I love stories they are captivating. I remember becoming spellbound by my first book because I loved the language the writer used to tell the story. I was about 8/9 but quickly progressed to reading two books most days. Sometimes I read all night often telling myself I will go to sleep following the next page or the next chapter.
I am not alone stories are big business, movies which are primarily a story acted out makes billions of dollars every year. It is safe to say a large part of the population love stories.
Stories are fun, intriguing or gritty; However, they become dangerous when we compose false narratives about other people’s lives. Or write stories about our lives based on what others say. When we craft a plot filled with negative messages and prop those up with negative rules we are trapped in a cycle of disappear often telling ourselves there is no way out, no one loves me; I am unlovable… the list can go on.
Have you ever had to deal with a situation where someone has formulated a story about you and your life and tried to pass it off as the truth? They have some data that they consider facts and fill the blanks with imaginary information and convinced themselves that this is your life. Recently, I had to deal with such a story, the storyteller struggled to give up her position and tried to impose on me her view of who I should be as a mother. Fortunately, I was able to reject her ideas. However, many find it hard to shrug off people’s stories about them.
Society, the family and the church also tell stories; they suggest how we should relate to pain and suffering and what is an acceptable way of mourning or dealing with trauma. Sometimes we consciously and unconsciously conform to these stereotypes and deny ourselves the freedom to mourn our loss, grieve, or deal with the pain of brokenness. We, therefore, adopt a façade, accepts societies definition of strength and deny ourselves the freedom to move through painful places. We feel the unnerving gaze of society, and shrink from the opportunity to indulge in vulnerability put our heads above the parapet and declare that we are hurting.
As a result, many do not get the help that they need and unfortunately suffer in silence. The impact of this internal suffering sometimes colour our interpersonal relationships and influence our communication with children, partners and those around us. To survive many develop a narrative that sees them conforming to societies ideas of who they should be.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to break free or to live your life free from the stories that other people shape for you? I told my story here
If you would like to tell your story and live authentically send me an email at Joanna@woundstoscars.com, we have several programs tailored to specific outcomes that will give you the power to craft your adventure and tell your story your way.