The power of story

Perhaps the first thing that springs to mind when you think of storytelling is a childhood experience of being told a story or a story that you have told a child. But storytelling does not just take place in a nursery or round a campfire. Stories are part of our daily lives, in the anecdotes we tell to our friends, the books we read, and the films we watch.

Beyond material possessions and fleeting moments, stories hold the power to shape our identities and preserve our memories. They provide us with a sense of purpose, connection, and understanding.

The art of storytelling is as old as mankind. Stories are an intrinsic part of our society. They define our values, beliefs, and dreams. They help us move forward and embrace change. Stories are the most powerful form of human communication. Listening to someone share a story tells us so much about that person. What they believe. What is important to them. What are their prejudices. What are their insecurities.

Stories communicate as much about the teller as they do about the story being shared. Two people can share the exact same story, but tell it in completely different ways and communicate very different meanings.

What do we do when we get together as families? We tell stories. That is how we learn about what our parents were like when they were young. What our grandparents were like. Friends share stories about their past when they get together. We reflect on “back in the day” and regale our glory days.

There have been three storytellers that have had a profound influence on me. Bruce Springsteen, James Lee Burke, and my Dad. They each used different forms of story, but were all intentional in their messaging.

“I always wanted my music to influence the life you were living emotionally - with your family, your lover, your wife, and with your children.”

Bruce Springsteen

“In the end, our stories are all we have.”

James Lee Burke

My Dad wrote me letters. He seemed to know when I needed a little boost or maybe some perspective. I find letters to be powerful. They require forethought, strategy, and intent to communicate a particular message. They are not reactionary, but quite the opposite. They are laced with intent. You can write and rewrite, until you get the message just they way you want it. They get to the core of who we are and what we feel.

I have followed in my Dad’s footsteps with the use of letters to our children and other important people in my life. I write them with intent and I hope they are read in the same light. Obviously, this blog is another form of intentional storytelling. I am able to control the narrative and craft a story that reflects my true thoughts and feelings.

We spend a lot of time today “communicating” with each other on a host of platforms. Most require little planning and thought and are strictly reactions to a particular moment or event. But do we ever really think about the story we are telling with our communications? Because, we are telling a story every time we post, tweet, or snap about ourselves.

We all need to think about the story we are telling with our daily words and actions. Does it match our true self and what we want to communicate to our loved ones and to the world.

Our stories serve as a testament to who we are, what we have experienced, and what we value. They offer solace in times of despair, inspiration in moments of doubt, and a legacy to pass on to future generations. As we navigate the complexities of life, it is through our stories that we can truly find meaning and leave a lasting impact on the world. If you want to change the world, you need to change your story.