Life is a Story

Happy Friday Friends,

When I was a kid I wasn’t a big fan of reading. I preferred cartoons and movies. But, I can remember loving the create your own story novels. I loved taking an active role in which direction the book would go. I loved being the main character and getting to choose the path and then watching how my decisions changed things.

It’s also why I loved those huge open-ended role-playing video games. I’d sit in my room for hours and hours, deep in some unnatural world. Every decision I made would change the outcome of the game. No one else's storyline and character was like mine.

Have you ever read a novel or watched a movie and when it’s done you wish your life could be like the main character's? I can remember many occasions as a kid when I felt the desire to be like the character from my favourite movie.

How awesome would it be to be like Marty McFly and travel back in time? Or, even better, travel to the future and ride hoverboards. Almost all of us have wished we could go back just a few years and invest in some stocks we now know are going to skyrocket. Or, get some lotto numbers and then travel back to the present and use them. Come on, you know you have!

I have good news and bad. Assuming you want the bad news first? Only sadists ask for the bad news last.The bad news is time travel, at least in our lifetime is unlikely. Sorry.The good news is that you can think of your life as a novel, or your favourite movie. You are the main character and the plot line is editable by you. You have the ability to write and re-write your own story.

In "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years," Miller recounts his journey of editing his life into a meaningful narrative for a film. As he works on the screenplay of his earlier memoir, he begins to understand the principles of storytelling. He realises that his real life lacks the structure and purpose of a compelling story.

Miller embarks on a quest to live a life worthy of a good story. He encounters challenges, meets unique individuals, and undergoes personal transformations. Through his journey, Miller underscores the idea that our lives are stories in the making, and we have the power to shape them into meaningful narratives.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately.

We often take a back seat to our life stories, we seem to be passengers a lot of the time. As if life is what happens to us. And to a large extent, I agree. The stoics talk about this topic often."Don't seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.” ~ Epictetus

So life is going to happen whether we like it or not. But, we can decide how we react to situations or which paths we choose to take at each crossroads. We are the writer, director and protagonist in our autobiographies.

The Power of StoryAs in a book or movie, our lives have beginnings, middles, and ends. They contain protagonists, antagonists, and side characters. They are punctuated by moments of conflict, resolution, joy, and sorrow. Recognising our lives as stories gives us a framework to understand our experiences and give them meaning. It's a call to be the authors of our lives, crafting them with intention and purpose. Your life is your story, and it's up to you to make it meaningful.

We should strive to live stories worth telling.

Intentional LivingLife doesn't just happen to us; we have the power to shape it. It is important then that we live our lives with intention. We can make deliberate choices that steer our narrative in the direction we choose. Passive living might be comfortable, but it lacks depth and purpose. By choosing our path, taking risks, and stepping out of our comfort zones, we infuse our stories with meaning and direction. It's about grabbing the pen and writing our narrative rather than letting it be written for us.

Challenging Stories Shape UsEvery memorable story has conflict. And, in our personal narratives, challenges play a pivotal role. Joy cannot change a person, conflict changes us.

Struggles, setbacks, and obstacles are inevitable and are essential for growth. They force us to adapt, learn, and evolve. While these challenges can be painful and daunting, they add layers to our character. They teach us resilience, patience, and strength. Embrace challenges rather than shying away from them. Then transform your narrative from mundane to extraordinary.

Supporting Characters Are KeyHumans are inherently social beings, and relationships form the foundation of our lives. Three key relationships have a profound impact on our lives. Friendships, family ties and romantic bonds directly affect our narrative. These relationships teach us about love, sacrifice, compromise, and understanding. They bring joy during moments of happiness and support during times of adversity.

Investing in and nurturing these relationships not only enriches our lives but also adds depth and dimension to our story.

Live with PurposeAt the heart of all our stories is the quest for purpose.Living a good story isn't about fame, wealth, or superficial success. It's about finding a deeper meaning in our actions, relationships, and experiences. It's about understanding our "why" – the driving force behind our choices and actions.When we live with purpose, every chapter of our life, every decision, and every relationship becomes part of a larger narrative. One that leaves a lasting legacy.

While we can't travel back in time like Marty McFly, we own something equally powerful: the ability to shape our future. Every sunrise presents a new page, a fresh opportunity to draft a chapter that resonates, challenges, and inspires.

I want to leave you with the reminder that YOU are the author and protagonist of your own story! Don’t be scared to re-write your story with passion, purpose and beautiful experiences.

You haven’t written your next chapters yet, where will you take your story?

Peace, love and muscles.

Jazza

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