Recently I completed the manuscript for my first book. It’s the true story of a ten-year period in my life that was filled with amazing adventures, a bit of international intrigue, and more painful experiences than anyone should have to go through in a single lifetime. It’s a “lessons learned” kind of book that I hope will inspire people to create and live their Best Stories (aka their Best Lives).
I had blocked that ten-year period out of my mind for a long time, because it was too painful to think about or deal with on any level. And then three months ago I summoned the courage to write my way through the pain of that old story and the most amazing thing happened…I began to heal.
In the midst of writing my old story, I found myself in an odd place. I didn’t want to continue writing because the memories were so painful. At the same time, I found myself unable to stop writing. So I had to make a decision to quit or continue. I chose to honor the voice inside of me that implored me to continue writing my story. I plodded on, enduring a couple of stress-induced minor illnesses and several short bouts of frustration (how could I have been so stupid to…) to come out on the other side of my old story, ready to create and live my Best Story.
I believe that our past experiences are not random events, but stories that we create and live. And it occurs to me that if we create them, we can also let them go, in favor of creating and living our Best Story. I’m convinced that wherever we are in life, regardless of age, financial condition, past or present circumstances, we can let go of our old stories in favor of creating and living our Best Stories.
For most of us, our Best Story is always a work-in-progress. We move through life…loving, leaving, crying and laughing. Sometimes we’re stopping to smell the roses and at other times, somebody’s hurling lemons at us and we’re desperately looking for the lemonade recipe.
So with that in mind, I’m curious to know if you have ever stopped to think about what you’re telling the world with your story? Do you believe that you’re living your Best Story? Are you willing to let your old story go?
If you want to move in the direction of your Best Story, a good place to begin is with one question and four energies.
First, the question: If money was irrelevant and failure was impossible, what would you do with your life?
If you listen for, trust in and act on the answer to that one question, it will likely guide you in the general direction of your Best Story.
The four energies that we can call on at any point along the journey, to assist us in creating and living our Best Story are Passion, Intention, Gratitude and Grace
•Passion - Doing what inspires us
•Intention - Focusing our energy (thought and action) on our passion
•Gratitude - Expressing gratitude for the journey and for our blessings along the way
•Grace - Living with humility equal to our blessings
Passion starts us down the path to our Best Story. Intention keeps us steady on the path. Gratitude opens the path to attract more blessings along the way. Grace widens the path so that others may join us.