storied living

Storytelling. It's how people taught lessons since the beginning of civilization, even Jesus used parables to teach people lessons about God and faith and it still is a pretty effective way to connect with an audience. I love when speakers can tell a good story to tie into the message. There's just something about it. Chicken Soup for the Soul series is coming out with a 20something version. I always did like that series. I had to stop reading them because I practically went broke buying all the Kleenex tissues. But they're looking for submissions from those in their twenties.

I wonder if that's why blogging has caught on. It's another way to share each one of our stories - whether it be in experience with a particular topic or just telling the different things that happen during the day and what it all means. It's interesting how surrounding a handful of blogs you'll start seeing a sort of online community develop. From here, you'll then see unconferences or meetups organized. Blogging lets anyone and everyone tell and share their story with anyone who will read/listen. A friend of mine used to write a film review blog that included philosophy and what he called 'our own storied living'. Relating movies, these stories, and how they produced meaning in our own lives (or stories). I think Alexandra from Water Cooler Wisdom says it very well:

I’ve noticed that with the breakdown of the traditional community and the rise of online network participation, people are hungrier than ever for ways to create emotional bonds with others. Sharing personal stories, whether via writing or oratory, motivates us, inspires us, and allows us to take advantage of the life experiences of those who have gone down a path before us.

Read the rest of The Value of Sharing Stories. It's interesting to see a very traditional way of communication being expressed in a new way.