Dare to Tell Your Story PT 2

Hey guys! I hope everyone is staying well and blessed and that you've been keeping your head on straight (I know how hard that can be sometimes)! I don't know if this is happening to anyone else, but my days are really starting to blur together, and I don't know how I feel about it. For example, I woke up early Saturday morning for "class" because I thought it was Friday... and so I logged onto my laptop and got onto my school BlackBoard page only to then realize it was Saturday and that I just had a BUNCH of homework. Not class. And this morning I almost didn't go to "class" because I thought it was Sunday. BUT, all the same, we're making it and we're going to finish these next couple of weeks strong and things are going to be good!

So, as I promised, this is PART 2 of my post from a few days ago, where we're actually going to talk about the importance of sharing our genuine, authentic selves and how unique and impactful each of our stories can be. So sit back, relax, and get ready to take a journey with me, because it could end up being a pretty wild ride!

So, first and foremost, because of all of these online assignments, I have been spending an intensive amount of time on Youtube watching and writing summaries about different TedTalks... and while I was watching these TedTalks and just browsing around, I came across this video that I have posted below... and it hit me right in the heart.

For those that ignored the video, I'll give some context. So the man that is being "interviewed" in a sense is James Sherry, an Australian actor and storyteller, and his whole purpose in this video is to remind us why our stories can be powerful. And he is 100% right. The stories we tell and the stories we associate to certain experiences and objects carry weight. If you don't believe me yet, let's look at another example from a - you guessed it - TedTalk.

So a man named David JP Phillips, a renowned public speaker, did a TedTalk a couple of years ago on the science of storytelling. At the beginning, he cited a study done by a journalist named Rob Walker. What Rob Walker did was he went on eBay and bought 200 objects at around $1 a piece. In total he spent $126 on these objects. Then, he contacted 200 authors and asked each of them if they would write a story about an object that he would later send to them. All 200 authors agreed, and soon Rob ended up with 200 objects that each now how had a "story" of their own. He then posted these objects back on eBay with their new stories, and he ended up getting $8000 total for those same 200 items.

That's a little unbelievable right?

So the real question is, why did I go through all that trouble of telling you that story? Why does that matter to you?

Well, dear friends, this story proves the exact point that I'm trying to make. While those objects had value before, when their "story" was told, and people knew where those objects had come from and what they had been through, their "value" automatically shot through the roof! Our stories are what make us who we truly are... we are the culmination of all of our thoughts, emotions, and experiences over the course of our lifetimes. Those experiences then shape us into what we do and how we act in the future. And while those memories are important in shaping us, they can be even more vital in helping shape someone else, if we choose to take that leap of bravery and vulnerability.

See, that's why our ancestors designed and shared their lessons through fairytales and storytelling. We as people best learn from narrative-type stories, especially if we can relate or we know the person telling the story. We remember details better in that format and we are able to relate to common human experiences in those stories than if someone were to just give us a "Do's and Don'ts" list.

So what does that mean for you? What are you supposed to do with that information?

Well, even though it can be extremely difficult to do, we need to OWN our stories.

Yes, your story has failures, adversity, bumps in the road, and a lot of pain and mistakes that you may not want to admit are yours. Believe me, I know. This is something that I have to work on and be aware of every day. But, your life is also full of great triumphs, climbed mountains, extreme joy and happiness, and lessons that you would not have learned without the "valleys" of your life. Your life and the experiences that have made it what it is have helped you grow and learn and become who you are. They have made you stronger, wiser, and better... though you may not have enjoyed the methods that have brought you here. Regardless, the story of your journey is unique to you and has shaped you and is continuing to shape you, and that is something to be extremely proud of.

So, own it fully. Own the success. Own the mistakes. Own the bravery and the courage it took you to get to where you are. Own who you are and be gentle with yourselves in times of learning.

Once you've done that, the next part is equally important, but can only be done when you have fully learned to love and forgive yourself... and this is my challenge for you.

DARE TO TELL YOUR STORY.

Guys, no matter what you think about your past or the things that have or haven't happened in your life... IT MATTERS. IT HAS WEIGHT. You have no idea who could relate to the things that have happened to you, whether you think you have lived the most boring on the face of this Earth, or the hardest one or the messiest. Your life and how you have handled it could be the exact thing someone else needs to hear in order to inspire them to change their situation or become more than they ever could have imagined. YOU could be the reason that someone becomes a better/the best version of themselves, just because you had courage and shared the story of you. And I completely understand how difficult this can be. I know it can feel impossible, especially if you don't like speaking. In no way am I asking you to become the next great motivational speaker, activist, or evangelist if that is not your calling. What I AM saying is, have courage to be a mentor, an example, and a friend. Your life experience makes you more than qualified... and you never know who is listening and the impact it has. You matter. Your story matters.

So, long story short, I have two challenges for you:

1) DARE TO OWN YOUR STORY. Own who you are completely- from your greatest mountains to your greatest valleys... own the beautiful landscape that is your whole being. You are beautiful in every way BECAUSE of all your experiences, NOT in spite of them. You are who you are because of all that has happened to you, and you're exactly where and who you're meant to be in this moment. And you are still growing and learning... what a blessing and beautiful thing that is!

2) DARE TO TELL YOUR STORY. Yes it is hard. Yes, you may not feel like you have the right words. But I will promise you this- no one can tell your story quite like you. And I also promise you that people need to hear it. Your story matters. You matter. There is no one that has lived the life you have... and those adventures deserve to be heard. Your impact on the world is and can be greater than you imagined... you need only take one brave step.

As always, I just want to remind y'all that you are all in my prayers and you are all loved! And thank you for continuing to bear with me, y'all are more appreciated that you could imagine! Also, my emails and DMs are always open if you need to talk or have a prayer request, so feel free to use those avenues and I promise you will get a speedy response! Stay healthy and stay blessed!

And here's a really cute quote that I wanted to leave y'all with, so enjoy!