“You have something important that needs to be shared.  Your story is like no one else’s.”

Dear Universe,

I believe that each of us has a story to tell.

We all know this, of course.  If we stop and think about it, we all have at least one story (probably so many more) burning inside of us, like a candle waiting to be lit if the right time presents itself.

It can be the story of how we accomplished a dream or the story of a trip that can’t be forgotten.  Maybe it’s the story of how you and your best friend met or the night you fell in love.

It’s the story that’s so unbelievable it has to be true.

And maybe it’s the story of how you overcame a hurt, how you healed when you didn’t think you ever would.

Whatever your story is, sharing it opens up endless possibilities.  It can create an opportunity or a new friendship.  Sometimes telling it inspires or helps another.  And sometimes, revealing that part of your soul can be a life changing moment that takes you on a whole new path—one that’s been waiting for you.

It will come as no surprise that I love stories.  I love hearing them, reading them and telling them.  Nothing gets me more excited than sharing a story that elicits an immediate reaction—like laughter or tears or disbelief.  And when someone has a good story for me?  I’m all ears!

That’s why I was so excited when I stumbled upon two inspiring story-telling walls last weekend.

Let me explain.

David and I went to downtown Providence where a festival featuring local musicians, artists, talent and vendors, were present for the second year in a row.

As we walked the streets taking it all in—the food trucks, the people, the music, the performers—I was immediately captivated when I saw this:

A story wall!

As if there was a magnetic pull, I walked over and began reading people’s stories of goodbyes, good fortune, new beginnings, new loves, and engraved memories.  Each colored card signified a particular prompt.  I was hooked.  The more I read, the more I wanted to read.  Reading them touched all sorts of emotions—sadness and happiness, heartbreak and hope.

I began debating in my head.  I looked at David and asked “Do you think I should write a story?”

“Of course. I’ve been waiting to see how long it would take for you to figure that out.”

So I sat at the desk and got to it.  It didn’t take long to decide which card I would choose.  It would be the “tell the story about falling in love” one.  After all, our own love story happened in Providence, and it’s where we’ll be married next month, so it seemed only fitting!

When I was done I pinned it to the board where it could keep company with all the other stories.

I noticed that behind the board a “living room” had been set up.  If you didn’t want to write, you could sit down and tell your story to someone face-to-face.  I loved this.

We continued our stroll and shortly after walked up to another inspiring board. 

This one was titled “Dear Past Self.”  People had already filled it with all kinds of advice.  I was excited by the idea.  After all, how many of us haven’t thought about the advice we would share with our past selves?

I grabbed a pink neon marker and looked for a spot.  A girl walked over in her cap and gown to do the same.  We talked for a moment and I found out she had just graduated college.  With the brightness of someone who feels endless possibilities in the palm of her hand, it took her no time at all to come up with some words to share, while it took me a bit longer.

After all, there’s a lot of advice I could give my past self!  Finally I chose to write this:

I stepped back and admired more of the other messages.  It amazed me to see how much we all have to share when given a venue to do it in.

We continued walking, enjoying the sunny afternoon, but these boards stayed with me.  I wanted to meet the people who were brave enough to share their struggles, wise enough to know the lessons, and the ones who were still in the process of trying to figure it all out.

In each of their words, something had touched me.  I felt like I knew them on some level or maybe I just recognized a bit of myself in what they had to say.

Isn’t that how it works?  Aren’t we really all connected?

Mostly it reminded me how I wanted to just sit and have deep conversations with everyone: my mom, my best friend, the stranger in the coffee shop.

I crave inspiring conversations where words flood out of our souls and into the air with no time for us to censor ourselves or worry what someone might think.

Those are the best kinds of talks, the ones where I learn the most and remember always.  It’s those raw and real moments that fuel my soul and make me grow in some way through new realizations or different perspectives.

So what’s your story?

Stop holding it in and tell it in your most authentic way possible.

Your soul is ready.

And the world is waiting.

With Gratitude,

A