This week: Changing your own narrative. Edited by: Lilli 🧿 ☕ More Newsletters By This Editor
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I don't normally, at least I haven't to this point, written anything personal in a newsletter. This morning as I sat at my desk I glanced at a photograph to my left and was filled with emotion. And so, I'm going to share my morning thoughts about that with you. |
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This photo is of me and my younger brother when we were kids. I remember the circumstances of this photo so clearly and up to this point; I have been able to block them out because I embraced a made-up scenario in my mind.
I have always liked this photo. It’s the only decent one that exists of my brother and me. We look happy. I’m holding the family dog. When I see this picture, I pretend we are a content family, going on a road trip, playing games in the car, laughing, singing along to the radio, stopping at rest areas for snacks and meals, etc. You know the scenarios you read about in books or see in movies...
In reality, we were moving - once again. My parents leaving behind a pile of debt and the collectors that are after it. It's something they did, often. When things got tough, the solution was to pack up and move. The real story behind this picture is that we had to stop by the side of the road because my brother needed to go to the bathroom. Once stopped, my brother announced he had to sit down to do his business; if you know what I mean. There was a nearly empty bucket of chicken in the car, so my mom put the chicken in a bag and gave my brother the bucket to sit on. Pose for a picture and off we go.
At some point, my brother and I fall asleep and I wake up to my parents arguing. My dad pulled into a gas station to fill up the tank and took the dog behind the gas station to do his business. Mom steps out to smoke a cigarette and a single shot rings out. When my dad returned to the car he threw the leash through the window. When I asked where the dog was, he said that we couldn’t afford to feed him and let him loose. Apparently, while we were sleeping, the dog got a hold of the chicken and when my dad wanted a piece - there was none left for him.
And so, I made up my own little story about the photograph. Here's an exercise for you to try...
Take a photograph you are familiar with. Think about the memories surrounding the people in that image.
Got it?
Good! Now forget all of it!
Take a new look at that photo and make up some fictional facts and scenarios. Ok, time to go write a fiction story - change the narrative!
If you decide to try this exercise, I'd love to know about it and read your story!
Happy writing!!!
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