by Sam Trailerman
“Everyone has a story,” a beautiful quote by Savi Sharma, an Indian novelist and author of the best-selling novel Everyone Has A Story.
While everyone has a story or two to tell, not all are able to weave their chronicles into the pages of a book. Most of us prefer to keep our tales close to our hearts rather than sharing them with the world.
But do people need stories? Love stories, stories of hope, nerve-wracking survival stories, stories of wisdom that make us rethink life, and even painful, tear-jerking accounts.
Narrating one’s story can come at a price, especially when the truth is distorted with lies—whether through omission, commission, or manipulation. There are white lies, grey lies, and bald-faced lies, each carrying a weight that increases feelings of guilt and mistrust in oneself and others.
How often is a story fabricated to escape unpleasant consequences, with fingers crossed, hoping the storyteller won’t look bad, feel bad, or upset others?
Whether it’s a grand love story or one of dreams, friendship, hope, survival, or even death—”A dead man tells no tales,” as the saying goes—it is worth every breath to share one’s story while alive.
Have you ever heard a tale where a man walks miles to see a woman who adores him, yet has no intention of loving her back? Or stories where a woman’s beauty steals hearts effortlessly?
Perhaps you’ve encountered stories where intelligence captivates the mind, or a mere presence drains the soul. If someone steals your everything without doing anything, that’s a story worth telling.
Rejecting sincere love or failing to fight for one’s dreams can become a tale of regrets—choices unmade and dreams left unfulfilled.
Every step we take in life is deeply influenced by the stories we carry from the past. These are stories worth narrating to grandchildren, if we have them. If not, a diary might be the perfect sanctuary—a private space to store our hidden thoughts and emotions.
One day, you may pass away, but your untold story will live on. Perhaps someday, someone—whether for better or worse—will read about the dreams that perished with you. Think of it as sharing the good, the bad, the joy, and the heartbreak with a stranger.
Sometimes, we experience fun adventures in daily life. Other times, we endure challenging moments that unfold over years. Some stories are easy to tell, while others require courage. While some people share their stories effortlessly, others need encouragement.
Certain narratives hold immense power—like a blind date mystery, an alternate-reality road trip, discovering a family’s past, or even a song that changed a life.
Have you ever had coffee with a friend, becoming so engrossed in your own story that you forgot to ask about theirs? Imagine how they might feel after that meeting.
On the flip side, have you ever shared your story with someone completely uninterested? That experience can leave one feeling unimportant, unloved, insignificant, disrespected, misunderstood, and unheard. Can you picture it? Can you feel it?
Listening to someone’s personal tale—their joys, struggles, and emotions—can be intimidating. But reassuring them that you are someone they can trust is the first step in encouraging them to open up. To create a safe and comfortable space for storytelling, it helps to let them know their story will remain confidential.
Invite a friend to share their story today. Who knows? They may turn around and ask for yours in return. And if that doesn’t work, there’s always Weekly Echo, which might help illuminate your story.