What is the greatest story you have ever been told? Did it have a happy or sad ending? Why do you think it’s the best? Your answers often serve as lenses through which you view all other narratives. These preferences aren’t permanent; they evolve as we do. One day, The Greatest Showman captivates us; the next, Black Panther takes its place.

Movies fascinate us because they are, at their core, stories that resonate with our human experience. We are naturally curious about others’ experiences and perspectives. Through stories, we temporarily escape ourselves, viewing life through different lenses. We become both judge and participant, holding our breath in anticipation of what happens next. Sometimes we predict outcomes accurately; other times, we’re surprised. We may grow frustrated when characters make choices we wouldn’t, or we might simply abandon stories that fail to engage us. This fundamental attraction to the lives of others explains the powerful grip of social media today.

In our consumption of stories, we often overlook something significant: the storyteller already knows the ending. While we’re caught in the tension of uncertainty, the writer holds the complete narrative arc. This raises an important question: why do we need the full journey rather than just a summary of outcomes?

The answer is simple. Without experiencing the emotional journey, the suspense, joy, heartbreak, and triumph, the story means nothing. It is the process, not merely the conclusion, that gives narratives their power to teach, inspire, and transform us.

Now imagine your life reduced to a brief summary. How unsatisfying would that be? Your life is actually the greatest story you will ever know precisely because you do not know its outcome. You are simultaneously the protagonist experiencing the narrative and the author writing it. Unlike other tales, you have the power to influence your story’s direction at every turn.

We all desire significance, for our lives to matter, even if only to one person. Much of human suffering stems from the fear that our stories might ultimately signify nothing. But while we know that authors are aware of their stories’ endings in advance, we often forget that we hold the pen for our own narratives.

Your life’s story is still unfolding. Be curious about its development. Embrace the plot twists. Be excited for it, but don’t forget that you have the power to shape its chapters.

Song of the moment – Bad As I Used To Be by Chris Stapleton.

Catch up soon?😉