A child hears a secret message every time you tell a story - you care. You're willing. You took the time to share yourself, and the intimate corners of your imagination.

This is an important message, one we all need to hear from time to time, especially as we grow. We need to hear our fathers getting playful and creative. We need to hear our mothers, grandparents, and uncles. Teachers. It helps us feel recognized, valuable, and proud.

It's easy to think that storytelling is about exciting stories. It's actually about building connection between you and your kids, or between friends, family, and neighbors. It's fluid. It's flexible. There's room in the world for your own unique expression, amidst a diversity of voices that spans the planet. It's your birthright as a human being.

That's why we tell stories. Sharing stories from the heart takes guts. It takes courage. We don't do it to entertain ourselves (though that's fun) - we do it to build relationships.