Finding the story

When you work with journalists, you get used to the phrase “finding the story.” Some stories are out and eager to be told, like government shutdowns or war. Other stories are hidden away, or just a little further from the public eye. It’s these stories that people are always trying to find. The real question is, exactly what kind of story are we why looking for and why?

Do a quick google search on “Storytelling.” After the first couple of business ads or Wikipedia descriptions pop up, you’ll see article after article singing the praises of storytelling. Why? As many of the articles will tell, storytelling is power. And to quote one of the greatest story characters of all time, “With great power comes great responsibility.” My parents are both journalists, both visual storytellers. My great-grandfather was a Japanese woodblock artist, my American grandfather had a penchant for photography. It would seem that it runs in the family. I’m fortunate enough to do many things, principally design and photography. Yet when I think of what kind of story I’d like to tell, I don’t think of the format. I think of the why- stories that matter to everyone or just to the family the story centered around? Beautiful stories or utilitarian stories? Stories about flawed humans or stories about the human strength?

I was recently challenged to think deeply about what I stand for, what I would like to be remembered for and I have still not yet stopped thinking about it. If pressed, I suppose I would most like to be remembered as being faithful. Faithful to my God, to my family and friends, to my dog and cat, my plants, myself. Old Faithful, that’s me. I still can’t say that I know for sure what kind of stories I’ll be telling, but I know how I will be telling them.