The Journey Inward

My word of the year is STORY. Each month I try to do something related to that word. This month found me noticing the word EVERYWHERE-in podcasts, at workshops, in articles, through friends’ experiences. I realized that when I state my longing to the Universe, to feel closer to and more accepting of my story, that I am given inspiration in abundance. This shows up as examples, questions, challenges, quotes, things to think about and more.

Today’s quote, found on the spine of a magazine in a bathroom, looking up at me from the basket it was in with a dozen others…”The way you tell your story to yourself matters.” Amy Cuddy

How I tell my story to myself does matter. It matters what words I choose, what experiences I wish to highlight and how I interpret them, which people play leading roles, the tone of the piece, my ability to be vulnerable and honest, and the way I depict myself in the leading role.

My story needs to show character development, while reminding myself that the most interesting characters are flawed and have defects of character. The setting is important and drives the story, which frames the places I’ve been as necessary to move me along. Every story needs a problem(s) or at least a struggle to be compelling, to teach and entertain us…and I’ve got those! As for the resolution, I’m unsure how that looks. I don’t expect my life to wrap itself up in a neat bow, like a 30 minute sitcom. I don’t expect I’ll understand why everything happened as it did. I don’t expect it to even necessarily stop when my time on Earth does.

What I do know is that my story matters. Your story matters. The stories we tell ourselves matter, as do the stories we tell one another. Stories are the life blood of society, and when we are vulnerable enough to share and listen to each other’s stories, we are a better, kinder, more nurturing people who expand their ability for empathy and compassion.