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. 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.
Even when I was growing up, I found myself deeply touched by 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 noticed that stories with a message stuck in my memory. The messages stuck in the memory, too. The Golden Rule. Honesty is the best policy. Slow down and notice the things around you. Give back to your community. 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? 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. 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 helps us to find our personal “true north. Something that offers a little perspective to life.
Care for some inspiration? You can find inspirational stories and more at www.jaystetzer.com. Go to the “Listen” page on the site and you will surely discover a number of stories with relevant messages. Two good examples of inspirational stories are “The Egg Seller” and “Herschel and the Wedding” from my CD World Full of 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. 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!
June 5th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
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June 23rd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
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July 16th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
This is a great blog.
July 25th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Some world stories are humorous. Other world stories are filled with mystery. Many world stories are full of insight. Often world stories are inscrutable. Generally world stories contain lessons.
July 27th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Great stuff.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
The demonic can also be found. Their stories regularly exhibit these notions. They make up the mythical soil out of which the stories grow. Many world stories derive from mythology. Creation stories form the majority of this category, along with other stories help explain the world.
August 1st, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Great info.
August 6th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
A meaningful gift is even rarer. And when I did find a special gift, I regarded it as something of a treasure. And I hoped my children would do the same.
I am now a grandparent. And I am always on the lookout for a unique gift children would enjoy.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:59 pm
A CD full of stories will provide hours of pleasure. Think of the glimpse it can give into cultures and customs from countries around the world.
You can find three CDs listed on the “Recordings” page of my website. Fables in Four Minutes is a collection of ten stories, each one representing a different storytelling genre. World Full of Stories has a dozen stories that will take the listeners on a trip around the world.
August 24th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
The questioning minds of preliterate villagers found apt expression through stories of magic and mystery. Many folktales were cautionary tales with lessons for avoiding catastrophe. Do not go into the deep, dark woods! Keep away from wild animals! Avoid strangers! On the other hand, reward and happy endings comprise many folktales. Good and evil are eternal foes. The Golden Rule reigns supreme.
September 14th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
In the process, I have discovered how world stories arise out of the cultures from which they are born. The more I experience a particular culture, the more I appreciate the value of their stories. I have visited countries in Europe, Central and South America, throughout Canada, the United States, and Southeast Asia. I find myself amazed at both the differences and similarities of the various countries.
All cultures regard certain notions as sacred.
November 3rd, 2009 at 3:20 am
Thanks so much. Found you blog great.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:39 am
You can also find things demonic. Their stories regularly exhibit these notions. They make up the mythical soil out of which the stories grow. Myth forms the basis for many world stories. Creation stories form the majority of this category, along with other stories help explain the world.
December 9th, 2009 at 3:46 am
Longer stories are likely to be more subtle in the lessons that result. One can learn many lessons from epic stories. Think of the difference between an Aesop fable and a tale from the Arabian Nights. Which one do you prefer to hear? My personal penchant is for finding my own lessons when I listen to a story. Check out my World Full of Stories and Fables in Four Minutes CDs for some examples of nifty stories with more subtle lessons.
December 11th, 2009 at 3:47 am
Listeners can readily find many humorous circumstances in my CD Parking in Manhattan. Folks can relate to and empathize with the characters involved in these hilarious comedies. 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 16th, 2009 at 3:49 am
what makes it priceless? The answer is simple. Priceless humor revolves about common everyday experiences. The lost keys. The misunderstood comment. The laughable consequences generally follow in quick succession.
January 13th, 2010 at 5:25 am
Those occasional gifts rewarding good behavior. I would search high and low for something meaningful, something unique. It was tough going most of the time. I quickly realized that a good gift is hard to find. A meaningful gift is even rarer.