier to watch the child grow up without personally being engaged. Stick to the facts. You may want to use an outline such as:
STORY OF MY LIFE
I. Infant
Birth place
People present
Where you lived
Other family members
Overtone of this time
II. Childhood
Playmates
Family members
Perception of safety
Family rituals
Overtone of this time
...etc...
The purpose is for you to be objective and record the structure of the family. After the outline which can continue through adulthood, you can slow down and expand upon each entry. Look for patterns, things you were never really aware of which influenced family dynamics. You can choose to write a story with these gathered facts from a personal and emotional point of view or from an observer's view noting the dynamics. You have permission to create additional information or to adjust traumatic experiences. You can tell your story with humor or symbols. It is your story so let's get going!
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