Introduce Yourself : I'm new, but I'm not ... by Les Booth

The art of storytelling runs deep in my family. It's not obvious all the time - taking on persona as illustrator, painter, musician, writer, farmer, carpenter, mechanic, plumber, salesman, marketer, doctor, lawyer, engineer, architect administrator, entrepreneur, technologist, mother, father ... and the list goes on. Yes, each line of effort/occupation/profession/passion ... is it's own entity - seemingly unrelated to the craft of 'Storytelling'. Yes, varied is true. But unrelated? Hardly! What mother or father has not needed the 'art of story' to get a child through a 'first'? What salesman, marketer, entrepreneur or admin, ... hasn't needed a good story to keep the 'dream of financial reward' alive? What farmer, carpenter, mechanic, or plumber - hasn't called on the 'story ability' to move and motivate their production forward? Who hasn't needed a good story from a doctor, lawyer, engineer or architect? And who better than the illustrator, painter, musician or writer ... to 'transfer the feelings' of a story into the full compliment of the five senses? Each of the above professions call upon the 'art of story' - so many times we could not count them all. Each human, calls upon the 'art of story' to get through their day. Be it a pep-talk for others ... or for the reflection in our mirrors. Thus, I am story. I am haunted by the watery-flow of storytelling. My favorite word, from all languages spoken on the blue orb today, is the Hawaiian word: kukakuka. It just sounds neat: rolls off the tongue: conjures exotic visions. But it's actual translation .. the full-bodied explanation of its meaning .. are what endear it to my soul. It is my physical essence and soul. Kukakuka ... is translated, "Let's talk story." But it's not so much just setting down to 'chew-the-fat', 'wind-a-tale', 'spin-a-yarn', or 'shoot-the-breeze' .. or other organic matter. No. Kukakuka is used between friends. Friends who know each other and use their kukakuka to recount their individual and collective memories; rebuild and reinforce the bonds those memories build: and have built. Kukakuka is the retelling of the story of the friend's life for the purpose of building current and future memory. It is heritage preservation and continuance for the current and future generations.. Storytelling IS a heritage. This is me. I am Kukakuka. And Kukakuka tell's the story from here to 'beyond the ripples' ... and back. Know Ripples, Know Change. No RIpples, No Change. Just as easily I can add: Know Story, Know Life. No Story, No Life! Join me in the building of relationships - so that we, too can enjoy 'Kukakuka'.