Finding Yourself In Your Story
We are all on a journey. This journey, which lasts our entire lifetime, is one of discovery. We are searching for true meaning and purpose. We are trying to find out who we are and why we are here and what we have to contribute. We do this through the stories of our lives.
In essence, we find ourselves in our stories.
Storytelling is an ancient and very important craft. Some people are gifted storytellers. But you don't have to be a great storyteller to tell your story. All of us learn from stories. It starts when we are very young and continues throughout our lifetimes.
Stories are the natural way we learn.
Stories are also our main source of entertainment. All you have to do to know this is true is think about how much of an impact books and films have had on people everywhere. Even before the technology to record voice, pictures - even before the creation of writing - people were telling stories.
Sharing the Discovery of Who You Are
Since we all share in this task of discovering who we really are, we all have several things in common. Some of those things are how we interact with others, how we go about living an authentic life, and using our curiosity, imagination and creativity to live a full life. To me, this is pretty exciting stuff.
Despite a tendency to think mostly of myself, I cannot resist a good story about a person's life. Their adventures, how they deal with adversity, what matters most to them, how they feel about big questions like children, faith, art, music and history are often very fascinating.
How sad if people never shared any of this.
Stay Connected
Most of us don't know how long our lives will be. Time is precious, so it follows that we should take the opportunity every day to stay connected to others.
How do we treat others?
Don't let a day go by without telling people that they matter to you.
Telling your family and friends you love them not only encourages them, it is good for your own wellbeing.
One of the great lessons passed on to me is that life is not about you - you are about life!
Your Life Matters
It is vitally important to remember that your life matters.
And so does the life of every other person on the planet. Even the ones who are committing criminal acts and taking the lives of others or endangering lives.
That can be hard to accept, but until we understand and appreciate that all life is sacred we will harbor an attitude that some people are more important than others.
Certainly some people are doing more with their lives than others, but all lives matter.
That being said, you should have a healthy appreciation for your life.
Your life matters.
With that understanding comes the responsibility to do something with your life.
Every day we have an opportunity to do something to make the world we live in a better place.
Share Your Story
We can all help by sharing our experience, strength and hope. I believe a key purpose of preserving our life stories is to help others better understand our journeys and to learn from each other.
I am not a fan of sharing stories that are about revenge, or getting even. On the other hand, I am a raving fan of the stories that connect us to our shared humanity, that show us that love, kindness and compassion are virtues worth preserving. We need to pass on these life lessons.
What will be your next step?
You could go here and see how you might go about telling your story. It's a start.
And when you are ready to find out more email me to get more information.
I look forward to hearing from you.
