Life story
Life stories do
not simply reflect someone personality. In the realm of narrative psychology, a
person's life history story is not a Wikipedia biography of the fact and case
of a life, but rather the way a person integrates those fact and case
internally—picks them apart and weave them cover together to make meaning
Whether or not we
are truly inventors of our own lives, we certainly are inventors of the write-up
of our lives. For some, this story is clear and open in in front of their
forefront of their mind, becoming what drives them, what determines them how
they spent their time and energy. For many of us the story is less clear,
fragmented sentience but often easily seen by others.
Our story is
shaped by stories of others, those important to us who were not only role
models but also doled out their own particular philosophies of life. And of
course, there are our own experiences and values. Our story becomes the lens
trough which we view events of our life, our human relationship with others; it
governs what we can expect of ourselves and life itself.
So, what’s your
story? Here are some questions query to help you describe yours. As you answer
them, think not in terms how you think things ought to be, but rather how you
think and behave in everyday life.
How
safe is the world and other people?
This is about trust, about anxiety and fear. Wicked things
happen out of the blue; the other shoe always drops; others are out to screw you
or scam you. You need to be cautious, alert, take what people say with grain of
salt of table salt , trust your family or your kind, form , but be wary of
everyone else.
There
are always some bad apples, even dangerous and untrusting people, but most people
are good, considerate, willing to to go an extra mile to help your now and then.
Also, sure the will be bad things happens in any one or more states of our
lives. On the other hand, plenty of good things to happen in our lives as well
if we just look for them.
What
your measure of happiness and success?
For some, it is measured by the
attainment of goals in the bigger world — achievement in a career, wealth,
accomplishment in a career, wealthiness, professional reputation. For others it
may be a contentment that comes from the support and love of family, friends;
for parents, it may be measured by the happiness of their children. For still
others, happiness is not measured by outcome but by doing — being creative or
doing what gives you meaning, competing against your rivals and hopefully
coming out on top, or some combination of all the above.
Why
do bad things happen?
They just do; they help us see and appreciate the
good; there is really no bad but only what we decide to call bad; it is God’s
will, God’s test for us; they are pay-backs for our wrongs. We don’t know. No worries, no hurry or sorry, just
keep moving, no matter what!!
