“The single most important thing you can do for your family may be the simplest of all: develop a strong family narrative”. Bruce Feiler
I read this in a tweet several months ago. I was challenged by it. You see I was never very good with telling stories. When my daughter would ask me to tell a family story, my mind would go blank. I couldn’t think of anything to share, not just anything funny or exciting…just not anything. So sad.
I went on to read the NYT column this quote came out of…
“Decades of research have shown that most happy families communicate effectively. But talking doesn’t mean simply “talking through problems,” as important as that is. Talking also means telling a positive story about yourselves. When faced with a challenge, happy families, like happy people, just add a new chapter to their life story that shows them overcoming the hardship.
The bottom line: if you want a happier family, create, refine and retell the story of your family’s positive moments and your ability to bounce back from the difficult ones. That act alone may increase the odds that your family will thrive for many generations to come.”
Now I am really convicted…I NEED to learn to tell family stories. So I have a plan
Step one: Remember-think back through the years, look at family photo albums
Step two: Write down-record notes, short stories in a journal
Step three: Share it-at a family gathering, letter, in a blog 🙂
Ok that doesn’t sound too hard.
But is does sound familiar…like something I have read before. It seems this “groundbreaking” research is proving what God has said along. God knew it was important for His children to know their family narrative.
But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen.
Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live!
And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.
Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT
Heartland Precepts 