Netting Inspirational Stories
I am always on the lookout for stories that bring something more to listeners than a clever twist of plot. Something that the listener can relate to. Call it a message. It might give the listener a suggestion of a new direction. It might even state a moral. The name one might give to this ephemeral quality is not as important as the fact that the stories I tell actually possess it.
As a child I found deep meaning in inspirational stories. Both my mother and my grandfather told similar stories. Once in a while, a teacher would tell a story that held profound meaning to me. I noticed that stories with a message stuck in my memory. To this day I still remember and follow those messages. The Golden Rule. There is no substitute for honesty. Slow down and notice the things around you. Community giving is part of community living. I am who I am because of those messages.
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? First, consider the barrage of daily news and information. Second, the lives we live give us no breathing space to reflect. And without time to reflect, how can we develop insight into the affairs of the day? This is where inspirational stories serve us well. A listener can mull over inspirational stories. They give us something to consider. Something that helps us to find our personal “true north. Something that gives us perspective.
Looking for inspiration? You can find inspirational stories and more at www.jaystetzer.com. On the “Listen” page of my website, click any one of the story samples and you are likely to find a message worth your time. “The Egg Seller” and “Herschel and the Wedding” from the World Full of Stories CD are good examples of inspirational stories. “Service with a Smile” on my Parking in Manhattan CD offers the listener a great hidden lesson. Long after they are told, inspirational stories stay in the memory. I am even inspired by the inspirational stories I tell!
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. Like having your own spiritual GPS! My recordings contain a wealth of inspirational stories. Listen for yourself!