On the Occasion of a Milestone Birthday

It’s not the number of candles, it’s the story they tell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I’ve reached a milestone birthday and, as so many of us do, I’ve done a lot of thinking. I haven’t necessarily come up with any great epiphanies, but I’ve been reminded how much I love to tell stories. I’ve realized how much I miss the rush I get from doing creative things for me and how sad it is that I don’t make much time to do creative things for myself.

I’ve thought a lot about telling stories. I see and hear people talk about the best ways to tell stories using social media, video and marketing. And, most of the time they’re telling us why they’re experts. I guess part of the reason I wanted to write this blog was to some how give the impression that I was one of those “experts.” But it’s occurred to me over the last few weeks that the people who are telling the best stories in the mediums I care most about don’t really have time to talk about what experts, gurus or ninjas they are – they’re too busy out there being amazing.

I’ve decided I want to spend a little more time out there trying to be more amazing and less time trying to convince people I’m some sort of expert. What does it mean for the blog? I’m not sure – probably that I’ll focus more on the art of story telling and less on the mediums, but we’ll see. I believe in the power of words, and that any message from marketing to training can be made stronger by rooting it a good story.

Should you feel so inclined to give me a present, let it be this – tell a story today. When someone asks you how your day went don’t just give them a laundry list, tell them a story. A funny memory cross your mind? Write it down (I’d love it if you shared in comments below)! Tell a child a story from your childhood, something funny, something sad, it doesn’t matter. For my Big Birthday, tell a story.

Telling stories is universal. It brings us closer and makes us feel connected. So as a move forward into another decade I’m doing it with an eye on with making a great story. Here’s to a new chapter!

Tell Me a Story Tuesday — Last Day of School Edition

It’s that time of year again, the end of school. My children are among the rare bread that cry because school is over for the summer, so we rarely hear about pranks or fun on the last day. Mostly it’s just a phone call to Mommy at work crying about having to wait whole months to go back to school.

I myself enjoyed the break summer provided. And, being the good girl I was raised to be, did not partake of any last day of school prankery. I was witness, and victim of, several epic water gun battles on school buses and paper products decorating hallways on the way out the door.

What about you? Did you cry on the last day of school because you were going to miss it? Did you get in an awesome prank before the bell rang (feel free to change names to protect the guilty if the statute of limitations hasn’t expired yet)? This is your chance to share you’re last day of school memories.

Let’s hear it…tell me a story….

*Standard T.M.A.S.T. rules apply*

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Tell Me a Story Tuesday Break-What Stories Do You Want to Hear?

Welcome to all the new folks who’ve started subscribing to my little corner of the Internets. I am truly glad to have you here. I thought this seemed like the perfect time to ask all of you, what kind of stories do you want to hear?

I’ve made a lot of suggestions. Some have worked and some haven’t. So I thought I would come to you, my loyal tens of readers, and let you help me pick the next topic two. What kind of stories do you want to read from your fellow Lens viewers? Is there a story you’d like to hear from me? Reply below and let me know.

Tell Me a Story Tuesday – Strange Fact Edition

I recently said to someone, “Here’s a strange fact about me that you probably don’t know…I can touch the tip of my nose with my tongue. I don’t do it very often because it usually gets a really odd reaction.” The person told me they didn’t believe me, then gave me a really odd reaction when I proved it. Which got me thinking about this week’s challenge.

Each of us has the story of our lives. The things that explain who and what and why we are. But, there are those strange little things that lurk in the background that are a part of who we are, but someone how don’t seem to fit the story. So this week, what strange (and harmless please)  little fact about you seems out-of-place in the story of you?

What strange fact about you tells your story? Do you (or did you) hold a record for something that really shows how competitive you are? Have you watched a particular movie or genre so many times that it explains some of the obscure quotes you make on a daily basis? Here’s your chance to admit to and share a strange fact about yourself that people would think is out-of-place in the story of you.

Now, I’m not looking for deep dark secrets. No need to bare your soul and show us your wounded heart. Glad to listen if you’d like, but this probably isn’t the best place. I’m just wondering what strange fact about you would surprise the people who think they know your story forward and backward. Feel free to direct them here to your reply and see let us know what they say!

Go ahead, tell me a strange fact that’s part of your life story!

(If you’re new here, please read the ground rules.)

Tell Me a Story Tuesday – Pic Prompt Edition

Since last week‘s success (Yeah, that’s right…someone finally contributed! Thanks Worninshoes!!) I thought I would try something else that’s a little different. In the past I’ve asked you to tell me a story with a picture. Well I’m turning that on it’s head and asking you to tell me a story about this picture:

My husband took this picture last year while I was driving on our way from Virginia Beach, VA to visit a friend in Norfolk, VA. We both thought it looked pretty cool.

