How Stories Define Our Reality

1. Stories assist in making sense of the world

Life is messy, random, and disorienting. Stories provide us with a framework for making sense of chaos. They place a framework around our experiences so that we can perceive events as a logical story. If we hear a story, our brain will immediately begin looking for patterns, causes, and effects in the story.

For example, we narrate stories in order to find out what has occurred in the past. Revolutions, wars, and social movements are narrated with heroes, villains, and turning points. These narratives help us learn from the past.

Stories also have a significant role to play in our personal lives. When something important happens to us whether it is a success, a failure, or a tragedy we will tell it as a story. This helps us understand our feelings, learn from the experience, and move on further.

2. Stories shape our beliefs and values

Not only do stories serve as a way of understanding the world, but they also help to determine what we value and believe. When we are children, we hear stories that teach us right from wrong, what is important, and who we should be.

For instance, children are taught moral lessons in fairy tales. Cinderella or the rabbit and the tortoise teach us the values of kindness, patience, and humility. Religious books also teach us spiritual and moral lessons through narratives.

This impact does not stop during childhood. Even as an adult, books, films, and news shape our attitudes. For instance, hearing an inspiring story of hardship can motivate us to be stronger. Conversely, if a story brings negative impressions about a specific community, it may cause prejudices in our minds.

3. Stories connect us to others

One of the most powerful things about stories is that they connect us to each other. Stories allow us to learn about the experiences, feelings, and perspectives of others. When we hear someone's story, we see their world briefly through their eyes.

This is because narration is a primary way of connecting and making social relationships more fulfilling. We usually do it with our family members and close friends by relating experiences, discussing childhood, or sharing funny jokes all bonding our relationships with one another.

Stories also bond communities and cultures. Folk myths and legends are passed from generation to generation, creating an identity. For example, the legend of the "American Dream" has made America's national identity, while various tribes employ stories to maintain their traditions and knowledge.

4. Stories are a source of change and inspiration

Not only do narratives describe reality, but they can also inspire individuals to act. Over the course of history, narratives have been used to motivate people to fight for justice, to demonstrate against social injustice, and to change the world for the better.

For example, Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel Uncle Tom's Cabin was an instrumental piece in furthering the movement of bringing to light awareness about slavery in America. Similarly, novels such as George Orwell's 1984 and Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale are sure to cause raging controversy on themes such as totalitarianism and feminism.

Stories also lead to personal change. Reading a motivational biography can motivate us to do what we want to do and break through challenges. Stories can kindle our imagination, cultivate our passions and motivate us with courage.

5. Stories create our identity

The stories we tell ourselves build our identity. We create a personal story through our experiences and relationships.

For example, if you see yourself as someone who has triumphed over adversity, your tales will be tales of resilience and determination. If you see yourself as a victim of circumstance, your tales will be tales of suffering and injustice. This affects not only our thoughts but also our behaviour and actions.

The good news is that we can re-author our stories. If we start to consider our experiences in a positive and empowering manner, it can change our self-esteem and life perspective. This is the premise of narrative therapy, which allows people to consider their life stories in a new, empowering context.

The Downside of Stories

While stories have the ability to change our lives in a positive manner, they are also deceptive and harmful. False news, derogatory stereotypes, and propaganda are some of those stories that blur reality.

Government uses stories, especially during war times, to depict enemies as subhuman. The media also presents sensational stories sometimes, describing a skewed portrayal of our society. Therefore, we must look at every story critically and seriously.

Conclusion: The Power of Stories

Briefly put, stories are not just an instrument of entertainment, but they are the manner in which we think, make sense of things, and create the world. They help us make sense of the world, construct our assumptions, bring us together with other people, shape change, and provide meaning to our identity.

However, we must understand that not all stories are true or good. We must choose stories that inspire, empower, and bring people together.

So the next time you are reading a book, watching a film, or telling a friend a story, remember you hold the power. Stories are not just a description of what is, but a means of changing it.