Inspirational Stories Inspire!
12/04/08
I have spent a good amount of my time researching stories that offer listeners something more than simply a clever plot. Something that listeners can take away from the story. Call it a message. It might give the listener a suggestion of a new direction. It might even state a moral. It doesn't really matter what name you give to this elusive quality; it is more important that the stories I tell possess it.
Even when I was growing up, I found myself deeply touched by inspirational stories. Both my mother and my grandfather told similar stories. Occasionally a teacher would tell a story that meant a great deal to me. I noticed that stories with a message stuck in my memory. To this day I still remember and follow those messages. Treat others the way you want to be treated. There is no substitute for honesty. Take time to smell the flowers. Community giving is part of community living. Messages that made me who I am today.
I find myself using stories I heard long ago when I perform today. The stories are ageless. The messages of long ago still have merit in the world today.
What's so important about inspirational stories? For one thing, we experience a deluge of information and news on a daily basis. Second, the lives we live give us no breathing space to reflect. In the absence of time and reflection, we have precious little available insight to bring to current affairs. Here is the place for inspirational stories. Inspirational stories give listeners something to chew on. They give us something to consider. Something that points us a bit closer to our "true north." Something that gives us perspective.
Looking for inspiration? You can find inspirational stories and more at www.jaystetzer.com. Go to the "Listen" page on the site and you will surely discover a number of stories with relevant messages. "The Egg Seller" and "Herschel and the Wedding" from the World Full of Stories CD are good examples of inspirational stories. From the CD Parking in Manhattan, "Service with a Smile" brings a great message to the listener. Long after they are told, inspirational stories stay in the memory. In fact, the inspirational stories I tell even inspire me!
We live in a complex, fast moving world. As we head on down the highway of life, we can all use a little direction to guide us. Inspirational stories can help us in our travels. Think of them as your own personal GPS! My recordings contain a wealth of inspirational stories. Listen for yourself!
More information