Have you ever met someone who was a great storyteller - you know, those people who remember EVERY detail, add the sound effects and hand motions, can do the voices and all that jazz? Those are some of my favorite people! I have a few of those in my life. One of my all-time, favorite storytellers is my godfather. He’s one of those guys that knows literally everyone and everyone knows him. He has the BEST sound effects, and of course, one of my favorite stories he tells is about me. (Who doesn’t like to hear stories about themselves? Ok, all you “humble” people out there stop lying; everyone loves to hear good, funny stories about themselves.) My favorite story he tells is about the time I (allegedly) talked his son into running away with me. We were about three years old, and at some point our parents realized we weren’t around. We were found a ways down the road walking hand-in-hand on the sidewalk as if all were good and normal in the world (while our parents had been frantic and freaking out). When our parents got to us, they asked us what we were doing, and my response was, “We’re wunning away!” which was said in my cutest, little three-year-old voice of course.
While I do actually love hearing my godfather tell that story, what I am learning to equally love is owning and telling my own story. I have always loved storytelling in general - novels, movies, plays, TV shows, etc. It’s easy to fall in love with the characters, their lives, their stories - the ups, downs and everything in between. Let’s face it; we can never grow out of loving stories - telling them, hearing them, seeing them. I’m pretty sure it is hardwired into our DNA to be storytellers to some extent, but for some reason, it is sometimes easier to dismiss our own stories over others’ stories.
In her book, Braving the Wilderness, Brene Brown interviews Viola Davis who beautifully states the following:
“There’s an unspoken message that the only stories worth telling are the stories that end up in history books. This is not true. Every story matters...We are all worthy of telling our stories and having them heard. We all need to be seen and honored in the same way that we all need to breathe.”
We play many characters throughout our lifetime. We wear many hats - son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father, actor, teacher, employee, boss, the list goes on and on - and there are often times when we are wearing one hat that we wish we could put on a different one. However, I have found that when we can own who we are and the current role we are playing in the present, we have accomplished something great. It’s easy to get caught up in a great story with dynamic characters and vibrant scenes, but those are all someone else’s stories. Like me, you may think, What is so special about my story? The truth is, it’s special because it’s mine. It is the only story I have to offer and the greatest one I could personally ever share with anyone. We were each created with a specific design and purpose - we were made to display an aspect of God’s heart that no one else can. It’s easy to look at someone else’s story, testimony, life etc. and wish that we could switch places even if for a moment, but then the world would miss out on your story and what you have to offer, and trust me, you definitely have something to offer!
With any story, the audience waits with anticipation for the characters to be revealed, for the plot to develop and a story to unfold. The same goes for us. There is an anticipation, an expectancy in all of creation that is waiting for us to take ownership of who we are and our stories. Where else should we play the lead if not in our own stories? Everyone around you is waiting to see who you are, how you live, how you take ownership of your story and how it will be expressed.
And your expression of your story will look different than someone else’s. There are so many outlets of expression and sharing. We can tend to think of artistic expressions - art, music, theatre, writing, etc - as the only outlets, but our unique story expressions can come out in other ways. As parents, it comes out in your children (although some of you might not want to lay claim to that statement). Your children are a beautiful expression of you and your story. For others, it’s a business venture, your career, a hobby, your relationships and the way you share and invest yourself in them. Everything you do is an expression of you and your story. Don’t hold back, you have too much to share and offer. The world needs your story!The first step to expressing your story is to embrace it! Own your story! It doesn’t matter what it has looked like up to this point. It is never too late to own your story, be your lead character and say “yes” to the adventure of watching it unfold. I believe that when we fully embrace our own stories, it then becomes an honor to share and express them with those around us because of the understanding we gain through our journey, sacrifice, intentionality and pursuit that is required to be present in our own lives.
How will your story be expressed? How will it be remembered? Will others choose to be present in their own stories because of the way you lived yours?
#everystorymatters
#betheheroofyourstory
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