The only thing we can control is the meaning we give the events of our lives.
Mastin Kipp

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a big storyteller. I love stories. I love to listen to them, watch them, read them, and then retell them. Storytelling is an art form I admire. A great storyteller is relatable, has charisma, passion and a disarming personality. They captivate you with their words, charm you with their imagination, and keep you eager for more.

So, what does storytelling have to do with your life? Let me explain.

Life, as you see it, know it, experience it, is one big story. In fact, that’s all it is. Your life is a story and you’re a storyteller by nature. You tell stories all day, every day. About yourself, about others, about why, about where, about when, about how.

You operate fully from inside your mind, and your mind adheres to a linear, chronological, reasonable and rational order. It does this to make sense of the world and your purpose in it. It does this to give your life direction.

Your entire perspective on the life you’re living is a mental projection of what you believe is happening, what you believe isn’t happening, and what you think should be happening. As you weave together these thoughts in your mind, you construct your world. You concoct your story.

Even the most enlightened Buddhist on the planet has a story in not having a story. Your story can be one of scarcity or abundance, greed or generosity, love or fear.

Put more simply, life is what you perceive happening to you and the stories you tell about it.

Look at it This Way

Ever have a friend offer you an alternate perspective on a situation because they care about you? They’ll suggest a different viewpoint on an existing situation in hopes to turn your world right-side up.

Look at it this way, at least you know now and knowledge gives you power. Look at it this way, at least you have your degree and can easily find another job. They do this because they would rather see you happy than sad, right?

So, here’s my advice to you (because I want you to be happy): Look at it this way…

Life is what you tell yourself it is. You give life meaning, purpose and power. What you feed your mind, soul and body with will become what you identify with—what becomes you. You want to be known as the genius. You want to be known as the rockstar. You want to be known as the girl who sews or the boy who cooks. Identifying with any form or idea started as you retelling the same story until you were convinced of its veracity. Wanting to convince others of your story is always secondary.

You can tell yourself anything you want. Your story is your truth however you slice it. You can tell yourself your business failed because you didn’t do enough marketing. Or you can tell yourself that you needed to move because you weren’t happy with the neighbors. Whatever the case, you’re right. It’s your truth to tell.

The Art of Storytelling

Storytelling is an art. It’s also a skill you can master. The fact that you can create your life just by what you tell yourself is awe-inspiring. Proves you’re powerful.

Once you decide on your story, you’ll find evidence immediately to support it. Support in the way of ideas, opportunities, conversations and lessons. You’ll even experience others corroborating those same words in your head.

Who you encounter in life is reading your story. How they respond to you is a mirrored reflection of what you think they see. If you want to stop being seen as a mean person, start telling yourself you’re a nice person. Start believing a different story and your actions will follow suit. In time, the image others have of you will change accordingly.

Does this mean storytelling is a lie? You tell me. Are you lying to yourself? Before you can lie out loud, you have to first lie within.

If you’re thinking, “This isn’t too far off from delusional thinking. Just because I think something doesn’t make it true. Like Brad Pitt leaving Angelina Jolie for me. Yeah right.” Well, whatever you make of this idea, you’re right. However you interpret this message, be it as way far off or right on target, you’re right! Where you take this creative-writing business is up to you. In the end, you created that story.

Do you like the stories you tell about yourself? About others? Do you like the stories you fill your head with—both personally and interpersonally? It’s you who lives with them. It’s you who believes them…or not. The story you repeat in your head will become your reality. It’s up to you if your story hinders you or helps you. It’s up to you if your life is full of impossibility or possibility.

Tell a Powerful Story

You’re going to tell stories anyway. So why not tell yourself an empowering one?

We rationalize our every move and the events surrounding our existence. Our rationalizations serve as the cure or cause of our pain. They justify quitting a job and taking a trip around the world.

They justify not giving up and staying in it ‘til the end. They justify getting married. They justify getting divorced. They tell us you had no other choice. They tell us it’s better this way.

Those rationalizations engineer new beliefs, new stories. Let them empower you.

We may not have control over what happens to us, but we have complete control over how we respond to what does. We assign it value. We delegate its power…We give form a function.

Recognizing your story is just that, a story, you’re becoming equipped with clarity and a spiritual sharpness. Your life will expand with a broader perspective, where you’re aware that you’re inventing stories because you can. “In that awareness lies divine consciousness,” says Eckhart Tolle, author of The Power of Now. In that awareness exists power.

In that awareness, anything is possible.

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