Storycatching

"In the midst of overwhelming noise and distraction, the voice of story is calling us to remember our true selves.... Story opens up a space between people that is unbound from the reality we are standing in.... Story is both the great revealer and concealer. There is the story of what gets said, and the story of what remains unsaid." -Christina Baldwin, Storycatcher

"Hidden in all stories is the One story. The more we listen, the clearer that Story becomes. Our true identity, who we are, why we are here, what sustains us, is in this story.... In telling them, we are telling each other the human story. Stories touch us in this place of common humanness, awaken us and weave us together as a family once again." -Rachel Naomi Remen, Kitchen Table Wisdom

I've been thinking a lot lately about stories. Stories are what shape our lives, give meaning to the stuff that weaves through our days, and connects us to each other in intimate ways. I have strong memories of sitting around the table at my grandparents', listening to my dad and aunts and uncles tell stories of growing up on the farm, riding around in "The Heap". Some of the most treasured moments of my life have been spent sitting with friends, welcoming each other into the stories of our lives, and creating new stories together. Some of the most important lessons I've learned have been taught through stories. Now, I spend my days creating space for others to tell their stories, and to be heard.

In the age of cellphones, email, and social networks, it seems obvious that we are seeking connection with others, even to the point of being constantly in the stream of communication in some way or another. Yet, as we seek to grow our sense of community and intimacy, it seems we become even more unsatisfied. How often do we really listen to stories? How often do we tell stories? How often do we allow ourselves to truly acknowledge each other, to be true to each other and to ourselves? Our stories become lost, mixed up, even unspoken, for the sake of immediacy and convenience. I have come to believe that the practice of telling our story, and listening to story, is what transforms our lives. It creates a space for our imaginations to open, our hearts to widen, and our spirits to grow. There is a power in story that goes beyond time, place, culture, religion, all the categories and barriers that we organize our lives into. The Spirit is alive in story. 

It seems so simple. Tell a story. But it's not at all. We each hold our stories in different ways. And we each tell our stories in different ways. I've been wondering more and more how I am listening to others' stories. How do I hold these stories? How do I tell my own stories? I'm beginning to realize that I have many stories that I've never even acknowledged as my story. What are the stories that are unspoken? How do I listen for the One story that is woven within all these stories?

"Two or three things I know for sure, and one of them is that to go on living I have to tell stories, that stories are the one sure way I know to touch the heart and change the world." -Dorothy Allison

Come, sit with me. Tell me your story. I'll tell you mine.