Story-Telling

I’ve always been a daydreamer, spinning stories, fairy tales, dramas, and all kinds of other stories in my head. Sometimes I’d keep a story going for days and put myself to sleep letting the story spiral and unfold night after night, picking back up where I left off the night before.

I suppose that creativity has helped mold me into the woman I am today, writing out some of these stories for the world to read. Storytelling comes in many forms, though. I enjoy sharing stories with a small group of people, rather true or made up. Watching the interest and flow of emotions and thoughts that pass over their faces as they are captivated by my stories captivates me.

I adore double entendres and watching my audience to see if they get the double meanings in my words and phrases. I love crafting words together so that they flow like a soft, silken nightie sliding to the floor. My super power is word play, though I’m still crafting.

Earlier this year, shortly after my first novel was published, I found a new stage, literally. I joke and say that I accidentally became a speaker. You may have seen a few social media posts from a speaker’s retreat I attended in February of 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

That week opened my mind, heart, and soul to the potential of endless possibilities where I can share some stories with a purpose to a much larger audience than I had ever even considered. I originally attended that event to go explore New Olreans while supporting a friend who was presenting at the event. Little did I know, I would become a speaker at that event, as well.

I do well entertaining a small group of people, but my nerves were definitely firing all over the place when I had to get on the stage with the lights, cameras, and all eyes on me. I did it, though. I messed up in a couple of places (which were obvious only because of my sudden drop in confidence) but I was ultimately able to recover and deliver my message.

I crafted a short talk, which could easily be expanded upon if time restraints were different. I shared a new philosophy I’ve adapted in my life, and how I believe that philosophy can help several people (women in particular) to own who they are, unapologetically, and infect the world positively with their gifts.

When we get so busy hiding who we are and neglecting our dreams and our calling to serve whatever role we’ve found ourselves in, we are not only doing ourselves a disservice, but those around us as well. When we are not complete and satisfied, we are not as present or effective in our roles as mothers, partners, friends, sisters, daughters, career titles, or whatever else we take part in.

I believe our world would be much more peaceful and beautiful if we all stepped into our own light, creating the lives and dreams we desire, and cheering for the others who do the same. A quote I keep coming across (I’m unsure of the original author), is “I don’t have to dim anyone else’s bulb for mine to shine.” Think about that. Let’s shine together so fiercely that all you see is light.

Hopefully the stories that I share and the tales that I spin entertain, encourage, or enlighten at least one person out there.