Imagine a world where everyone repeated the same mistakes over and over. It would be agonizing for me sit and watch someone make a mistake that I have already learned from. In a world where no one listens to others, this would be a reality. Our country was built on trial and error and word of mouth. There is no way we could build new buildings without learning the basics of architecture, basics that were passed down to us from those generations who began the craft. Had we not listened and learned from the stories of our ancestors, we would still be in caves.To listen is not only to hear, but is to hear with attention. When we listen to others and their stories, we learn and grow with their experiences almost as much as they have. Listening allows for new knowledge to enter us and create new neuron connections within our brain. The more connections, the more experience and knowledge you obtain. You only way to obtain these connections are through personal experience and stories from others.
Leob's quote, "other people's stories can expand our view of the world", simply means that what we learn from other people's experiences allow us to grow mentally with the storyteller.
A story that I would tell about my own life that would really sum it all up would be my story about how my family really struggled for the first half of my life. With the help of others in my community, we were able to pull ourselves up from poverty into a comfortable lifestyle that I have a great appreciation for. These members of my community who offered my family help and support in our time of need are the exact people who shaped my views of community involvement. I realized that without these people, my family may never have been as comfortable as we are now. Those volunteers made me realize that everyone needs help at some point and a real community would step up and offer that help. I would never want to leave someone in their time of need, because I can only imagine what that must feel like. One day, I want my autobiography to state how strongly I feel about community involvement because it can really change lives, and I am a prime example of that truth.
First off, love the picture!!! But adding to that I think that the point you made was very true. Why make the same mistakes over and over again. We would be nowhere in life. I could not imagine a world where stories are listened to and lessons are not learned. Its kinda like that one song... I don't know the name of the singer, but its like "shorty is like a melody in my head.... it's like my ipod stuck on replay." Could you imagine that forever ongoing. It would be quite annoying!
ReplyDeleteJanetta,
ReplyDeleteI glad you feel comfortable letting people know you needed help when you were younger. Some people would not let anyone know. This will make you stronger and always remember where you came from.
It is amazing that you have come so far in your life and that you are now out there helping others. If everyone gives a little bit of their time to help out, things do get better, and you are a prime example of this.
ReplyDeleteWe do all learn from the mistakes that we all make on our own. You are exactly right though. If we don’t go out and tell people about our experiences or our mistakes made, how is anyone else supposed to learn? Stories are all about obtaining knowledge. Every story that you hear has some bit of information that you can take from it.