As long as we could speak and realize we had a mind and intelligence and a need to explain to ourselves and to others the world around us, we have told stories. For things we have not understood like the first man who saw lightening or heard thunder, we have invented explanations until our minds comprehended the truth behind such sights and sounds. The stories still exist, even after we know the reality that may lay behind them. We tell tales of Santa, after we find out our parents really provide the presents. We get chills by what could be lurking under our bed, even after we know nothing and no one is there. This is the potent power of storytelling, and those who do it rightly stand to richly reward those who wander along with them on such wonderful and terrible paths.

Stories comfort, move, terrify, and enrapture us. If we did not have the power of language but had our mind, we would tell stories through pantomime. I dare say we must have stories in our lives to make sense of life. We need their inspiration as we read about trials overcome and get motivated to conquer our own challenges.

How do stories inspire you?