Narrative Thinking -

If you had a friend that talked to you like you do, would you still be friends?

ByJoe Martino March 8, 2018

You’re not an idiot because something bad happened like you lost $100 that you can’t afford to lose. You’re not shameful because someone molested or raped you as a child. You didn’t deserve to be raped because you were drunk at a party. Your worth isn’t diminished because your father didn’t know how to adequately love you. You’re not worthless because your mom took every chance she could to remind you that you were an accident that wasn’t planned.
I do not believe you are an accident. I do believe you have worth.

Change | Forgiveness | Narrative Thinking | Relationships

Forgiveness and Process: Who are you becoming?

ByJoe Martino February 1, 2018

Forgiveness helps us deal with the past.
Process allows us to the focus on the future.
In focusing on the future, we shape our present. This is why we must examine what we are focusing on. If you don’t focus on what you want to become (your future), you will become whatever you are focusing on.

Narrative Thinking

What is your character sketch?

ByJoe Martino October 23, 2012

In college I had the opportunity to be in a few plays. I was able to do some Shakespeare and a few other authors that to be honest, I forget. I enjoyed being able to play a few bigger roles and a few smaller roles. My favorite for the character sketches was the smaller roles….

Current Affairs | Narrative Thinking | Parenting

9 year old dies: the result of stupid parenting techniques gaining traction

ByJoe Martino February 23, 2012

People wonder why I am so adamant about not indulging in these types parenting techniques. My post on the gentleman that shot his daughters computer generated a lot of discussion on here and on my personal Facebook page. This little girl died and my fear is that if she had not died, then people would…

Addiction | Narrative Thinking | Stress/Anxiety

Whitney Houston and our own Narrative thinking

ByJoe Martino February 13, 2012

Unless, you’ve been secluded from society this weekend, you learned that Whitney Houston died this weekend. I don’t know why and to be honest, I’m ok not knowing. This post really isn’t about Whitney. Have you ever had someone force a plot on you that you didn’t feel was fair? They assigned motives to your…

Narrative Thinking

Donald Miller talking about story

ByJoe Martino February 3, 2012

This is Donald Miller, who is an author talking about story and living a life that has a plot that matters. Enjoy. Are you living a great story with your life? from Donald Miller on Vimeo.

Narrative Thinking | Parenting

When tragedy enters the plot

ByJoe Martino February 2, 2012

I almost called this post, When the plot is a tragedy but I think that would miss the point of what I’m going after. I’m reading an extremely interesting book about the effects of divorce on children throughout their life. The book is the result of a qualitative study about divorce. It’s amazing to hear…

Change | Narrative Thinking | Relationships

When what you want is what you fear the most: Narrative thinking about our own plot

ByJoe Martino January 31, 2012

I was having a conversation lately with someone who was stuck in a really bad story. She is dating the same guy over and over again. And while his name has changed, his character has been the same. It’s messing with her head.It’s keeping her up at night. It’s making her feel hollow inside. Then…

Narrative Thinking | Relationships | Stress/Anxiety

It’s the plot that matters most

ByJoe Martino January 29, 2012

A constant theme in mental health that I have written about is that what happens to you is less important than how you make sense of what happens to you. This is a very important concept. So important, I want to write it again. What happens to you is not as important as how you…