How to Tell a Story: Do You Think Before You Forward an Email? Meaning of Stories, Part 1

Do you think before you send – or do you just forward. This article will get you thinking not only about how to tell a story, but about how stories shape lives.

What Do the Stories You Tell REALLY Mean?
By Ronda Del Boccio

Did you ever stop and think about what stories you repeat, either aloud or by forwarding an email? What is the message? Here is one I received a few days ago:

The Blind Man, author unknown

One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: “I am blind, please help.” A creative publicist was walking by and stopped to observe. He saw that the blind man had only a few coins in his hat. He dropped in more coins and, without asking for permission, took the sign and rewrote it. He returned the sign to the blind man and left. That afternoon the publicist returned to the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins.

The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was he who had rewritten his sign and wanted to know what he had written on it.

The publicist responded: “Nothing that was not true. I just wrote the message a little differently.” He smiled and went on his way. The new sign read: “Today is Spring and I cannot see it.” The End.

You can read a story on many different levels and take away from it a variety of lessons. Stop for a moment and ask yourself this question: What message about blindness does this story convey?

Blind beggars used to be commonplace, but in these modern times, is it a good thing to perpetuate that image? I say, “No.”

What does this story say to you? Certainly, it highlights the power of marketing to bring about results. That is true, granted, but perhaps there is a deeper layer of meaning. I encourage all of you to consider thoughtfully.

The tale tells me that a man should beg for compensation since he is unable to witness the beauty of the world because of his lack of vision.

I awoke this morning to the soft muzzle of my dog Molly nudging me to take her out. Her plume-tail wagged up a breeze that made me want to stay nestled in the warmth of my covers instead of facing the cold morning. But after a poke in the shoulder and a face washing, I woke up the two cats lying on my chest and abdomen and laughed my way out of bed.

Have you noticed that some of the birds who left the Ozarks for winter are returning? I heard them this morning. One that I call the “wow-wow” bird because of his song serenaded me this morning. The air smelled crisp, and though the day was cold, sunshine warmed not only my face, but also my spirit. What a glorious place this is! What a joy to live in the Ozarks!

I do not miss the smell of car exhaust, the crowds, or the sound of sirens I heard every day in the big city.

As I walked to the chicken coop to let the birds come out into the bright day, I heard the exuberant sounds of their eagerness to be free. Chickens have an amazing vocabulary. I never knew that until I cared for a flock of my own.

As I walked Molly, two of my neighbors slowed their cars and talked with me, and in the grocery store, we met several dear friends. There are many wonderful people here in Stone County.

When I am not out enjoying nature, running errands or being entertained by my pets, I delight in creating magical stories, helpful articles, and amusing slices of life for people who love to read. When I’m not writing, I might be preparing three-cheese biscuits or Scottish oat-cakes to delight the taste buds, or massaging away someone’s aches and pains.

In short, life is good. I am not wealthy in the usual way, but I feel richly blessed with loving family and friends, wonderful animals, talents that touch peoples’ lives, and a heart full of gratitude.

What, you might wonder, does any of this have to do with the story of the blind man? I am legally blind. True, there are a few things I cannot do because of it, like drive a car. But why would I beg to compensate my loss? I am only lacking if I choose to see it that way.

Think about the stories you repeat.

Connect with anyone instantly through a power you have inside you. Awaken this power with gifts you’ll find at http://profitablestorytelling.com

Ronda Del Boccio is a transformational speaker, author and mentor known globally as The Story Lady. She is the author of I’ll Push You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling Through Life with Blinders On, The Geometry of Success as well as numerous articles and stories. She also hosts an international radio program called Empowering Stories

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronda_Del_Boccio
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Do-the-Stories-You-Tell-REALLY-Mean?&id=357051

_______________________________________

It is spring/summer/fall/winter, and I cannot see it well, but I can hear the chickens BOKing. I can feel the softness of my cats as they lay on me and the rhythmic vibration of their purr. I can taste sweet-tart berries on my tongue and feel the energy of those who care about me.

And so can you, if only you close your eyes.

Resource

I invite you to get your vision corrected by the blind mentor.– namely, me. John Di Lemme and I created a powerful, life-changing audio for you that will rock your world. It’s free. Go claim it now.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Visioning Your Life On Purpose – Jun 22,2009 (shrinkwithme.com)
• What did you say? The Story Lady Taught Communication Skills on Monday’s Show – Apr 14,2009 (shrinkwithme.com)

Ronda Del Boccio is a transformational speaker, mentor and author known globally as The Story Lady because she teaches authors, entrepreneurs and business owners to easily connect with your ideal customers and contacts through the power of your story.

She is the author of numerous stories, poems, and articles, as well as her books I’ll Push You Steer, and other upcoming books.

Discover how to explode profits, prospects and prime media opoprtuntiies with her latest book is the Instant Credibility system, which teaches any business owner, entrepreneur, coach, speaker or writer to craft a lead-generating book that grows your business.

This blog has an audio content reader. Simply click the “Listen Now” button at the top of posts or subscribe to the Odiogo audio content reader feed in the sidebar to the right.

Full disclosure: In compliance with FTC rulings, I need to share the following disclaimer: Any time you visit this site, you could be presented with an opportunity to invest in a product or service that could be of value to you, or to get onto an opt-in list that will present you with products and/or services of potential value to your life and business. I select my promotion partners and affiliate promotions with tender loving care and only bring you what I believe is of the highest quality. No income or results guarantee is stated or implied in the items you will see. Results depend on your resources and effort..

Tweet This Post