Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact. — Robert McKee
Earlier this week, Chris Brogan challenged his readers to write a post about the importance of story in their life. When I first saw the post, I knew I wanted to respond, because I believe story is a critical part of the narrative of our life. My experience is that we connect relationally through a story and sharing our experiences. I have asked the question here on my blog several times…what story are you writing? It is up to us to write/craft the story that will be our legacy.
Chris asked the simple question: what is the importance of story in your life? Such a simple question…yet, I’m finding my response is so complex and very personal. It’s a series of stories that moved me to make Project Authenticity an organization. The story that started it all is Mukhtar’s story, it was hearing her tell the story in her own words, and seeing her resolve to change her life, not end it. Most recently, it was attending the Half The Sky event and hearing the stories of Woineshet and Sekena. It’s the stories that moved me to take action. Someone’s life story can be very powerful and a catalyst for change.
At Project Authenticity, we are working to help write a new story, a story of hope, happiness and community. Our goal is to help end the story of violence in developing countries, and to be a catalyst in helping the women in these countries write a new story…one about community. We will be sharing stories here, of women who have written new stories, who desire to write a new story, and our own story about the journey. We will also share the facts and figures, however, I believe that without a story they are just numbers on a page.
You tell me…what’s more powerful?
The statistics:
- As many as one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or abused in some other way – most often by someone she knows, including by her husband or another male family member.
The story:
-Over the weekend, I learned of the story of a 13-year-old Yemeni child bride, who bled to death shortly after marriage. She was tied down by her new husband and forced to have sex. According to interviews with the child’s mother, police and medical reports she looked like she had been butchered.
For me…it’s the story. How about you? Are you willing to take Chris’ challenge? Would you like to share your story here? Or a story that’s moved you to take action?
