Inspirational Stories Inspire!
12/15/08
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. Maybe there is a message. It might give the listener a suggestion of a new direction. There could even be an outright 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. I heard similar stories from my mother and my grandfather. Once in a while, a teacher would tell a story that held profound meaning to me. I was surprised to find how memorable those stories were. To this day I still remember and follow those messages. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Honesty is the best policy. Slow down and notice the things around you. Give back to your community. Messages that made me who I am today.
Today I tell many of the stories I heard as a child. The stories are ageless. The messages of long ago still have merit in the world today.
Why seek out inspirational stories? For one thing, we experience a deluge of information and news on a daily basis. Next, we live lives that leave no room for reflection. And without time to reflect, how can we develop insight into the affairs of the day? This is where inspirational stories serve us well. Inspirational stories give listeners something to chew on. They offer something to think about. Something that points us a bit closer to our "true north." Something that offers a little perspective to life.
Looking for 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. I find that inspirational stories stick in the memory long after they are told. In fact, the inspirational stories I tell even inspire me!
We live in a complex, fast moving world. We all need a bit of "inner" direction to guide us as we cruise down the highway of life. Inspirational stories help keep us on the road. Think of them as your own personal GPS! My recordings contain a wealth of inspirational stories. Listen for yourself!