A Hero’s story is being written about all of us.
But I am no hero.
I have always been the type to trust, willing to give and receive the burn that could come because of my desire for intimacy. I have always been the variety that enjoys conversation and engaging in the deeper subjects of life. Although I enjoy topics such as sports, fishing, everyday things such as work and the family, I really delight in individuals coming together as equals and opening up. Maybe there are tears, maybe there is anger, maybe there are regrets. Whatever there may be, I am the type that likes the mutuality. Nevertheless, I am extremely willing to open up to others very quickly and tell facets of my story for two basic reasons: I understand the power of story and I hope that my story will help the other tell their story. However, I recognize that my paradigm of storytelling is counter-cultural.
As we tell our stories they may not always be comfortable to tell. In fact, telling our stories may be excruciating at first. You may be afraid to tell your story because you fear losing your job or you fear rejection from the one you are telling it to or you fear that the story you are telling may be told over again and be told incorrectly. You fear the perception of others.
Well, what can I say? Awful things can happen and probably will. This is the nature of the story. In many ways, we are all a hero’s story being written. I cannot tell you how many times I have listened to MY story told back to me incorrectly. It burns me up, really bad! The feelings of betrayal and rage are incredible! But we cannot allow this from continuing to take the risk of forming deep, lasting relationships with other people. Betrayal should never stop us from continuing onwards, onto the hero’s path.
We all have two choices: remain voiceless, holding tightly to our powerful story that can change and influence the world or take a chance that we could be betrayed, hurt and used and tell our story. I say take the risk.! Get burned!
Regardless of how people want to take my story and use it against me, so be it. That is their prerogative. Perceptions lie all sorts of places and rear their heads at odd times. Control what you can control and be the agent of change. The power that is held in your story and listening to the story of another can bridge the gap between people of extreme differences if we allow it to, if we will come to the place of great authenticity and transparency. But the question remains: Will we take the risk?
Will you allow the hero’s story to written about you? Beyond the deep hurt that you have endured, will you continue to embrace another through listening and telling your very important story? Will you come to that point in your life where you recognize that stories were meant to be lived and told? Will you recognize that no two stories are the same and no two people will come to the same conclusions regarding their stories?
I know, a lot of questions.
Nevertheless, when we start to answer them we will find the embrace from ourselves that we have always wanted and we will learn to love others as they should be, regardless of who they are.
Because a hero’s story is being written about each of us if we will allow it.
