Inspirational Stories Inspire!
04/22/09
I have spent a good amount of my time researching stories that offer listeners something more than simply a clever 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. 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. 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 was surprised to find how memorable those stories were. To this day I still remember and follow those messages. Treat others the way you want to be treated. There is no substitute for honesty. 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.
Why seek out 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. And without time to reflect, how can we develop insight into the affairs of the day? 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 gives us perspective.
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. "Service with a Smile" on my Parking in Manhattan CD offers the listener a great hidden lesson. 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 can help us in our travels. Like having your own spiritual GPS! There's a wealth of inspirational stories available on all of my recordings. Check them out!
Sites Consulted