“This was an opportunity to explore my life experience, put into words a compelling narrative and share with others. It was healing for me. Deeply listening to other’s experience is enriching as we commonly experience being human in so many ways”
Betty Jean W. Hawaii
GAB can be a powerful catalyst for improved self-esteem, self-confidence and communication within communities and within families. The exercise of recording life stories is rewarding for adults of any age in a period of transition or with interest in gaining insight from their own stories. Personal development and a feeling of connection to other participants and their stories is a natural outcome of this process.
Additionally the benefits of GAB include:
- Increased self-acceptance
- Decreased anxiety and tension
- Increased energy and vigor
- Increased positive view of others
- A feeling of connectedness and friendship
For those interested in recording their Family history GAB helps participants in locating, recalling and organizing the histories of their families. Participants are encouraged to look for lost family culture and traditions embedded in their histories and woven into their weekly stories. Students can then decide what to leave in the past, what to incorporate into the present, and what to leave for future generations.
GAB is based on the premise that learning from the things that have shaped your life is essential to moving forward. This process can be a powerful tool for those leaving behind something familiar and unsure which direction to pursue next.
“It’s about writing, but so much more”