The story that will set you free
Two years ago, when I was waffling on turning my Google Doc into a book, I was driving on a twist-and-turn road that leads to a little beach town here in Northern California. There’s no service over the mountain (and therefore no chance to call my sister) so I downloaded a podcast.
I had yet to jump on the podcast-listening wagon. Too many options, commitment of time, and other things to do (like call my other sister). But this morning I pulled my car into a turnout, typed in the words Byron Katie, and up popped what felt like a million episodes.
I saw a picture of a white-haired lady, downloaded the top option, and instantly was hearing about her broke-and-broken moment in a bed covered with spiders when she experienced a profound insight: her misery had as much to do with her circumstances as her thoughts about her hard situation.
She’s a good storyteller–cuz guess what? Even though I couldn't relate to the details, I felt like she was talking directly to me. Her story pulled me, and I was intrigued.
“When you believe your thoughts, you suffer,” she said and offered four questions to turn negative thoughts around.
My eyes followed the road but my mind was racing. I zeroed in on one of my own thoughts that kept me frozen ‘No one wants to hear your story, Katherine’ and walked myself through those four questions. I’d heard of Byron Katie and The Work for years and now I could understand why. Poof! Away went my fear.
I told everyone I could about this life-changing discovery. At Thanksgiving dinner I wrote on my piece of paper: I’m grateful I learned that I can question my thoughts. I don’t have to believe them. My kids may have rolled their eyes a bit when we read what we were thankful for – but that’s okay. I’m their Mom, but I’m also on my own human journey of self discovery and growth.
For 30 years, I’ve supported thousands of people on their journey of self discovery and growth, too. I’ve insisted they had a story worth sharing, and I’ve witnessed over and over that telling your story can change your life. But still.
The part of me that didn’t believe I had a story worth sharing was like the part of me who used to believe that I had to tuck away my messy feelings to be loved.
Because, like our thoughts, we create our own narrative. Narrative is another word for storyline – which, again like thoughts, can be harmful and not true. The circumstances are real, but the storyline around the situation is what can cause suffering.
Story work digs into those parts of ourselves – the broken, the wounded, the dismissed. As my mom said to me, “We all carry wounds from our childhoods.”
In bringing those parts of ourselves to the light – and seeing the arc of our choices over time – that brings us closer to ourselves and to the people with whom we choose to share our story.
Turning my story into a book was both terrifying and exhilarating. So many gifts have unfolded. My relationships have deepened, my wisdom is being shared, and my book along with the circles, courses and retreats are inspiring change within. Nothing could be more gratifying.
So, my friends, I invite you to go on an 8-week journey this fall to discover the power that comes from finding, writing, and sharing your story. You’ll be a part of a small, supportive and supported, beautiful group that will help you authentically express yourself on paper and out loud. You’ll see your life story in a different, illuminating and deeper way and most importantly, you’ll see yourself in that way, too.
I’m honored to call this magical work my life’s calling.
No more twisting, turning, or waffling. The story you have to share is the one that will set you free.
I hope you’ll join me,
Sign up for my 8 week writing course “The Story You Have to Share” starting on October 2nd. Click here to discover your most authentic story, deepen your relationships, and expand your impact.
“You’ll be amazed at what you learn about yourself!”
– Geno La Placa