The Basic Unit of Life

I have told stories all my life, whether it be through literary or visual arts through the countless comic books and short stories I wrote as a child, or through theatre arts if you may, as I imagined vivid storylines for my dolls, chess pieces, teddy bears or any other helpless inanimate object, I made subject to my vivid imagination.

This curiosity with narratives is one that I don’t believe is unique to me. However, I believe that this quality of being compelled to stories is completely natural and innate to us all.

Consider it; we meet someone new and immediately embark on a quest to learn about them. We engage them in the dance of introduction, searching their words, their eyes, their body language, for clues about who they are, what they believe, their past, their present, the choices that brought them to this moment. The length and depth of this interaction of course varies based on circumstance and when it ends, we decide whether or not we would like their story to continue to coincide with ours, or diverge. But why do we seek out stories? To what end?

I have pondered over the reason we are so drawn to stories/storytelling (you will notice I use these terms interchangeably throughout this reflection, because stories are breathed life by being told and on the other hand, for us to be able to recount or narrate, a story has to have been lived out). After careful consideration, I am led to believe that firstly, and quite simply, we are captivated by stories because they are the center of life. Life at its core, is a pulsing collection of our individual stories as we live them out each moment. In fact, I think if we had to measure life quantitatively, the unit of measurement would = 1 story.

The second reason I reckon we are so drawn to stories/storytelling, is that it is divine and connects us with our Creator, a connection I believe we all desire, regardless of how much or little attention we pay to it. God Himself is a Storyteller and has written our stories from long before we were in our mothers’ wombs, He tells us in His word, the Bible, which is also a collection of stories. Jesus’ choice of style in teaching the gospel also exemplifies the power and divinity of stories. Jesus knew that stories drew people in, which is why he taught the gospel using parables. He wanted to invite people into his message and help them more easily and vividly understand the lessons he was teaching. He knew that stories have the unique quality of being able to open open up people ears and hearts and offer them understanding.

This leads me to the final reason I believe we are so compelled to stories. Whether or not we are conscious of it, we are so drawn to stories because of their undeniable potential to make our world considerably bigger, yet all the more within our reach. Think about the popular phrase, knowledge is power. When you learn something new, gain new knowledge, your world expands, because you have now been exposed to more of the truth that exists in the world. However, I would like to point out, that this this acquisition doesn’t overwhelm you, because more of this mass of truth, if you may, is now within your grasp since you have grappled with it, regarded it and can now wield it as you need or desire.

With these in mind, I hope that by storytelling through my art, I will not only make people marvel, wonder and reflect on our striking similarities as well as have their hearts and minds opened up by our captivating differences, but also help people remember that their stories matter and are consequential. Hopefully my art challenges each person who comes across it, to regard themselves and truly reflect on what their individual story is, what they hope that story to become and how they want their story to fit into the narrative and legacy of humanity.

Simply put, my art is an ode to life and the stories that comprise it. I hope to help each person realize that regarding their stories and those of others can make the world considerably bigger, yet all the more within their reach.

What’s your story?

~ Davida Enara