Thursday, May 27, 2010

Read or Eat?

"The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive."
~ Crow and Weasel, Barry Lopez
(taken from What the Dormouse Said)


Doesn't that quote make you feel good? There are times I think I really would prefer a great book to lunch (but it would be neck and neck with chocolate and a latte)!

We take care of each other's stories - giving freely of our time and skills, our lessons learned and knowledge gained. And our stories care for us - keeping us company when we should be sleeping and driving us on when our eyes cross with fatigue. Ah, the joys of storytelling. I wouldn't trade them for the world!


In what ways does your story take care of you?

25 comments:

Tahereh said...

i think you totally nailed it, Shannon! another fantastic post!

our books do amazing things for us -- sometimes being the shoulder we need to cry on, the hug we need on a mediocre day, or the laugh we could really use at a moment like *this*.

books make my world a better place.

<333

Angela Ackerman said...

Your post reminded me of this on 'Nuturing creativity':

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html

It's worth a watch if you haven't seen it. Very inspirational!

Shannon Messenger said...

Another fantastic post #2--as always. And my story lets me get out all my inner silliness. (Well, not ALL of it--I have quite a lot of silly in me). But I'm a big kid at heart, so getting to think like a bunch of twelve-year-olds and live vicariously through them is amazing. Perfect escape from my boring, tax paying, grown-up life. :)

Unknown said...

My stories stir me. I feel more alive when I'm creating them.

Stephanie Thornton said...

Writing my stories make me feel more alive. I notice the little things. When I'm not writing I'm cranky.

Great post!

Kenda Turner said...

I think my stories remind me to love more, live better--and keep on learning!

Tere Kirkland said...

My faith in my story definitely keeps me going on days when I'm lacking faith in myself.

Great post, Shannon!

Janet Johnson said...

Mine definitely add a little sunshine to my life. I feel like I live in those worlds sometimes (or at least wish I did . . . sometimes).

Candyland said...

It let's be breathe, let's me be "me" and let's me stay sane. Amazing post! I love that quote.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

What a great post and quote. A story takes care of me when I've been moved, whether to tears or anger, reminding me I'm alive.

Bossy Betty said...

Great observations! My story puts me to bed at night.

Lindsay said...

Fantastic post, as always.:)
Books I read tend to help quiten my mind and relax me. My own stories are company, friends I've created and feel at ease with. Sometimes they frustrate, but that is like family. You get annoyed, but love them all the same.

Clementine said...

I'm going to have to print that one and post it on my desk! I love it. So true! Stories are the morsels of life, aren't they? I'm so glad to have found your blog! I look forward to reading more.

Theresa Milstein said...

You make an excellent point. I learn something with each book I read. and I learn something from each word I write. Good books I've read stay with me. And books I'm writing constantly play in my head until I've figured it all out. I love books!

Myrna Foster said...

Cool post, Shannon! I love reading other stories, and I love making up my own.

Stephanie Damore said...

Writing stories makes me feel creative, smart, beautiful and talented. The sense of accomplishment is enough to keep me writing.

Jemi Fraser said...

So true! My stories have kept me company for years and years and years. I was a shy kid and found the stories such good friends :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

My stories remind me of happy days, joyful inspiration, and the shining eyes of my late husband.

Lydia Kang said...

It is my outlet. I plug into it, and relax and live in another dimension. Really.
Great post!

Mary E Campbell said...

What a great quote and so poignant. If I'm not in the process of reading a book, I don't feel normal.

Mary Aalgaard said...

My stories help me really listen to people, what they're saying and how they're saying it. It prints out my inner thoughts.

VKT said...

I have never been a writer Shannon..until I started my blog. I started jotting down my experiences from my 34 years in education and it is wonderful to think back on my career.

Camryn said...

When something bad happens to me, books serve as my escape. They can always be trusted and reading a good book never fails to put a feel-good smile on my face.

Nishant said...

Great observations!
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Unknown said...

Haha, when I'm in a good writing mood and really clunking away at it, I forget to eat meals. Then my mum freaks out a little bit, so I have to eat a big dinner to make her happy.

My stories keep me from actually losing it. It keeps my insanity in check. In a book I can say "I totally saw a satyr the other day" in real life, not so much.

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