I have spent a good amount of my time researching stories that offer listeners something more than simply a clever plot. Something that the listener can relate to. Maybe there is a message. Perhaps it gives a hint of direction. There could even be an outright moral. It doesn’t really matter what name you give to this elusive quality; it is more important that the stories I tell 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 was surprised to find how memorable those stories were. The messages stuck in the memory, too. The Golden Rule. There is no substitute for honesty. Slow down and notice the things around you. Community giving is part of community living. Messages that made me who I am today.
I find myself using stories I heard long ago when I perform today. The stories are ageless. The messages are as relevant now as they were long ago.
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. 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 offers a little perspective to life.
Looking for 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. “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. Long after they are told, inspirational stories stay in the memory. 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!