We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we can speak.

–Epictetus

I am fascinated by stories people are willing to tell and in the book, “Listening Is an Act of Love,” as readers are introduced to the beauty found in the lives of ordinary people. Drawing from more than 40,000 interviews, StoryCorps, the largest oral history project in our nation, began their series of best-selling books to give voice to ordinary Americans. Since that initial publication, StoryCorps has gone on to produce “Mom” and “All There Is,” both volumes documenting the words of people like you and me who share their life stories. If you enjoy reading first-person accounts that include triumphs, laughter, heartbreak and tears, these books are for you.

StoryCorps uses a fascinatingly simple process. If you want to tell your story, you can make an appointment to visit one of StoryCorps’ story booths, bringing along anyone you choose. A story facilitator will invite you into a cozy booth that contains a table, chairs, two microphones and a box of tissue. You have 40 minutes to answer questions like: What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life? What did your mother sing to you when you were a baby? How do you want to be remembered? What were the happiest/saddest moments of your life?

At the end of 40 minutes, two broadcast-quality CDs are created. One goes home with you. The second becomes part of an archive in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. This means your great-great-great grandchild might someday be able to listen to your voice and hear your story.

How great is this? If this tickles your fancy, schedule a time at storycorp.org. The closest booth is in San Francisco but you can record your story in the privacy of your own home, with readily available home-based technology.

This entire project speaks to one of the greatest messages God has for each one of us: We were born for a reason, we have infinite value, and our lives can encourage, enliven, instruct and offer hope to those around us. We don’t have to ignore stories shrouded in ordinariness; the events of our lives are meant to be shared.

Storytelling has been the foundation of this column for 18 years and in a world filled with celebrity hype, there are the rest of us who may initially believe our stories are too ordinary or uneventful with which we can gift the world. In truth, our experiences have the power to bring depth and beauty, uniting our hearts.

There are other ways to tell your story if words are not your forte. How might a song, poem, painting, garden, scrapbook, quilt, or beautiful meal represent your thoughts, feelings and passions? How about paying someone a compliment and seeing what kind of conversation results? How might community service in all its various forms represent your heart?

Better yet, simply stop and listen. There’s a story out there, just for you.