“The universe is made of stories, not atoms.” — Muriel Rukeyser
Our world needs good stories. Stories of life change encourage us, inspire us, and challenge us. They make this world better. They remind us that life can be improved… and new joy can be discovered.
Over the years, I’ve heard countless stories of people discovering minimalism. Some found it through their parents. Some were introduced through disaster (fire, burglary, downsizing). Some were introduced by a friend. Others were looking for a new way to live and discovered it themselves. But each time, I am encouraged by their example.
No story is the same and each is told from a unique perspective with a unique voice. Know that your story of overcoming obstacles, developing discipline, changing habits, finding significance, or discovering new joy holds wonderful, life-giving potential. And the world needs to hear it.
Your story…
- is unique.
- is entertaining.
- is easy to listen to.
- is hard to interrupt.
- cannot be argued with.
- takes only minutes to tell.
- illustrates that change is possible.
- provides anecdotal evidence for truth.
So share your story with your friends, your family members, your co-workers, and your neighbors. Look for opportunities to retell it over coffee, during a meal, or around the water cooler. If you need help, a simple sentence to get you started is this, “Have I ever told you about the time I changed/overcame/discovered _____________? For me, it all started…”
Be bold with this truth. Don’t be afraid of the questions or the rejection of the message. No matter how your story is received in the moment, it will always spark a new thought-process in the mind of your listener. And for some, it will become the first step in their own personal journey of discovering a better life.
Our world desperately needs to rediscover joy, potential, and opportunity. They can find it in your story. And that is why we all need to hear it.