Throughout my 16 years of life, I have always loved stories. Whether I was watching them, hearing them, reading them, or experiencing them, stories have always captured my interest.

I enjoy reading stories like The Odyssey, Shakespearean plays, and many others. After thinking about my passion for stories, I soon realized that what I love most is placing myself in other people’s shoes. I began catching myself looking at people and wondering about their stories. I would think, “Who are they?”, “What have they been through?”, and “How did they become the person they are today?” For a while, I ignored these thoughts, thinking there was never a way to find the answers.

During this time, I was learning about major events throughout history in school. Many of these events were surrounded by dehumanization, the social process in which people are denied human qualities. Dehumanization strips away one of the most important human feelings of empathy.

I soon realized that empathy can be found in every story. Through the stories I have read, I have gained empathy and understanding that have helped me throughout my life. I began considering other people’s perspectives and trying to understand where they were coming from. In doing so, I have been able to approach situations differently and change their outcomes.

This realization soon gave me the idea for Planting Stories. If stories could do this for me, then surely they could do it for others. Once I had this idea, I really started thinking. What would the world look like without dehumanization?

The pain of being misunderstood would diminish. The word “people” would mean more than just six letters. The inflictor could understand the pain felt by the victim. The world would be much different.

Through the process of creating this website, I knew I could not change the entire world. But I would find satisfaction in knowing that I could contribute to making someone’s life better. I could do this not only by generating empathy, but in other ways as well.

One of those ways is by giving people peace of mind in knowing that their story can never be lost to time. Countless people have stories that are never told or shared. Their experiences, memories, and emotions can disappear simply because no one ever took the time to listen.

Writing and telling stories holds a powerful ability. It allows people to share their memories, preserve their experiences, and capture the emotions of a moment that might otherwise be forgotten. Writing can help you organize and truly value your memories as well.

Every true story holds power. Stories show us that anything is possible. They show us that the experiences we dream of and hear about are real possibilities. They add realism to our dreams, inspire us, and remind us of what people are capable of.

I started Planting Stories because of my passion for stories, my insight into history, and my desire to help others. I realize that everyone is the main character of their own life, and I want to read their story.

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