I’ve heard it said and I believe it’s true: “It is never what happens that really matters; It’s the story you tell yourself about what happens that makes all the difference.”
Years ago I read about a study done to determine the affect alcoholism has on children raised by alcoholic parents. Adults who were raised as children by alcoholic parents were interviewed. Among those interviewed were two brothers. The older brother was himself an alcoholic living an unproductive life of meager means and constant struggle. The younger brother it seemed was just the opposite in almost every way. He was a successful business owner leading a happy personal life and was a respected volunteer in his community.
The final question of the interview was; “What is the defining factor that has shaped your life?” To the amazement of the interviewers both brothers gave the same answer. They both said, “What would you expect being raised by an alcoholic?” Their answers say it so perfectly…….It is never what happens that really matters. It’s the story you tell yourself about what happens that makes all the difference.
The older brother told himself a story that became a stumbling block. He used that stumbling block to justify his failures. The younger brother told himself a story that became a stepping stone to a better life. What we can learn from all this is that sometimes our actions and motivations lead others to follow our footsteps, and other times they cause others to take a totally different course.
Think about the stories you tell yourself everyday. Is it possible that some of your stumbling blocks could be turned into stepping stones? Only you can answer that question, but the question is definitely worth asking.
For now, Earlynn’s Just Sayin’
