The Power of Writing ABOUT ME Stories
Biographical work — a tool for self-discovery and encouraging others
“Time is a companion that goes with us on a journey. It reminds us to cherish each moment because it will never come again. What we leave behind is not as important as how we have lived.” — Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Starship Captain of the U.S.S Enterprise
I really enjoy Medium, with all the sharing of ideas, poetry, and stories. My favorite has to be the About Me stories—biographies.
Around 30 years ago, I was introduced to biographical work while training to be a Waldorf teacher. Waldorf education is about learning to be fully human and to think in a higher manner beyond the material thinking we are taught in schools, such as imagination, inspiration, and intuition. It is about synthesizing body/will, heart/feeling, and head/thinking. It is about erecting the pillars of Truth, Beauty, and Goodness for the temple of your life.
To achieve all this, you plunge into various art forms, including painting, drawing, sculpting, drama, Eurythmy (an artistic form of movement), storytelling, and biographical work.
Anyone who has created a journal or diary knows something about biographical work. We looked at various stages in our lives (around every seven years)and found major events, those times, and those people who helped form us on our life journey. Without them, we would not be who we are today. It could be pleasant or the opposite.
When we as a class would pair off and share for five minutes answering a certain question, the listener just listens, forming no judgments. Making no comments. Then when we all returned to the circle, with permission, the one who listened told the other story.
Listening to my own story told by another helped me to see that we are all part of a greater story like the other stories being told. Everyone had their ups and downs, triumphs, and scraped knees.
We are all on a journey of self-actualization and awareness, of discovering who we are.
Waldorf teachers approach teaching history through biographies of flawed humans, influenced by their time and place of birth. These people may have been great in one area but hopeless in others.
Sounds familiar? It should. It’s you. It’s me. We are all on a journey of self-actualization and awareness, of discovering who we are. We think that we are supposed to come to a place like they do in the movies when we reach the summit of coming into our own, of finally being who we are supposed to be.
In truth, however, the supposed culmination is simply a plateau lower than an endless awaiting plateaus, each higher than the other.
Do we backslide on our journey? You bet. Although, some “failures,” some “shortcomings” may actually be a plateau.
Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of the man. The biography of the man himself cannot be written. — Mark Twain
To become a Waldorf teacher at a Waldorf school, at least how it used to be without such a demand for certified teachers these days, what the hiring circle would look for primarily was life experience, not a list of certifications. They wanted humans who have struggled and striven to discover what life is all about.
The foremost role of a Waldorf teacher is to stand in front of the children as an example of an ever-learning, ever-striving human being.
When I read About Me stories, the ones that move me are not those listing accomplishments like a resume for a job but those who talk about their dreams and hardships—their inner awakenings, fears, and travels.
Everyone is on a similar journey uniquely their own.
I find inspiration and connection when I read about other travelers on their life journeys. I look forward to reading yours.
Biographical questions you might ponder upon (let me know in your comment if you can think of other questions I might add):
— Turning points in your life
— Who are the people who inspired you and motivated you? Family? Ancestors? Writers?
— What books or teachings are your stepping stones?
— What “failures” helped you?
— What moves you, what makes you weep?
— What are you proud of?
— What are your passions?
— Describe your home and birthplace while growing up.
— Where are you in the family tree, and how has that shaped your life?
— What boons and banes did your parents pass on to you?
— What social/cultural conditions have helped and/or hindered you?
— What dreams do you have? Do they conflict with other dreams people have for you?
— How do you want to die, and who do you want to be at the end?
— How do you see reality? Religious, spiritual, material, philosophical?
— Why are you here on this planet, born in this time, in this place?
— What do you need to learn? What do you need to accomplish?
— Have you made the world a little better? How?
— Has your work been in alignment with your beliefs?
— What and who pushes your buttons? How do you react?
— What do you like about yourself, and what do you hope to change?
Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. — Bernard Shaw
Thank you for reading, my friend, my fellow traveler. I hope this has inspired you to share your journey. I know it can be hard to write about oneself, and we often think we have nothing important to share. But that’s not true. We are here to encourage one another—life is a challenge, and no one leaves without a few scars.
Happy adventures
