What do you think is the story that matters most? Great literature? A cherished spiritual document such as the Bible, or Tora? Those volumes and many more carry great significance. I’m referring to something only you would know.

Do you know the story that matters the most?

Recently, I was having a conversation with a colleague and confided that although she was confident other people had a story worth writing, she didn’t think there was anything that someone else would find interesting or exciting in her story. The fact that she’d never been written up in Who’s Who, or received awards from her business community, or achieved some athletic recognition contributed to her assumption that she didn’t have a story worth sharing.

Can you relate to her belief?

When I was in high school, we were assigned to write a research paper on three careers we were interested in pursuing. I wrote about going to college to study acting, becoming a famous actress who could do comedy and drama with ease, was a darling of the London and New York stage and had conquered the silver screen along with television. I wrote about becoming an accomplished dancer who traveled the world performing for sold out crowds at every venue. I wrote about writing stories that touched the hearts of those who read my words and writing in exotic parts of the world.

Although neatly typed and turned in on time, I received a C+ for the project because my career choices were judged unrealistic. I was a shy, quiet 15-year-old-girl in a small Midwestern farming community. How could I possibly aspire to be an actress, a dancer, or a writer for that matter? I had never taken a dance lesson or showed any particular talent for the stage. My writing was confined to my journals and never shared with anyone.

I had been challenging myself to follow my dreams. Speech class just about gave me heart failure. I not only actively participated in class, but I also took part in the school district Speech contest for extra credit. I managed to be part of the cast of six in our class play, The Spiral Staircase and didn’t die before, during or after any of the five performances. 

I married a very nice boy and helped him earn a college degree. However, I never gave up my dreams of what I believed my future could hold. 

I quit my secretarial job and became a full-time college freshman a week before my 30^th birthday. I wanted it all…family and career. A college degree would be that first milestone just for me. I would have new career options because I’d discovered a passion for writing and would do whatever was necessary to achieve that goal. I no longer was that shy, insecure country girl. I was a young woman eager for new challenges and ready to tackle what life had in store as long as it came in small doses.

No one can share your story from your perspective except YOU! And there is someone waiting to hear your story. 

Now that I’ve rambled on and you’ve been so patient with me here is the message I’d like to you to take away from this writing:    the story that matters the most is yours!

Please hop over to my Facebook page to share your story that matters!

photo credit:  Dreamstime.com