What Story Will You Tell?

Image by RosePirate

I’m back in the world of non-fiction again after reading fiction heavily over the beginning of this year. I picked up Andy Stanley’s new book The Principle of the Path this weekend and am over halfway done. Nothing earth-shattering so far. In fact the book is by it’s very topic fairly simple. But like Andy does so well he brings even simple truths into new light and clarity.

Today I was reading a chapter entitled, “The Story You Will Tell.” It deals primarily with asking yourself the question, “What story do I want to tell?” That is, in the decisions I face each day, how do I want to look back and recall and recant the choices I make?

Here’s a piece of Andy’s voice on the subject:

To some degree, every decision becomes part of your story. In light of the story you want to tell, what should you do? ...

Whatever the issue, as you consider your options, consider what you will say about it. When you look back on this chapter of your life, what is the story you will want to tell? A story of being swept away by the emotion of the moment? A story of how you allowed conventional wisdom to drive you down a path that you later regretted? Perhaps a story of following cultural norms? A story where you were just part of the herd? Probably not.

If you will pause and consider the three questions I’ve suggested, your story will be quite different. Your story will be more like David’s: a story showing that in the midst of powerful emotions, you gained clarity and did the unusual thing, the thing that set you apart from the herd. A story you will be proud of. A story you won’t mind repeating.

I like stories. In fact, I’d say that this blog is heavily focused on stories. And I like the idea of painting our everyday choices in the light of the greater narrative of our life.

Posted 03.17.2009

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