Sharing Stories Helps Shift Perspective

Time is precious; it's one of our most valuable assets. How a person chooses to spend their time reflects where their priorities lie. It's been a most surprising and completely unexpected reward when a reflection I've shared brings up a forgotten-about memory in someone who then takes the time to share that piece of their life with me. It shows me they trust me and value our connection.

"A story is told eye to eye, mind to mind, and heart to heart." —Scottish travelers' proverb

Swapping stories is uniquely human. It gives us opportunities to become more vulnerable, more approachable, learn more about each other. It ties us together on an emotional level. Even if we haven't had similar experiences, we do share similar emotions, such as joy and sadness, excitement and fear. When someone reaches out and shares their story with me, I'm able to feel the emotions they were feeling.

Sharing stories also helps us understand new perspectives a little better and gain a deeper awareness of our own beliefs. It grants some clarity on times past, helps us notice some truths we may have overlooked.

The picture above rekindled a memory I had forgotten about until I was going through a pile of old photographs. It was taken when I was a senior in high school and on a band trip to Virginia Beach. My band went on a trip only every other year; it felt pretty great to have one scheduled during senior year.

I can't say I particularly liked high school. I think the social environment was downright brutal. Most of us didn't know if we were coming or going. I'm half surprised we made it to the other side.

Band class, however, was a different atmosphere from the rest of the school day, my one reprieve from the muddle. After I walked down the long hallway and entered the band room, I got an hour-long retreat. Despite the range in ages and personality types, for that one hour all seemed okay with my world. My best high school memories are from that class, countless from this one trip to the beach.

During this particular moment, some boys were playing hacky sack in a parking lot where we were waiting for the bus to pick us up and begin our return trip home. My friend Denise and I decided to walk over to join in the game. Denise was a fantastic person to be around. She lived life bold and unafraid, always full of life and never hesitant to share her enthusiasm.

I get a good chuckle when I look at this moment. It captures all the boys' expressions of doubt in my abilities, and probably disdain at our interruption of their game. Both of which were warranted, I'm sure; I didn't have the slightest clue how to play hacky sack. But what I love so much about this is Denise's reaction of pure excitement, joy, and encouragement when I actually managed to get my foot on the hacky sack. That's a good friend . . . someone who unconditionally supports your silliness, just because.

Sharing that memory helps me see a moment in time from another's perspective and reframe my own. Seeing myself through my friend's eyes lets me see a version of myself I was unable to see at the time. A person who was likable and funny and fun to be around, someone worth being around.

I've heard author Anne Lamott say, "The sharing is the medicine." Sharing my story brings me right back to that time in my life and provides me with a new fondness for it. I hope it reminds you of a time when you tried something fun and maybe a little out of the ordinary.

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