Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt

by Arthur C. Brooks

However, it’s not just other people’s stories we need to seek out and share. You and I need to tell our own as well. The telling begins with the short story of your life’s mission, the “why” behind what you do and what you believe, not just your political or other demographic identities. Can you tell me a story that states your life’s purpose in twenty seconds or less? How about ten? Being able to do so will affect the way you behave and the way others behave toward you. If you want more unity with other people and you want to create more unity among those around you, you have to get comfortable telling your story, quickly and compellingly. Here’s a practical tip to start telling your story: write it down in twelve words or less. Sounds impossible, right?