Tell About It

For the last week or so, I put my story on hold. I set it aside…well, the writing of it.

Yet as much as I try to halt my story, it unfolds whether I give it permission or not. It’s terrifying…and gorgeous. My story–and all our stories–as well as the Great Storyteller don’t give up as easily as we do.

So our stories move on…even if hard realities cause us not to want to pay attention.

My current hard reality: heartbreak.

It sucks. Ok, it SUCKS!!! There’s no way around it. Through it I must go.

And here’s the curious thing. There’s a grace of knowing my story continues. Whether I pay attention or not, it’s moving forward. So why not pay attention? And when I do–truly pay attention–the Great Storyteller tends to whisper another storyline to me. It’s a storyline you may know or need too.

Heartbreak—or whatever you may be experiencing that makes you want to put your story aside–has a stronger opponent.

Hope.

The storyline of Hope comes in a thousand forms: friends who war for your wellbeing, muscle memory of challenges survived, hikes in nature, songs that get you dancing, words spoken at the right time in the right way, children’s laughter, chocolate…and the Hope of All Hopes.

As we enter Holy Week, may you pay attention to your own hard reality…and may you know the Easter of your story–of our Story–is coming.

I leave you with this folk-song about Julian of Norwich….and the invitation to know in in the midst of the hard realities All will be well, all matter of things will be well. May it be so!

There’s an idea in screenwriting that goes like this: the most critical moments for the hero (i.e. the hard choices or key conversations) should happen in memorable settings. The backdrop should underscore the importance of the moment in the story.

While I love paying attention to this idea in films, I even more appreciate trying to create it in my own story.

I’ve pulled off the power of the backdrop in a dramatic way a few times in life. One of my favorite was when the TV network I was producing for got sold. I had just finished a multi-season series on sex-trafficking and was exhausted. And this change would likely require me to move way to get my next gig.

It was all so sudden and overwhelming. I knew I needed a new backdrop to acknowledge that my story was shifting in a significant way.

So I packed up my flat and headed out on an Unemployment Tour. My suspicion was that walking in the bush and gazing at the sea in South Africa with two dear friends might rouse me from my exhaustion and being back in familiar haunts in Europe may ground me enough to re-imagine a new home. Those backdrops worked their magic. When I returned to the States I was ready to engage a new season.

While that dramatic scene change was a gift, most I make are more subtle. Take today for instance. I was in NYC this week directing a shoot. I stayed on for a day so I could spend it walking in Central Park, which is always home base for me in NYC.

In this beloved backdrop I called a couple of treasured friends to include them in this memory…to set them in this scene.

Using backdrops can be even more basic. It’s simply a matter of exacting a little intention in our everyday lives.

For example, I know my best talks with my dad are on walks–we’re both more present that way. So we prioritize connecting in that way…whether we’re together or plan a call when we both can be walking.

Backdrops can also create energy and provide comfort. I have a dear friend who often schedules her first dates as a walk along her favorite greenway. She likes to see if a man is up for a little adventure and she knows even if the date doesn’t go well she’ll at least get in a good walk in a beautiful place.

Every city I live in I try to find a place of beauty near my home and go there regularly, especially when I need puzzle out challenges or work on creative projects.

I’m curious what backdrops you’re choosing for your story. Where do you go to help you make the hard choices or to have important conversations? And what are some favorite backdrops for your story?

Do tell. Thanks!

There’s this saying: The worst thing for your character is the best thing for your story.

In story structure, we design a series of missteps for our character. Everyone knows our hero should do one thing, but she does the other.

As viewers we want to scream: Don’t do that!!! It’s only going to lead to a world of hurt.

We can see others’ missteps so clearly.

And you know, they can see ours. That’s why we are desperate to have dear friends who see us, love us, and speak the truth to us about our stories.  We all have blind spots, bad moves, and unhelpful patterns…and so we need others to help us with those.

And…we also need community to say to us: You are no fool.

Sometimes we tell ourselves a story about our own story that isn’t true, and so terribly unhelpful. We call ourselves the fool when we’re not.

I know this all too well. Take for instance, yesterday. I was trying to make sense of my broken heart and lamenting to a dear friend a pattern I wondered if I was destined to always repeat. I go deep with a man I’m dating, he confronts a hard family of origin issue, he realizes he’s not ready to move forward, the relationship ends, then he works through it and marries the next woman he dates.

After hearing my story, my dear friend (who happens to be a skilled therapist) reminded me I can’t control timing and other people’s stories. And the reality is, that hasn’t always been my story. It was just the story that came to mind. I know I have plenty to work on, but it was a grace to be reminded that in this story: I’m no fool.

So here’s my question for you: What in your story tries to say you’re a fool?  Or perhaps you’ll connect with this: What’s the fake news in your own story?

It’s often hard to answer that question on our own. So, who in your life can help fact check your own story?

May you be encouraged on this April Fool’s Day: You are no fool, my friend!