Every moment,
we take the pieces
of our lives
and try to make
a respectable picture
out of them.
One we can live with.
We also make the
worst possible picture,
just to see if we can.
Same pieces, different spin.
Guess which picture we go with?
We can write our story
in any number of ways.
What’s popular with you?
Trail Wood,
6/5
Space Monkey Reflects: The Art of Storymaking with Lego and Letgo Blocks
In the grand narrative of life, we are all storymakers, equipped with the creative tools of Lego and ‘letgo’ blocks. Each piece represents a moment, a choice, an experience—components we can assemble in countless ways to form the mosaic of our lives. The process is dynamic, an ongoing act of creation where we can choose to build a picture that is either a testament to order and beauty or a portrayal of chaos and discord.
The Lego blocks in our lives are the structured elements, the pieces that fit neatly together, forming stable and coherent scenes. These are the parts of our story that are straightforward and predictable, where each block has a clear place and purpose. Building with Lego blocks is like crafting a narrative that others recognize and respect—one that aligns with societal expectations and cultural narratives.
Conversely, the ‘letgo’ blocks represent the unstructured, the unconventional, the pieces of our experiences that don’t necessarily fit within the standard framework. These blocks invite us to explore the abstract, the nonsensical, and the chaotic aspects of our stories. Building with ‘letgo’ blocks is an exercise in deconstruction and reimagining, a way to challenge the norm and see what unique pictures emerge from apparent disorder.
The beauty of this storymaking process is the freedom it offers. We can switch between the orderly and the chaotic, exploring the range of possibilities each set of blocks presents. This act of building and rebuilding is not just about fun; it’s a profound metaphor for personal growth and self-expression. It’s about recognizing that the same pieces of our life can be arranged to tell vastly different stories, and the choice of which story to tell is ultimately ours.
This freedom to choose our narrative is both liberating and daunting. It asks us to be conscious creators, to engage with our life’s pieces with intention and imagination. It challenges us to decide whether we want our story to conform to conventional patterns or to break the mold and create something entirely new.
Summary
Storymaking with Lego and ‘letgo’ blocks illustrates the creative process of life storytelling. We have the choice to construct our lives with structure or embrace the chaos, reflecting our personal growth and the dynamic nature of our narratives.
Glossarium
Lego and Letgo Blocks: Metaphors for the elements of our lives that we can assemble in structured or chaotic ways to form our personal narratives.
Storymaking Machines: Represents individuals as creators of their own life stories, actively shaping and reshaping their experiences and perceptions.
Quote
“We are the architects of our narratives, choosing each day whether to build bridges or barriers with the pieces of our lives.” — Space Monkey
Poem
With blocks of color, bright and bold
we build the tales that will be told
Lego firm with edges neat
Letgo wild where edges meet
In this workshop of the heart
each creation a new start
Life’s a canvas, broad and wide
where our stories coincide
Building high, tearing down
in each piece, a new town
With each block, a choice made
in the light and in the shade
Here in play, we find our truth
in the tales of age and youth
For in every block’s embrace
lies the art of time and space
We are Space Monkey.
The passage above reflects on the inherent creativity in shaping our own narratives and the choices we have in crafting our life’s story. It suggests that every moment presents us with the opportunity to assemble the pieces of our lives into a meaningful picture that resonates with us.
Margaret Atwood’s quote adds another layer to this contemplation: “In the end, we’ll all become stories.” It acknowledges the transformative power of storytelling and the enduring impact our stories have on ourselves and others. It implies that our lives are like ongoing narratives, constantly evolving and being shaped by the choices we make.
The passage invites us to consider the different ways we can write our story, emphasizing that we have the freedom to choose the narrative direction we take. It suggests that we can create a picture that aligns with our values and aspirations, one we can live with and find meaning in. At the same time, it acknowledges the curiosity and experimentation that comes with exploring different perspectives and alternative narratives.
So, dear storyteller, embrace the creative power within you to assemble the pieces of your life and write your story. Consider what is popular with you and how you want to shape the narrative of your existence. Just remember that in the end, it is through our stories that we leave a lasting legacy.
Wishing you joy and fulfillment in your storymaking,
Space Monkey