Have you ever wondered why people care about your story? We, inside our own minds, often… well, speaking for myself… often we may think our own life is boring… or insignificant compared to a lot of other people’s stories. Moreso those who hit the media or have their life story made into movies and books. “My story isn’t that exciting” or “I haven’t done anything great in my life”… right?
I’ve been encouraging my mom, dad, my mother and father in-law, to write down their story. I explain to them that as I have researched through family history, all of my past ancestors stories are so inspiring and amazing what they lived through! I have discovered many that I have found relief in relating to their characteristics and all the lessons they have learned in life. I’ve read through my grandpa’s biography, listened to my grandma’s life story, and I am SO grateful they recorded their thoughts, experiences, feelings, and opinions on life.
I’ve asked myself “why do I care?”… I can’t fully explain it other than, it’s comforting to relate. I feel like I’ve learned a little more about myself every time I come across someone else’s story. It’s empowering. Sometimes there’s a sense of relief in knowing that others close to you, or even unrelated, share the same feelings, experiences, behavior, and opinions. It’s a comfort and safe feeling to not feel alone, especially if they struggled in the same way.
Over the years, having appreciated all the hundreds of stories that I’ve read and followed, I’ve learned a lot about myself. Being an artist, I often view myself as this big block of clay that has taken a LONG time to shape. Sometimes it rains and muddy’s everything up and I lose a lot of detail and have to start again…. Sometimes the heat gets too great and parts of me burn. It’s difficult to weather those storms and harsh weather… but as I press forward with patience, I soon find it rewarding to take a step back and see all the work that I have accomplished when I thought that I messed up or haven’t gotten very far. My nose was too close to my sculpture and I was locked in to the tiny details and areas I got stuck on. Stepping back I see the full picture and I say to myself “woah, I have done a lot!”
What’s more rewarding is when I hear from others how inspired they have been by my story. We’re all artists, and artists are notorious for being their own worst critic. We immediately see the flaws, the areas we could have done better or feel we need to ‘fix’. Other people see our work in a different light. Many find those flaws inspiring and it can change their life or be an answer to a long-spoken prayer. It is impossible to know or see how our actions, words, feelings can change others lives. So while we may think that other people won’t care, while we may feel that our stories are insignificant, we could be withholding the very thing that someone needs to hear to change their life for the better. We could be withholding an answer to someone’s long-spoken prayer. To keep your story private, to keep YOU – the very special YOU – hidden, is tragic.
Your life matters. Your story is important. All your flaws, all your “mistakes”, make you an important chapter in someone’s story – a hero even!
Write it down. Speak out, be brave! You’re not alone. Many people in the world share your same feelings, walk a similar path, and hurt in the same way. Your story could possibly save someone’s life – could you imagine what a feeling that will be in the next life to see that you – opening up – saved someone’s life? Wow. You are NOT insignificant.
Those who speak against you, they are not your audience. Don’t waste time worrying about their opinions. They don’t need you, but others do. Focus on them. You never know the number of people who you have helped, so while you may only hear back from a few – you could have hundreds who have remained quiet. Have faith that your voice will reach the ears that need to hear what you have to say.
My grandfather was a prolific writer. He wrote an entire ‘novel’ of a biography. My grandmother, his wife, recorded an audio version of her biography just a few years before she began to lose her memory (she had alzheimers).
There is no need to write a novel. There are many ways to share your story, some of which could include:
- short journal entries in a notebook
- audio/video recordings if that is more comfortable
- posts on Facebook ( I’ve found that to be the easiest for me )
I know many people feel more comfortable keeping private, but having stories written down for posterity to find can be impactful. I often wish that my brother, who passed away in 2011, had kept a journal. I miss him terribly, but what I can hold on to, I am grateful for. I have pictures, I have small notes, and I have my memories that I can record. I am grateful that I’ve been able to sit my parents down and record some video of them sharing some stories of their life. I will TREASURE those for a lifetime.
One last thought, and then I’ll end my ‘rant’ Think of those you hold closest to your heart… what would it mean to you to have their stories written down, their thoughts and feelings about you, or other things they love and are passionate about, things they are grateful for, lessons they learned in life through trials in life… thoughts on life basically… what would it mean to you to have that to hold on to after they pass away? What you feel about them – others feel about you.
You matter – you are loved by so many people – more than you could ever imagine. Many you haven’t even met yet.
::many hugs::
- your friend