Several things came to mind when we saw how cool it turned out. We started making up stories with the kids about what this could be (if we didn’t know it was a tunnel under the water). What about you?

Tell me a story about what you think this is. Where are we going? Is this a tunnel towards Norfolk or is this a jump to lightspeed? What awaits us on the other side?

You know the rules. Now, tell me a story!

Tell Me a Story Tuesday, Mini Edition

This week’s challenge is short and sweet. Tell me a story in one sentence. Just a few words that tell us something. It doesn’t have to be profound, but grammatically correct would be awesome. Something like….

Once upon a time there was a woman hoping, wishing, and waiting for someone to tell her a story on a Tuesday.

Pretty easy, eh? Ok, your turn. Please mind the rules as your imagination runs wild.

Ready….Set….Tell me a story!

A Tell Your Story Tuesday Worth Waiting For!

Thanks for hanging around for Tell Your Story Tuesday, on Wednesday!

A picture is worth a thousand words, or so they say. Since we seem to have a lot of folks who are too shy to share words around here I thought I would give you a different challenge this week. Tell a story with a picture.  If you’re anything like me you’ve got a couple of pictures that tells the story of a trip, a place, a person or an event. As a matter of fact, here’s one of mine!

My daughter's couldn't wait to hit the beach!

Now, I can’t claim to have thought this up all on my own. I found a website called Cowbird earlier this week. They encourage people to tell a story starting with an image. They’re kind of like a diary using pictures to help tell a story. I thought why not take a cue from them and see if we can’t get some people to tell us a story using a picture.

The regular Tuesday Rules remain:

The Ground Rules:

1. Be nice! Constructive criticism is fine, but this is strictly a “No Troll Zone“
2. Keep it clean! This site is for folks of all ages, anything not suitable for a PG audience will be removed (sorry, but my kids can read this blog and my 6 year old is a great reader – there are just some things I don’t need her sounding out!).
3. Keep it fairly short! This isn’t the place to write the next great novel. Let’s see how short stories go before we move into long form writing.
4. Nothing Copyrighted Please! Please make sure that you’re telling your own story and not someone else’s.
5. No bashing other people/companies/political parties/ethnic groups/sexual orientation/career choices/physical appearance or ability/musical tastes! Again, this is a “Troll Free Zone” – leave the mean and nasty at the door. It’s one thing to have a funny encounter in a strange situation or a strange encounter in a funny situation. Using your story to insult others is another thing all together.
6. I reserve the right! This is my blog and my face to the Internets, I reserve the right to change the rules, or remove content that break the rules. Sorry folks, but I’m sure that if you can find someone willing to let you post a story about a liberal Republican that walks with a limp and listens to Yani while sheep herding and why you hate them. I am not that someone, and this is not the place.

Look through your phone, check your folders and find a picture worth a thousand words!

Go ahead – tell me a story!

Hey You – Tell Us Your Stories Tuesday!

Hey you! Yeah, you. I see you sitting there reading this. You’ve probably even been here before. You’re hoping I’ll tell another story so that you don’t have to. Well my friend, not so fast. You see, I know you have a story that you’re dying to tell. I know you stare at the screen each week thinking about the perfect story to tell. You’re probably writing it in your head right now! See, I knew it! I also know you’ve secretly been dreaming about being a writer for years….

This is your chance. Get the words out of your head and put them on the screen. Share them with me. I can guarantee you tens of readers! Ok, ten reader…maybe. But still, that’s ten people that can certify your writing brilliance! It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be funny. It doesn’t even have to be good. Just tell me the story you’ve been wanting to share but haven’t had the courage.

See - he can write and so can you!

As with any good endeavor, there are some ground rules.

The Ground Rules:

1. Be nice! Constructive criticism is fine, but this is strictly a “No Troll Zone“
2. Keep it clean! This site is for folks of all ages, anything not suitable for a PG audience will be removed (sorry, but my kids can read this blog and my 6 year old is a great reader – there are just some things I don’t need her sounding out!).
3. Keep it fairly short! This isn’t the place to write the next great novel. Let’s see how short stories go before we move into long form writing.
4. Nothing Copyrighted Please! Please make sure that you’re telling your own story and not someone else’s.
5. No bashing other people/companies/political parties/ethnic groups/sexual orientation/career choices/physical appearance or ability/musical tastes! Again, this is a “Troll Free Zone” – leave the mean and nasty at the door. It’s one thing to have a funny encounter in a strange situation or a strange encounter in a funny situation. Using your story to insult others is another thing all together.
6. I reserve the right… This is my blog and my face to the Internets, I reserve the right to change the rules, or remove content that break the rules. Sorry folks, but I’m sure that if you can find someone willing to let you post a story about a liberal Republican that walks with a limp and listens to Yani while sheep herding and why you hate them. I am not that someone, and this is not the place.

