Is it an upside down day? Or inside out? Freaky Friday?
Did the Earth fall out of orbit?
Sovereignty. Politics. Religion. Trade. Economics. Humanity.
I feel like the world needs a V8 today.
Don’t get the reference? Maybe you weren’t watching TV in 1987??
Am I right?
Maybe it’s just me.
I did get my car stolen two weeks ago.
Two-thirds of our house is under renovation.
And I, like the rest of us, have been contemplating what life – and our business – might look like once all these trade negotiations actually take effect and we figure out which countries like each other.
And I suppose there is the media machine…which I successfully keep at bay most of the time, making its way into my feed, water cooler conversations and dreams at night.
Can we call it chaos? I think so.
Personal, global, internal, external. And like every human in history, how do we make sense of it?
We create stories. Or find ones to adopt as our own.
And, herein lies our power.
Example
Chaos…
A colleague and friend of mine got some concerning results on a blood test. This, on a day we had just spent together doing a story building exercise. That’s what communicators do in groups. 😉
Her story…
WTF. What does this mean? With my family history and health history, I’m worried. This can’t be good. What will I do if it’s something really bad?
Same chaos. Different story. Still hers:
WTF (that’s the same). It’s just a test result. It’s just one factor out of whack. It could be nothing. It’s probably nothing. I’ll wait to talk to my doctor. No need to panic.
Moving on.
Same chaos. Two stories.
One helpless. One empowered.
It’s a choice.
Stories help us make sense of the world.
According to narrative psychology, humans naturally turn life events into stories to create meaning, coherence, and identity.
Psychologist Dan McAdams found that people often make sense of their lives by creating a “life story” that explains who they are, where they’ve been, and where they’re going.
Stories aren’t just entertainment, they’re mental scaffolding.
Back to the world needing a V8 today. So many, many stories circulating in the world. Which do you choose?
My stories include a belief in humanity. An outlook that says disruption can lead to good things. And good people, using their talents, strengths and resources for good will win in the end.
There are all kinds of equally reasonable and compelling stories out there. I just don’t like them.
Join me over here with hope, optimism and belief in the power of humans organized around a common good.
Mary
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P.P.S. Check out past One Thing Thursdays here.
