My 22-year-old daughter is going to tell stories about being an essential worker supporting herself by delivering food via Postmates after the restaurant where she worked closed. She learned to overcome adversity and find a way to provide for herself during the most challenging time in her life.
However, not all the stories were uplifting and inspiring. Some said they would tell stories of politics destroying our country while others said they would tell stories of suffering, loss, and despair.
I realized the stories we tell are determined by the experiences we have had and our perspective about those experiences.
In reading all these stories it became clear that even when you are faced with a difficult experience you can still find a positive perspective and tell a positive story. For example, I lost my mom to cancer 14 years ago and while I remember the pain during that time, I tell positive stories of how she loved me and impacted me.
When I talk about having a positive perspective some will roll their eyes and accuse me of ignoring reality. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Having a positive perspective doesn’t mean you ignore reality. It means you tell a positive story to create a better reality and live a better story.
Being positive does not mean you sugarcoat the situation. It means you don’t let negativity sour the rest of your life.
How you see the world determines the world that you see. And the stories you tell determine the life that you live.
That’s why the stories you will tell about this time are so important. They say a lot about how you see the world and are a great predictor of the new stories you are going to create and tell in the future.
So, let me ask you, what kind of stories are you going to tell about this time?
- Jon
