I read a lot of leadership and self-help type books for work. Currently we are reading a book called Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. Today as I read, he was discussing how we have a more empathetic reaction to a story of one specific individual than we do to countless numbers of people. He states that this is why we listen to far away tragedies with a small sense of sadness perhaps, but we run to the aid of those we know and love or who are connected to us in some fashion. I agree with this assessment. I find myself more willing and able to jump to the aid of those whose stories are close to me. Often that is because I know I cannot save or make a difference to everyone.
However, I think this also says something about the importance of storytelling. In 2013, the name Alexander Hamilton would likely mean nothing more than some guy in the early government of the United States that was shot, until Lin-Manuel Miranda decided to write a musical that utilized a genius approach to the tell story of the politician in such a fashion that it is now a world-wide phenomena.
In the show, the thought is posed that "you have no control, who lives, who dies, who tells your story." While this is a beautiful and sobering truth, I have come to the conclusion that there is something I do control. I do control those whose stories I tell.
I can tell the story of a friend of mine who is struggling with severe depression but has gone out of her way daily for the last four years to check on me and see that I am doing ok.
I can tell the story of a woman I know who left Somalia at age 13 and has only seen her parents once in the last 22 years, just because she knew that there was a better life for her somewhere.
I can tell the story of a friend who decided to live his truth and because of it lost his entire family who did not approve of his choices.
I can tell you of the woman I know who watched her children raped and killed in a refugee camp as she was tied up and forced to watch.
I can tell you of a friend who is currently selling every item she possibly can because she cannot afford her medical bills.
I can also tell you of a woman I know who works all day and then serves as a missionary all evening because she speaks several languages and wants to be able to help everyone she can.
I can tell you of a woman who spent most of her life single, and chose to foster 99 children over the course of her life in order to ensure that she was able to share in the blessings she has recieved.
I can tell you of people far and wide who in the face of their own personal tragedies are working to build and support others.
There seems to be a fear in the hearts of many that there is only so much of happiness and goodness to go around, and that the blessings that one receives is at the detriment of someone else. A person who acheives success takes that success from someone else. A job someone gains is a job that someone else loses. A love found is a love lost.
I really don't want to live in that mentality any longer. I think there are enough stories out there to tell that we can all learn, benefit, and love. I think there is enough to go around, and more to spare. I think there is sadness and joy and love and despair. I think it is all part of the beautiful tapestry that is humanity. I want to believe in that. I want to learn and tell and love. I am tired of living in fear. I want to tell my story. I want to hear your story.
However, I think this also says something about the importance of storytelling. In 2013, the name Alexander Hamilton would likely mean nothing more than some guy in the early government of the United States that was shot, until Lin-Manuel Miranda decided to write a musical that utilized a genius approach to the tell story of the politician in such a fashion that it is now a world-wide phenomena.
In the show, the thought is posed that "you have no control, who lives, who dies, who tells your story." While this is a beautiful and sobering truth, I have come to the conclusion that there is something I do control. I do control those whose stories I tell.
I can tell the story of a friend of mine who is struggling with severe depression but has gone out of her way daily for the last four years to check on me and see that I am doing ok.
I can tell the story of a woman I know who left Somalia at age 13 and has only seen her parents once in the last 22 years, just because she knew that there was a better life for her somewhere.
I can tell the story of a friend who decided to live his truth and because of it lost his entire family who did not approve of his choices.
I can tell you of the woman I know who watched her children raped and killed in a refugee camp as she was tied up and forced to watch.
I can tell you of a friend who is currently selling every item she possibly can because she cannot afford her medical bills.
I can also tell you of a woman I know who works all day and then serves as a missionary all evening because she speaks several languages and wants to be able to help everyone she can.
I can tell you of a woman who spent most of her life single, and chose to foster 99 children over the course of her life in order to ensure that she was able to share in the blessings she has recieved.
I can tell you of people far and wide who in the face of their own personal tragedies are working to build and support others.
There seems to be a fear in the hearts of many that there is only so much of happiness and goodness to go around, and that the blessings that one receives is at the detriment of someone else. A person who acheives success takes that success from someone else. A job someone gains is a job that someone else loses. A love found is a love lost.
I really don't want to live in that mentality any longer. I think there are enough stories out there to tell that we can all learn, benefit, and love. I think there is enough to go around, and more to spare. I think there is sadness and joy and love and despair. I think it is all part of the beautiful tapestry that is humanity. I want to believe in that. I want to learn and tell and love. I am tired of living in fear. I want to tell my story. I want to hear your story.
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