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Happy Life Tip of the Week, Issue #147-Powerful Stories January 25, 2012 |
Hello Friends,Choose your life story to create your happy life.It is part of our humanity to seek meaning in the things that happen to us. The most common way to do this is though myths and stories. The stories we tell ourselves to explain the facts we encounter in our lives shapes the reality that we see. Our perception of reality shapes our future. Perhaps the most common story is the victim story- someone or something bigger, stronger, wealthier, or meaner hurts us for no reason other than that they can. The upside of the victim story is that quite often bad things do happen to us that are outside our control. When we recognize that fact and we do not beat ourselves up over the event and we do move on to things we can control, our recognition of victimhood is helpful- optimistic even. The downside of the victim story is that it allows us to give up our power to change things and often blinds us to the opportunity or even joy. The victim story is common and powerful, but it is not the only story we could choose. We could choose the hero’s journey. The heroine combines right action and virtuous thinking with a quest. She must overcome obstacles and defeat powers that are greater than her to emerge with the prize. The hero’s ultimate goal is always something bigger and more inspiring than himself. This story inspires us to right action, pure thoughts, goal seeking, and eventual triumph over the things that kept us down. Somewhere between the victim and the hero is the story of the cherished child. In this story we are loved and cared for by a benevolent god who forgives our sins and rewards us with miracles and grace just because we are alive. We may be children of the universe, or of God, or of really good parents, the end result is the same- if we would just get out of our own way we would see that everything we need has been provided for us. This story inspires gratitude and awe. It helps us live a better life because we look for the grace- leads to optimism and happiness. Most people tell themselves some version of all three of these stories depending on the circumstances. Often, the story and our reaction to it happen so quickly, we are not even aware that we are telling ourselves a story, yet it shapes our reality none the less. The key to happiness is to become aware of the stories we tell ourselves and to choose the story that allows us to adapt to the facts most effectively. We are more likely to bounce back after a difficult set back if we are looking for the silver lining or appreciating all the ways we are being supported as we struggle. Sometimes we must let go of the victim story to step into our greatness as a hero or our serenity as a cherished child. What powerful stories are you telling yourself? Do your stories empower you or shower you with goodness and love? Choose your life story to create your happy life.Affirmation I am aware of the story I am living. I choose to live the story that helps me thrive where I am now. Journal or Meditation Question What story am I living today? Am I living someone else’s story or my own? What story do I want to live into? What story must I let go of to have the future I want? To Subscribe
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