“The storytelling gift is innate: one has it or one doesn’t. But style is at least partly a learned thing: one refines it by looking and listening and reading and practice – by work.” - Donna Tartt

We made it! Angel and I attended the Facilitator in Training workshop conducted by the Center for Digital Storytelling at Stonebridge Farm (Lyons, Colorado), 9-14 August 2010. We met and enjoyed fellow digital storytellers from various states and one from Canada. Sara, Bev, Charlene, Kate, Melissa, and Nina – we will remember you for a long time! Daniel Weinshenker, Stefani Sese, and Kayann Short – thank you for the wonderful time! You have been a great help in our learning process.

“Ms. Aurelia, what’s your dream?” One of the 11-year-old girls in our digital storytelling workshop asked.

I was delighted, yet taken aback by the question.

Angel and I gave ideas for them to choose from for their digital story. We thought it would be great to encourage these young ones to discover and be bold about their dreams, to give them a place to speak out what they would like to be when they grow up.

It was interesting to hear their I-want-to-be stories.  We have upcoming astronaut, doctors, singers, flight attendants, and hip hop dancer in that workshop couple of weeks ago.

“Hmm…I’ve always wanted to be a writer and a teacher,” I replied.

“Oh, so I’ll read your first book then!”

I laughed, and reluctantly said, “Sure, thanks! I’ll send you a copy!”

The other girls raised their hands and screamed, “Me, too!”

Haha. I was put on the spot. My heart blushed. I thought I was there to do something for them. To help them make a digital story, of course. But more than the activity, I love the thought of making the girls think and own and sing out their dreams. So freely, boldly – they did. But it was a two-way thing. They have reminded me, pushed me, refreshed me with my dreams as well.

I went home beaming.

Here’s one of the digital stories produced in our workshop last April. One of my favourites.

“I will never forget Pete. He showed me that a person can be happy if he looks for the good in all things. He showed me that giving one’s best is the only way to do something. He showed me that judging other people only leads to unhappiness within. He showed me that a good beer is always better than a bad one. Most importantly, he showed me that being a true friend is the greatest gift a person can give. Pete may be gone from this world, but I try to be a little bit more like Pete each and every day.”

A story by Colin Emerson. Digital Storytelling Workshop, 8-10 April 2010. Singapore.

I will attend a Facilitator Intensive Training workshop (digital storytelling) in Lyons, Colorado in August this year! Of course, I’m excited for the workshop! The bonus is – the venue is at a farm (Stonebridge Farmgiving)!

An email from the facilitator says: “There may be bugs. So, bring bug repellant if bugs bother you. We WILL be on a farm, people. There are lovely things to do at the farm: walking, sitting by the creek, nearby hiking and, if you want, gardening! There is wireless internet access, but it is limited and in range.”

Lovely! I’m okay with the limited wireless Internet access. I think I would love to enjoy more the feel of the farm and just being there. ;-) Here’s a digital story about the farm. Inviting! ;-)

Stonebridge Farmgiving from Kayann Short on Vimeo.

“I’ve made the most important discovery of my life. It’s only in the mysterious equation of love that any logical reasons can be found. I’m only here tonight because of you. You are the only reason I am… you are all my reasons.” - from the movie A Beautiful Mind

Wasn’t I privileged and amazed to have a participant in our digital storytelling workshop like Harris Ng, who has recovered from schizophrenia? Watch his story…

“I stuttered in my voice….Yes, I honestly must tell you this. I was discharged from the Woodbridge Mental Hospital three years ago. I had a chronic mental disorder…The valentine rose in her hands dropped…Did we ever meet again? Oh, I must tell you this…”

Harris is an educator, writer, social worker, mental wellness advocate, and author of “Recovered Grace: Schizophrenia” and “Teacher Teacher I Love You”. (www.harrisng.com)