How attached are you to your story?

I happen to like Brene Brown and all that she stands for.  She says so many things that make me think, "Yeah, wow.. she's right!!" 

Do you have a story?  Do you find yourself saying the same things to yourself or to people in your life each day?  Do you have excuses for why you can't do something or why you can't seem to get out from under?  If so, join the crowd.  Many of us have our stories -- and, those stories have been told to us over and over throughout the years.  We may have repeated the same story since we were 15 years old!  You may have even caught yourself saying, "I sound like my mother (or whoever)."  Yes.. you may have adopted her story.

When I read the quote (above), I thought it didn't reflect what I wanted to talk about.. but, I realize it is exactly what I want to share with you.  Brene uses the phrase, "Through the Process of Owning.."  To me, she's saying that we need to "hear" what we're repeating to ourselves and to others.  We need to be "present" to the same thoughts and feelings that come up time and time again.  We need to "own" them in order to change them.  There's another saying I like and that is, "When we deny our stories, they define us; when we own our stories, we get to write the ending."  

How many times have you used the same excuse?  You may not even know why you consistently do this, but it has become part of the story you tell yourself.  We all have our story.. a story that many times does not serve us well.  Sometimes we're so tired of our story, but we never think about rewriting it -- or changing part of it.  I guess you can say we're creatures of habit.  Our stories are our habits!

We even believe our story!!  Yes, we do define ourselves by our story!  If it didn't define us, why would we hold onto it so tightly.  Is it that change is difficult?  That changing our story changes us in some way?  That rewriting the ending feels uncomfortable?  Whatever the reason, I feel that opening up to a different mindset and revising our story is the opportunity for personal growth.  We are the masters of our lives and only we can decide to change the outcome.  How cool is that?  How amazing is the prospect for growth and new opportunities?  Only through change can we realize our full potential.. staying stagnant and holding onto our stories, our excuses, our limited mindset only keeps us in a "stagnant" place.  Take this opportunity to look inside and see what your story is... if you don't like it, rewrite it.  See if you begin to realize different outcomes.  

I'd love to know if you've considered changing your story?  I'm still working on mine - :)

To a healthy and happy life,

xo, C