If you attended The Storyline Conference last year, you’ll remember Lori Ventola, our essay-contest winner who thought she’d only won a trip to Portland to attend the conference but who ended up getting a bigger surprise. Lori wrote an essay about wanting to start a tutoring program helping homeless families get their children caught up and back in school. She’d done this sort of work before, but the organization she worked with had shut down.
We read through her essay and asked her to create a business plan, detailing all her needs to get the program started. We flew her out, and she was excited, hoping to learn something from the conference. At the end of the conference, though, we passed out her business plan to all the attendees and gave them each a white index card, asking them to write their name and phone number along with their profession and any other expertise Lori might be able to call them about to move forward. We also gave Lori a small check that allowed her to leave her job and start living a different story. And she’s done very well. In under a year working in Denver, she’s partnering with friends in Los Angeles to create a program through Union Rescue Mission. No kidding, she’s already creating franchises.
Lori says those index cards helped a lot more than the money, which just goes to show you what a community of people with various talents and skills can do when they combine resources.
So I’m wondering what kind of story you are wanting to live? Are you ready to take the leap? Do you need some help? While I can’t pass out index cards for you, you could probably duplicate a little Storyline magic right there amongst your friends. Here are some tips for getting started telling a better story:
1. Have a clear vision of what you want to do. For Lori, it was simple, she wanted to tutor kids who were falling through the cracks, kids the system was leaving behind. She wanted to get them caught up. With the help of lawyers, educators, designers, organizational professionals and more, she is on her way.
2. Make sure that vision is really coming from your passions. Don’t pursue something because it’s the right thing to do, otherwise you will fail. Pursue your vision because it’s you and it lights you up. Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. Last year I was approached with an awesome opportunity that fit right in with the books I’ve written, I found myself less than excited. On paper, everything was perfect. And I’d have made a lot of money doing the work. But the more I thought about it, the more I knew it would fail. My heart wasn’t in it. My mind was asking other questions and I wanted to pursue other opportunities. So sit with your vision for a while and ask yourself if you could live with whatever you create for a few years and if you’d truly be happy if it came about.
3. Take huge risks. Lori quit her job. No kidding. We didn’t even give her that much money, but it was enough for her to commit full time to the work and raise the rest as she went along. It’s been scary for sure. Great stories are often frightening. But she took the leap and she’s changing people’s lives.
4. Pass out index cards to everybody you know. I don’t mean literally (although that’s not a bad idea) but I do mean everybody. Include everybody in your plan and ask them to help you out. Amongst your friends, you are only a few relationships removed from real estate agents, lawyers, accountants, doctors and so on and so on. Put together your team, show them your plan, and ask people for help.
Lori is taking Plumfield Learning Systems to Los Angeles, and is looking for some more help. I’m going to ask for some help for her, because she’s my friend. What she needs is some dough to cover expenses for the trip out, about $5k. You can donate at Plumfield’s site through her ChipIn campaign. She also needs as many airline tickets as she can get from Denver to LA and back. She’ll likely be visiting the program as often as she can.
Visit Lori today and help her along in the amazing story she’s telling the world. And while your at it, feel free to tell a great story yourself! Can’t wait to hear about it!
Congratulations Lori, what a great story!
And…I have a really stupid question but I’d love some more perspective on it: How do you figure out what your passion is, what story you want to live? I’m coming from a real place of “there must be more than this” and I know I want to do something good, something that makes a difference…but the nuts and bolts of *what* eludes me. It’s great to read about people living great stories but what about when you’re drawing a blank on your own?
Lots of thinking/praying/reading for me, I guess…!
yep! just ask God what it is. He’ll tell you. promise
i’m in the same place where i got really burnt out doing things i thought i wanted to do and then i hit rock bottom and i told God ok, i’ll do whatever you want me to do. so i threw away my dreams and now He’s slowly giving me my passion back (which is in the same field of what i was pursuing, but just a different avenue). God’s gotchu. 
just takes awhile sometimes. just keep living and being patient (i’m the worst at that) and it will come.
Rachel, I’ve been thinking about you all morning. Yes — what Laura said. And also: every day is a story. If your heart is burning to make a difference, it’s because you’re following Jesus and want to live like him. Just do that. Just love. Forgive. Give. Be honest. Confess your faults and be healed. All the stuff that’s in the book.
