I’m a big believer in the power of stories in our lives. The stories we tell ourselves about who we are, what we do, what was done to us, and how others act form the framework for all of our actions. Facts are usually nothing more than the components of a story, those facts that don’t fit are often believed to be wrong instead of the story being updated. This is why it is so common for two or more people to experience the exact same event but come away with a different understanding of what really happened.
This is an important concept to understand when it comes to the stories that ultimately get told to and about us. Perception and reality always have a gap. Things never align perfectly to any given individual. To many that disconnect is jarring when they hear it coming from the outside.
Understanding how and why people’s views differ from your own will help you in identifying the best ways to move forward in all things.