Last time I recalled a college professor’s lesson that exploded my brain.
I wasn’t exaggerating. I thought college would be a place to learn math and physics. I didn’t expect some random psychology lesson to to present an idea so completely new that I had no prior learning to which I could connect it.
The lesson, framed around a simple photograph, was this: An image or incident does not, by itself, create a response in an observer. The response is generated by the story each observer holds in her mind about what she observes.
Since we each have a story about what we observe, we have choices about how we deal with them. The professor’s words:
“You have a choice. You can guard your story, rehearse it over and over until you memorize it. Or you can open it up to scrutiny. You can ask if the story you’re telling is truthful, if it’s helpful to others, if it’s useful to you. And if you discover new information, you can change your story.”
What are the stories you and I tell ourselves?
I hope we don’t guard our stories, afraid of exposing them to the light. I want to hold the stories I tell myself in open hands. That, to me, means two things.
First, it’s mine and I’ll hold it. I’ll speak the truth, boldly and courageously, with humility. But I won’t cling so tightly that my story’s not open to scrutiny.
Is it truthful? I welcome new information. I’m willing to listen, to seek out data that may not support my story. I’m willing to revise or even re-write my story.
Is it helpful to others? It’s simple, really. I want to speak boldly and courageously, with humility,
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)
I suspect it depends on me…a lot.
Does my story bring peace to my soul? The professor asked, “Is it useful?” I had college friends who simply ignored the war. I don’t have to go, so it’s not my problem. They chose the easy path of privilege. Might be useful, but not what we’re seeking.
We’re seeking integrity, an alignment of story and professed values. Does the story I tell myself reflect the choice of what’s right over what’s easy? Does it reflect hope, courage, grace, and love?
Does the story I tell myself have Jesus as its main character?
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There are no objective observers. The people we meet, the politics we “discuss,” the familiar bible stories…none of them are neutral. Each of us sees differently, colored by the stories we hold in our minds.
We’re having some great conversations about FREEDOM TOUR ’17. I’ve revised my internal story about the tour…I’m sure there’s more to come.
What spot in your life might benefit from a revision of the story you tell yourself?