As Don has been saying — when something lights up your heart, that’s the signal — go for it. Be not afraid. You ARE making a difference.
Laura & Lori,
I just wanted to thank you so much for your encouragement…your comments made me smile, so thankyou for taking the time to reply! xx
Awesome! So exciting and inspiring—Keep up the great work, Lori!
The timing of this couldn’t be more perfect. I hope I will be able to translate the dreaming into reality. Thanks again, the story is inspiring
This is such a great story!
Lori’s story is very inspiring. I have a “project” of my own that I feel like I would just burst if I can’t do but I also feel stuck within current circumstances. Right now I’m trying to get the funds to come to the Storyline Conference for two reasons. I’m hoping it will give me the encouragement and “tools” to get unstuck. Also, it’s on my birthday and it’s been a really long time since I’ve done anything for myself or had any kind of real vacation.
Hope(fully) to see you there!
Susan — I’ll be there. Let’s find each other!! Praying for you to find the means to get there. Do it. Be not afraid!
Hi Lori,
Thanks for reaching out to me – I really appreciate it and your prayers too.
Susan
Susan,
My wife and I will be attending the Storyline Conference in June, along with a couple of great friends. What amount of funds are you in need of? I’d be willing to help.
Dan
Wow Dan! I was surprised and a bit taken aback by the generosity of you and your wife. I wasn’t sure if I should reply; however, I don’t want to be like that person stuck on a roof praying for God’s help and dismissing the boat, helicopter, etc. (if you are familiar with that story) either. Please email me through my blog (just click my name and it will bring you there) for us to discuss and many thanks to you and your wife.
Wonderful inspirational story, thanks for sharing. You have laid out a simple plan above, in which anyone can do and sometimes we just need reminding that we can do it. The world (news) is full of so much negativity that it just knocks us into the ground flat. Thanks for helping us back up again and sharing the stories of those who are living their stories.
I’m like a dog with her favorite chew toy, shaking it to death until she flings out all the stuffing. My dream has been growing and growing since I was ten years old. It’s been waiting all this time to finally flower — but it’s time. My dream? So cliche to so many, but it’s so tangible I can almost taste it, right there on the tip of my tongue, a tart-sweet zing just waiting to explode into fizzy goodness.
I am going to be a published novelist.
CONGRATULATIONS!! No cliche to me…just pure awesomeness.
I will click on your name and check it out.
Wow. I did not know you could click on someone’s name and be taken to their website. Duh. Will be using THAT in the future!
Yes, you can Lori…and sometimes these sites have valuable information about YUMMY looking cookies (the mocha/dulche de leche sounded the best), a spot where one can vote for lead characters in the next novel (I chose Darcy and Alek!), but don’t say the title of the new novel she just got published – like “Lauren’s: did.
Lauren…what’s the name of your novel??? Loved your site. Ordering cookies.
Awwww… thanks guys for the words of affirmation, visits to the blog, etc. (and yes, those cookies are da bomb!)
My novel still needs a title (I know, it’s horrible, but I can’t think of one!). It’s still in the editing phase — just sent it to my editor this week actually (she’ll be looking it over to help with a title). You can read the rough draft free (through May 30th) if you like (be sure to start with Chapter 1, listed in the column to the right, and start reading from the bottom up):
http://thebox300.blogspot.com/
Feel free to e-mail me title suggestions. Need all the help I can get.
Wonderful story!
Thanks for helping to get that woman going!
God bless her! (and you!)
Great story and great advice. Thanks for the inspiration!
WoW! What a wonderful, wonderful story. What a great thing Lori is doing. Thanks for sharing more of that story with us. About a year ago, I got involved with a homeless ministry in my town. It has changed my world. It’s the most unbelievable and humbling thing I’ve ever been a part of. There is so much need out there and so much negative perception of who the homeless are. Most of the people I meet have a mental illness or got trapped by a bad choice they made. We all make bad choices at times but most of us don’t end up on the street because of them. We are lucky. Sure, some of them know how to manipulate you (it’s survival) but it’s amazing to see how much a smile and a hug can mean to someone, especially if you show up regularly to give one.
