Challenge. Choice. Outcome.
Perhaps these three words could form the template for your story. Often, we get stuck in challenge. But, we have choices about how we interpret and talk about those challenges!
While we may tend towards either/or story telling, both/and story telling sets us free to tell the truth. What does this mean?
With either/or storytelling, we only focus on the problems, the misery, the pain OR we only focus on our hopes, good experiences, and more beautiful moments.
To get unstuck, I suggest embracing a both/and story. The truth is, bad stuff happened. But, the truth also is that you can hope, learn, and even become a stronger person through adversity.
Tell both.
Acknowledge the challenge. Describe the choices that are leading you through adversity into personal growth. Share the outcome.
Do people still die? Yes. Do diseases linger? Yes. But even in living through the toughest experiences life can dish out, you can choose to be the hero of your story, and not the victim. Today, you can still learn, grow, and love.
Challenge. Choice. Outcome.
What’s your story?
Worth Repeating
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.
-Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
Listen to Bruce’s podcast with Denise Brown on caregiving.com
On Thursday, August 14th, I began a three part podcast with Denise Brown on caregiving.com about Telling Your Story and Where You Get Stuck in Your Story. This is a 30 minute podcast and requires no special sign in to listen.
So, please take a moment to listen and perhaps even to make a comment! You can even call in live on the show.
The next one airs at noon (CT) on Thursday, September 11th, or you can catch it on demand.
