Relational Book for Parenting, Part 4: We Live the Stories We Tell
What can we do when a story we carry about ourselves is harming us?
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If we want to live more fulfilling lives, sometimes we have to change our stories.
Relational intelligence grows in the back and forth of relating, of conversation. But there can be challenges in how we relate. We can hold stories about ourselves and other that are not helping us. One of the most powerful relational capacities we can develop is our ability to reframe the unhelpful stories we carry.
Because we live these stories we tell, it makes sense to develop some agency in how those stories get created and how long they remain with us unexamined and unchanged. Reframing is a capacity which allows us to consider when a story might have become unhelpful and then shift it to create a new version of that story that is more helpful. Stories can be small, like a nagging doubt, or huge, the result of trauma or abuse. Please note: If you are struggling with issues that are too big for you to handle, seek professional help.
The following is another of the comic strips from The Relational Book for Parenting.
Our book has much, much more! Support our work! Pick up a copy at Amazon.com.
OUR SERIES:
The Relational Book for Parenting, Part 1: Where Are Our Feelings Created?
The Relational Book for Parenting, Part 2: Labeling Our Emotions
The Relational Book for Parenting, Part 3: Witnessing Our Children’s Difficult Emotions
The Relational Book for Parenting, Part 4: We Live the Stories We Tell
The Relational Book for Parenting, Part 5: Tracking the Powerful Influence of Context
The Relational Book for Parenting, Part 6: Why Is Play The Answer for Businesses and Families Alike?
Please note: this article is not intended to be a replacement for professional care. If you think you need professional help, seek it out.
