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The Story Is Really About Me


I love stories. I love stories on television, in books, in movies, on the web, in blogs, around a campfire. I love the narrative, the development of character, and I am especially attracted to mysteries and natural disaster stories. I started thinking about that this week. Why those in particular? The answers astounded me and made me chuckle.

I love mysteries because I want to know why and how. I want to understand and make sense of the world. Mysteries have resolutions and answers. And the protagonists have character traits I admire like determination, not giving up, trusting their intuition, their professionalism and not letting personal feelings interfere with finding the truth. Most of them are flawed and have suffered some kind of childhood trauma. They are strong, smart, and loyal. And most often, they follow some sort of personal code of honor.

When I look at that list, I see me. It is pretty clear now, but I didn't think about it before. I thought about how much I wished I was like that. I love tracking down the answers to things, figuring things out, finding that last bit of information that makes the whole picture come clear. I also don't give up and I try to respond to institutions and events in the world based on the principle or the facts instead of my personal feelings. It doesn't mean I don't feel those things, I just don't let that be the deciding factor in my quest.

As to disaster stories. I like to see what the characters do when their entire life is completely altered. Something outside of their control changes everything instantaneously. So now what? How do they survive? And what is left or changed after survival? What does it do to the characters? What choices are they compelled to make -- do they work with others or attack others? I resonate with the ones who are resourceful, considerate of others even at their own risk, helpful, they stand up against the forces against them, are hopeful and jaded, loyal, and have a personal code of honor. There are always natural leaders who step in and take charge with suggestions and solutions. I again see me and my story. I had my entire world change as a child and had to survive and I know I have spent a good chunk of my life trying to figure out how that altered me.

What I learned from all this is that I am loyal, strong, a survivor, smart, curious, intuitive, caring, honorable, resourceful, accepting, objective, a leader, and most of all, I don't give up. Ever.

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