By Shazad
“Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.” Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author
Life can be best understood when it is told through a story. It could be a brief one or a long and interesting journey, with many positive milestones along the way. Everyone can relate to things better when they are presented in the form of a story. Our lives are no different. In my opinion, there are at least three main stories that shape our lives and make us who we are today as well as influencing the person we will become. These stories have the power to transform us into happy, productive, loving members of society who change the world for the better.
“The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.”
Neil Gaiman
Our first story is shaped by our ideas, thoughts, and opinions about the world around us. It includes our perception of our home, city, or nation, as well as our general view of the world. These things have a significant impact on how we navigate through life and communicate with others, whether they are strangers or our loved ones.
Action Step: Write out your concept of the world in 2024. What are some words you would use to describe the current state of things and where we are headed? This exercise will tell you something about your point of view.
“We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.”
Jonathan Gottschall, The Storytelling Animal
The second story is rooted in the life experiences and customs of our parents. This story plays a crucial role in the first story since it is through this that we initially begin to comprehend the world and our position in it. As autonomous thinkers, we move beyond the story of our parents to shape our own, but we must recognize how profoundly their story influences our own.
Action Step: Write out what your parents told you about the world, what is important in life, and what you should do when you grow up. Don’t judge anything they have told you. Simply write it down on paper and look at it to understand where they are coming from and how much of their story has impacted your current worldview and understanding of your place in the world.
“Story, as it turns out, was crucial to our evolution -- more so than opposable thumbs. Opposable thumbs let us hang on; story told us what to hang on to.”
Lisa Cron, Wired for Story
The third major story that we should pay attention to is what the world is thinking and talking about at any given time. This story is constantly evolving and is shaped by various sources like mass media, governments, lobby groups, and marketing agencies. It is a powerful story because it is broadcasted through various mediums like TV, radio, and the internet. This story is actually a collection of different stories like the environment, geopolitics, culture, and economics. Society is continuously exposed to data, video clips, and talking heads about what we should be concerned about, who to vote for, and how to live our lives. Both our perspective of the world and that of our parents are heavily influenced by this third story, which changes over time because each generation is exposed to more media and advertising. The type of advertising, lobby groups, and media programming also change over time, which means that the same stories about war, politics, and the economy can be told differently.
Action Step: Write down what the top 3 stories or themes are that you are noticing from the various voices of the world. What are the 3 big ideas and who is the main promoter of each of them? What is your opinion of each story and has it changed in the last 12 months? Just make a note of these points to better understand yourself and where you think the world is going based on these stories.
“Every story I create, creates me. I write to create myself.”
A good story is irreplaceable but an even better story is one where we are not only the hero but also the wise mentor or counselor to the next generation of hero candidates. To live our best lives, we must be aware of the three most common stories we keep thinking about. This will help us navigate each chapter of our lives, understand who the main characters are, and where the reward can be found. Once you figure out the main plot of your life's story, you can truly live an Awesome Life!
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