I Wish I thought of This

I am a big fan of those in the industry that create similar products to mine, as well as those who create innovative ways of educating and inspiring. My appreciation for this never includes jealousy, because I feel jealousy is wasted energy (topic for a future blog). That being said, it is rare that I come across a unique idea that I say to myself "I wish I thought of that!" Usually my reaction is, "Oh that's cool. . . .How clever. . .etc." However, something came to my attention twice in the past week that I want to share with you, and I wish I had thought of. It is called StoryCorps.

StoryCorps is a project that allows people to come into a specially designed location to tell their story and have it captured in their own voice. It captures the story of America, from the common person's point of view. I used to love sitting with my grandparents and hear the stories of their childhood - their first exposures to innovations and times in our history that they lived through. Just like we all have stories regarding 9-11, and generations before me have those of JFK's assassination, or my grandparents had of Pearl Harbor, America's history is most uniquely told from the perspective of Americans who lived it. History books tell the facts and introduce major contributors of events through time, but the real story comes from those who lived through them.

I am often disappointed that I never had an opportunity to sit with my grandparents or my aunt Noreen to get the full story of my family down on video. Today, the Internet, and services like this, allow us to keep a journal of our life, experiences, and opinions. Maybe future generations will be able to learn from those of us who were arrogant enough to think our words meant something (or had business managers who kept poking us to put words out to the world). Maybe someday, my great grandchild will read this post and add a comment on the bottom.

In the meantime, I encourage you to go to the StoryCorps website and check out what they are all about. I also encourage you to spend time with the older generations in your families and find out what they truly thought about events in their lives. I do it all the time, and am so happy I have the memories of my grandparents and their peers, as well as my parents and their generation. It helps me remain grounded in where I have come from and conscious of where I am going, for I will be the history to generations of Rossillis that follow. My wife always teases me about the fact that I always seem to be interviewing people. I do that to get a appreciation for the life others (plus it makes it easier when I am developing charcters for projects. You never know when you might pop up in one of our stories . . .LOL)

The StoryCorp has put together a special book for Mothers. I have read and heard several of the entries online. I was so inspired by them and impressed by the whole project that I will be purchasing copies for the mothers in my life. I recommend you check it out and consider doing the same. I have absolutely no connection to the project, I just thought my readers would appreciate hearing about it.

Although we may live in different parts of the country, and have experienced different trials, challenges, and successes, there are core human values that connect us all. StoryCorps really illustrates that in a way I wish I had thought of! =)

StoryCorps Website: http://www.storycorps.com