While walking through the mall this week I noticed an advertisement that read “Rewrite the Rules of Comfort.” It was an ad for a furniture store. However, the line prompted me to think about how we each have an opportunity to not only rewrite the rules of comfort in our lives, but the ability to rewrite our story altogether! What do I mean by rewrite your story?
First, let’s keep it real by acknowledging that rewriting our stories doesn’t mean that we erase, ignore, or falsify the prior experiences, good and bad, in our lives. They happened, we lived them and made it through some happy and difficult times, with some of those experiences leaving painful memories we wish we could forget. Rewriting our stories won’t make those painful memories and bad experiences go away necessarily. But rewriting our stories reframes how we see ourselves in the stories we tell about past experiences, present situations, and future dreams. In your previous stories, during difficult times, did you write and tell your story as a victim or helpless character who didn’t fight back, wasn’t worthy of love, wasn’t deserving of something better etc.? Or in your story were you the hero, valiant fighting for what you believe in and for yourself in the midst of the very real struggles of life events? What self-limitations did you argue and write for in the old stories you tell yourself? We build our own walls, boxes, and limitations and argue for them in the stories we tell ourselves. One story from my childhood comes to mind that I’ve shared before. It is an example of where I rewrote my story in such a way that inspires me today and for my future stories.
The first childhood story I rewrote is when I wanted to get my first car. We were a poor working-class family and didn’t have a car because neither of my parents ever learned to drive. We depended upon family, friends, taxis, or walking to get around. At 16 I was already working a part time job after school and wanted to get a car. But where some people saw limitations and barriers, I saw opportunity if I was adaptive and resilient. I spent that Spring riding my bicycle all over town until I found a used car that I could afford. My adaptability and resilience resulted in me getting a car. It was a turquoise blue Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme with removable t-tops. You couldn’t tell that 16-year-old that he wasn’t cool in that open car. That car meant freedom and more open doors of opportunity for me as well as my family. The original version of that story was focused on the pessimism of others, lack of opportunities, self-pity, poverty, and helplessness. Then, one day I decided to rewrite the story for myself. I didn’t change the facts of the situation, but I did change how I saw myself in the story and the central theme of the story to one of perseverance, adaptability, and resilience. And rewriting that story for myself continues to inspire me today to break down the self-built walls and limitations that I argue for and the negative stories I tell myself. It opens up a whole new world of possibilities for me to realize my full potential and thrive.
Now, I’m going to take a moment to be vulnerable here and share something deeply personal with all of you. One of the stories I’m trying to rewrite in the present is the story I tell myself that I’m not a good storyteller or writer who has anything worthwhile to say that others will value. I know that sounds odd to write considering I’ve been doing this blog for four months now. However, starting this blog was my first nervous step out beyond the walls I created and limitations and negative story I wrote for myself to test the waters and see if I can rewrite my story. My dream, my new story I want to rewrite, is that I am a writer who has many stories of value to share that entertain, inspire, encourage, and help others to live their best lives and thrive. My story is that I want to be a published author of both non-fiction and fiction books, blogs, podcaster, public speaker, and coach (career, life, and health). That is my dream. That is the story I want to rewrite for myself.
At first, four months ago, when I started this blog, in the story I told myself, I would say “I want to be a writer.” Then, I started chipping away at the walls I built in the old story and rewrote it to say to myself “I Am a Writer.” I may not be a published writer yet (but working on it), but I am a writer. This blog is proof of it, and each and every one of you who read my blog and respond give me hope and acknowledgement that my writing has value and makes a difference, no matter how big or small. If my writing touches the life of one person and gives them a glimmer of hope, inspiration, and encouragement to help them rewrite their own stories, realize their own potential, and thrive, then I am very happy.
So, I continue to rewrite my own story of who I am professionally and personally, including who I am physically in my new health transformation journey. Which by the way, I will start chronicling in separate blog posts for those who want to follow along. In my health transformation journey, I have currently lost 27 lbs. since December 15, 2023! Progress Not Perfection is my mantra and much more to go on the journey. Watch for other blog posts dedicated to the health journey if you’d like to read those.
In this journey and rewriting of my story, I will always post free content for all of my followers to read. At the same time, I will begin posting additional content for paid subscribers as well. This will include additional blog topics, opportunities to actively engage and explore the topics a bit deeper, share your own stories, podcasts, live events with me and subscribers to discuss topics of interest, and much more. For those who generously decide to become a paid subscriber, I will work very hard to provide additional content of interest and value to you, and I’m truly grateful for your support and believing in and enjoying my writing. For those who are free subscribers I’m truly grateful as well for your encouragement, engagement, support, and believing in my writing and me. No matter how you choose to engage with my writing and me, I’m truly thankful for each and every one of you. Watch for new content to be posted and announced soon! And I’m always open to requests for topics you’d like to hear about as well. Come along with me on this journey as I rewrite my own story for the future and share my stories that I hope inspire you to rewrite your own stories.
As always, I encourage you to reflect and think about your own stories. What limitations on yourself are you arguing for today that hold you back? What’s the story you want to rewrite for your past, present, and future dreams? I encourage you to go and rewrite your stories today
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