Can We Change Our Narrative?
I always bow down to the so-called average person
who shows that, in fact, average human people can and do
change the narrative in a very profound way.
- James O'Dea –
A narrative is a story that “connects and explains a carefully selected set of supposedly true events, experiences, or the like, intended to support a particular viewpoint or thesis”
What narratives are directing our thoughts and actions?
We all have personal narratives that help us to feel better about ourselves. They show up in job interviews, where we try to present the most positive picture of us, or in our memories of previous incidents in our lives that make us look like the good guy in whatever problems arose.
What narratives do I tell myself about other people? Have I bought into stereotypes that I have heard from other people? Are they true? Who am I excluding from my kindness because of those stories in my head?
We are surrounded by the narratives promoted by other people. Some are self-serving, but many have a larger purpose – to persuade us to their point of view. In most cases, we are unaware of the purpose behind the narrative, and, also unaware of how much of it is true.
As more people accept a narrative, the more power it gains, and thereby entices others to believe it as real. We see this in many settings, perhaps most dramatically in politics.
Do you like the stories that are playing out in our lives today?
Let’s take a closer look at how they work.
The power of belief
We can learn a lot from knowing how placebos work.
In a study to determine the effectiveness of a new drug, participants do not know if they will get the drug or a placebo, a sugar pill. Researchers then record the results in terms of positive or negative responses in the patients.
In many cases, the placebo patients respond as well as those taking the drug. How can that be?
It is all about the belief or expectation that the patient holds.
Placebos are seen in other medical settings as well, especially if the patient has a serious disease. When the doctor is positive and supportive of living fully now, not predicting a negative outcome, the results are often more positive than the dreaded “odds.” The belief in embracing life now contributes to a more positive outcome.
The other side of that coin is the power of the “nocebo.” When doctors tell a patient that the odds are against them and that he or she has a certain amount of time to live, many people give up on life and prepare for death. By buying into the doctor’s speculation about the unknown future, they create a belief against their own best interests. Studies have shown that patients have better outcomes when encouraged to live fully now than those who are given no hope.
What narratives are we buying into in other areas of our lives?
Many narratives are being promoted now in this country, and in the world, leading to increasing division, hostility, anger and hatred, when we so desperately need to remember how much we have in common.
This is the nocebo effect in our daily lives. As more and more people buy into the ideas of fear, hatred and division, they get caught up in the narratives. They do not realize it, because they have been led to believe whatever they are told by their trusted sources of "truth." They have given away their power to think for themselves.
If we all sat down with people of different political beliefs and just talked and listened to each other about our values and what we want for our lives and for our families, we would discover how much more we have in common than those things that separate us.
It is time to change the narrative.
We are more powerful than we realize to change the narrative and therefore, change the world.
Take the time to create a vision of what you want our world to be like.
Our vision is a world in which:
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we live together peacefully, with mutual consideration,
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our basic needs are met, including services for people with “special needs,”
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we all have access to a good education and meaningful jobs with fair wages,
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diversity is celebrated because of the richness that each person has to offer our communities,
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we remember our kinship and we act with kindness and generosity of spirit,
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the environment is protected from further destruction and policies have been implemented to restore what has been destroyed.
This is our vision. Yours may be different. Whatever it is, we invite you to write it down and decide how you can live according to that vision today, to help bring it into reality in the world.
It might require you to change your narrative about some people and then learn how to respond more positively when your paths cross. You might begin with a nod of the head and a kind greeting.
It might inspire you to become a volunteer locally or to speak out about an issue that you care about.
This transition happens slowly, and it begins with small steps. No matter how small a change you make, the more of us who join you, the faster we will see a difference in our communities and in the world.
Together we can make it happen. Let’s create a narrative of a thriving world in which we live together with love and kindness and genuine concern for each other. Right now, wherever we are, we can begin to be the change that we wish to see in the world.
We will see an immediate positive change in our own lives, and we will participate in creating a larger change in the world.
We wish you love and joy as you expand your journey.
Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash
What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment below.
Thank you for reminding us that stories, narratives and words really count. I imagine a world where positive expressions of compassion and caring would outweigh negative expressions of power and greed. The future is up to us and we can be an uplifting presence every day and do our part to combat narratives of fear and suspicion.
Thank you, Barb. I agree.
I especially appreciate the idea of being an uplifting presence. That has now become my current aspiration.