Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/healing-out-loud-the-life-giving-power-of-story/5026960/
Stories are a way to preserve history. They are a way to teach morals and social dictates. Being able to connect to another person by sharing your story creates a bond, in which both parties are invested in the connection, in the story and in the outcome. Personal stories can build a bridge, allowing the storyteller to rally support for a cause, while simultaneously connecting people with information. Meaningful experiences create vivid memories, and retelling past events can help an individual express how their life has been affected by crucible—or even ordinary—moments. Personal stories reveal how complex systems affect the lives of everyone involved. Audiences can relate to the wide range of experiences presented by diverse storytellers. We feel the mix of tragedy, endurance, exuberance, and accomplishment.
I was introduced to the healing power of storytelling by Allison Broeren, co-founder of Strike Theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I signed up for Storytelling 101. I wrote down the story of how my daughter was born in the front seat of a leased Ford Focus. What I walked away with was a tool for life. I learned that to become a storyteller, I first had to understand my own story.
The following are three moments ...