Everyone Has A Story
Recently, I was on a business trip to the Boston area. My accommodations were just outside of the city in Hull in the cutest boutique hotel, right across from the water. The view was spectacular, if a bit different from where I now live – Miami. In fact, the water, and the windswept vistas reminded me of my time in the UK, and Cornwall in winter in particular.
I love to take a walk wherever I am when traveling, so I made sure to carve out some time for a stroll along the seashore before my first meeting. Looking out toward the water - it was low tide, so the ocean was frothing far away across packed sand littered with seashells and rocks, I was reminded of a time when my family visited the New England coast.
I might have been about seven or eight years old. We had been visiting family in New York City and were driving north to experience a bit of summer in gorgeous Cape Cod. When we got to the shore the tide was out, so we had to walk for what seemed like forever to get to the sea. Our home was in North Carolina then, so anything having to do with water was exciting for this landlocked tribe. Finally, we reached the point where the gentle surf was breaking, and just as we were gearing up to jump in, a little crab bit my sister’s toe. She was so utterly freaked out that we all had to turn around and head back to the safety of the sand.
My sister really is fearless these days, so it’s kind of funny thinking back on her becoming so upset over a little crab bite. But she was upset, and to my mother’s credit she took her discomfort to heart and that was the end of our swim.
My walk this morning reminded me of that time, and how that day lived on in my memory. It’s all mixed up with family flashbacks of various vacations, almost all of the adventures my mother dreamed up and brought to life in a most miraculous way. We were dead broke back then. Most of all this conjures up memories of my sister when she was young, adorably innocent, and very quiet. She’s an absolute hoot these days, a big talker, so different from that serene but serious little lady.
We all have stories, don’t we? Moments in our life that may not particularly define us, but add color to who we are now, and who we will become. And these stories make for good… Stories!
Here are some tips for unleashing your own stories to help with everything from writing to speaking, to simply sharing with the people in your life.
Free Writing: This technique basically says, open your computer or grab your pen and paper, locate a thought and get writing. There is no judgment, you’re meant to write as things, ideas, memories, etc., appear in your mind’s eye. In this case, recall a memory from your past, and let it take you away. Allow yourself to dig deep into not only what you remember, but how it made you feel.
Journaling: This can be a bit like free writing, but it should be more directed. In this case, it is very much about the feelings evoked by a moment in your life. And making “connections” – how did it inspire you to act, can also be a helpful part of this exercise.
Music From Your Past: We all know that music can bring back memories. If you want to dig around in your past, there is no greater catalyst than music. Make a playlist of songs that you remember from a specific era and get ready to roll down memory lane.
Sensory Prompts: Like music tastes and smells can bring back memories. For me the scent of freshly mown grass is a positive trigger, or the taste of mango. Both remind me of trips to see my grandparents in Miami when I was a kid. It could also be a literal feeling, like an autumn wind in my hair.
Give these a go – hope it provides some positive inspiration!