In this gem of a book, author Diane Millis includes brief, engaging stories and quotes – and thoughtful, evocative questions and exercises to help us unearth the treasure in our own lives. Henri Nouwen suggested that we change the world by offering “a space where people are encouraged to disarm themselves, to lay aside their occupations and preoccupations, and to listen with attention and care to the voices speaking in their own center.” This book helps create such a space. It is a valuable work for spiritual directors and for anyone seeking to live with more peace and compassion.
—Michele Gossman, Director at Transformations Spirituality Center in Kalamazoo, MI
Each of our stories is a wave on the ocean of the universal story. And, like water, the shape of our narratives changes, dissolves and reforms, even as the essence retains something that is ever true. This book is an invitation to open our hands and allow new stories to emerge from new landscapes, even as we step up to consciously participate in our own process of radical renewal. Filled with lucid examples and practical exercises, Re-Creating a Life is a portal to liberation.
—Mirabai Starr, Author of “God of Love” and “Caravan of No Despair”
My friend Diane Millis has written another exquisite book of profound interest to spiritual seekers and directors alike. Using her own personal story with beauty, honesty, and creativity, she teaches us a way to recraft the stories of our lives in life-giving and sacred ways.
—Rabbi Amy Eilberg, Author of “From Enemy to Friend: Jewish Wisdom and The Pursuit of Peace”
Through her own life journey, full of joy and struggles, Dr. Diane Millis shows us how storytelling can be a daily spiritual endeavor and practice through which we get to the heart of who we are and discover what is most important to us. Thanks to the practical nature and relatable approach of this book, I would highly recommend it as a useful handbook for caregivers, such as parents and teachers, as well as anyone else who is eager to explore the transforming power of storytelling.
—Xiaoan Li, Ph.D., Program Officer, Fetzer Institute
For all people who want to learn the beauty and wonder of their own story, this book offers practical guidance and exercises to recount and reframe specific stories in your life. By following this wise guide, you will discover a new story you will want to share with others.
—Kathleen A. Cahalan, Ph.D., Professor of Practical Theology, Saint John’s University School of Theology and Seminary
Through her engaging writing style and clear, everyday language, Diane Millis invites us to know and transform our relationship with our own life narratives. We feel the palpable warmth and trust born of Diane's years of contemplation here, as this book effortlessly bridges the gap between deep, powerful exploration and offers easy on-ramps for daily practice. Simply put, with the wise guidance offered here, we can actively participate in not only our own recognition and healing, but our own psychospiritual evolution. Universally applicable and highly recommended!
—Busshō Lahn, Senior Priest, Minnesota Zen Mediation Center
Diane’s book, Re-Creating a Life: Learning How to Tell Our Most Life-giving Story, is a gift to anyone who is willing to reflect on the unfolding stories of their lives to find new and redemptive meaning! Her wise method of sharing her own story in such an honest and personal narrative works well as an example and an invitation into our own narrative explorations. Through her research, reflection and writing, I am now learning how to re-write a better story line for my own life.
My life has been greatly enriched by Diane’s presence and spirituality work. I participated in her narrative circles with the 4-4-4 method she developed through SDI this past spring and found it one of the most honoring and life giving experiences of my past several years. I indeed found myself re-telling a new and hopeful story that gives life to a limiting old story I had told myself for many years.
—Maryann Joyce, Director, Mount Saint Joseph Retreat Center
We all have stories that we tell ourselves and others, stories of our upbringing, our defining features, our flaws. Diane’s book gently invites us to look at these stories in new ways. Are the stories we tell ourselves and others the most life-giving versions? Who is the protagonist of our stories? Who are the heroes and villains of our stories? Which stories would we like to explore further?
One of the most profound invitations of the book is to recognize that our stories are never finished, we can always re-enter them, find new perspectives and uncover new layers of meaning. This simple yet profoundly helpful step can take our stories of shame and embarrassment and turn them into our most redemptive stories.
Diane invites us to share our stories with other listening partners, whether it be a spiritual director or trusted friend. Often others see our stories differently, ask us questions we haven’t asked ourselves before and giving us a glimpse into new possibilities.
One of the exercises Diane introduces is the “7 days of recreation,” beginning with the question “which day from your life would you like to explore further?” From here we can choose 7 key stories from our lives. I found this exercise profoundly transforming and in working with a childhood memory, that was surrounded in shame, was able to see it in a whole new light. I went from seeing myself as having made a terrible decision to seeing the courage inherent in that decision and to forgive myself. I discovered a sense of freedom in this practice. I return to this book often, which I think is a mark of a wonderful book, to glean new insights, explore a new story, find ways to help my spiritual directees and for practices I can introduce in a retreat or quiet day.
—Kirsten Hobby, Ph.D., Spiritual Director and Former Chair of the SDI Coordinating Council
