For the Grown-Ups

We Are Made of Stories

The more I tell stories, the more I realize that virtually everything out of my mouth is a story. The more I think about stories, the more I realize that virtually everything I think is a story. When I look at my life, I see the story – and its a good one. I see the through-line, I see how well it was crafted. Living my life, I feel like a wandering fool – but looking back at it with the eyes of a storyteller – I see the genius of it.

My relationships are thick with stories. My wife and I have a karmic connection. My youngest son and I both have a passion for sardines. My oldest son and I do a great south Texas accent. These sound like observations, but look closer, and you see stories.

My sense of politics, of commerce, of education and definitely religion are all built out of stories. Independent. Savvy. Whole body learning. Emergent. Not just words – stories.

My wife asks, “How are you?”

My answer is a story.

A friend asks, “What is the weather supposed to do today?”

My answer is a story.

A business adviser asks, “So tell me about your business plan.”

My answer is a story.

All stories – everything stories. Which is not about true or false – that is a different conversation. True things and false things are also stories. Right or wrong – stories. Fact or fiction – stories. Science or myth – stories. As I said, all stories.

So – if what I say is a true story, then what does it mean to be a storyteller?

Tell a story tonight and then you tell me.