Welcome

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.

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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.

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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?”

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Thought to Ponder

What do I choose to receive from others?
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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

Welcome

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.

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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.

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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

Welcome

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.”

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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

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Thought to Ponder

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

Welcome

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.

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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.

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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

Welcome

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.

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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

Welcome

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!

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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

Welcome

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

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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

Welcome

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.

**********

Socks On, Socks Off.

I was frustrated, tired, and angry. As I pulled the socks off her gnarly, butt-ugly, misshapen, and scaly feet I gave I gave them a vigorous yank. I grumbled to myself that this was supposed to be my wife’s job, pulling socks on and off her ninety-year-old mother’s feet. But my wife was in the hospital suffering from dehydration, kidney problems, and a swollen, painful knee. So I was caring for her mother while Carol was laid up.

Several weeks later I found myself pulling elastic support hose and socks on and off my wife’s feet too. Carol was out of the hospital but her knee continued to pain her and now her hip was hurting too. Her legs and ankles were swelling so she needed to wear elastic support hose to keep the swelling down. Her knee and hip problems prevented her from pulling on her own stockings. So now my morning and evening routines included hosing and de-hosing two people. In between “socks on” and “socks off,” I was working ten hour days and taking care of all the household chores. My weariness, frustration, and anger continued to build and my sock yanking became even more intense.

One morning after, after pulling socks, I was sitting at my desk before leaving for work, learning Matthew 25:31-46 by heart. I was preparing for my first Biblical storytelling videotape which would be critiqued as part of my work for the Academy of Biblical Storytelling conducted by the Network of Biblical Storytellers. I recited verses 37 - 40 out loud:

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”

And my eyes were opened. Those gnarly, butt-ugly, misshapen, and scaly feet of my mother-in-law were the feet of Jesus. Those swollen feet of my wife were the feet of Jesus. I had been pulling socks on and off Jesus. I began to weep.When my tears were gone so were my anger and frustration. Left in their place was gratitude for the privilege of pulling socks on, socks off the feet of Jesus.

Thought to Ponder

“Lord, when was it that we saw you…”

**********

Your Comments Welcome

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

**********

Heart Tales News

What’s on My Desk..

The Bible in Ancient and Modern Media, edited by Holly E. Hearon and Philip Ruge-Jones. A book of essays on what the discipline of performance criticism contributes to our understanding of the Bible.

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

Welcome

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.

**********

A Christmas Parable

Abba Abraham was a holy man and a great ascetic. He had eaten nothing but herbs and roots for fifty years. He lived simply and very austerely in total self-discipline.

Well, his brother died and left a niece, and there was no one to care for her. So Abba Abraham took her in and nourished her and cherished her. She grew up to be beautiful both in body and in spirit. She followed Abraham, prayed with him, and was filled with grace.

One day a wandering monk came to hear a word from Abba Abraham and was smitten by the beauty of his niece. While taking advantage of the hospitality offered by Abba Abraham, who was out visiting other monks, he was overcome by lust and raped the poor girl.

She was so mortified and ashamed that she stayed away from Abba Abraham and in fact fled to the city where, feeling so violated and disgraced, she became a prostitute.

In vain did Abba Abraham look for his niece, until he heard one day that she was plying her trade at a certain tavern. Abba Abraham disguised himself as a military man with all the regalia, went to the tavern and ordered bottles of wine and rich meet. He ate to his heart’s content, downed it all to the amazement of the onlookers.

After he finished his dinner, he asked the keeper for the “wench” named Mary: I have come a long way for the love of Mary.” She was brought to him and she did not recognize this hard eating and drinking soldier. He grabbed her and she said coquettishly, “What do you want?”

And he looked her in the eyes and said, “I have come along way for the love of Mary” –and she recognized her uncle and she wept bitterly and returned home with him.

Thought to Ponder

Jesus came a long way for the love of (your name here).

**********

Your Comments Welcome

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

**********

Heart Tales News

What’s on My Desk..

Storytelling, Imagination, and Faith, by William J. Bausch. Bausch argues for a recovery of storytelling in the church and gives a plethora of stories to demonstrate his points.

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

Welcome

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.

**********

Androcles & the Lion

A slave named Androcles escaped from his master and fled to the forest.

As he was wandering about there he came upon a lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him.

As he came near, the lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had gotten into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog.

Then the lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days.

The Emperor and all his court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognized his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog.

The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the lion let loose to his native forest.

Thought to Ponder

Gratitude Pays It Forward. Happy Thanksgiving!

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Your Comments Welcome

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Heart Tales News

Where’s Jim At?

December 5, 1:30- 4:00 PM Mt. St. Mary’s House of Prayer, Watchung, NJ. “Advent Day of Reflection”

December 6, 13, 20 - 9:30-10:30 AM Presbyterian Church of Westfield Life Long Learners. “Advent: Preparing for Jesus”

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.”

Blog

If you enjoy this newsletter, check out The Heart Tales Blog at http://hearttales.net/blog. The blog is published every Monday and Thursday. Check out the current series on “Peace that Lasts” .

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