Meaningful stories

[joe erpenbeck]

Attached is our recent newsletter from the ABCD Team in Cincinnati. The story of Linda and Richard speaks of the power of places where people are welcomed and there is room for everyone to share their gifts. I think that is evident in this story.  What is most meaningful to me in this story is the information that is missing. That is - Sometimes/often connections JUST happen. I did very little in this story other than find the place and invite my friend Richard to come check it out and do some introductions. The rest just happened.

 

What kind of stories are most meaningful/powerful to you?

[Linda Keys]

Hi Joe,

I love reading your newsletter - so thanks for posting. And I really enjoyed Richard and Linda's story. What is meaningful to me, about all the stories in your newsletter, is that they are gifts-focussed. We don't hear a lot about why Richard needs a hand (beyond the skeleton information that he didn't like school and never learned to read). We hear about why his desire to learn to read was a gift to Linda; we hear about how he has succeeded with his reading; we hear about their connection.

I recently organised an event entitled 'Telling a Story Makes a Difference: Storytelling for Social Change'. The idea behind the event was that - I think - we need to acknowledge what a powerful tool storytelling is, and practice it as we practice our other professional/ life tools... with intention, mindfulness, and then reflection. The event was very interesting in terms of hearing stories from everyone's lives (the professionals told their own stories too!) and affirming the idea that there are universal human experieneces which touch us, because we understand the experiences of pain, joy, anguish, contentment (I could go on...!), if not the exact circumstances that led to these emotions. Tapping into these emotions and experiences is what makes storytelling powerful and effective in inspiring or infuencing people.

I intend to write something a bit more about the storytelling day to post on this site... I really must try and nudge it up my 'to do' list!!

Thanks joe,
Linda