This recently came across my feed on Facebook:
“The planet does not need more successful people. The planet
desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and
lovers of all kinds.” The Dali Lama.
I believe that by being storytellers we have the possibility
of becoming peacemakers, healers, and restorers. Sharing stories, at its best,
is a manifestation of love. Deciding to share stories is as simple as pouring a
glass of wine for a friend and saying, “Let me tell you something.” Or it can
be as complicated as creating a manuscript, finding a literary agent, and
crossing fingers hoping for the enthusiasm of an editor and the commitment of a
publishing house. But the outcome can be the same – shared experiences that
bring out the best in each other.
As for sharing history, the primary form is oral history.
Generations have passed on their family, tribal, and religious stories by word
of mouth. They have danced to them and set them to music. They have painted
them and later, carved some in stone, set pages in type, sped them through high
speed wireless connections. We keep telling stories. They are the basis of
culture. Our cultures can divide us or delight us. They can cause wars or set
the stage for peace. They can inspire, empower, heal or create hatred,
prejudice, and cruelty. The stories we tell matter. What stories we tell
matter. Who listens matters.
So today, I recommit to being a storyteller. And
I hope someone will listen
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