Hello to you listening in Muhos, Finland!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.

We’ve had days of continuous rain; but I’ve discovered an antidote to cabin fever: walking the deep woods on my island. In the forest I’m reminded of the reciprocity of the universe - the give and take between us and the highest of powers.

In her book Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God Kaitlin B. Curtice asks: “What is it about a walk in the woods to remind us about the reciprocity of the universe? What do I mean? The bloodline of God is connected to everything . . . shells on the ocean shore, the mushrooms growing in the forest, the trees stretching to the clouds, the tiniest speck of snow in the winter, and our dust-to-dustness—we are all connected and tethered to this sacred gift of creation.” [Kaitlin B. Curtice, Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God]

Question: How does it feel when you are deeply connected, when you know that where you are is where you belong?

You’re always invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you please subscribe, spread the word with a generous 5-star review and comment - it helps us all - and join us next time!

Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:

✓ Arrange your no-sales, Complimentary Coaching Consult,

✓ Opt In to my Every Now and Again NewsAudioLetter for bonus gift, valuable tips & techniques to enhance your story work , and

✓ Stay current with Diane on Substack (Wyzga on Words) and on LinkedIn

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

All content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.

Hello to you listening in San Luis Potosi City, Mexico!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds (and a bit more) for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

“What ever happened to stories of courageous perseverance in the face of impossible odds?” [A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles] They’ve been shoved aside by likes and Insta-acclaim that’s all too easily found on so-called social media.

Our lives are steered by uncertainties from the merely inconvenient to the life-altering disruptive. Stories abound in our life circumstances and yet we say, “Why bother with risking the courage to step out, to venture forth, to gather those stories despite the uncertainty?"

I’ll tell you why! We have a duty to discover and share our stories. For whom? For us! Telling our stories to ourselves helps us understand who we are, make sense of the circumstances of our lives, find meaning in “courageous perseverance in the face of impossible odds.“

You know what I’m talking about. What are you afraid of? Storytelling is about being brave enough, vulnerable enough, authentic enough to face our story, to share our story and if done well will invite our listeners to care. When we share our misfortunes with humor, confidence and ease we can lift others.

“Each One Lift One” is the way we’ve been carried along so that we can do the same for someone else. When someone hears our story they feel hopeful, better. “What! You, too. I though I was the only one!” [C.S. Lewis] Wow! She went through that and she’s still standing. I’m not doing so bad after all.

Believe it or not that’s all it takes: one heartfelt story can change the course of history for a single life.

Story Prompt: Think of a time when you were standing on the edge of something and you decided to face impossible odds. What happened then? Write that story & share it out loud!

CTA: Want to learn? I can teach you!

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.

AND! Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, check out the Communication Services, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Port Townsend, Washington!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.

There is no better way to explore Whidbey Island than catching a ride on Island Transit. Our zero fare rural transit system (with over half a million passenger trips annually) provides safe, accessible, convenient, and friendly public transportation services that enhance our Island quality of life.

Check out the LINK to learn more:

Standing at a bus stop waiting for the next distinctively colored bus to arrive I was reminded of something my mom used to say: “Diane, life is like a big red bus and some folks get on fighting for the best seats to see the best views from the best vantage points when all of a sudden the bus ride is over and they saw nothing. Others are content to stand in the aisle and experience it the best they can being grateful for having gotten on the bus in the first place.”

Question: What kind of bus passenger might you aspire to be?

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.

AND! Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, check out the Communication Services, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Thune, Switzerland!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

Maybe like me you’ve asked a friend for help in your hour of need. What did you get? “Just tie a knot in the end of your rope and hold on to that.”

Sure, with enough rope to tie a knot and enough strength to hold on you might be okay; but what if nothing is all you have?

Imagine this: 6 women and 2 young guides high in the frigid and snowy Canadian Rocky Mountains on an Outward Bound mountaineering expedition. Our task was to scale the face of a mountain in pairs by climbing, using strength, handholds, and the safety ropes the guides had secured far above us and out of sight beyond a cliff edge. Climbing up my partner froze dangling between the top and the rocky ground below. She stammered out: “I can't find anything to hold on to.” Time passed. And then the voice of one of our guides called out, “Grab it with both hands!” It worked! She got all the way to the top! And, rappelled back down! I can still see that smile of accomplishment on her astonished face when her boots touched the ground.

But how did she do it? My partner found the help she was looking for- inside herself. She discovered a secret: when you can’t find anything to hold on to, grab it with both hands! It works!

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.

AND! Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, check out the Communication Services, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Sussex Inlet, New South Wales!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

Long long ago and far far away someone you love was born and began a life. Maybe it was you or a parent or a sibling, a friend, your partner. Do you know their story? Do they know yours? This is a very good time to collect those stories. Weekly on Story Prompt Friday I offer a bit of story and a prompt to get you started, either sitting with someone and collecting a story as part of the oral tradition or maybe for yourself as a way to spark your own writing.

Story Prompt: What is the best sunrise you ever witnessed? Where were you? Who was with you? Or were you alone? What did the air feel like? What did you smell and hear? What brings the memory alive for you today? Write that story and share it out loud!

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.

AND! Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, check out the Communication Services, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Greeley, Colorado!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island Washington, this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.

I believe that our November to May Rain Festival is nearly over. Here in the Pacific Northwest we welcome clear skies, sunshine, warm weather, less winter burden, and maybe even dropping our shoulders from the habitual “fight or flight” response to the world that continues spinning on an axis of uncertain madness.

Habit. It’s like that story about a team of pack animals struggling their way up a mountainside. The last pony in line was wearing a saddle but the horse just ahead of him was burdened with boxes and bags and baskets. The pony said: Good grief, what a heavy load you’re carrying! The horse turned it’s head and asked: What load? Like that horse we get used to carrying so much we don’t even realize it.

Practical Tip: Right now, in this moment stop, take a few deeps breaths, gently ease your shoulders away from your ears and smile to them; thank them for what they’ve been carrying for you and tell them that in the future you will take care to burden them less. Then wait for a moment while they smile back at you.

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.

AND! Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, check out the Communication Services, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Cortland, New York!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

As the story goes the miracle of a human birth is as rare as a blind turtle that swims through the ocean surfacing once every 100 years and happens to raise its head through a single ring of seaweed randomly floating on the water.

Equally rare is the opportunity to be living through cataclysmic crises capable of shifting a whole civilization. Internal changes, external pressures or environmental collapse have shifted whole civilizations. Crises are unfolding right before our very lives.

Strange to think, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things that you think you could not do before.” [2008 Rahm Emanuel chief of staff to President Barack Obama]

That being true, how might we exploit these cataclysmic crises instead of letting them go to waste? We start small. Each one doing just one thing beautifully. Why? Small actions done consistently with curiosity, compassion, and hope have the collective power to change the course of history!

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.

AND! Stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website during reconstruction, check out the Communication Services, email me [info@quartermoonstoryarts.net] to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as Quarter Moon Story Arts on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.