What do stories mean to you?

I asked friends and family what stories meant to them. Here’s what they said.

Stories are my favorite. They’re a way of sharing experiences with others, keeping history going, and bringing people together. Stories tell little snippets of the lives we all live, allowing us to take inspiration from them. Stories have always been important. It’s the way we even know what and who came before us. Stories are more than just anecdotes. They are a glimpse into the world around us!

Sehrish Shahabuddin

I love stories. It’s a good way to pay homage to good times or give life to moments.

Brian Ellis

Whether intentionally or not, and regardless of medium, stories communicate what we see as the most important pieces of our lives. Stories, maybe more accurately than anything else, expose and express our perspective(s).

Jacob Hampton

Stories are a way to extend the lifespan of an experience (whether real or made up) so they can last forever.

Robyn Park

I think [stories are] something that take us out of our own worlds into a new one, a perspective different than the reality we experience. To me, they hold a unique ability to invite people into an entirely new outlook on life. They can draw out our humanity but also take us to the far reaches of our imagination. More so, they can wield power in allowing people to step outside of themselves and learn to understand the experiences and oppression of others, ultimately altering the real narratives and dialogue tied to deeper social issues.

Christine Thomas

[Stories] can provide insights to new experiences and perspectives.

PABLO sALAZAR

In our human existence, all physical things and possessions are temporary and even so are all lives experiences. Even relationships with others change over time despite our best efforts. Therefore, the only things with a semblance of permanence that we can own in this human life are our stories. They provide permanence and anchor us in this essentially temporary existence.

Auston Stiefer

[Stories] are a great way to provide experiences, history, imagination, and entertainment. They are incredibly valuable for creating connection between people. That can be through making an experience shared or a connection via emotions through fiction experiences that reveal the same feelings. Stories are connections more than anything.

Lilly BocQuin

Stories are how we are all connected. They connect us to our past, they help us make sense of the present, and they allow us to romanticize the future.

Mary Kyncl