I Am A Storyteller
“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” ~ Brené Brown
I believe (and several research studies back me up on this) stories are one of the most powerful ways to engage an audience. During my first year of teaching, I taught a group of wonderful students, but there was no doubt that engagement had been an ongoing challenge. It didn’t help that for the first two months of the school year, there were a few students who consistently mimicked barnyard animal noises while instruction was taking place. While at times I recognized how truly amusing this was, it was exhausting to think of new ideas for positive behavior reinforcement and rational, clear-cut consequences.
I still remember the first time I sat the entire class down on the rug and told them a personal, real-talk story. I couldn’t believe it! Every single student was silently listening the entire time. This was a breakthrough for our class. From then on, as I developed lesson plans, I thought of captivating stories that would connect with our learning objectives. It took some practice. As we all know, there are good storytellers who hold our attention in the palm of their hands, and there are those whose storytelling skills are in progress.
Truthfully, I’m still working on developing in this area. However, a lack of experience or comfortability should not stop me from listening to and sharing stories. Jesus used parables as a key method of teaching. He chose relatable topics and simple examples. Stories connect us together, and when we feel connected and seen, it becomes so much easier for our brains to engage in comprehending and retaining additional information.
May the Lord Bless You and Keep You:
Today, may stories fill your mind and ignite your spirit.
May you be reminded of stories recorded in the Bible, building up your faith.
May you listen to others, validating their experiences.
And may you be inspired to grow your storytelling skills to invite connection with those around you.
Day #6: Think of a colleague you’re thankful for.
Action Item: Tell them.
