We’ve all been there — sad, depressed, angry. Each of us falls into a metaphorical pit at some point in our lives, and let’s face it, it’s terrible. We feel sluggish and often times unmotivated. We wonder what we can do to make these feelings go away. There are many coping mechanisms in the world today: one of which goes quite unnoticed. Stories.

Since the beginning of time, people have been telling each other stories — myths, legends, anecdotes, and tales. Stories introduce us into a new, unfamiliar reality with new characters, creatures, and a new way of life. Through each of these elements, we find ourselves amidst a mental escape, relatable characters, and valid lessons learned.

Stories are often seen as an escape from reality, a place where the reader can open his or her mind to the new possibilities of the new world he/she has encountered. They allow us to explore. "What would life in this world look like?" the reader may ask him/herself when reading about a magical fantasy land filled with knights and chivalry. Maybe in another case, the reader would be thankful for life in reality while engaging a story about a dystopian society. Perhaps it is seen as a mental distraction, but it exercises the imagination as the reader searches for new possibilities.

While looking for possibilities, the reader has the ability to place him/herself in the situations of the main characters; this is where he/she begins to identify him/herself with the characters. The characters in stories experience very real situations no matter what universe they may be from. They struggle with relationships, confidence, friendships, etc. — each of these issues is very relevant to the world today. In fact, many stories showcase the main character overcoming these struggles. When the reader begins to identify with a certain character because he/she can relate to the character, the potential for transformation arrives, and lessons are learned.

Every story has a theme — an overarching message the author is trying to convey. These messages reach the heart, and some even have the potential to change lives. Whether it’s a story about friendship, perseverance or overcoming fears, the lessons the reader learns from a story will stick with him/her for life. With them, the reader has the power to better life for him/herself along with others around him/her.

Everyone has a story to tell. For all the aspiring writers, don’t be afraid to share the story that’s on your heart. There is someone out there who needs to hear the message you want to give. Stories circulate around the globe — many for centuries. They never die. They continue to be an outlet for writers to creatively voice their opinions and for readers to discover new things about the world. They are universal and timeless. There continue to be lessons we can learn from stories told hundreds of years ago. Through our stories today, we have the potential to do the same.