The Power of Stories

As I mentioned last week, here at Team Meline, our theme for February is: Stories. Stories are powerful and authentic and complex, which is why I am so glad we have a month to focus our reflections on them. I believe stories have the power to connect us, captivate us, and create a space for learning, growing, and belonging.

Connect

When people share experiences they’ve had, they are being vulnerable. They are opening up a very real, human part of who they are to another person or group of people. Anytime this happens, it invites the listener to say, “Me too.” “I’ve been there before.” “I never knew someone else felt that way or had that experience.” This instant feeling of connection is interwoven with our most basic needs. In a society that is often so focused on division and “Us vs Them,” the power of connection through storytelling could be transformational and healing.

Captivate

The beauty of stories is that they are incredibly captivating! Whether the purpose is to depict an entertaining experience, describe a heartbreaking tragedy, or offer an account of someone’s life, sharing these tales lifts the audience to another level and draws in the listener. Perhaps for a moment, they forget what was making them feel stressed before the story began. Or maybe the storyteller themself feels encompassed into a memory or imaginative idea, captivating their own reality in that moment. Stories have an immediate effect of getting attention. 

Create

Stories create a space for learning, growing, and belonging. How can people learn from one another if no one is willing to uplift their voice and if no one is willing to listen? Stories cultivate curiosity. Through sharing experiences, perspectives may be shifted or mindsets challenged. This is the mark of someone who is open to learning and growth. When someone shares their story and it is embraced and valued, belonging is nourished. That person is seen and loved for who they are. Is there any better feeling in the world?