Tell Me a Story!

Dear Friends,

I have always loved a good story. Especially as a kid, stories would make me laugh, cry, and inspire me in some way.

The most successful company, the most popular politician, the most influential religion … often they are simply the ones with the best stories.

Stories, in many ways, run the world.

They can also be told for other purposes. I was at a dinner recently, and I told a story that I have told many times previously. Afterwards, I noticed a hollow feeling inside.

I looked at my partner, Cecily, and wondered what she thought, having heard this same story many, many times previously.

The story had no relevance except that I thought it might impress those at the table. I had to inquire:

WHY do I keep telling this story?

WHAT is it trying to serve or fill in me?

TYPES OF STORIES

When we are younger we tend to tell stories about the future, as we have a lot of it left, and we think it will bring us what we are seeking.

As we get older, and there is less future to plan for, we often tell stories about the past — who we once were, what we once did, the times we had power, etc.

Stories can inspire and teach … or they can try to reinforce an image we want to put out — as someone who is sophisticated, funny, accomplished, spiritual, you name it.

MOTIVATION

For me, it comes back to motivation and intention, and knowing that stories from the heart, from attunement, from love, are the ones that feel the best to tell.

Someone I know told me about a speaker at an event, who right before he walked on stage, said:

“I am going to tell a story that will bring the crowd to tears. Just watch.”

The story clearly had an agenda.

Telling a story to impress (or that has some other agenda) is not wrong, but it can be a beautiful invitation to inquire: Is there something inside us that needs attention?

So as we make our day today, maybe we can inquire:

What are the stories we tell?

And how do they serve or not serve our lives?

As we know ourselves more deeply, the stories we tell will have a greater chance of coming from the heart, with no agenda to get a particular response.

It is just the beauty of the story. Those are the best stories.

Blessings,

SOREN

UPCOMING EVENTS: WISDOM 2.0 2024

Join us this month in person or online.

Join us (in person or online) with teachers such as Dick Schwartz (Founder of IFS) Deepak Chopra, Roshi Joan Halifax, along with Bo Shao on Consciousness & AI, and Tarana Burke on Finding Our Voice, and MUCH MORE!