Heart-Lifting for Disheartening Times – Storytelling is a Refreshing TONIC

It’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!

T – Storytelling is a Great TONIC

So…what’s a TONIC? Some dictionary definitions:

• something that gives a feeling of vigor or well-being; invigorating
• something that makes you feel healthier and more relaxed
• a general term for concoctions with health benefits and invigorating properties. (And, you realize, you can concoct a story – ! 😉 )

“Invigorating” and “relaxed” might seem at first blush to be contradictory – but they really aren’t! You can feel both at the same time, and it’s a pretty glorious feeling.

• “A weekend in the mountains was a needed TONIC for her.”
• “Spending time at the shore was just the TONIC he required.”

And…to spend time sharing stories, and especially when they are good stories well-told(!), is both relaxing and invigorating! A wonderful time for the heart, for community, for lifting spirits, for genuine entertainment and connection.

So here’s me raising a glass to the TONIC that is storytelling – and hoping you get to experience it!

Definitely heart-lifting in disheartening times.

Thanks for reading – Pam

Top photo by Sara Dubler, 2nd tonic photo by Devin Berko, both on Unsplash. Photo of me from my files, taken by I don’t remember which friend at a storytelling gathering.