Utilizing everyday objects as metaphors in interactions with careseekers can significantly shift perspectives. These curated objects may assist a careseeker in visualizing a challenge, discovering hidden meanings, or carving a fresh path towards understanding.
Priest Uses A String
How one Catholic Priest used some twine to help a careseeker visualize the redemptive story of her life.
“The Knotted Twine” : A Visual Metaphor
A wise Catholic priest sat one day listening to the story of an elder who was talking nonstop about her life. While she talked, the priest held a 2-foot long piece of twine in his hands. He did not say much as she spoke, but whenever he heard her relate a story of conflict, agency, redemption, joy, sadness, or grief, he made a knot in the twine.
Finally, the elder finished her long, rambling storytelling. The priest said to her, “You have shared a lot about your life today.” The priest then moved his fingers over each knot, briefly recounting back to her each story she had shared and adding a question or observation. Holding one knot, he said, “‘Have you ever considered what to do with that anger toward your sister?” As he trailed his fingers over the next knot, he remarked, “Sounds like you had a lot of personal power and agency when you left that abusive situation.”
At the end of the visit, he gave the string with the “story knots” to the careseeker. Astonished, she said, “Wow, I never thought of my life as a string of knots, Father. Thank you. I am going to keep this to remember how many experiences I have had, and how they are all connected – somehow – to one another.”
Consider
Have you ever used an object as a metaphor in your chaplaincy? What object(s) might be descriptive of your approach to the provision of care in a traumatic crisis?