What's Your Story?!?!?

"Story." We all have one. Our minds keep track of all of our experiences, the highs and lows, good and bad, happy and sad, traumatic and ecstatic.

Whether you realize it or not, the '(hi)story' of your past is creating your life today. When you wake up and realize that you are not your 'story,' you can start to release past beliefs and judgments and start living in the now.

Some spiritual teachers suggest that our 'story' is the ego's way of maintaining control of our minds, standing in the way of us evolving into 'happier beings,' living in higher state of consciousness.

In 'A New Earth,' author Eckhart Tolle defines a 'grievance' as 'the old baggage of thought and emotions' (Ch. 3 'The Core of Ego'). Tolle warns 'one strong grievance is enough to contaminate large areas of your life and keep you in the grip of ego... and a 'collective grievance' can survive for centuries and fuel a never-ending cycle of violence."

When we are too wrapped up in our story (grievances) we're not paying attention to subtle signs that could lead us to more happiness and well-being. In A New Earth, Tolle urges readers to be less 'human' (ego) and more 'being' (spirit). Being, as in living in the Now.

In "The Four Agreements," don Miguel Ruiz encourages readers to examine every single belief and judgment. Because, many of these beliefs were formed when we didn't know any better. Ruiz suggests that our outdated beliefs and judgments negatively create our lives today.

So, back to your Story. One of the Four Agreements is to "be impeccable with your word." This includes the way you speak about yourself. By re-telling your 'story' (some of us over and over, to anyone who will listen!) are you holding yourself back from evolving into the person you would like to be? How about fine-tuning your story to create the life you want.

This isn't about lying, it's about changing the way you perceive the world and your place in it. Look for the things you wish to see instead of noticing all of the things you don't like or approve of. Think about being the person you wish to be, and CAN become, just by making slight adjustments in your actions and attitudes.

If you believe the 'stories' in the news, our world is on the brink of enormous change and transformation. In times like this, it's more important than ever to maintain a sense of well-being. One way to do this is to take time each day (such as before going to sleep) to reflect on all of the people and things that you appreciate and are grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal handy, so when things get rough you can be reminded of all of the good things in your life.

And pay attention to the way you tell your story. You are the author/director/producer of your life. It's your story and you are free to create your story in a way that benefits you and the world around you. You are creating your future right now, with every thought, belief and attitude. Make your story a good story!

Learn more about A New Earth, The Four Agreements and other books that can help 'wake you up.' Tune-in to the Lisa.fm Book Club.