I recall walking through a cemetery with my mother, when I was a child, asking question after question. 'Mum, how did this person die?' 'Where did they live?' 'What was it like for them, Mum?' I've always loved a good story. But what qualifies as 'good'? For me, just about anything that shines a light on how we live, why we do the things we do, and what's important to us. Story telling is a magical gateway through which we can connect with others (including fictional others!), and emerge educated, enriched and perhaps even a little enlightened. As a young girl, I sensed the immense potential of that cemetery – so many people I could never connect with, so many stories I could never share.
How I find time for stories
Between my energetic young family, a flourishing Living Savvy program, and a challenging PhD research project, I don't get the chance to immerse myself in a book as often as I would like (unless it's one with rhyming words and bright illustrations!). But I can watch TV and listen to the radio – maybe not considered too sophisticated or intellectual but definitely practical! I listen while I'm driving, and watch while I'm working out. As much of my favourite story telling is on the ABC, I can catch up on TV any time through the brilliant ABC iView (showing programs for up to 14 days after original air date) and conveniently download ABC radio program podcasts to savour where and when I want.
Here are links to a few of my favourites:
Talking Heads (transcript archives) Australian Story (video and transcript archives) Street Stories now 360 (podcast) Conversations with Richard Fidler (podcast) Radio National Breakfast (podcast)
The power of stories
Through these stories I connect with the story teller and have the opportunity to glimpse the world through another's eyes. Importantly, I also connect with myself and have the opportunity to examine my own feelings, judgements and perceptions. Every story holds some kind of lesson:
- I have read an article about Tyra Banks and asked myself 'How do I show up?'
- I've watched an episode of Sex and the City and wondered 'Who completes me?'
- And, of course, I listen to the stories of savvy women all around me and reflect on the question 'What am I creating?'
I believe living savvy is not about where or how you access stories, but what you do with them. How do you apply them to yourself? How do they expand your thinking? How do they challenge you?
Image by John-Morgan
Related posts:
Cat, Vicky, Janine and Jane will be sharing their stories on living savvy TV. Here is the link to Cat.
http://media.livingsavvy.com.au/2009/06/we-meet-cat/