Why We Need to Tell Stories

With a few exceptions, any time I discuss spirituality or my personal feelings on it, I immediately wish I had not. Everything feels like it comes out wrong. For me, literally saying "I believe this" or "this is what I practice" leaves me feeling off. This discomfort is a gentle reminder that, in the dimension of physicality that uses voices and words, the mysteries must be explored externally, but using the language of metaphor. Myth and story and parable take away the responsibility of being understood, and I feel better. Plus I hate to call myself a spiritual person out loud, because I know there is no one who could vouch for me.