Invocation
 created by Edmund O’Sullivan and Dan Yashinsky with input from the in-patient storytelling group and used in Dan Yashinsky's keynote presentation at the Storytelling for Health Conference

Music:  Play the gamelan chimes
 
Words: 
The ceremony we are about to do is an honoring of your life – of who you are, who you were, and who you will become –
We gather to honor your courage in being here, and to remind ourselves that we are not alone on this journey -
Welcome, Travellers, and thank you for joining this circle

The Storm That Brought You Here
 
We know the storm that brought you here,
The storm of depression
That takes away your sense of purpose,
Your pleasure in life,
Your ability to move forward –
You are storm-stayed now
And this can be your sanctuary until you’re ready to travel again –

Four blessings
 
Here are four blessings for you –
We invite you to respond after each blessing with these words of affirmation:  Let it be so!
 
May you find your path of healing through this darkness
 
May you move your life on to new and fulfilling challenges
 
May you gain wisdom from your season with depression
 
May you share your wisdom with others who need it

You Are Not Alone
 
Now that you have found a haven
You will have an opportunity
To recover what you have lost in the storm
And to one day travel
To new destinations –
You are not alone -
Many have been lost in this storm,
Many have sought shelter here,
Many have travelled again when they were ready –

End of Ceremony
 
Music:  Ring bell
 
Words:
With the sound of this bell
We remember that though we feel broken,
We will keep trying to mend –
 
Music:  Ring bell
 
With the sound of this bell
We remember that we may go forth even in darkness –
 
Music: Ring bell
 
With the sound of this bell
We thank you for gathering and dream together of the possible wonder of new beginnings
 
Music: Ring bell
 
Group:  Let it be so

Within ten minutes of arriving to put my Playlist For Life poster up, I met Dan Yashinsky. His handshake warm and comfortable, his smile genuine and his eyes focused on friendliness.

'Ahh ...' I felt the instant relief and sense of relaxation that comes when you meet and enter the presence of a truly humane and humble-hearted being.
Now, I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I had no idea who Dan was or anything about his work. But maybe that was a good thing, as I wasn't in awe, or in the least bit self-conscious during our first exchange. He told me what he did in the care home in Canada and I told him about the storytelling work I do in care homes in Scotland. Immediately we shared stories of our story telling successes, confirming our believe in the great worth of this work. But then Dan gave me the gift, an insight into one object and one story which he has used and told to his residents. And the story, Stone Soup, a story that I too love to share, especially with older people. The object Dan said he passed around with the story was a wooden spoon.
'Of course!' I thought, 'Why had I never thought of that?!'
I had an instant image in my mind of the beautiful cherry wood spoon, my partner carved recently, and I knew that this spoon would be coming to work with me from now on.
I was blown away, if I had a new tool, or rather spoon, in my story-sharing props repertoire, after only ten minutes at the Storytelling For Health Conference in Swansea, what more would I accumulate over the whole weekend?!
Well, so much, that I can't quantify it - from insights into others' lives, passions, joys, fears, sadness, pain and achievements, to an overwhelming sense of connectedness to all of the people and places where stories and wisdom are shared.
The quote of the conference for me, and fittingly giving Dan Yashinsky the last word is : 'The more stories you know, the more ways you have of telling the truth.' (Jewish proverb)