Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

Introduction

This month and next we are taking a break from our series “Stories About Hitting the Mark” to focus on the holidays.  This month, in celebration of Thanksgiving, we look at the benefits of having a thankful heart.

*****************

Two men set out on a journey together. One had an attitude of gratitude, the other found many things to complain about. They took with them a donkey, a lantern, and a rooster (which always sat on top of the donkey’s head).

As they traveled, the traveler with the grateful heart constantly expressed gratitude for what happened to him. The complainer bemoaned whatever befell him.

When they came to the first town, they were disappointed to find that all the inns were filled. Settling in for the night exposed to the elements, the complainer asked sarcastically, “Well, are you thankful for our accomodations?”

“Of course,” said the grateful traveler. “This is the best place for us to sleep tonight.”

“But why?” wondered the complainer.

“It shall be made known,” answered the man with the thankful heart.

Just as they were settling down to sleep, there was a horrible roar from the trees nearby. A lion approached, hungry and on the prowl. The two men were so petrified they could not move. Suddenly the lion attacked, pouncing on the donkey, killing it, and dragging it into the trees to eat it.

The two men eventually climbed a tree to avoid further danger. As they clung to the branches, shaking in their shoes, the complainer asked, “So, are you still thankful?”

“Of course,” said the grateful traveler. “Why, if it hadn’t been for the donkey, the lion most surely would have attacked us instead. Thanks to the donkey, our lives have been spared.”

After a few minutes, when the lion disappeared, the men began to inch down the tree. A shrill cry from the rooster sent them scurrying back up the branches, however. When they looked into their camp, they noticed that a panther had attacked the rooster, caught it, and was devouring it.

“Are you still thankful?”

“Naturally,” came the response of the thankful man, “Why, if that rooster hadn’t let out its cry, you and I might have come down this tree into the waiting jaws of the panther.”

Some minutes later, after the danger had passed, the two men were about to slide down the tree when a strong gust of wind whipped through the camp, destroyed the lantern, and thereby extinguished the flame. They were left in total darkness, unable to move another inch from the tree until morning light.

“And what about this?” Are you thankful?

For once, the thankful traveler was silent.

The next morning, however, the two men descended from the tree and went back to the village for food and provisions. But they found nothing. It seems that a band of robbers had swept into town the night before, robbed every person in the village, and then fled into the countryside.

“At last,” we see the whole picture! We see why we are to be thankful.” If we had stayed the night in the inn, we too would have been robbed. If the wind had not destroyed the lantern, the robbers would have seen our light alongside the road and would have robbed us as well. Now are you going to tell me not to be thankful?”

*********

Thought to Ponder

Do I have a grateful heart?

**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen

Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

Introduction

We continue with our series of stories about “missing the mark” and “hitting the mark.” We said that “the mark” for many of us is being happy, healthy, secure, and productive in life. Yesterday’s story, “Not Our Problem,” showed how we miss the mark through apathy. Today’s story, “The Farmer and His Sons” fixes our aim.

*****************

The Farmer and His Sons

(A fable from Aesop)

There was once a farmer who had three sons. The lads had good hearts but did not care about what would become of the farm after their father died.

When it was time for the farmer to go to the big corn field in the sky, he called his sons to his bedside and said, “My sons, there is a great treasure hidden in one of my fields.” Then he breathed his last.

After the sons buried their father, they took their shovels and hoes and carefully dug over every inch of their father’s feilds. They found no treasure, but the fields repaid them with hearty crops.”

*********

Thought to Ponder

What needs my due diligence?

**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen

Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

Introduction

We continue with our series of stories about “missing the mark” and “hitting the mark.” We said that “the mark” for many of us is being happy, healthy, secure, and productive in life. Today’s story gives an example of how we miss the mark when we let apathy control us.

*****************

(Adapted from Peace Tales: World Folktales to Talk About by Margaret Read MacDonald

The King sat with his Adviser on the balcony of the palace eating honey on a cracker. As they ate they leaned over the rail and watched the street below.

They talked about raising taxes and making war.

The King, absorbed in the conversation, let a drop of honey fall onto the railing. “Your highness, let me wipe that up,” offered the Adviser. “Never mind,” said the King. “It is not our problem.” The servants will clean it later.”As the two continued to dine on their honey and crackers, the drop of honey slowly began to drip off the railing. At last it fell onto the street below.

Soon a fly landed on the drop of honey and began his own meal. Immediately a bird flew from a nearby tree and swallowed the fly.

A cat saw bird and pounced, grabbing the bird in its mouth. Then a dog ran out from behind a cart and bit the cat!

“Sir, there seems to be a cat and a dog fight in the street. Should we call someone to stop it?” “Never mind,” said the King. “It is not our problem.”

So the two continued to munch their honey and crackers.

