The gift of stories
connection, community, compassion
Holiday greetings!
If you haven’t already, please check out my post from last week, “Broken things,” a favorite of mine. It’s a sort of Christmas story, and I think it’ll resonate with you.
Today’s post is a quick reminder about the importance of stories. Many of us are gathering with family and friends this holiday season. We’re in community. We’re listening. We’re sharing stories.
Stories matter.
Stories matter whether they’re told in conversations, essays, news articles, books, films, t.v. series, song lyrics, visual arts, oral storytelling, or through whatever medium they’re conveyed.
As a reader and writer, stories are a big part of my life. The truth is that stories are a big part of everyone’s lives. Stories are everywhere.
Stories help us to be more compassionate both toward ourselves and others. They help us connect through common experiences and common humanity.
Stories can also give us a view into lives that are much different from our own. In that way, they help us listen and learn and develop empathy for others.
If you haven’t watched Chimimanda Ngoze Adiche’s Ted Talk - “The Danger of a Single Story” - I highly recommend you check it out. It’s so important to have all different kinds of stories. To hear the stories of people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. To listen to stories that differ from our own, whether within our own circles and communities or from across the world.
Although stories can be heard and seen and read in a number of different ways, books are an especially easy way to access stories. Reading has many benefits. Research has shown that reading fiction, in particular, helps increase empathy. Check out the article “How Reading Fiction Increases Empathy and Encourages Understanding,” Discover Magazine, April 28, 2020
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I’ve enjoyed lots of powerful stories this year - books of all genres, some excellent films, and a few good television series too.
I’ve laughed and cried with friends and family as we shared stories - joyful, painful, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and everything in between.
I hope you’ve felt the power of stories this year as well. Here’s to the new stories we’ll experience and share in the upcoming year!
As always, and especially during the busy holiday season, thanks so much for reading my words.
Gratefully,
Mary
For further reading, here are a few links from my “old” blog that explore the power of stories:
I agree that "The Trouble with a Single Story" is great. I assigned it for my global health (undergrad and masters) students. I think it's relevant not just to writers or readers but to successfully living in a global world--much the same way the Discover article describes. Also, she's a very engaging speaker.
Thank you for the recommendation of The Trouble with a Single Story. I haven't seen that TED talk and will be sure to watch.
Stories! I absolutely resonate with this. The importance of stories and also recognizing the stories we are telling, creating our reality. A gift of humanity! (Sometimes a curse? LOL)