Writing and Riding the Waves (video)

On By Michele LeeIn nature, Prose, writing

A different time zone and location, but my Zooming expectation has not changed. I will be logging on and spending my afternoon on a Zoom call that will wrap up a seven-week The Story You Need to Tell writing workshop, led by author, Sandra Marinella, and offered through the Mayo Clinic out of Phoenix, Arizona. I have been assisting Sandra since February 2020 with her writing classes, after meeting her in 2019 at a Phoenix literary fair, and then again as a workshop participant. There was an instant connection between the two us – two former high school English teachers who enjoy writing and motivating others who have chosen writing as part of their life and healing journey.

The Story You Need to Tell writing workshops are available through a variety of venues and are customized to fit individual participant needs. The workshop that will be wrapping up today is offered through Mayo’s Integrative Medicine and Health Unit, which also offers classes like acupuncture, massage, yoga and meditation. The “integrative approaches are used to help people with medical conditions feel better by reducing fatigue, nausea, pain and anxiety” (Mayo). Writing through illness has shown (through collected writing workshop research) to be an effective and complementary coping strategy for those who are facing medical challenges. The healing benefits of writing probably come as no surprise to the writers reading this post. My own writing journey, that began in the late summer of 2019, has transformed me in ways I could not have imagined and it continues to do so.

Mixed feelings always accompany a final workshop day. A touch of sadness comes with ending our connecting and inspiring community experience, but the final day is my favorite day because it is the class where participants select and share a piece they have been working on. Occasionally those pieces show up as poem, but most often they are stories from the writer’s life that can be emotional and difficult to write and share, but tremendous healing comes with the process.

I first mentioned the return of the Mayo writing classes, following a long pause due to the pandemic, in my post, “a Writer’s reTreat.” We are delighted to be working with Mayo again and look forward to more classes in the near future. Thank you for visiting and reading. Best wishes to you on your own writing and healing journey. 💗 Michele

Media: my video of the Atlantic Ocean, captured 6/17 🌊 💖

© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton.

49 thoughts on “Writing and Riding the Waves (video)”

  1. “Mixed feelings always accompany a final workshop day. A touch of sadness comes with ending our connecting and inspiring community experience” this is so true when we meet for such inward journeys of writing, healing and learning – there are promises of keeping in touch yet mostly these times are gifts of deep connection with ourselves through others.💛

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    1. Thank you for your conversation contribution and insight, Pragalbha. As a yoga teacher, you understand the energy created and the strong connections made when individuals come together in an honoring and healing environment. ✨Workshop participants often return because the experience connects them with a writing community that they want to remain part of. The growth and connection is limitless. 💕

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    1. I so appreciate your loving support, Ingrid. The last class delivered tears – as it usually does – because the stories and the writing is so powerfully moving. I am always in awe of the participants who show up saying things like, “I am not a writer” and then they create stories that are carefully crafted, engaging, and publishable. The talent is in there, the writers often just need the time and encouraging space to write their stories down. It is an honor to be part of the process. Thank you for sharing a bit about your own writing experience. As you know, I love following your writing journey too. 💖

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      2. So true, Ingrid. It is a joy to do so. I felt the same with my HS students. Like all things worth our time, writing and improving as a writer is a process. A lifetime journey, if we are lucky. 😉

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    1. So true, Annabel. We can say the same thing about the blog/poetry connections that transpire through WP. Writing alone certainly has its benefits, but there is something quite empowering and liberating about sharing our words with others and witnessing the words and stories of others. I am grateful and uplifted by the connection to you and your words. 🥰 Thank you for being so kind. I am happy to read that you enjoyed the ocean sound. 🌊 I am enjoying it too! 💓

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      1. You’re speaking of my mind, dear Michele!💕This blogging journey for a year now has transformed me profoundly, for I finally break silence and speak of truths.
        The connection with you is a special one! Thank YOU too, Michele, for showing me the way and beauty of true femininity… 🥰🌸 You are a rare find!

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  5. Michele Lee, I had no idea you were participating in something so incredibly fantastical! 😁 Oh how I miss those beautiful waves, but I’m not too far away to take some getaways back home. I loved your video moment. I could look and listen to that even longer…so tranquil. 🌅⛲🌊

    Keep up the good work girlfriend. You have no idea how many people you are inspiring, and helping through your positivity and optimism. 🤗🙏🏼🥰👏🏼

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    1. Kym, the writing workshops have been a wonderful experience, connecting people around the country and world – a blessing during the pandemic. 💖 I missed the waves too. Nothing compares to walking along the beach, listening to the waves, feeling cool ocean breezes…heaven! I hope that you are able to take a trip soon.

      I am humbled by your words. I will do my best – it is an honor to share hope and inspiration. Thank you for taking the time to share some love and encouragement. 💖🤗🙏🏼

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      3. Well, you obviously are performing your God-given gifts very well. 🙏🏼 Tears are a cleansing reaction and I so welcome your encouragement that makes me respond in such a peaceful and good way! 😊😥😇

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  6. Ah, first, thank you for the video if the ocean. As you and I have discussed before, love the ocean. I love this post, Michele. Leaning more about parts of your journey, about connection and reciprocity, and about the healing that comes through writing and sharing our story, however we choose to share. Beautiful. ❤️

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    1. My pleasure to share some ocean clips.🥰 I could have sat there all day enjoying the sounds and breezes. I am glad you enjoyed the video and post. I had a sense that writing, beyond the academic writing that I have spent so many years focusing on, would be creative and cathartic, but personal writing and connecting with other writers and poets has exceeded my expectations and transformed me and my life in ways I could not have imagined. Thank you, Jeff. 💖

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      1. Indeed, and completely understand. It’s the same for me when at the ocean. ❤ I’m so glad to know that your writing experience was transformational. That is wonderful, Michele, absolutely wonderful. Have a lovely weekend, my dear friend. 💕🤗

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    1. The workshops are engaging and offer a safe and encouraging space for writers. We don’t work on a particular project-writers are led thru different prompts, with a final reading on the last day. Thank you for asking. 😊

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  12. I absolutely agree with you, Michele, that writing does come with the benefits of healing. You are doing an amazing job and I truly appreciate you sharing this with us. Stay blessed and keep the light of healing afloat like you so beautifully are doing!❤️❤️🌹💐

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    1. I am not surprised to read that you agree with the healing benefits of writing, Diana. Your poetic style is so insightful and reflective. You offer healing through your open heart and expressive words. 💖 Thank you so much! Have a wonderful day. 🤗

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