Hello to you listening in Stillwater, Oklahoma!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

As a storyteller I’ve had many opportunities over the decades to learn about and use the power of the pause. I’ve come to know that inviting the space of silence in a story creates an opportunity for teller and audience to rest, live and breathe inside the story. Our job is not to rocket along to the end, but to sit together quietly in the beating heart of the story. To inhabit that world together. That’s the "sorcery of stories" I work with.

Story Prompt: Pause. Be. Here. Now. As long as it takes. What happens next? Write that story! And, share it out loud!

You’re invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, follow, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time! Remember to stop by the website, check out the Services, arrange a Discovery Call, and Opt In to stay current with Diane and Quarter Moon Story Arts and on LinkedIn.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

All content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Ferndale, Washington!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.

Earlier in life I had tendencies toward behaving like a spring-butt. You know the type. The over-eager know-it-all with her hand in the air. Teacher! Teacher! I know! I know! Think Hermione Granger in the early years of Harry Potter.

Over time I learned to take to heart what my mother always said: “Just because you thought of something, Diane, doesn’t mean you have to say it.” I can still hear her voice as mom continues to pull me back from “I know! I know!”

Practical Tip: Prompted by Jim Burke in a recent BizCatalyst 360 Friendship Bench discussion, I offer 3 questions that might have the same effect on you that mom’s voice has on me:

Does it need to be said?

Does it need to be said now?

Does it need to be said by me?

I know. I know .....

You’re invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, follow, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time! Remember to stop by the website, check out the Services, arrange a Discovery Call, and Opt In to stay current with Diane and Quarter Moon Story Arts and Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

All content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Keenesburg, Colorado!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

If you followed my New Year’s Day Polar Bear Dive story published in Episode 774 and Episode 776 it might have sounded all too easy: show up, scream, run, dive in, go home.

I’m here to tell you that I’m a dyed-in-the-wool introverted kinda gal. I do not do well in settings where I have to show up alone, don’t know anybody, have to make small talk, and may end up looking the fool.

The Polar Bear Dive was a real challenge for me. Not the part where I dove into the 43 Fahrenheit degree water of Puget Sound but showing up. I could have stayed in bed, stayed at home, walked onto the beach and turned back, stayed on the beach but hung out in the background watching the others. You know what I’m talking about. And, no one would have known. I could have lied about what I did or didn’t do.

But that’s not how I live anymore.

Practical Tip: Here’s what I’ve learned: the courage isn’t about getting to the Finish Line; the courage is agreeing that you will start. And once you start it’s all Finish Line from there on out! Guaranteed!

You’re invited: “Come for the stories - stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, follow, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, and join us next time! Remember to stop by the website, check out the Services, arrange a Discovery Call, and Opt In to stay current with Diane and Quarter Moon Story Arts.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

All content and image © 2019 to Present: for credit & attribution Quarter Moon Story Arts

Hello to you listening in Falkenstein, Germany!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

Like a story in the making we are balanced between what was and what will be. All we need is the middle: what happened.

A whole story can be daunting to write; but a sentence is manageable to give you a structure that gets you started. This 3-part template is designed to celebrate the challenges you have overcome, the doubts you have erased, and the fears you have undone to change what was to what is.

Three phrases and you fill in the blanks, like so:

If you had told me 20 years ago that I would [fill in the blank]

I might have [fill in the blank]

but instead if you could see me now I’m [fill in the blank].

Here’s mine: "If you had told me 20 years ago that I would walk 500 miles across Spain estoy solo on a 5-week pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago carrying all I needed in a red backpack weighing 15 pounds I might have snorted my coffee and shaken my head in disbelief at such a ridiculous notion but instead if you could see me now having made that journey when I uncovered what I love and discovered who I am ... now ready for next ... come what may!"

Story Prompt: Now you. Write that story and share it out loud!

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.

Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Probolinggo, East Java, Indonesia!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.

Perhaps you are feeling open, poised for the race ahead, curious, or, maybe a little apprehensive now that 2026 has shown up all ready to rock and roll. I have a suggestion that might make it easier for you. Did you know that what you’re looking for is looking for you? It is! As David Wagoner reminds us in his poem, Lost:

Lost

"Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you

Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,

And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,

Must ask permission to know it and be known.

The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,

I have made this place around you.

If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.

No two trees are the same to Raven.

No two branches are the same to Wren.

If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,

You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows

Where you are. You must let it find you." From Traveling Light: Collected and New Poems. Copyright 1999 by David Wagoner. The Poetry Foundation 1971

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.

Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening in Shah Alam, Malaysia!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds (and a bit more) for Motivate Your Monday and your host, Diane Wyzga.

The beginning of a New Year can feel daunting. All those plans to kick start, days to fill, resolutions to keep, and more to do! There’s no shame in admitting feeling a wee bit wobbly-legged about going forward in the face of wide open frontiers.

What to do? Gain some courage by reversing your Bucket List. Instead of a list of what is yet to be done, what about a list of what you’ve accomplished from the littlest things that you felt made a difference to the biggest things you never thought you would achieve. You might begin by asking yourself:

What made me proud?

What have I learned?

How did I transform my thinking about strangers to compassion and kindness?

Who revealed the meaning of true love to me?

Where did I find the hope and resilience to face whatever came my way?

When did I feel most content or fulfilled?

What would I do all over again just for the joy of it?

What did I long for as a child?

What have I created or, at least, not destroyed?

Who have I lifted up?

How have I defined my life?

What dreams came true? And, which was I happy to leave by the wayside?

What or whom did I fight for and why?

When did I take time to play?

In my experience the Reverse Bucket List invites us to pay attention to what we’ve done, won, gained, lost, learned and kept on living no matter what. It’s proof that over and over again we have stepped outside our comfort zone to strive for something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for! Give it a go. Reverse your Bucket List and shine a light on you.

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together.

Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, email me to arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.

Hello to you listening all over the world!

Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday in the New Year and your host, Diane Wyzga.

Old Man Winter sighed, letting go of the last snowflake as midnight chimed, releasing tiny, glittering sprites of memories from the past year to dance away, making room for the mischievous, bright-eyed Spirit of New Beginnings, who whispered, "Twelve new chapters, 365 new chances!" as the world filled with fresh hope and the promise of endless possibilities, readying us to honor the coming days with compassion, loving kindness, and adventure.

Story Prompt: Imagine this: the old ways of being have faded and a heartwarming spirit has arrived, full of potential, ready to inspire visions, curiosity, imagination, and even a bit of magic. Let’s embrace the Promise of the New Year, letting go of what was, welcoming second chances, and stepping forward with hope and gentle optimism for the future we’ll create. Write that story and share it out loud!

You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication Services, arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.

Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team

Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts

Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music

ALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved. If you found this podcast episode helpful, please consider sharing and attributing it to Diane Wyzga of Stories From Women Who Walk podcast with a link back to the original source.