You Are a #Storyteller and You Can Change Lives . . .

When I was growing up, I’d often heard, “Everyone has a novel in them.”.

Image Courtesy of miguel ugalde ~ http://www.freeimages.com/photographer/ugaldew-30895

If you think my punctuation in that last sentence is wrong [ .”. ], I could beg to differ with you; but, that’s another post…

Still, I’m a writer and storyteller; but, being a blogger has lots more freedom—freedom of expression, and of punctuation…

So, whether you have a novel in you or not, I still maintain that you’re a storyteller.

It’s really hard to not be a storyteller—even simple questions like “How was your day?” can inducing storytelling.

So, why did I choose that image of the man with his mouth taped shut?

Partly because of all the oppression in the world (which I’ve told stories about) but also because “How was your day?” could, if a person is encouraged, turn into a real, publishable story—the thing is, folks, especially those little ones we call “kids”, are usually not encouraged enough—at times they seem like we’ve put tape over their mouths—or, hearts…

However, there are many ways to tell a story.

Part of a comment on a post I did about two years ago (“Harnessing the Power of Narrative for Social Change”), went like this:

“…many people have watched the video on news channels of Tara the cat saving her 4 year old owner from a vicious dog attack. The video told a story that was compelling and amazing and moving. It made a point through story about badly brought up, untrained dogs. It was more powerful than any sermon.”

Here’s that one minute video:

That’s one way to tell a story…

Plus, that incident could be the impetus for a short story (or, a novel…).

Well, what about the title of this post—You Are A Storyteller and You Can Change Lives . . .?

Perhaps you’ll agree you tell stories like the answer to the question, “How was your day?”; but, “Change Lives”…?

Telling someone else about your day, if you tell it from your heart, can change their life.

Try it sometime………

And, as far as helping kids do this, check out The Telling Room.

Also, you may want to watch this video with Susan Conley, one of the co-founders of The Telling Room. It could change your mind about storytelling…

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Can Stories Change Society?

Most of us have read a story that’s changed us, in some way.

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Often, these are news stories…

Sometimes, stories told by friends…

Even fictional stories have the power to induce lasting change in our lives…

Back in May, I wrote a post that focused on an organization that facilitates story-telling for social change.

I’m not going to encourage you to join the organization; but, whether you’re a Reader, Writer, or Publisher, I think you could learn something from them…

So…

I’m reproducing that past post…

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As a writer, I often wonder about the future… 

Actually, because of some of my research, I hold the future in Great Wonder.

And, because I’m a writer, I have the power of words to help me, even if falteringly, to potentially shape some of the Future.

What if you knew about an organization that could help you  “…change the story on the issues that matter most.”

Change the Story…

Some say we humans are story-telling creatures.

Think for a moment about all the stories you hear every day—from family, friends, co-workers, bosses, corporations, and governments…

Well, that organization that can help change the story that surrounds certain issues has a Vision:

“We believe that together we can move towards a just economy, a healthy planet, and a better future for all.”

Something else this organization says, that evokes deep feelings for me, is:

“We believe the root cause of today’s crises lie in the potent mythologies that normalize an unjust status quo.”

The organization is the Center for Story-Based Strategy.

One thing I find fascinating about this organization is their willingness to teach the power of sharing compelling stories to help create a better future for our human family and this home, our planet…

Here’s a peek at some of their strategies:

“There are many different ways to win the Battle of the Story whether it’s by re-framing the issue, amplifying previously unheard voices, or offering new solutions. The story-based strategy approach offers a flexible methodology for campaign or community stakeholders to encapsulate their common experience and vision into a powerful, shared narrative.”

And, how they think about storytelling:

“Beyond our much-hyped opposable thumbs and our ability to stand erect on two feet, humans are unique in the animal kingdom for our relationship with narrative. We humans are storytelling animals, constructing our social reality through our ability to create, interpret, and contest stories about the world around us and our place within it. We think, dream, remember, and believe through the filter of narrative.”

Do you tell stories?

Do you feel they have power?

Do you wish you could learn how to make them more compelling?

I’ll leave you with this video, which brings up a story from Amazon…

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“Harnessing the Power of Narrative for Social Change”

As a writer, I often wonder about the future… 

Image courtesy of miguel ugalde ~ http://www.freeimages.com/profile/ugaldew

Actually, because of some of my research, I hold the future in Great Wonder.

And, because I’m a writer, I have the power of words to help me, even if falteringly, to potentially shape some of the Future.

What if you knew about an organization that could help you  “…change the story on the issues that matter most.”

Change the Story…

Some say we humans are story-telling creatures.

Think for a moment about all the stories you hear every day—from family, friends, co-workers, bosses, corporations, and governments…

Well, that organization that can help change the story that surrounds certain issues has a Vision:

“We believe that together we can move towards a just economy, a healthy planet, and a better future for all.”

Something else this organization says, that evokes deep feelings for me, is:

“We believe the root cause of today’s crises lie in the potent mythologies that normalize an unjust status quo.”

The organization is the Center for Story-Based Strategy.

One thing I find fascinating about this organization is their willingness to teach the power of sharing compelling stories to help create a better future for our human family and this home, our planet…

The title of this post is the title of a .pdf you can download—Harnessing the Power of Narrative for Social Change—which includes the elements of story-telling as well as this quote:

“There are many different ways to win the Battle of the Story whether it’s by re-framing the issue, amplifying previously unheard voices, or offering new solutions. The story-based strategy approach offers a flexible methodology for campaign or community stakeholders to encapsulate their common experience and vision into a powerful, shared narrative.”

Here’s another .pdf you can download—Giant Whispers: Narrative Power, Radical Imagination and a Future Worth Fighting For…—which has this quote:

“Beyond our much-hyped opposable thumbs and our ability to stand erect on two feet, humans are unique in the animal kingdom for our relationship with narrative. We humans are storytelling animals, constructing our social reality through our ability to create, interpret, and contest stories about the world around us and our place within it. We think, dream, remember, and believe through the filter of narrative.”

Do you tell stories?

Do you feel they have power?

Do you wish you could learn how to make them more compelling?

I’ll leave you with this video, which brings up a story from Amazon…

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