Next month’s theme is “Jumping In – Stories of facing the unknown.” The show is Thursday, May 16, 7pm, at our new location in the Olive Way Starbucks.

Let me say right off the bat that I’m not a big fan of jumping into anything. I’m more of a tiptoe guy. If you want me to jump off a cliff into the ocean I’m going to spend the next three days reading all the Yelp reviews of the cliff, and then I’m going to check out all the Amazon reviews for every tide, clam, crab, and fish.

I have this old belief I’m trying to get rid of that every mistake I make will have huge consequences. It doesn’t matter if I’m cliff diving in Cancun or going with four stars at the new Thai place downtown. I’m convinced if I commit to the wrong thing that the sky will fall, souls will burn, and a plague will come down upon the earth. And that’s just me in Fred Meyer trying to choose between Ragu and Prego.

Luckily, I have some good friends who constantly remind me that none of my mistakes have ever led to permanent, unalterable tragedy. Twenty-five years ago I moved from Alaska to Washington to pursue a dream. And even though there were times when I had to eat at the homeless shelter I’ve never regretted the move. Recently, I realized that every woman I’ve loved is still kind to me even though the relationships didn’t work out. I think anyone who can put on his tombstone, “He was not hated by his exes” must be doing ok. Three months ago I made a commitment to keep this show going even though we were losing the venue we’d been at for nine years. After two months of frantic Googling and panicked phone calls, I decided to jump in and call Olive Way our new home. Based on our first show there last week I’m incredibly grateful I made that leap.

But that’s the kind of story we’re looking for. Bring a story about a time when you said yes to the scary thing and jumped in with both feet. What happened? Did it work out for you? Were you grateful you trusted the universe or did you instantly regret it?

Remember to practice your story on friends, and time yourself to make sure it’s under 8 minutes. Keep it clean and make sure it has a beginning, middle, and end. Here are the rules and guidelines in case you haven’t read them in a while.

https://freshgroundstories.com/2013/01/22/storytelling-rules-and-guidelines/

I change them occasionally so it’s good to review them now and then.

The link below leads you to a great monthly workshop if you want to get some feedback on your story. It’s low-key, casual, and free. What more could you ask for?

https://www.meetup.com/Fresh-Ground-Stories-Storytelling-Workshop/

See you all on the 16th at the Olive Way Starbucks!

1600 E Olive Way Seattle, WA 98102

Paul

freshgroundstories@gmail.com