In Others’ Words: How Stories Conquer Fear

So … the robot.

I came upon him while walking with my husband and youngest daughter during a a foggy day in Carlsbad, California last summer. Some ingenious artist painted him on the side of a building.

And yes, this painting told a story. You can come upon stories in the most unlikely places. We expect them within the covers of a book. But stories also appear in a conversation between two acquaintances who become friends. Stories are written down in journals that are found years later, when the ink is faded and the author is a distant memory. Stories are shared in kitchens and around campfires and during walks in the rain and yes, even via text and and Facebook posts and Snapchat and Instagram.

We love story … the connection it creates between people. And by telling our story — our true, unfabricated story — we become braver. And by doing so, our hearts become bigger. We are able to love others more when we accept our stories for what they are — and when we accept others’ stories, too. But, you know what else? We are also able to love ourselves more when we embrace our story. Not the cleaned-up edited version, but the “this is who I was, this is who I am, and this is who I want to be” version.

In Your Words: How has story made you more courageous? How has story helped you love more?

In Others\’ Words: How Stories Conquer Fear http://wp.me/p63waO-2rH #quotes #story

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\”Stories can conquer fear, you know. They make the heart bigger.\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2rH #quote #BenOkri

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