Stories

"The universe is made of stories,
not atoms.

— Muriel Rukeyser, Poet (1913 - 1980)

"We are lonesome animals. We spend all of our life trying to be less lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the listener to say-and to feel- ‘Yes, that is the way it is, or at least that is the way I feel it.’ You’re not as alone as you thought."

— John Steinbeck

"Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it."

— Mary Oliver

Sharing our authentic stories, and really listening to someone else's story, are topics that have been central to a number of discussions and teachings that I’ve been exposed to in the past few months. Story, so it seems, is the irreducible core element of our humanity.