As a result of the treatment for my throat cancer, I am gradually losing the ability to speak clearly and forecefully. How ironic, the professional storyteller, inspirational speaker, and workshop facilitator who never ever smoked gets throat cancer and gradually loses his ability to speak. I must have generated some seriously bad karma in an earlier life!
Consequently, I have closed my business, Whispering Circles, and am no longer a professional storyteller, inspirational speaker, or workshop facilitator. It was a hugely difficult decision for me to make, but in the end between my lack of energy and my gradually deteriorating voice I had to admit that charging people money for what I can do just did not seem right.
But today I have been asked to tell the Story For All Ages in Church. And I was asked by people who know how I speak today. What a gift. I've been rehearsing for the past week so I could tell the story in the best possible way. I can't tell you how excited I am to be asked to tell a story again.
It is interesting how much value I place on my self image as a "professional" storyteller. The word amateur comes from a Latin root that means one who does something for the love of it. And that certainly describes my status as a storyteller, even when I considered myself a professional.
How good might it be for me to adopt and be proud of my amateur status in all things of importance? I think that I shall make a commitment to cultivate an attitude of living and being and doing each moment of my life with a love for the moment.
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2 comments:
An amateur does something for love, but a professional professes-- advocates, explicates, engenders-- something. You are both.
You taught and inspired me to tell stories. Our church now has a Rocci-inspired storyteller group and trainings. And I learned from you to take myself and my stories seriously...in a loving amateur-way. Thank you! Wish I could hear you on Sunday.
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