Stories are powerful. It is a tool for making us whole in that stories gather up the parts of us, put the parts together in a way that gives greater meaning to our lives than before our story was told.
Our own stories illustrate our inherent connectedness to other, because "the life story of each person is a reflection of another's life story" (Atkinson, 1995: 4). The telling of a life story brings about insight into human dilemmas, of human struggles, and the triumphs. A greater appreciation is further gained for how values and beliefs are acquired, shaped and held onto.
Life story telling is therefore a tool for meaning-making, in that telling the story allows for organising and making clear what were previously loose thoughts in our minds.
When stories are told, new mental images of things are created — imago, is a copy or likeness of what is envisioned — images that did not exist before, but that help us become who we want to be by integrating previous experiences. This newly created combined form makes more sense to us than the individual elements.
Atkinson, R. 1995. The gift of stories — practical and spiritual applications of autobiography, life stories and personal mythmaking. Westport, Conn.: Bergin & Garvey.
Comments