“The most important thing that I have discovered is that as a storyteller, my role is, fundamentally, to embrace the other.”
~ Jan Blake
When the magical words “Once upon a time” are uttered, our minds open to the possibilities of seeing ourselves mirrored in the story. We see our dreams captured in the hero. Our fears echoed in the challenges the characters face. We feel the powerlessness of the damsel in distress. The shadow of anger awakens to the villain that we do not want to be (but perhaps sometimes are). We may open to compassion of the villain that is just doing the best that they can. Aren’t we all doing the best that we can?
The world is not black and white. Stories teach us to see shades of gray, but more importantly stories can put color back into our world. Stories bring us back into connection to embrace the other and experience our common humanity. Stories bring us into community.
In this TEDx talk, master storyteller Jan Blake tells us of her struggles growing up in the United Kingdom and eventually returning to her Jamaican roots for storytelling inspiration. She also shares a world folk tale passed on to her by her mentor, Inno Sorsy. Stories survive because their messages are timeless, and this one touches the heart of humanity. As a gifted storyteller, Jan Blake elevates the art of storytelling out of the nursery and into the world of performance art, not just for children, but for all ages.