As long as I've been writing, I've had this grand idea that narrative non-fiction was a form that gave way to an "ultimate truth" for the person writing it. I've believed in writing and journaling as sort of an archeological dig for all; as we picked through time and memory and blew the dust from the crevices, the "truth" of our lives would appear like a precious ancient artifact. But the more I read about story, I'm not so sure. I think that although we do dig and discover and our current selves look back in hindsight with a new awareness (all of which are important), non-fiction stories are just a balance of what is shared and what is perceived. Ultimate truth is nearly impossible.
Michael Margolis, founder of Get Storied, says this beautifully in his book, Believe Me: a Storytelling Manifesto for Change Makers and Innovators:
We are completely lost without “stories” to orient where we are. Much of our lives are spent searching for a bigger story, our legend—a larger reason for being. And yet, as humans we easily become attached, if not enslaved, to these very same stories. The weight of stories can keep us trapped and suffering, unable to shift our relationships to the past, present, and future.
Stories are NOT the truth.
They are merely a projection of our interpretation of an experience, event, or person at any given time. Our relationship to the biography of our life story can change. Anybody who’s ever made a huge and dramatic leap knows how flexible and adaptive their story can be. Just ask Martha Stewart.
I story, therefore I am.
It's such a simple thing---but I'd never thought of it that way before. And then I realized that I see people every day who are trapped by their stories. The story holds them hostage. I've been guilty of feeling that way myself.
So I guess I've been putting a little too much pressure on the poor Story. Stories are not the ultimate truth. They are AWARENESS, wisdom to be learned from, connection points, spiritual guides, signposts for our journey.
(Michael's manifesto is brilliant, by the way, and it's free on the Get Storied site. If you work in business or connect with people in any capacity, stop by and check it out...it's worth it.)
Journal Jumpstart:
What do your stories say about you? Are there any that unfairly label you? Have you changed this? If not, why not? How do you think you can?
Is there a story in your life that isn't serving you well, yet you cannot seem to get out from under it? How do you think you can begin to change the course of the story? If you're a visual person, use your art journal to illustrate what the new story might look like.
Can you think of people who have completely changed the course of their stories?
Happy Monday, everyone! And if anyone has some Spring weather to spare...send it my way, okay?
~D
