Meaning: The quote "I hope you will go out and let stories happen to you, and that you will work them, water them with your blood and tears and you laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom" by Clarissa Pinkola Estés is a powerful invitation to embrace the transformative nature of storytelling and the deep emotional investment required to fully engage with the stories that shape our lives.

Estés, a celebrated poet, Jungian analyst, and author of the book "Women Who Run With the Wolves," is known for her exploration of the power of myth, storytelling, and the collective unconscious. In this quote, she encourages individuals to actively seek out experiences and allow them to become stories that are nurtured and cultivated through personal investment and emotional engagement.

The phrase "let stories happen to you" suggests a passive openness to the rich tapestry of life experiences that can serve as the foundation for meaningful narratives. It implies a willingness to embrace the unpredictability of life and the diverse range of human experiences, both joyful and challenging. By encouraging individuals to "work them, water them with your blood and tears and your laughter," Estés emphasizes the idea that stories are not static entities but living, evolving entities that require emotional investment and nurturing to reach their full potential.

The imagery of "watering stories with your blood and tears and your laughter" speaks to the depth of emotional investment required to fully engage with the stories that shape our lives. It acknowledges the complexities of human experience, encompassing both pain and joy, and suggests that these raw emotions are essential components in the cultivation of meaningful stories. This evocative language conveys the idea that the process of storytelling is not separate from the experiences themselves but rather an integral part of how we make sense of and give meaning to our lives.

The final phrase, "till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom," encapsulates the transformative power of storytelling. It suggests that through the active engagement with stories, individuals have the potential to undergo their own process of growth and blossoming. By immersing oneself in the narratives that emerge from lived experiences, one can undergo a personal transformation, ultimately "bursting into bloom" as a result of the stories that have been nurtured and cultivated.

Overall, Estés' quote serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of storytelling on our lives and the importance of embracing the emotional depth and transformative potential inherent in the stories we live and tell. It encourages individuals to actively engage with the stories that unfold around them, recognizing the role of personal investment and emotional nurturing in allowing these stories to reach their full potential. In doing so, Estés highlights the capacity of storytelling to shape and enrich our lives, ultimately leading to personal growth and transformation.