This week, thousands of people gathered for the 29th year at Weber State University in Ogden, UT – to hear stories. Yes, you read that right. They could’ve stayed home and read a book, but instead, they were drawn to hear students and professional speakers telling their stories during the three-day festival.
For the “tellers,” it’s not about being on stage with a microphone. Sam Payne, a storytelling Fellow at Weber State, says the storytelling “magic” happens when you see people whose “memories and thoughts have been sparked” by what you’ve said. Something resonates with them and you make a connection. That’s what draws people in.
We’ve been telling stories for thousands of years – drawing on cave walls, talking around a campfire, writing books, and now posting on social media. Stories can be wildly entertaining, but their importance goes far deeper than that.
Stories comfort and connect people. We repeat the stories our parents told us, the same ones their parents told them. Family stories give us historical perspective and a shared heritage.
Stories create compassion. We feel less alone knowing someone else has gone through a similar experience. But even if their path is different from yours, knowing their story gives you a broader perspective and fuels empathy. Hearing about another person’s lived experience shows you what’s possible.
Through stories, we share joy, laughter and creativity, but also anger and despair. Telling a story can be easier than talking directly about a challenging situation. Listeners still get the message. Stories help us make sense of the world.
Stories educate at any age, but story time with your kids is priceless – learning and snuggle time all in one. A win-win.
American poet Amanda Gorman summed it up well: “We tell stories because we are human. But we are also made more human because we tell stories.”
We all have stories to tell. And those stories are meant to be shared.
On Fridays, How’s Your Impact posts Your Stories to share your take on something that’s happened or something you’re thinking about. It can be funny, enlightening or annoying. These stories are intentionally short and simple, because big impact doesn’t have to be complicated. We hope you see yourself in the common threads of how we connect and show up in each other’s lives.
When asked, people often downplay the importance of their stories, thinking they aren’t big or sensational enough to share. But your story doesn’t have to be flashy to be important. In the words of freelance writer, journalist and Emmy-nominated producer Alison Hill, the lives of “ordinary” people yield the most “true, authentic and inspiring stories.”
We encourage you to look for these impact stories as you go about your days. It’ll really show you how interconnected we all are. Once you start looking for them, you’ll be amazed at how many you see!
We’d love to hear your story! Click HERE to find out how to share it with us!
Our stories matter…so let’s share them with the world!