Meanwhile the cat’s owner arrived and began beating the dog. The dog’s owner ran up and began to beat the cat. Soon the two were beating each other.

“Your majesty, there are two persons fighting in the street now. Shouldn’t we send someone to break this up? The King lazily looked down from the balcony. “Never mind. “It is not our problem.”

The friends of the cat’s owner gathered and began to cheer him on. The friends of the dog’s owner began to cheer her on as well. Soon both groups entered the fight and attacked each other.

“Sire, a number of people are fighting in the street now. Perhaps we should call someone to break this up.” You can guess what he said. “Never mind.

“It is not our problem.”

Now soldiers arrived on the scene. At first they tried to break up the fighting. But when they heard the cause of the fight some sided with the cat’s owner. Others sided with the dog’s owner. Soon the soldiers joined the fight too.

With the soldiers involved, the fight erupted into civil war. Houses were burned down. People were harmed. And the palace itself was set afire and burned to the ground. The King and his Adviser stood surveying the ruins.

“Perhaps,” said the King. “I was wrong? Perhaps the drop of honey WAS our problem..

*********

Thought to Ponder

Is apathy distorting my aim?

**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen

Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

Introduction

Yesterday’s story gave us an example of how we miss the mark of a life of happy, healthy, secure, and productive life by succumbing to anger. Today’s story shows us how to hit the mark through self-control.

*****************

The Gift of Insults

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.

One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force at lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior’s challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.

Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around tghe old master and questioned him.

“How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?”

“If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it,” the master replied, “to whom does the gift belong?”

**********

Thought to Ponder

What do I choose to receive from others?
**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen

Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

Introduction

We continue with our series of stories about “missing the mark” and “hitting the mark.” We said that “the mark” for many of us is being happy, healthy, secure, and productive in life. Today’s story gives an example of how we miss the mark when we let anger rule us.

*****************

A Bag of Nails

Once there was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he should hammer a nail in the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. But gradually, the number of daily nails dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the first day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He proudly told his father he would pull a nail for each day he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

“You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same.

*********

Thought to Ponder

Is anger causing me to miss the mark?
**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen

Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

Introduction

Yesterday’s story gave us an example of how we miss the mark of a life of happy, healthy, secure, and productive life by comparing ourselves to others. Today’s story shows us how to hit the mark by, as the Yiddish proverb says, “knowing what’s in the other guy’s belly.”

*****************

Keeping the Stone Thrown at You

The Rabbi of Talno came to a city that was part of the sphere of influence of the Rabbi of Rezisztov. The latter’s disciples became angry over the violation of their master’s “territory.”

One of them, unable to control his indignation, threw a stone at the Talnor Rabbi’s carriage. The rabbi picked up the stone and said to his friends, “I am going to keep this stone as a symbol of the self-sacrifice and veneration of a loyal disciple.”

Later, the rabbi placed the stone among his dearest belongings.

*Yesterday and today’s stories can be found in The Kabbalah of Envy, by Rabbi Nilton Bonder

**********

Thought to Ponder

How well do I “see what’s in the other guy’s belly?”
**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen

Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

Introduction

We continue with our series of stories about “missing the mark” and “hitting the mark.” We said that “the mark” for many of us is being happy, healthy, secure, and productive in life. Today’s story gives an example of how we miss the mark when we compare oursleves to others.

*****************

Wishes

There is a story about two men, one who coveted (to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others) and one who envied.

The one who coveted was always complaining, “I see how bitter is the work of the Creator. He makes it so that the deserving do not obtain their merit. Why am I poor, while that man, my enemy and neighbor is so rich?”

The one who envied implored, “Eternal One, do not listen to his words and do not allow him to become a prince among your people. Let me die if he becomes rich.”

Once an angel appeared to the two men in the desert and called them, saying, ” Your prayers and lamentations have been heard. I have come to grant your wishes, and this is what I offer you: you may ask what your hearts desire, and it will be granted to the other, twofold. This is our accord, and it will not be violated.”

The covetous one, dreaming of a twofold wish, said to his neighbor, “You ask first.”

The envious one responded, “How can I ask for anything, if at the end you will emerge stronger and richer than I?”

They began to argue until the envious man exclaimed, “God, do unto Your servant the reverse of Your goodness! Blind me in one eye and my enemy in two. Deaden one of my hands and double the measure for my enemy.”

Thus it was done.

*********

Thought to Ponder

Am I missing the mark by comparing myself to others?
**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen

Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

Introduction

Yesterday you received the first story in our new series stories called “Stories About Missing and Hitting the Mark.” “The Whales, the Dolphins, and the Herring” was a story about “missing the mark.” Today’s story, “The Parts of the House Argue,” is a tale that offers the counterpoint of “hitting the mark.”

The Parts of the House Argue

 A large family once lived together in a nipa palm tree house. One day the people in the house began to quarrel about who was the most important member of the family. Before long the parts of the house began to quarrel too.

