We Are Born To Tell Stories
I’m writing from my bed this morning, hoping these yummy sheets and candles all around will heal this wicked cough I brought home with me from Portland. One of the things I’ve been turning over in my mind the last few days is the draw I have to tell stories. The last few years have convinced me that stories are the thing that makes deep transformation possible. And lately, I’m finding, too, that stories are the thing that help us connect as human beings. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, kind or cruel–if you can tell me a story from an honest place inside your heart, I can feel close to you. I can override all the other things that might naturally keep us apart.
Some of my favorite storytellers this morning:
Clarissa Pinkola Estes, this audio series
Garrison Keillor, this book and this series
Ira Glass, this episode especially
Sarah Vowell, this show is my favorite
Story Corps
This I Believe
SMITH mag, where you can read a story with six words or less
I was thrilled, too, this morning to stumble upon this blog and this video from Dr. Brene Brown who researches shame and empathy. It’s eight minutes long, but totally and completely worth it if you are curious about what kind of understanding makes the truest storytelling possible.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
How timely is this? I had an email from Dr. Brene Brown in my inbox this morning about hopeREVO. Did you know she teaches a graduate class on HOPE? How awesome is that?
And you wanna know what’s crazy awesome? She’s going to incorporate the Hope Notes project in her next class.
February 27th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
So much truth (and beauty, always beauty in your writing) in your first paragraph. I’m trying to listen with both ears and an open mind to other’s stories, no matter how different from my own. And yes, I can feel myself changing and connecting with people from a real place inside myself rather than just presenting them with a face I think they might like to see or saying words I think they want to hear.
Thank you for the links, jen. Will save them for tonight’s reading and viewing. I better set aside a good hour or more!
I hope you will be well soon.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
[…] “The last few years have convinced me that stories are the thing that makes deep transformation possible. And lately, I’m finding, too, that stories are the thing that help us connect as human beings. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, black or white, kind or cruel—if you can tell me a story from an honest place inside your heart, I can feel close to you. I can override all the other things that might naturally keep us apart.” —Jen Lemen […]
February 27th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
When we tell our own stories, we undertake a transformative process, and leaves us changed. I hope you feel better soon.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
I love these programs. I load up my IPOD and take a walk with the dog so I can listen. Another one of my favorites is “This American Life”.
I cannot wait to check out Garrison Keillor’s new CD’s as his “Good Poems” CD’s ride with me in the car everywhere.
Stories are a way to relate on a deeper level with others, across all strata of society and gererational differences. Stories bind us together.
February 28th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
One of my dreams is to do therapeutic storytelling with elders.
I’ll check all of these. Thanks!