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Rags to riches or tramp to lady - it's all the art of story telling

P. Smith
Jan 28, 2019
2 min read

It is National Story telling week but I cannot help but wonder what sets this day apart...After all what defines 'story' and why do we require a special day? Well stories have an almost magical notion and we are all story tellers to an extent when you really reflect on it. The power and influence of stories should not be under estimated.

So what is your story? This may seem like a straight forward question however it involves quite a substantial amount of angles and detail. Depending on the context you may respond in a number of ways: You may recount your history, career, life changes and family circumstances. The word 'story' and the various ways in which it is used carry a certain significance with it. Your story is unique, personal to you and is likely to change.

Childhood fictional stories may have a role in shaping your perceptions....

Many of us may recall stories we were told as young children quite vividly. Great favorites include fairy tales and adventure books - such stories can influence children's choices and behavior from making outside dens to dressing up. Role identification is formed early in life and stories have an important part to play. Nowadays we are increasingly aware of gender stereotyping and how stories may reinforce these ideas. How harmful such stories may be is often a subject of debate. However one thing is sure - stories develop the imagination and allow us to gain perceptions and understanding of others intentions and expectations.

Story telling is an art form and comes in various formats - such as books, novels, theater and film. Story telling is often but not always literature. We may hear many words associated with stories: prose, plot and sub plot and so on. As individuals with different tastes for story telling we will be drawn towards what provides us with the most enjoyment and satisfaction. During our life the different stages of development will determine which form of story telling we are more exposed to: As children learning to read - books are of course crucial however 'reading for pleasure' on ones own is a real mile stone in the story telling department.

Stories are factual, fiction, historic, mythological and magical - they are to be shared and celebrated. So whether you are a theater goer, a writer, a good conversationalist or a quiet communicator - no doubt stories have and will continue to have a really important part in your life journey. Life story work in the social care sector has a beneficial and therapeutic value to those who may have experienced some difficulty. Many of us make scrap books and and take pleasure from writing out our on line profiles. Stories surround us and they may not all have a happy ending but they are ours, to keep, to share and to form crucial memories....

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