The stories we tell ourselves about the past

The concept of narrative captured my interest sometime around 1984 - ironically - because it may have been the Orwell novel with that year ' s title that prompted my thinking on the topic.I was interested in written narrative and how Winston Smith established his rebellion and then his freedom through a written form (even if it all eventually led to a horrible end). I was also fascinated by his attraction to the paperweight that he purchased - something that was old - and seemingly of unknowable utility.What was the purpose of knowledge, or of the past - except that it all did represent a freedom from the drudgery of the present.  So the paperweight meant something to him, just like his writing meant something.Winston told himself a story about the past.  He created a narrative.As I am on a precipice of decision regarding our private practice I find myself spinning narratives, perhaps to tell myself a story about the past.  I started telling the stories to my wife - maybe to ease the separation from this present.If the past was negative, the separation would be easier.  I figured that I could use a convenient narrative.So I focused on Heath, an impossibly cute six year old with severe learning disabilities that I saw in 1990.  I helped him with writing and motor skills but I remember how much he struggled with reading.  I remember long talks with his mom, who loved him and worried for him and did everything she could to help him.  She drove ...
Source: ABC Therapeutics Occupational Therapy Weblog - Category: Occupational Health Tags: ABC Therapeutics OT practice OT stories parenting Source Type: blogs