Often, this exercise disturbs people. Sometimes, they're moved and even cry. The facilitator must know and be ready to listen with empathy and respect. It will not be a question of "consoling." Instead, we will receive and acknowledge the emotion. Then, we will allow the person to express it until he or she wishes. Sometimes, too, participants do not want to describe something. Need to let them go free. 

The game aims to represent one's life since birth as a path. This helps visualize where one comes from and draw a lesson for the present and future.

REFLECTION (reserved for older groups – students)

Before starting the drawing, have them take about 15 minutes to think on their own. They should think about what they want to express.

REALIZATION: Individual drawing

Each event is represented.

·       Example of performance: flower, sun for a happy period

·       Stone, ravine, mountain, rain, for a trial

·       Animal to express the presence of a friend at a particular time

·       Don't hesitate to include important dates to help the young person retrace each step.

EXCHANGE:

·       Adapt the answers and the speech by age group. This will help them express themselves using drawing as a support.

·      Proposal to display the works for those who wish to do so.

Some are not ready to express it in front of others and it is necessary to respect it

CONCRETELY:

·      When you look at the whole of your drawing, what do you notice?

·      What were the key events? How did you experience them? What did they teach you?

·      Who were the important people? Who are the resource persons?

TO GO FURTHER:

·      What can you take away from this drawing and your reflection that can be useful to you today or in the future?

#self-awareness 

·      Memories: If we try to forget parts of our history because they are not pleasant, the buried emotions will manifest themselves in beliefs about life and undesirable behaviors in the person.

·      Put words to it: In fact, expressing the story of one's life allows one to understand oneself better. We see our lives in a unified way, even though there are hazards, chances, chaotic ups and downs, trials, and inconsistencies.

·      Looking to the future:  Thanks to the unity achieved by our life story, we become more capable of projecting ourselves into the future. We also become better able to make responsible choices.

Good advice: Remember, the path always moves forward!

Expert's note:

This work allows you to evaluate your life. Sharing it with others allows you to express yourself. It also helps participants understand themselves better. It also encourages empathy by making them more aware of their history. Personal awareness, self-knowledge, and confidence in oneself and others come into play here. Not everything needs to be said. The key is to identify what is essential and meaningful in our lives.