The Power of Storytelling: Why Stories Matter
The power of storytelling, as regular readers know, is a theme I return to again and again on this blog. I am passionate about the ability of stories to create a shared sense of meaning and community in our lives. I see this played out in the blogosphere each week, as I weave the strands of our stories together in the Weekly Round Up.
Cancer takes so much from us, not just our breasts and our hair, but indeed the very story of how our lives were meant to be. When we become ill and that story that has previously guided our lives is taken from us, we need to find a new story. Stories help bridge what sociologist, Arthur Frank, in his book The Wounded Storyteller, calls “narrative wreckage” – the point at which our old life plot is no longer valid, and we need a new story to continue life’s journey. Frank believes that seriously ill people are wounded not just in body but in voice and that we need to become storytellers in order to recover the voices that illness takes away.
I firmly believe that there is an alchemy that happens in the blogosphere when we share our stories. When your story is received and witnessed by others, the stories themselves change as they are told and heard, creating a social fabric around which we care for each other. Through sharing stories, we create empathic bonds between ourselves and our listeners. Those who listen to our stories, tell others, and in this way the circle of shared experience widens. This is the reason I continue to blog – even now when so many years have gone by since my own breast experience. It’s at the heart of why the Weekly Round Up means so much to me because we connect on this deep level of stories and our shared humanity.
On Thursday, I will have the great pleasure of working with Audrey Birt, to deliver a storytelling workshop on behalf of the Health and Social Care Academy, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It’s been well over a decade since I last visited Edinburgh and I am looking forward to going back there.
Edinburgh, Scotland
I am also excited to be working with Audrey, whom I first encountered through her blog a few years ago. It will be our first time meeting in person. And of course, I am very much looking forward to travelling some storytelling ground with the workshop participants. If you happen to be in Edinburgh, why not join us for this free workshop. Full details are here.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
A beautiful post Marie, so true about the stories which we gather as the days pass, and how the emphasis alters with times.
I wish you a wonderful visit to Edinburgh – I so wish I could be there with you and Audrey.
P
🙂 x
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We would could be the three musketeers if you were with us Philippa 😉
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Oh yes, great musketry in Edinburgh 🙂
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“The story of how our lives were meant to be.” Marie, I have never before appreciated such a fine turn of phrase. Of course I know how cancer has changed and influenced my life, in the present and for the future, but I never realized that cancer also changes how my life was meant to be. That is powerful. Thank you, my friend! I know you will rock the workshop! xo
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Isn’t it just so true Nancy.. we think we have our lives mapped out..and then wham, along comes cancer to throw a hand grenade into the midst of our lives. It changes everything.
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The workshop sounds fab Marie – I’m tempted to make the trip up to Edinburgh just for that! Workshops and books about story telling seem to be everywhere I look, at the moment… I’ve never really felt like telling my cancer story, and have found it difficult to express myself at all in words since the Stage IV diagnosis last year. Now I’m thinking perhaps that’s because I was still stuck in the gap between how my life was meant to be and what I want to make of it now. Thank you for giving me pause for thought.
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And thank you Julia for sharing your thoughts with us here. I’d love to see you in Edinburgh! However, I will make the slides of my talk available afterwards. Warm Regards Marie
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I so relate to the concept of the “Wounded Storyteller,” but you know that. 🙂 Have a wonderful time in Edinburgh!
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Marie this is so beautifully written. I wish I could be there at the workshop to hear you speak – you are such a wonderful speaker.
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Thank you for the introduction to storytelling as it relates to healing. I read the related posts as well and ordered two of the books you cited: “The Healing Art of Storytelling…..” and “The Wounded Storyteller.”
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So happy to hear you’ve ordered these two books – do let me know what you think of them Yvonne.
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Wonderful collaboration! Best of luck. The roundup has been and remains very special. It is a cross point of perspectives, of stories, and a platform for empowerment too. Marie, maybe you would find this interesting? I created a story via a game platform, and it’s a very interesting way of creating a storytelling journey. This particular story isn’t the easiest, but then they aren’t’ always.
Wish you and Audry the best of success! Catherine
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Catherine, thanks so much for sharing this – it’s powerful!
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Reblogged this on heartoftheart.
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I too can related to the ‘wounded storyteller’ – an inspiring post. Thank you for sharing.
My story began in the fall of 2014 when I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. It shattered my world and everything I believed in – having been physically active, a non-smoker, a non-drinker and at my ideal weight. Then boom!
I began re-evaluating my lifestyle choices, my eating habits and my environment. It took me on a very different path. I left my day job and focused on my health. During the journey I was inspired to re-design my career and create something that would have value and purpose. Oddly enough it began with my passion for fragrant candles.
Scented candles have always been a part of my life and after discovering a large majority of mass marketed candles contain harmful chemicals and additives in their products, I was unwilling to simply walk away from using scented candles. Instead, I set out to design the perfect medium in order to create a highly fragrant, clean burning, pure and natural product that was safe for my family, my pets and the environment.
My pets were an integral part of my healing process and after nearly 18 months of research, I created a proprietary blend of 100% certified organic waxes. I sourced the highest quality essential and fragrant oils that are phthalate free, creating captivating scents of wax melts designed in the shape of a paw. Why the paw? To pay tribute to our furry friends who help us through life’s difficult times. In particular my 3 cats who were beside me and loved me unconditionally during the entire time. We also donate a portion of our profits to animal shelters.
I don’t know whether the frequent use of scented candles had any influence on my health prior to my diagnosis, but I do know that I will NEVER again use any scented candle/wax melt that isn’t 100% organic and natural. My health and that of my family and pets is far too precious to take the risk.
Thank you for creating a forum for women to share their stories. I’d really appreciate if you’d be kind enough to check out my new Paw Melts website and let me know what you think => http://www.pawmelts.com/
Carpe Diem
Sarah
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