The stories we share with ourselves and others are important – the ones we hold space for now and in the future can be powerful. And then there are the stories we don’t share, dare not share and/or aren’t even aware we have to begin with.
Some stories that are being shared right now are dark. And they have their place. But, what if you see or hope for a different story? Or, what if you feel there is more here than meets the eye? If you see a story – can you find a way to capture it? Our future stories can be magical, let them see the light of day.
At the beginning of the pandemic I drew a picture – it is a simple picture, nothing fancy, and it was/is a future story. It’s a story that I hold lightly or let rest in the palm of my hand so it can grow in its own time.
If you have a story that you don’t have time or the inclination to write and that story is sitting in your heart you might draw a simple picture as I did. Then, put it up where you can see it, touch it – let it inspire you. Stories can be magical.
Or, take a picture or find an image of something that holds the space for the story, or it can even be a song – a song played, heard, loved. It could be a collage, that tree you pass everyday – something that symbolizes the story in your heart.
Life can also have difficult or treasured moments – stories that you would like to share – somehow. These stories may be filled with joy, frustration, etc. But where to share them? Sometimes there is time and space to share with another. Occasionally I joy or rant it out on a piece of paper. If you don’t want to keep it in your journal or read by others, you can burn, shred or trash it. This can be a helpful practice. You don’t have to write full sentences. You don’t have to worry about grammar. You can record it and delete it. It’s your art, your story, your work – you can do with it as you please.
Stories don’t have to have a beginning, middle, or end. Sometimes they can be this space we feel in our hearts. Some stories are simply ideas we want to play with. Stories help us find our way.
Back to this drawing I drew at the beginning of the pandemic, it has faded because it is near a window. Nobody and I mean no one would call this beautiful and yet to me it is touchstone of joy, light, and love that is being born into this world. It’s magical.
Don’t let fear rob you of the stories of the heart. Because there are many such stories and we need their magic and to celebrate them.
Enjoy the stories and have a playful day,
Mary
PS If a story was a calculator, its telling might be in the numbers, but if a story lights from the heart it might help us find our way.
