Everyone needs a place for the stories they don't want to tell.
When my husband and I traveled over the holidays to kill time in the airport, we scanned the magazines. I didn't expect to find anything in our small airport shop, but I was surprised to find the ‘journal’ edition of Breathe magazine. I couldn't resist it.
A section of the journal was the inspiration behind this story.
In this newsletter:
Do we need to share all our stories?
Think before sharing.
Where will you put the stories you don’t tell?
Do you need to share everything?
With social media, we definitely know a lot more about some people than we ever thought we would.
There were and still are times, places, and cultures where everyone knows everyone else’s business. Perhaps even more than we see now on social media.
Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” opens during the Roman festival of Lupercalia. In Act 1, Scene 2, Caesar tells his wife, Calpurnia, to stand within striking distance of the young men racing in the hopes of receiving the blessing of fertility.
Caesar gives this direction in front of a crowd of people. Calpurnia wasn’t given the choice to keep her fertility issues private.
I have written many times about the importance of sharing your stories, mostly recently in my February 1st newsletter. I share a lot. But do we need to? I think some stories are more worthy of sharing than others. I am choosy about what I share.
Sometimes, you want to hold your stories close to you. They may be large or small. Perhaps you want to hold them until another time, like when you need an affirmation of what you can do or have survived. Or you may want to pull them out for comfort in your time of need.
Maybe it’s a story that lives in you, but you can’t find the words to express what’s inside.
You are under no obligation to share every moment of your life.
You are in control. Be intentional.
Yesterday, my husband walked by while I was writing.
He didn’t look at what words were on the page. He asked, “Are you telling everyone about the Carpocalypse?”
Luckily, we can see the humor in having each of our cars towed within a week of each other and both needing to be repaired, therefore, a Carpocalypse. But that is not what I was writing. (And I will spare you the details.)
We are in control of what we share.
I carefully choose what I share because I want my stories to have meaning. I choose to share positivity. I intentionally keep the negative out of my Instagram and Facebook feeds, and newsletters. The story of our car issues has a humorous name, and that’s about all.
I’m not saying it’s wrong to tell the negative stories. All stories have a purpose. You control if you share, how you share them, and with whom you share them. I shared my Carpocalyse story in detail in the survey sent out by the company partially responsible for the negativity I experienced.
Controlling which stories you share makes them more powerful.
Where do you put the stories you don’t share?
You need some stories that are just for you.
You need a special place, or places, for the stories you choose not to share.
Hold some stories close to your heart. They will surface at special times when a memory is sparked. When they bubble forth, you may share them, or you may hold them back because it’s not their time.
I have stories written in my journal. They are only for my eyes and will not be read during my lifetime.
I also have a small box of trinkets. In that box are a few items I associate with a special story. The trinkets mean nothing to anyone else. To me, they are priceless. These are stories I will never tell. At least, I don’t think I will.
It’s good to have a place for your stories so you don’t lose track of them.
Where do you put your stories?
Today was the inaugural Leap Day Holiday (read about it in the February 8, 2024 edition of Pen to Paper). You are probably wondering what I did.
Well, I finished my typical morning routine, which includes journaling and exercise. And then….
Let’s just say that’s a story I will keep in a special place.
7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:
I’ve written about my love for Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. Jem and Scout share gifts in a hole in the oak tree. Those gifts help Scout see her story through the eyes of a friend.
I am grateful for discovering journaling as a place to sift through my stories to determine what to share and what to hold close.
It’s good to give others the opportunity to share their stories. Be a listener.
A quote: “No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live in us forever.” - J.K. Rowling
You can find the Breathe publication at breathemagazine.com, as well as on Facebook and Instagram at justbreathemagazine.
Here is a short video about the festival Lupercalia.
It’s good to remember that your story may intersect with someone else’s. Be respectful when the stories contradict.
Thank you for reading.
Until next time,
💚
Susan
Did this edition of Pen to Paper make you think about why you choose the stories you share? Leave a comment and let me know.
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I have a 2nd newsletter! It is about journaling. If you are interested or know someone who would be interested, check it out at From The Pen’s Nib: A Commonplace Book About Journaling.