We are the stories we tell

We can call ourselves rational beings, but there is no decision we take without a story.

Whether it be deciding on a career, a dress to wear, or a project to work on, we are constantly telling ourselves a story. It might be a simple one, like: “I see the lives of my friends in that company — it looks pretty cool. I will also be able to do what they are doing.” Or: “Today feels a little dull; I’ll choose this coloured dress over the other.” Or even: “If I take on this project, I will have an impact on this community.”

We search for meaning in all that we do, and stories are a great way to communicate that meaning. But that is not the most powerful thing about them. What is unparalleled is their ability to remain etched in people’s memories. Stories spark the imagination in our brains, creating permanent neural pathways that endure for years. I can never forget the story my father told me about his adventures in a foreign land. I can still feel the pain he felt. I can never forget the story my mother shared about an encounter years ago that shaped the future of our family. These stories still encourage me; they still motivate me.

The Tales We Tell Ourselves

Another aspect of stories is their strength to take control over you while also giving you the space to shape them in the first place.

The mysterious part is that people can choose which stories to tell themselves — whether good, bad, or ugly. We can see things the way we want to see them. When you watch a child playing with a simple block of wood, you cannot help but notice how engrossed they are. It is because of the story they are telling themselves about that block. Maybe, to the child, it is a giant elephant in a forest full of lilies, an excavator climbing a white mountain, or a mighty fish in deep waters.

Stories That Outlive Us

In this fast-paced world, we have forgotten to share stories — stories of joy, struggle, pain, and turnarounds. We need to tell future generations what it took to get there, what they can learn from it, how we acted in tough moments, and how we endured difficult phases. We have a responsibility to encourage them not to give up, not to lose hope, to strive for excellence, to climb despite the odds, and to become better individuals.

Let’s face it: no one will remember you or me after we are gone. We will have vanished from people’s minds, and our existence on this earth will be erased. But our stories will never fade; they will always shine bright like the stars. When those who come after us look up, they will see these guiding lights, inspiring them forever.

No one will remember us after we’re gone, but our stories will shine like stars — guiding lights for those who come after