The poles that supported the house far off the ground started grumbling, One said, “I am the most important because I was driven into the earth first..” The rest replied, “We are all just as important as you because without us your could not do your job of keeping the house off the ground.”

As the poles quarreled about their importance, the floor supports shouted, “No one would care about the poles if we were not here to connect you!”

The cross supports cried out to the floor supports, “Without us, you would wobble and sag!”

The floor sniped to the cross supports and the floor supports, “Without me, neither of you would have a reason to exist.”

The woven bamboo walls chimed in nastily to the floor, “Who would walk on you if we were not here to create rooms?”

The roof beams replied to the walls, “You could not stand up if it were not for our support!”

The bamboo ceiling shouted to the beams, “I hold the walls together!”

The palm-leaf roof chided each part of the house, “I keep the rain from rotting all of you!”

As they argued, they realized that none could win the argument since they were all of great use to the house. When with one breath the parts of the house proclaimed, “None is important without the other,” quarreling between the members of the family in the house ceased. Cured of misfortune, the family lived in peace and harmony from that day forward.

“The Parts of the House” is a tale from the Philippines found in Wisdom Tales from Around the World by Heather Forest.

*****************

Thought to Ponder

What brought the parts of the house into harmony?
**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen

Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

Introduction

I think it’s fair to say that most people seek to be happy, healthy, secure, and productive in life. If this is our goal, why is that so many of us so often miss the mark and find ourselves unhappy, unhealthy, insecure, or unproductive? How is it that we regularly miss the mark of the kind of life we seek? And how do we correct our aim so we hit the mark of a happy, healthy, secure, and productive life?

Over the next several months I’d like to share with you some stories about missing the mark and hitting the mark. I will send you a story about missing the mark one day and a counterpoint story about hitting the mark the next. My hope is that these stories will improve your aim!

*****************

The Whales, Dolphins, and the Herring

A fable from Aesop

The dolphins and whales waged a fierce war with each other. When the battle was at its height, a herring lifted its head out of the waves and said, “I will reconcile your differences if you accept me as an umpire in your dispute.” One of the dolphins replied, we would rather be destroyed in our battle with each other than admit any interference from you in our affairs.”

Thought to Ponder

What caused the whales and dolphins to miss the mark?

**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen

Heart Tales is a monthly newsletter for people on an adventure toward wholeness. It is published by Jim Cyr, storyteller, author, and crisis intervention specialist.

**********

One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching fish.

About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. “You aren’t going to catch many fish that way,” said the businessman to the fisherman, “you should be working rather than lying on the beach!” The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, “And what will my reward be?”

“Well, you can can get bigger nets and catch more fish!” was the businessman’s answer. “And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman, still smiling. The business man replied, “You will make money and you’ll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!” “And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman again.

The business man was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman’s questions. “You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!” he said. “And then what will my reward be?” repeated the fisherman.

The businessman was getting angry. “Don’t you understand? You can build a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!” Once again the fisherman asked, “And then what will my reward be?”

The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, “Don’t you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won’t have a care in the world!”

The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “And what do you think I am doing right now?

Thought to Ponder

“Be content with what you have.

Rejoice in the way things are.

When you realize there is nothng lacking.

The whole world belongs to you.”

~Lao Tzu

**********

Your Comments Welcome

Post your comments in the comment box or email them to me at jim@hearttales.net

**********

Heart Tales News

Book

My book, The Cracked Pot: Finding Grace in the Cracks of Child Abuse is available at Amazon.com

“This is one man’s true story of the unspeakable things that were done to him as a child and his rocky journey through adulthood to find God, peace AND his true self.”

About Jim & Heart Tales

The true spirit of my work is to lead people on a life-changing adventure toward wholeness by connecting their hearts to their true selves, to others, and to God, through stories of healing, wisdom, and faith. My life-changing adventure toward wholeness includes performances of folk and fairy tales, sacred stories, and personal stories, and workshops on how to tell stories in therapeutic settings.

Feedback

“Jim’s storytelling spoke to many of the problems our women face on the road to recovery from addiction and gave them options for handling those problems they had not considered before.”
Helen Raytek, Program Director, Crawford House

“Jim, I want to thank you for your time, efforts, and talents in presenting your Clinical Benefits of Storytelling Workshop. I was very impressed with your professional and fun deliverance of the material and many useful resources and examples. I felt I benefited from it both personally and professionally, and will use what I learned…”
John J. D. Schweska, L.P.C. Assistant Program Director, Mobile Response and Stabilization Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen

“…your newsletter is a wonderful resource, and I hope that many will subscribe to it.”
Dr. Robert Bela Wilhelm, Storyfest Ministry

“…Thank you once again, Jim, for sharing your stories/your story and influencing my healing.”
Eileen