Stories have power.  They don’t tell us what to think, but they have the power to make us feel. Stories have the power to go straight to a listener's heart to break down walls and stereotypes.  Through storytelling we can overcome our differences, lower our defenses, and increase our understanding. 

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When we hear someone else’s story, we connect with the storyteller not just intellectually but emotionally. We resonate with stories of depth and stories of human connection. While we may not always remember the facts or statistics that flood our daily lives, we all carry stories we will never forget.  

The danger in not taking the time to listen to someone else’s story is that we tend to create our own version of “the way the world works” and “they way people are." We can ignore and misrepresent someone’s story and pass judgment. In an unfortunate result, we misperceive (or unintentionally overlook) the needs of others.  When we lack understanding, our first steps toward empathy can become missteps.  Bearing witness to the stories of others can keep our feet on paths of love and understanding.