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t’s all so overwhelming and it seems everyone is tired, discouraged, maybe angry or cynical or depressed, maybe confused or disheartened…just weary.
Each day during this April A-Z Blogging Challenge I’ll offer a short musing on an aspect or two of the many ways the ancient-yet-very-contemporary experience of storytelling – both listening and telling – is an enjoyable, fortifying and heart-lifting practice, for anyone!
K – Storytelling Fosters KINDNESS
During this time of so much stress and uncertainty, of distrust and discomfort, of divisions and hostilities, and of questions, unknowns, and fears, I have been particularly drawn to sharing stories of KINDNESS. Both telling them, and listening to them.
The heart needs kindness in the midst of all the everything.
In addition to showing KINDNESS in action to others as well as receiving it, it is SO good to immerse oneself in stories of KINDNESS, whether true-life personal tales or traditional stories that have lived and been told and handed down through generations.
Stories of KINDNESS are inspirational. They model a good way to live. They are hopeful, nourishing, comforting, sometimes even transformational.
One of my favorite books of collected stories is Margaret Read MacDonald’s Kindness Tales: World Folktales to Talk About published in 2021 – a timely arrival during fraught pandemic times.
I have learned and told many of the folktales found in this treasure of a book, and I recommend it to you.
Another good resource during these disheartening times has been the Kind Stories online storytelling concert series put on by the Healing Story Alliance of the National Storytelling Network. Find out more here.
Storytelling is a truly beautiful way to help spread and celebrate KINDNESS – so needed.
Thanks for reading – Pam
Top deer photo by Daiga Ellaby. Tea mug “What good shall I do?” photo by Nathan Lemon. “In a world where you can be anything, be kind” photo by Kelli McClintock. All on Unsplash.
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