Telling Stories
I introduced myself at a women's gathering in Grenfell last week as a storyteller.
I am very good at it-I learnt from a young age that telling a story can engage an audience. I have memories of both sides of our family sitting around in their respective lounge rooms – one in Tottenham and one near Fifield – and the story telling would flow. Many of the adult’s stories were over my head, but I recall the feeling of everybody taking their turn to contribute to the stories.
I loved it, and I wanted to be a part of it. I saw how the group of adults would respond with rapturous laughter when someone said something funny.
I loved the way story telling could connect our people... especially when our family members lived away from each other and came together for reunions and celebrations.
I dabbled in story telling even in those days. My cousins and I would dance around the edge of the adult’s circle. My way in was to pose as a tea and coffee maker for the aunties and uncles. I would grab a little pad and pen, and with another cousin or two we would make our way around the circle, asking each grown up what they would like to have for their afternoon tea drink. They would draw us into the conversation, making jokes, telling us how helpful we were.
I remember ‘weak, white and one’ getting bandied about, so I would write it down on my little pad, having no clue what it meant, and then head back to the kitchen hoping someone was more clued in than me about the ways of tea strength, milk and sugar. And then on delivery, there would be a huge fuss made – I loved that bit the most.
Being of service, being capable and being one step closer to the inner circle of friendship, love and storytelling.
And at home, on the quieter days when the extended families had all gone home, I would make up news stories and sit at a desk like Anne Sanders (she may have been the only woman on nightly news TV in the 80’s) I liked writing the stories and then telling them. I liked being in charge of the news.
When I wrote my own bio for the women’s event in Grenfell, I included story telling as one of my skills and gifts. My presentation was one story, all mine, about how my life has taken some unexpected turns and that ultimately I am here to share my wisdom and possibly help people uncover their own stories. I loved it.
I loved the feeling of sharing, of creating an intimate feeling of connection amongst the 40 of us and I loved the feeling afterwards too.
Story telling is so powerful and so enjoyable for me. I lean into stories every day and I also choose which ones to believe, and which ones that are no longer serving me. My stories continue to change and take shape – and how lucky am I that I get to share them and then hear those of others.
Sending you all so much love, Cherie
FREE MEDITATION
Let’s breathe together, relax deeply, and reconnect with the nature surrounding us.