From the earliest of times storytelling has been one of the most important tools used to inspire, empower, teach, and comfort. In the sharing of stories, family members passed on the wisdom and values of previous generations, and communities passed on the culture and history of their people.
As little girls, we were enraptured by the stories our parents told us as they tucked us into bed at night. Whether fairytale classics or stories of their own childhoods, these stories were a vehicle for us to envision possibility, experience the power of imagination, and believe that anything was possible.
You are a storyteller. I am a storyteller. We all are. Each time you share your daily experiences or your intimate hopes, dreams and fears with your girlfriends, you are a storyteller.
Each time you sit around the dinner table, reminiscing about your childhood with your family, you are a storyteller. The stories we tell one another—and ourselves—are powerful tools to communicate our unique experiences and beliefs; and the essence of who we are.
Stories are a Spirit Net
In the book, Who Says? Essays of Pivotal Issues in Contemporary Storytelling, Anthropologist Robin Ridington proposes that “stories are a spirit net.” From the moment a life experience occurs it becomes a part of our essence (spirit net); eventually, through storytelling, that experience is sent down as part of history, passed from generation to generation.
When I first read those five powerful words, “stories are a spirit net,” I felt a connection deep within my soul. Those words fully captured the essence of the vision I held in my heart back in 2010 when I first envisioned launching a book publishing company that gave heart-centered women a voice and a venue to share their stories.
The Power of Authentic Storytelling
I use the term “authentic storytelling” to describe the styles and types of stories I strive to share through my publishing projects both print and digital. I have always been drawn to the personal, intimate stories of women who have not only lived through unique and sometimes painful life experiences, but who came out the other side armed with the wisdom, love, insights and heart of the warrior woman.
Authentic storytelling showcases the essence of the storyteller or writer as she steps forward to share her triumphs and tragedies, lessons and insights. They are shared with the intent to empower, inspire, and guide the reader toward the realization that she too has the innate inner power to overcome any perceived obstacle and achieve the life of her dreams.
My Story is Your Story
My personal journey and story is no different than many other women. Who knows? My story may even be yours. On a beautiful spring day in 2001, I experienced a transformational moment which would forever alter the trajectory of my life and launch me on a journey of self-discovery which continues to this day. This journey, like those of the heroines of our favorite fairy tales, took me down the winding roads of Self-Esteem, through the valleys of Pain and Despair, and across the breathtaking mountains of Hopes and Dreams, as I sought the greatest treasure of all: my authentic self, the self who has always been there, quietly waiting for me to bring her out of the darkness.
Every heroine needs tools to help her along in her quest. The written word has been, and continues to be, one of the most powerful tools in my transformational toolkit. Words have empowered me throughout my journey from single welfare mom to best-selling inspirational publisher. The wisdom contained within the books that became my friends and companions gave me the solace and inspiration I needed as impetus for change. Always, when my days seemed darkest, a word, a sentence, a paragraph would jump off a page at me, and provide me with the fuel I needed to keep moving forward.
Life has come full circle!
Just as books, and the wisdom within them, empowered me to change the trajectory of my life, today, as Publisher of Inspired Living Publishing, I see my role as publisher as a sacred one. I am passionately committed to publishing projects that inspire, empower and uplift women to believe in their innate truth. I am dedicated to sharing women’s powerful stories of self-discovery and transformation that reveal the truth of their experiences and lessons learned. Warrior women all, each having come through their personal quest to release the unwanted baggage of the past, and give herself permission to heal. I envision all women standing tall and shining their brilliant lights for others who are beginning their own journeys. The authors in our projects dive deep to share their story and they welcome you into their spirit nets and show you how you, too, might choose to view life through the lens of possibility and embrace the shimmering treasure that is within you.
My greatest wish for every publishing project I birth, from our bestselling print books to our Inspired Living Kindle Series is that a woman discovers the message that her heart needs and her soul longs for, and that it takes her one step (or many) further along the path to living a deeper, more inspired and authentic life.
May your story be a great one, and all your paths be inspired!
Good morning, Linda ~
I, too, love the phrase “stories are a spirit net.” And, on days that being an indie author feels too hard, am motivated by a thought you put into words for us: Every heroine needs tools to help her along in her quest. Thanks for what you do… and for encouraging others to continue on our paths!
Linda — Wow! Beautifully written and so inspiring. Like you, I love the idea that we are all storytellers and the concept of stories as a spirit net. It makes me want to tell more and more stories so that when I’m gone my children will have more to remember me by. 🙂 You have such a beautiful way of writing. This line, for example, blew me out of my chair: “This journey, like those of the heroines of our favorite fairy tales, took me down the winding roads of Self-Esteem, through the valleys of Pain and Despair, and across the breathtaking mountains of Hopes and Dreams, as I sought the greatest treasure of all: my authentic self, the self who has always been there, quietly waiting for me to bring her out of the darkness.”
Like I began… WOW!
Hi Linda,
I’m in love with the phrase “spirit net.” It is my hope, that through my own story telling and sharing of my experience that I weave the purest of white magic around the souls I touch. To bring hope, love, and a dash of humor. To say, “yes, you can do this, too. No matter how hard or steep the mountain, you can do this, too.”
I hope you have a magical day!
Peggy
Linda, thank you for articulating the power of stories and for supporting so many women in discovering and sharing the wisdom of their stories!
Storytelling is what connects us all – not only to past generations but also to the ones to come. Storytelling communicates the message that we are not alone, that we are all alike on many, many levels. I appreciate your efforts to get authentic stories out there, Linda, because I’m afraid storytelling is at risk of becoming a lost art.
Couldn’t agree with my more Linda…storytelling is so powerful and to do it from a place of true authenticity is not only a gift to others, but to yourself. In writing 5th book, It’s Simply Serendipity, which is now a #1 International Bestseller, I wanted to share my own story of transformation, but do it from this place of authenticity. I knew that it would be difficult for some, but it is who I am and it was my personal story and how I experienced the trials and tribulations that came into my life. What I love is reading the feedback, the reviews from the book where others share how that raw, unscripted story is what they appreciated most. I feel I’m making such a huge difference by just being ME, and THAT is a blessing.
Thank you for writing this inspiring piece. It has opened the eyes of my heart to go deeper and not to be afraid to be vulnerable in my own writing. Can’t wait to put this “muse” article to good use! Blessings
Storytelling is how we share who we are with the world, our stories shape us, just as they did our ancestors – a true ‘Spirit Net’ that is inspirational. Women are telling their stories around the world and it = POWERFUL!
Just beautiful, Linda. Love It!
I love the phrase “stories are a spirit net”. Thank you for sharing this inspiring and empowering article.
Love this, Linda. I love the power of stories, and I really like the image of a spirit net. Of all the creative or intuitive offerings I share, it is my Story Weaving Circle that connects most powerfully with women. There’s something about story that connects deeply with the threads of timeless truth we carry within. Thanks for all you do to connect women to the power of their stories!
Oh beautiful lady, how our stories connect us at the deepest level. We all have within us the most amazing lessons that we need to share with the world. You make that dream a reality for so many women. They get to share their individual brilliance with one another. We understand each others sorrows and most blissful moments through our stories!
Linda, when you wrote, “The stories we tell one another–are … the essence of who we are,” you reached me.
I urge young people to make my story to make their story. We are definitely on the same track. I believe we compliment each other in this important method of communicating–storytelling. http://creativefollowership.com/tell-story/
Jimmy Collins