Honoring Life, Through Stories
The first thing I learned to write in journalism school was an obituary. It was the perfect exercise to learn the value of asking who, what, where, when, why and sometimes how. We were partnered up that first day of reporting class, began asking questions, taking notes and writing stories about someone we’d only just met. We quickly learned that there is always more to a story than most of us assume.
This week I heard that a friend from that class has passed away. Because he was a journalist and a storyteller, and because he wanted to be sure the facts were accurate, he wrote his own obit. It was a column that was characteristic of his humor, kindness and straightforwardness, and of course, it was deeply personal in a way that was only possible because he had written it.
Most of us won’t write our own obituaries, but we do have the opportunity to write our present day stories. Many already do, on social media platforms with unlimited landscapes for sharing ideas, news and views, both literal and figurative.
When you tell your story, what is your intention? Do you want to explain the who, what, where, when, why and sometimes how, of your work or life experience? Do you want to connect with others? Do you want to share something about yourself and find out what that reaction might be?
In the Harvard Business Publishing Blog, Vanessa Boris writes:
"Telling stories is one of the most powerful means that leaders have to influence, teach, and inspire. What makes storytelling so effective for learning? For starters, storytelling forges connections among people, and between people and ideas. Stories convey the culture, history, and values that unite people. When it comes to our countries, our communities, and our families, we understand intuitively that the stories we hold in common are an important part of the ties that bind.”
Boris reminds us that business leaders have always used storytelling to solidify relationships and more.
At every stage of our life, we will have stories to tell. While we know the details of our own stories best, it can be helpful to enlist an objective listener who can organize memories and details, and help you share them with others. If you need assistance, let’s talk!
For those who may be thinking about how they’d tell their final story, here’s Ian’s obit. Truly, a life well remembered.
