All Good Things… The Carrying Stream. · 12:48am Jun 17th, 2020
#Blog #Bloggerstribe #AllGoodThings…
16th June 2020
Hello, Chaps and Chapettes,
Life is like a caterpillar.
This is a story I learned from a traditional folk-tales teller called Mike Rust tonight, who was told it by a fellow storyteller called Duncan on the day they lost a good friend. He didn’t want to hear this story at the time and refused it being told, opting that they sit on a bench before a beach in Whitby in absolute silence. Just the waves, the gulls, and the reflections. Yet, after an hour went by, the storyteller insisted he finish the story and so Mike let him. It turned out it might have been the most important thing he was told that day.
I won’t tell you that yet. I will save that for a very poignant end. Instead, I want to talk to you about storytelling and why we should do it much more than we do.
Storytelling was an art that was fading out. You may think I am crazy for saying that but do not mistake ‘storytelling’ for ‘writing a story’ or even ‘reading a book out aloud’ (audiobooks, Audible, etc). Instead, storytelling, or ‘the carrying stream’ as they call it in Scotland, is about telling tales, short stories, and even poems or short anecdotes, more or less without a source material in the front to tell the tale from. Occasionally, those stories could be written down, but these tales usually had embellishments, personal changes, and important meaning in the end.
We tell each other things, certainly, but we rarely tell stories as much as we used to. We seem nervous that our words will be taken as preaching when that’s not the case at all. Our words, the things we find important to share, aren’t simply interesting or funny. They are a window into learning that many didn’t realize existed. Often, it can be the case that the audience wasn’t all that sure they needed to hear it until they heard it, and then they’ll tell it again.
What can often scare us is a fear that we don’t have a story to tell. Nonsense. We all have a story to tell. The difference is having the bravery and voice to tell it. What you have to do is imagine you have a story that is so important that it hurts unless you do tell it. Then, after telling it, you will feel better, until the next story comes, and the next, and the next. Soon, it won’t hurt anymore, you’ll enjoy the experience.
Never be afraid to tell the stories that interest you. Remember the golden phrase, sharing is caring. You give a story, you get respect for it in return or even just relief. Both are golden. Regardless though, if you fear not having that story, simply go back to day one. Being a child. Think of all the stories you made growing up. All the troubles you got into. All the imaginary monsters vanquished. Start there.
Then, you’ll find, the world is your oyster. You’ll realize there were stories built out of the time you put a dent in your car, or broke a favorite mug, or were late to an Elton John concert. Things develop out of little details and a message soon follows. It doesn’t have to be an Aesop’s fable, but it often will have an important point to share. Start there and never stop.
Life is but like a caterpillar.
A caterpillar crawls through the cold, wet dirt from its first moments on earth. It eats, it grows, it follows paths where it knows it will survive. It could be picked off at any time and it has such a short time to make an impact, so it puts its mark on as many leaves and foliage as it can. Finally, it grows tired, wraps itself away in a cocoon, and waits for itself to transform, where it can be a butterfly, able to fly free and see the rest of the world.
That’s what it’s like for us. Just have a look at a butterfly, because a butterfly goes from flower to flower to flower, flying with the sun on its wings. If there’s one beast on earth that can be the definition of happiness, it’s the butterfly.
So when you’re on earth, thinking of a memory of loss or sadness, think of butterflies.
Life is but like a butterfly.
Stay safe, stay happy.
All good things,
Love, Scaramouche.
X
Also, I’ve built a new Discord server that you are welcome to join, for people who need friends and are accommodating to whom they might rub shoulders with.
The Good Things Gathering Discord Server (Furries, Bronies and Kind-Hearts welcome) https://discord.gg/G6cykw