Again, thanks for sharing more of Lori’s story with us. There are so many needs and so much to be done.
Thank you Lori for seeing a need and doing something to help. I was very inspired to hear your story.
What an exciting story Lori is living! Kudos to her for following her passion! Thank-you for enabling her vision!
Recently, I was asked by Alise Wright to partner with her, and a group of other bloggers, to help Nuru International tell a better story in the 3rd world, and support their vision of ending extreme poverty. It has been a great privilege to have been part of the 24/7 Project. We began April 1st, and have been blogging ever since, requesting prayer and donations. It is our hope to raise $7000 for Nuru by Easter Sunday.
As I said above, it has been my privilege to participate, and I truly credit the life-changing effect your work has had on me, Don, for that participation. Because it fit with my talents, and passions, getting involved was a no-brainer.
What a super great story…
similar stories are inside many of us just waiting to bust out and change the world into a better place…
as I often say…”as you transform your dreams into reality…you are transformed”
Way to go…Lori
Don – I was at your storyline conference and loved it… you might possibly remember me from the blog discussions that followed the conference where you were asking for feedback… I had the idea of creating a facebook page for “storyline”…
Anyway, I saw it as a place where community could grow and your notecards/networking concept could bloom but via a digital medium. It would also just be a place where folks could share the impact of living a better story out.
Anyway, with your encouragement, I went ahead and created the page. The only problem is that no one really knew about it apart from a few contacts I made at the conference. A few since have stumbled on it, but having you “plug” it would blow it up for sure… and maybe, just maybe, turn it into something along the lines of the community you helped Lori create… just a thought…
here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107137886016348
(and I would happily give up admin rights to you or one of your appointees… I don’t really want to own it, just to see it and our collective vision for community flourish in whatever way possible).
Roger
What an emotional journey this has been! As Lori’s best friend for the past 9 years, I can attest to the ups and downs that she has faced, and the countless miracles that God has shown her, time and again. She is definitely an inspiration to me, through her humility and honesty, and her vulnerability. Her life is an open book. You go, Lori! We’re all cheering you on!
MATT! What a support you’ve been. It has been an amazing road. Glad to be with you on it!
Don, this is an outstanding post and is very inspiring. In particular, I like the four tips for telling a better story. Thanks!
Yeah for Lori!! Thanks for highlighting her and her brave, fun and delightful story. She is an inspiration to anyone lucky enough to know her. Colorado wants to keep her though so L.A. – enjoy her for a bit and then get her right back here in the rockies!! Love you Lori – lunch with Anderson Cooper when you get back♥
What a day this has been! I’ve been at my desk all day answering emails and thanking people for their participation in this cause. We’ve raised $1,000 already!
So much in my heart — but mostly I’m thinking that you don’t have to do something that you think is “big” to have a great story. The Kingdom of God is the story — just live in it and do your part. Be radically different from everything bad you see in the world. Smile at people on the street — it freaks them out, but then they smile back! Forgive the guy who cut you off in traffic. Give to a homeless person and don’t worry about how he’s going to spend it. Hug your kids long and strong. Love with abandon. Every time you do any of those things, it’s a good story. Really.
Thank you, Don, for so many things, not the least of which is this space where the Kingdom lives every day. Love you, brother.
Lori,
I sat by you at the last storyline conference. I am grateful for the follow-up. I’ve been wondering how you were doing. It’s inspiring to know you kept going and took a risk. I did fill out an index card. I teach first grade in WA state above Seattle. Let me know if I can help. Hope to hear more at the next conference.
Stephani — look for me in Portland (I’m hard to miss). This time I won’t be so completely stunned and I might even be a better conversationalist!
Whoops — didn’t realize I was commenting on Tamara’s comment…but it’s all good!
Don, congratulations on taking action to help Lori.
Lori, congratulations on being brave enough to go after your passion. What an amazing story. It inspires all of us, for sure.
May God continue blessing you and guiding you towards helping more and more children.
Don, these are fantastic points. Stuff like this makes me feel like my dream is possible. Lori, way to step out and take risks!
