Stories

As a child I used to love stories. I loved reading them, but more so, I loved telling them. Making them up as I go. I remember as the eldest child how I would tell stories to my younger siblings and how they literally hung onto every word. I think I enjoyed it even more than them.

Somehow, later I stopped reading and telling stories. The "stories" were now in my head, as I was either re-thinking (and analysing) something that has happened, or thinking about (and planning) something I thought would or should happen. I later realised how often that happens in life, how somehow we just forgot to live and feel the story, how somehow we started to control our thoughts and actions around it.

Even so, we never stop telling stories. Our "stories" reflect our core values, beliefs, how we view the world, and often, how we want the world to view us. It is what we portray to others. Regardless whether others are interested in "reading" our "stories", we are still "telling" them! But often we just don't pay attention or we pre-empt others' stories. People naturally gravitate towards stories that reflect or align with their own stories or expectations. You may have a reason why you are drawn towards a particular movie or book. When you watch that movie or read that book, you don't always know how the story will unfold, although you might know (or think you know) the theme or essence of the story. And have you noticed how when you don't have a clue what to expect of the storyline, how, as every scene unfolds, your feelings and responses may unfold along with it (annoyance or boredom are also feelings or responses!). Even when you don't know the story at all, you still form a picture of how you think or expect the story to be. You can even reach the end of the movie or book, being pleasantly surprised or having changed your mind about aspects of the story along the way. That is what we also do, constantly "reading" others' stories - often clouding their true stories with our expectations or judgements. Have you made the mistake of expecting how someone else's story may unfold without just following the story? I certainly have!

Imagine your life as a series of images and happenings. What would your story be if it were to be told? If you were the lead character, how would you come across?

What is the story you are telling today? Is it in line with the story you have been telling people about you? Or want to tell people about you? It may be time to change your story. Or time to better understand others' stories, even helping them to change their stories....