I\u2019ve mentioned several times here the discussions a few of us have after playing golf, or just sitting around having a couple of beers. It\u2019s occurred to me that some of the best times, and discussions, happen when a story is involved. Actually, that\u2019s almost always the case \u2014 when we\u2019re visiting or out to dinner with friends, or just about anytime we\u2019re in a group of people, some of the most entertaining and memorable times involve stories.<\/p>\n
I guess probably no one knows when the first story was actually told but I\u2019m sure it was long before any recorded history. The first printed story was the epic of Gilgamesh (a legendary king of the Sumerian city state of Uruk that ruled sometime during the first half of the 3rd millennium B.C.) The story was carved on stone pillars and spread from Mesopotamia to other parts of Europe and Asia around 700 B.C.<\/p>\n
Storytellers aren\u2019t just the people that read and tell stories to kids at the public library \u2014 we\u2019re all storytellers; some of us are better than others, but we\u2019re all storytellers. Stories have a unique ability to cut through clutter and confusion and bring clarity to a situation. Stories are things we can identify with and remind us of our hopes, ambitions, dreams and values. We should never underestimate the importance of stories \u2014 they play a crucial role in ours lives, and in our society. I read once that humans are the only animals that create and tell stories. That should seem fairly obvious, but stories introduce us to what we are and what we are capable of being. And stories can literally sometimes change our lives.<\/p>\n
All the great leaders have been good storytellers \u2014 almost all great speeches contain a story. Rarely do we go to church that the sermon or homily doesn\u2019t contain a story. If fact, almost three quarters of the gospels are stories or parables. History is nothing but a series of stories. All stories serve a purpose even if it\u2019s just to relay a message. If you\u2019re trying to make a point, a story illustrates it better than a set of facts.<\/p>\n
With the advancement of technology, traditional storytelling is declining, but storytelling will never die out. Mothers and fathers will always tell bedtime stories to their children and stories will continue to be an important part of our culture. Admittedly, a lot of storytelling is being taken over by videos, the Internet, books, radio and other technical media but people will always tell stories. Some say that after nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world. There is a Hopi American Indian proverb that says, \u201cThose who tell the stories rule the world.\u201d
\nSo \u2014 what\u2019s your story?
\n\u2014 30 \u2014<\/p>\n
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I\u2019ve mentioned several times here the discussions a few of us have after playing golf, or just sitting around having a couple of beers. It\u2019s occurred to me that some of the best times, and discussions, happen when a story … Continue reading