I am a Muslim convert to the love of Jesus Christ. I have started an online Christian magazine, 4LOVE, about God’s unconditional love with the heart, soul, mind, and body. I would love some help/advice. You can contact me at karim@4lovemag.com. I need for pastors opinions, and Don’s opinion would be great. I will ask the question when you contact me. Thank you so much, and God bless.
Karim
Lori, I loved reading about your story, your faith, and your love for the kids slipping though the cracks. What an inspiration you are, and will be, to many!
Don, I completely agree about the importance of living a good story, in the midst and with the help of COMMUNITY. We have lived internationally three times now (currently, we are in Thailand), and we consistently notice that the people with higher chances of success are those that come in Community or find Community quickly when they hit the field. The people that flounder the most (and we have tasted this in the past year) are those that come independently, live largely isolated, and don’t have the ability to work on a team.
It’s heroic maybe to think that you can strike out on your own and live-radical, but we have seen the reality that the heroic crumbles quickly when you are not surrounded by people who can encourage you and do life with you. If you don’t have anyone else to “hand your story back to you”, with all it’s history and purpose, you can sink quickly– and throw in the towel too early. We’ve seen this time and again on the international field, and we’ve had our own experience of it this past year in Asia.
Wishing you all the best, Lori,
Laura
Hello Don,
I wrote this song after reading your “a million miles…”:
A Better Story
I want to write a better story
With the time that still remains
To paint a better picture
Than strife and causing pain
But I know I need an author
Who knows just what to write
I need a better painter
One who paints with love and light
CHORUS:
I need you Jesus, the One who authored me
I need you Jesus, make me your masterpiece
Take me by the hand, and lead me in your plans
For I know that you are good, I need you Jesus
Oh, I’ve taken some missteps
That have led me off your path
I’ve marred the beauty you intended
And I deserve your wrath
But with you there is forgiveness
You will mend my broken heart
You will calm my fears and bring me near
We will never be apart
BRIDGE:
It’s so good to know, that you are in control
And I trust you God with my life
Forever you will be, faithful Lord to me
So I thank you for the story you will write
Words & Music Daniel Lovett ©2009 Reflect Worship Music
Thank you, Lori, for such a great story!
It’d be great if you could film the next conference and sell it on dvd or online download for those of us who really, really want to be there to learn something, be motivated, and inspired…but can not make it due to other obligations. Whadaya say?
this post didn’t get enough comments. she is awesome and inspiring. action. courage. dedication. i love it.
Best wishes in LA, Lori. I’m glad you want to go and I’m happy to help, because I don’t want to go!
Since that first conference I’ve thought of all the stories that were spawned, but where will they be retold? I think a Storyline Film Festival is in order, or at least a Vimeo channel where people can post their stories. Tell Don I’ll volunteer and he can pay me in pints of Widmer’s Broken Halo…or something darker if I’m in that mood.
Wow, I am inspired by you, Lori! How awesome that you were able to connect with the fans at Storyline and make them a part of your story. Great idea, Don, with the index cards : )
So the lesson for me, here, is how important it is to allow others into my story, in order to be successful and fulfill what God has already planned out. You, no doubt, have discovered this already : )
By the way, got the BLJ movie poster the other day. I love part at the end, where it says “it takes more than one person to tell a good story: in this case, 4495″ So true! To top off my excitement, I received the promised phone call, from Steve Taylor, a few days ago. Still have goose bumps–totally made my day : )
Best wishes to you, Lori, as you pursue this dream. You have your heart beating in sync with the heart of the Father. His desires are your desires–how cool is that!
Hi Don,
Phenomenal entry. Thank you for sharing! Lori is a dreamer and a warrior. I love how she had this dream in her heart and all she needed was a group of people who believed in her and who caught her vision. As soon as I finished reading, I found myself doing a gmail search to dig up a somewhat-forgotten idea I had last November. This big idea aligns so closely with the Lori’s story and I believe it would empower so many “Lori’s” out there to act.
Can I email it to you? I think you’d really love it.
[...] Miller writes a lot about people and the stories they live. He encourages people to: 1. Have a clear vision of what you want to do. 2. Make sure that vision is really coming from your p… He even puts on a conference, Storyline, in which he challenges himself and everyone else to [...]