Stories

Stories are all around us, in our every day lives and are a major part of who we are. They tell of memories, tales, adventures and journeys of those who came before and those that are today. Many stories relay lessons, quests, and hardships, but the best stories are the those that bear hardship, obstacles, and show achievement over them.

Let’s take a quick look at the word Story…

Definition:

The definition of the word story differs from one entry to another. A few are listed below:

According to Merriam-Webster.com a story is:

• an account of incidents or events 
• a statement regarding the facts pertinent to a situation in question 
• anecdote; especially: an amusing one 
• a fictional narrative shorter than a novel; specifically: short story
• the intrigue or plot of a narrative or dramatic work
• a widely circulated rumor 
• lie, falsehood
• legend, romance
• a news article or broadcast

and according to Wikipedia a story is:

A narrativeor storyis a report of connected events, real or imaginary, presented in a sequence of written or spoken words, or still or moving images,or both.

From the Ages:

From early in history oral storytelling, pictures, and words have been an essential part of our lives. Stories have been pass from one generation to the next teaching tradition, providing a source of education, and creating fantastic tales of entertainment, sorrow, and love from the imagination and experiences of others.

Stories come from all walks of life into the minds of us all, ready to be told and re-told; to entertain, educate, inspire and intrigue anyone willing to read or hear it. They come from inside you (and others): we create, remember or imagine stories to comfort, protect, learn from, or entertain not only ourselves but others.

Lessons:

Through stories we learn lessons of life, of love, how others overcame similar obstacles and we even learn a little about ourselves, whether the stories are about family or characters/others on a journey similar to the one we are taking now.

Each story we read, we find a character with attributes akin to our own, a situation comparable to what we are currently traveling, or one that hits home on an emotional level. Every story we read, we learn from; even those we don’t finish. It’s not that we abandoned that story or that we will forever be a quitter, but what we learn is with that story, it didn’t resonate with us on an emotional or psychological level. Aspects of it didn’t catch and keep our interest causing us to put it down and never return to finish it.

I can personally say there has been one novel I was unable to finish and it was because I didn’t resonate with any of the characters. The setting was one I enjoyed reading, but the characters and their journey made no sense to me. I learned I needed more interaction between characters, though I’m more of an introvert, myself, I enjoy the connection between characters as they journey through the tale and this one didn’t have that.

How Stories Affects Our Daily Lives:

As with fiction certain events in our lives bring on pivotal turning points that guide our own story down a path of our choosing. Each decision we make is another point in which our story is created. Each choice leading us down another path, either with mountains and valleys or along a straight road. Some may be easy while others are difficult, having to climb your way to the next mountain only to realize there is another along your path. Along your journey some people come and go, while others stay to journey with you, battling the dragons, evil menace, and dark shadows; providing comic relief or comfort in your time of need.

We find relief and freedom in the words written on the page, a sense of escape from the every day, sort of like a vacation for the mind. A place we can travel to escape work, the kids, the house, chores, anything so that we can spend some time away in fantasy or another reality for a few moments. It’s a way to relax and recharge before hitting the day with guns blazing.

Inspiration:

The one thing you can find anywhere is inspiration and stories are filled with it. Each page contains details of hope, courage, bravery, sorrow, danger, conflict, dreams, future, compassion, love, and so much more. Characters overcoming conflict to achieve their dreams, lines of understanding as those characters travel along the paths of their choosing. Connections made between characters, animals, creatures, or even objects. Experiences that shine and those that don’t.

When we read stories, tales, and legends, we create connections not just with the characters within the stories, but the authors who created them as well as those around us who enjoyed the story. Through social media, blog comments, forums, and more we state our likes and dislikes about certain tales, making our emotional connection to the the stories known as people around the world comment and respond.

Stories are not just doors to other worlds, characters, settings, or information; they are doors to a connection much deeper, a connection we may be lacking these days; with others like us not just in our vicinity, but those around the world.

Final Thoughts:

What you take away from the stories you read and the journey you’re on are completely in the way you take in the details. Since we all have different opinions and interpret events and decisions differently, we’ll also take from a story what we perceive from the situations, characters, and the decisions they make. What you take from each story you read is up to you as is the journey you are currently taking.

Where are you in your story?