Tell a Good Story

This past weekend I attended the Orem Storytelling Festival. It is one of the biggest and best storytelling festivals in the nation and it did not disappoint. It was fantastic! I laughed so hard at some stories that I cried. At other stories I’d recognize my own foibles and would learn something new. Over all, I was reminded of how powerful stories are. As a matter of fact, al of us are storytellers and the stories we tell ourselves are what shape our lives. Therefore, it is interesting to stop and ask yourself what stories you tell.

When we feel self-pity or envy or any negative emotion that is directed at other people, we find ourselves telling stories to substantiate our negative feelings.We have to be constantly inventing stories to keep the negative feelings burning within us. Things like, “Ever since her husband got that new job she thinks she is too good for the rest of us” or “Every time my father opens his mouth it’s to praise himself.” It may seem like an innocent thing, and you may ask, “What does it hurt?” It hurts you. It fuels your vexation and causes more Unnecessary Pain.

How your friend acts or what your father says or what anyone else does or why they do it doesn’t mean you have to be miserable. Let them live their life and you live yours. And despite what they choose, live yours happily. When you find yourself telling negative stories, change the story. Tell yourself a good one that will make you laugh or at least make you smile. Life is too short to be wasted enduring Unneessary Pain created by negative stories!