Why is telling stories so important?
Origin of storytelling
Storytelling has been around since before Adam was a boy. And even before the written word or oral language, our predecessors told stories through drawings on cave walls and in the sand. Important cultural knowledge was even communicated and passed on through songs, chants and dancing.
So why is telling stories so important? Stories link us to our past and they provide a glimpse into our future while connecting us to each other.
What is a life story?
Even in today’s world, telling stories is so important. We tend to leave storytelling to authors of books, screen and stage. But we all have stories to tell and passing on family history is just as important today as it ever was. We have the advantage of progressing from selfies to life stories on video.
So what is a life story and do we all have them?
Life stories feature a person’s life, their family history, or favourite memories. And they honour the events and people who helped shape them as they grew up. They can be captured as a written biography, oral recording or, the most captivating medium of all, video.
You do not need to be a celebrity to make a life story. We can all preserve our life stories and family history to pass on our legacies to future generations. I certainly wish my grandparents had done that in some form or another.
Everyone has stories to tell
Everyone has unique stories just waiting to be told. As American author Mark Twain said:
“There was never yet an uninteresting life. Such a thing is an impossibility. Inside the dullest exterior, there is a drama, a comedy, and a tragedy”.
But time flies so quickly and we often miss the chance to capture our stories.
When I tell people about Life and Times Video and why I started my family video production company, everyone says what a great idea. And then they say, I wish I had captured my parent’s, or grandparent’s stories before they died.
So it’s really important to tell your stories while you can before time whizzes by.
Three reasons to tell your life stories
Here are three reasons to tell your life stories. But there are plenty more. Rather than leave it to chance, define your own legacy. Create your own life stories and preserve your funny stories, embarrassing moments, unforgettable or cherished times.
Cindy Siano, Family Video Producer
Yarn of the Year
Hi, I’m Cindy – Life and Times video producer.
You are invited to submit your stories to publish on my blog. Each month I will feature the best stories – like a ‘memoir of the month’.
Each year we will select a Yarn of the Year based on comments and views.
Your stories can be as short or long as you like, as long as it fits the description outlined on the Storytelling page.
Send your stories in via the on-line form on the Storytelling page, or email me at firstname.lastname@example.org if you wish to include any photos or video content.
YOUR LIFE STORY PROTECTS YOUR MEMORIES
Just as photographs fade over time, your memories can, too. As you get older, your health may impact your ability to document your past.
YOUR LIFE STORY BENEFITS OTHERS
You probably do not realise it, but people closest to you are genuinely interested in learning about your past. And future generations will benefit from the details and experiences shared in your life story.
YOUR LIFE STORY DEFINES YOUR LEGACY
How do you want to be remembered? Will you become a forgotten face in an old photograph? Or do you want to take action now to preserve your beliefs, values and wisdom?
Tell your tale on video
Of course I am biased when it comes to recommending how you preserve your life story. But the facts speak for themselves. No medium has more impact than video.
Compare still photos with the entertaining moving pictures and luscious sounds of people expressing themselves.
Through video you can preserve your loved ones’ smiles, voices and their infectious laughs forever. You and your family would cherish this keepsake. You could enjoy it now, play it at special family occasions and then pass it on to your family and close friends for the future.
The other benefit of video, is that all you have to do is talk and tell your story to the interviewer. The whole process will only take up a few hours of your time. And you would have your life story presented to you within weeks. If you write your own biography, this would take months or years. Tick tock!
Read more on this topic
If you are interested in this topic, here are some further readings and videos…