StoryCorps

A few weeks ago I watched this animated short (below) thanks to a link on my favorite blog, Pop Candy. If you haven’t seen it I recommend watching -- but be warned, you might want to have a Kleenex nearby!

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

This inspired me to learn more about the StoryCorps Project. A description of StoryCorps from their own website: “StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. To gather the stories, StoryCorps provides a facility, recording equipment and a facilitator; then waits for people to invite loved ones, friends, grandparents to sit down for a 40-minute session. A copy of the tape is filed in the Library of Congress, and parts have aired on NPR.”

In 2007 the founder complied several of these stories into a book called Listening is an Act of Love. I read this book in approximately 7 days – it’s a fast read since its several very short stories grouped together by theme. I can honestly say I thought every story in the book was interesting in some way. There are a few that have stuck with me so much so that I still find myself occasionally thinking about these people I don’t even know.

The essence of what drew me into StoryCorps was the idea of hearing people’s stories. The founder of StoryCorps stated, “I realized how many people among us feel completely invisible, believe their lives don't matter, and fear they'll someday be forgotten.”

This statement makes me sad but it's also convicting. When Jesus was on earth He spent time loving people through talking to them. When I think about the people in my life - from family and friends to acquaintances and neighbors; I'm ashamed to say there are many stories I don't know. I’m usually too consumed with the thought of time or worried I might offend someone by asking something too personal.

There’s another animated short (embedded below) on the subject of the decrease of the human voice in society – which I think might be a byproduct of our ‘busy’ lives; preventing us from actually speaking to one another.

The Human Voice from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

In my 30th year I want to worry less about the ‘what if’ and instead be bolder about asking people questions and truly listening to their story. If you’re interested, more animated shorts can be found here.