Purpose, Value, and The Importance of Storytelling
Purpose, Value, and The Importance of Storytelling!
Guest Post by Nancy Murdoch
Purpose
My grandson is growing up in a world where the arts have been removed from schools, handwriting isn’t taught anymore, and cell phones have become part of a child’s anatomy. He has no idea what it was like for me growing up in Motown during an era of racial riots, political assassinations, the British Invasion, Transcendental Meditation, Viet Nam war, Watergate, and Peter Max, whose art clearly expressed the psychedelic craziness of a history wrought with turbulent change. These experiences helped shape who I am today, but my grandson won’t know unless I tell him my stories.
Value
In the eyes of most grandchildren your life began when they were born. Think about that for a moment . . . You provide a critical link to your grandchildren’s culture, heritage and family history, but more importantly, you are the only expert on your life. You are the only one who can tell them why you never gave up on love no matter how many times your heart was broken. Or, how you developed the courage and determination to overcome your challenges and succeed. Your experiences helped form your beliefs, your morals and the way you raised your children – their parents. You can make a positive impact on their literacy development, relationship skills, creativity, curiosity and passion to learn by telling them your life stories. Show them who you are as a person, not just a grandparent.
Storytelling
I didn’t get a chance to hear my grandparents’ stories when they were alive. This inspired me to create an online course so everyone can learn how to write, record and preserve their own stories, stories of their parents, grandparents and family members, as a way of bonding and sharing knowledge with future generations. The Complete Guide to Creating Audio Memoirs for Your Grandkids & Loved Ones includes step-by-step instructions, audio and video tutorials and worksheets. And it’s fun! You’ll learn how to add music, sound effects and interactive play. Your grandkids will be begging for more!
Nancy Murdoch is the author of 5 books, story writing coach & consultant, radio show host, podcaster, artist, one-time firewalker, and a new grandma! For over 30 years she has facilitated hands-on creative arts and awareness workshops to help people live their passions and purpose. Nancy lives near Lake Huron in Kincardine, Ontario, helping individuals tell and record their stories in-person and via Skype. Visit www.nancymurdoch.com to learn more about her online courses and listen to her Featured Audio Story of the Week!