Grab your quill and pen. Or your mouse and keyboard. Spend 5 minutes telling us a story. Don’t be shy!

Go ahead – tell me a story!

New Year? New Stories! Tell Us Your Stories Tuesday!

It’s a new year, that can only mean one thing…that you’ve got a LOT of stories about all the crazy, funny, touching and unbelievable things that happened over the holidays! Let’s hear them!

This is YOUR chance to tell us your story. Telling stories is more than entertaining. It’s sharing a part of you with the world. It’s about making connections with other people. Storytelling is about touching another life by sharing your experiences.

I’ve shared a couple of stories so far, and I know people are following along so  it’s your turn again. Tell me a story. It doesn’t have to be long. It doesn’t have to be funny. It doesn’t even have to be good. Just take a few minutes to put thought to keyboard and tell me about something you experienced over the holidays.

Did your parent/kids/in-laws/neighbors/family do something that even YOU can’t believe? Were you surprised by a gift? Did you manage to surprise someone? Did your kids have a great reaction to Santa’s visit? Did you miss someone this holiday season who’s wasn’t there to celebrate with you? Tell us about it!

As with any good endeavor, there are some ground rules.

The Ground Rules:

1. Be nice! Constructive criticism is fine, but this is strictly a “No Troll Zone”
   

   Image via Wikipedia

2. Keep it clean! This site is for folks of all ages, anything not suitable for a PG audience will be removed (sorry, but my kids can read this blog and my 6 year old is a great reader – there are just some things I don’t need her sounding out!).
3. Keep it fairly short! This isn’t the place to write the next great novel. Let’s see how short stories go before we move into long form writing.
4. Nothing Copyrighted Please! Please make sure that you’re telling your own story and not someone else’s.
5. No bashing other people/companies/political parties/ethnic groups/sexual orientation/career choices/physical appearance or ability/musical tastes! Again, this is a “Troll Free Zone” – leave the mean and nasty at the door. It’s one thing to have a funny encounter in a strange situation or a strange encounter in a funny situation. Using your story to insult others is another thing all together.
6. I reserve the right! This is my blog and my face to the Internets, I reserve the right to change the rules, or remove content that break the rules. Sorry folks, but I’m sure that if you can find someone willing to let you post a story about a liberal Republican that walks with a limp and listens to Yani while sheep herding and why you hate them. I am not that someone, and this is not the place.

Grab your quill and pen. Or your mouse and keyboard. Spend 5 minutes telling us a story. Don’t be shy!

Go ahead – tell me a story!

Holiday Memories – Tell Your Story Tuesday

It’s the most wonderful time of year. Chestnuts are roasting, sleighs are dashing, candles are flickering and dreidels are spinning. People everywhere are filled with memories of holidays past…

And I want to hear about them!

As my regular followers know, I’ve been challenging people to tell me a story on Tuesdays. I haven’t found anyone brave enough to do it…yet…but maybe this is the inspiration they need. Tell me a story about your favorite holiday memories. They can be good, they can be bad. They don’t actually need to be yours! Just tell me a story.

I’ve told a few stories of my own (and a tall tale of sorts), and I’m willing to do it again to get the ball rolling.

Christmas was always a really big deal when I was growing up. A tree with lights and tinsel, and a train running through a snowy village underneath. As a kid I thought it was pretty magical. I guess I still do.

Image via Wikipedia

One of the best parts of Christmas was coming back from Christmas Eve services and getting to open one present. My mother would carefully look through what seemed like mountains of presents and to pick out one each for my brother, sister and I. We would carry them out to the living room and sit in front of the tree. While my dad filmed (8 mm back then) or snapped pictures and my mom looked on we would rip into this first taste of the presents to come.

It took years for us to realize that those Christmas Eve presents were always pajamas. Every year. Eventually my mom told us it was because she wanted us to look nice for the pictures Christmas morning. Every year she picked out three sets of holiday themed jammies and wrapped them up for us to open, and wear, on Christmas Eve.

I have to admit. At first, I thought it killed some of the magic. Those first gits we looked so forward to were all for show – and pictures.

Today, I’m the mother of two. At my house we have two post church service traditions. The first is the girls getting to each open one present containing, you guessed it, new PJ’s to wear to bed. (My husband even surprised me with my own new PJs the last couple of years). The girls know all about the pajama conspiracy and look forward to seeing what kind they’re going to get.

The second tradition is sitting down in front of the fireplace, eating a cookie or two, and reading “T’was the Night Before Christmas” while their daddy records video and snaps some pictures before joining us.

And, for a moment, we make our own Christmas Eve magic.

It’s your turn. There are some rules. You can find them, and other vital information here in my original post.

Now…tell me a story…

 

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