"I live life small!!!...the words fell from my mouth with no real thought. I'd been listening to someone who has certainly seen a lot of the world! They were talking about places they'd travelled, describing them as if they were close friends, talking about adventures in Countries I've no knowledge of at all. I'm completely mesmerised, engrossed, present yet lost in the moment. Listening to their big adventures suddenly made my world feel extremely small in comparison.
I live and breathe adventure! I see it and feel it everywhere... it's hard to describe the feeling an adventure brings me, it's like an energy that starts building deep in the pit of my stomach. It's a brilliant feeling, like a wild, nervous excitement. It quickly starts to grow and travel... throughout the whole of my body, along my arms, reaching my fingertips, down to my toes, till sunbeams burst across my face. It's a childlike feeling, electricity, magic, escape!
Sometimes I get this feeling when people talk about places they've been, things they've seen, their stories spark my imagination and in my head it feels like I am reliving their experiences with them, the same wild, excited, nervous energy born from tales of their memories, their joy, their adventure!
I've always liked stories, fact, fiction, doesn't matter - as long as it takes me on a journey. I love hearing great storytellers, people who could set even the smallest imagination on fire. I listen in awe of their talent. I can talk a lot, babble even, yet there is still so much that goes on inside my head, things I've never voiced as I don't have or I can't find the right words to describe these thoughts out loud. This is probably why I see storytelling as a true gift and appreciate those special and magical people who can do it well - changing peoples emotions, inciting their intrigue, setting alight their thoughts and feelings, sometimes without even realising their words have taken others along for the ride!
Everyone has their own unique take on reality. I've often been told I'm a bit of a daydreamer. I am consciously aware I live in a different world to other people, quite a lot of the time! I switch off really easily and can get completely swept away by my imagination. Although this is fun at times and a brilliant strategy for dealing with lifes somewhat challenging situations, it can be quite exhausting. It can take effort and lots of concentration to stay switched on. So when someone grabs my attention and it feels effortless to just relax and listen to them skillfully painting pictures with words, it can feel pretty special. Storytelling is a real art.
"You may tell a tale that takes up residence in someone's soul, becomes their blood and self and purpose. That tale will move them and drive them and who knows that they might do because of it, because of your words. That is your role, your gift." Erin Morgenstern
By Maggie Martin
