I spent years teaching and lecturing on the Odyssey.  Now that I've gotten involved in what is called narrative identity work, simply put, how you show up in the stories you tell about yourself, I wondered whether there is any connection between Homer's Odyssey and StoryPathing™, the tool developed by Dr. Dennis Rebelo and presented in his book Story Like You Mean It. Remarkably, Homer introduces the nominal hero of his poem in a state of abject defeat.  Odysseus, absent but much talked about by family, associates, and friends in the opening four chapters of the poem, makes his [...]

In the intricate tapestry of our lives, there are pivotal moments that shape us, guide us, and define who we are. StoryPathing is an enlightening exercise that invites individuals to reflect deeply on their experiences and categorize them under three fundamental headings: heroic, collaborative, and virtuous. Through an extended process of introspection and analysis, we identify the exceptional moments that hold immense value and impact. By examining the common threads that connect these experiences, we gain insight into our current station in life and can project the path that lies ahead. StoryPathing defies the notion of teleology, shifting the focus [...]

Reflections on one's personal journey and the ability to articulate it are indeed thought-provoking. It can be a significant challenge to articulate our life's trajectory and how we ended up where we are, especially when someone else asks us to do so. Often, we take our experiences for granted, and it is only when we pause and reflect that we can gain a deeper understanding of our personal narrative.  I encourage you:  take the time to reflect, ruminate, and do the necessary and valuable introspection. This allows us to explore our life's paths, acknowledge the choices we made, and recognize [...]