My Notebook – Storytelling Your Way to Change

There’s a quote that I have always loved,  “there isn’t a person you wouldn’t love if you could read their story”…

…Last weekend I finally succumbed to watching The Notebook for the first time (I know, I know). After losing my Oma last year with her battle with dementia I had been advised against doing so until now – now I see why.  It was around 1am, and my mind dove straight into the inception that was the power of this story on my perspective.

My mind began with influence of the story of Allie & Noah.Then like every story we hear, we personalise, internalise and relate to it based on our own experiences. This led me to think of the beautiful 70 year long love story that was my Oma & Opa. But it didn’t stop there. I considered the effects this story had on Nicholas Sparks’ life both personal and career. And wondered how his story has affected the millions of readers/viewers.

…There’s a TED talk I saw once. At the beginning the audience was asked to pick a stranger and rate out of ten the level of connection they felt for them. Then after hearing stories told about people around the world; insights into families from different cultures; often those less fortunate. The question was asked again and just from the power of language and storytelling the connection felt for a complete stranger had increased…

Everything starts with the individual. Just as storytelling and communication has proven the potential for social change effective dialogue can provide peace of conflict in interpersonal relationships also. When events occur in your life when you’re left in conflict and angst as a result of someone else’s words or actions, rather than looking at the event itself, I look to the events of the story leading to how each of us got here. Everyone’s just trying to live life the best way that they know how. Not only does this create empathy for others but it removes the role of the self in interpreting others’ words and actions. Meaning not taking things personally- what they’re saying about you is often a reflection of themselves.

…As my Oma was nearing the end of her journey here she lost the ability to read and write. Yet I would find it so amazing that when she spoke to the people she loved she would weave in and out of speaking Dutch and English. I found it so profoundly fascinating that the brain was able to interconnect the two languages to the one meaning without even realising. Seeing as though she would never usually speak to me in Dutch, I felt like these switches gave me glimpses to her mind; to her past; to her story. Like conversational time travel I would think to how she had spent her days when she was my age in Holland speaking Dutch to her Oma.

So today I have written this story: letting you know a little about my story in an attempt to get you to acknowledge the true value and power of your own story (now that’s some Inception shit right there).

We all have our own story. Our own past. The characters, plots and events that have led to our characterisation are the reason we do and think the things we do.

Above all, get intentional and truly acknowledge the power of what each and every one of has to share.  It doesn’t matter what level it’s on. So maybe you have had a grandparent pass or a loved one suffer from dementia. Maybe you are Dutch, South African, German…or have your own Oma. Maybe you have travelled somewhere less fortunate or have you already seen the TED talk. Or maybe it’s just that you seen The Notebook or Inception. I am willing to bet that just from sharing my stories I have related to someone; maybe even inspired/influenced someone *fingers crossed*. Just by storytelling we can become more connected, more empathetic, more understanding and more loving. So now I encourage all of you to use the power we all have to create a world and social change that we all need.

Ted Talk: Travel Writing and Global Change: Lavinia Spalding at TEDxParkCity