I am always on the lookout for stories that bring something more to listeners than a clever twist of plot. Something that listeners can take away from the story. Maybe there is a message. It might give the listener a suggestion of a new direction. There could even be an outright 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.
As a child I found deep meaning in 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 was surprised to find how memorable those stories were. The messages stuck in the memory, too. The Golden Rule. Honesty is the best policy. Slow down and notice the things around you. Community giving is part of community living. I am who I am because of those messages.
Today I tell many of the stories I heard as a child. The stories are ageless. The messages are as relevant now as they were long ago.
Why seek out inspirational stories? First, consider the barrage of daily news and information. Next, we live lives that leave no room for reflection. 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 offers a little perspective to life.
Care for some inspiration? At www.jaystetzer.com you can find memorable inspirational stories. 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. I am even inspired by the inspirational stories I tell!
The world of today is a fast moving, complex 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. Like having your own spiritual GPS! My recordings contain a wealth of inspirational stories. Check them out!
March 9th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Even animal characters in stories act out the situations of our own humanity.
The struggles of life have been with us for centuries as well. Conflict. Pestilence. Relationship scuffles.
April 12th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
The missed appointment. The misunderstood comment. The laughable consequences generally follow in quick succession.
The world of urban folktales is a rich source of priceless humor. My CD Parking in Manhattan illustrates many humorous circumstances.
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
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. Honesty is the best policy.
May 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Keep the posts coming dude.
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I will bookmark this page.
May 31st, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Often world stories are enigmatic. Generally world stories teach. All world stories keep us amused.
Regardless of their intent, all world stories express deep bonds with the fabric of a country and culture. The experiences of people are drawn in world stories.
June 26th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
For centuries stories have been told and retold throughout the world. Why? Because they are entertaining, for one thing. Another reason is that they deal with the human condition, one way or another. Even stories using animals as characters reflect the situations and actions of our species.
The struggles of life have been with us for centuries as well.
August 17th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Lovin this blog. Totally cool.
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:44 am
They are filled with catastrophes and disasters. And the life lessons are generally hidden from view. As a storyteller, my job is to sift through the data and sort out the meaning. Also, I need to inject a bit of humor to make the tale palatable. Making the story priceless with priceless humor!
Virtually every storytelling genre contains examples of priceless humor.
December 9th, 2009 at 7:02 am
My CD Parking in Manhattan illustrates many humorous circumstances. These hilarious comedies involve characters everybody can relate to and empathasize with. Priceless humor arises out of priceless situations.
World stories also capitalize on priceless humor. These stories always bring gales of laughter when they are told.
December 10th, 2009 at 7:02 am
Some world stories are humorous. Other world stories are mysterious. Many world stories are full of insight. Often world stories are enigmatic. Generally world stories contain lessons.
December 26th, 2009 at 7:07 am
Those occasional gifts rewarding good behavior. I spent some serious hours searching for something unique, something meaningful. Most of the time it was rough going. I quickly realized that a good gift is hard to find. A meaningful gift is even rarer.
January 10th, 2010 at 7:50 am
Throughout the world stories have been told and retold for millennia. In the fabric of a culture, they act as vital threads in the weave. They lend definition, roots, and significance to society. World stories spread as the culture grows.
I have been blessed by the number of world stories I have found from my travels around the world.
January 27th, 2010 at 8:57 am
The demonic can also be found. Their stories regularly exhibit these notions. Their stories grow out of this mythical soil. Myth forms the basis for many world stories. Creation stories form the majority of this category, along with other stories help explain the world.