There are many stories I could tell about the different chapters of my life, just as you have many stories of your own. Some of my stories may be similar to yours and of course, others would be different. I could talk about the joys of parenting or the challenges of raising a child with special needs. I could talk about my faith journey. I could talk about the hills and valleys of mental health. I could talk about the hope I have found through all of these life happenings. There are so many stories I could tell, but woven into my story are those of others who may not want their stories shared.
So instead, I ask you to reflect on these questions: What is your story? What are the valleys you have made your way out of? What are the hills you have climbed and the joys and triumphs you have felt when you reached the top? And I encourage you to share your story with someone else. For there is healing in sharing your story. There is a peace that comes with telling someone else what we have gone through. And even more than that, there is a feeling of comfort that we feel when we hear someone else’s story and we know that we are not alone. By sharing your story, and listening to theirs, you are giving a gift to someone else. We can learn from each other and gain strength and comfort from the words of others. So share your story with others and listen to theirs with compassion, knowing that not all stories are easy to tell.
Weave Me a Story By Krista Longeway Weave me a story with the words you say Of a journey no one else has travelled Of the hills and valleys along the way As the tangle of thoughts is unraveled Some stories flow smoothly off of the tongue And others are harder for us to share For no matter if we are old or young It takes courage for us to travel there Tell how you decided which way to take As life’s winding path has twisted and turned Tell of the hard choices you’ve had to make And all the wonderful things you have learned Share of the wisdom you’ve gained on the way Though at times you carried a heavy load Even though your soul was weary some days Know that you were not alone on this road So meet with me as your story unfolds Come sit and rest here with me for a spell There is healing with each story that’s told And there’s freedom in the words that you tell
Fear of hurting someone else’s feelings or insulting them has inhibited me from writing some personal stories.
It is true that some stories are difficult to tell, and it can be hard to know if we should share them publicly. So many of our personal stories are interwoven with the stories of others. I think a lot of it is about timing. There are times when telling your story can be helpful to someone and other times when it might be hurtful. It really depends on the moment, the person, and the circumstances.