Tell Me a Story

Last week, one of my sons told me the following story.

A friend of his, I’ll call him Bob, went through a nasty divorce five years ago.

Several years later Bob met Ms. Right at an academic conference, and they began a long distance relationship.

Last year Bob and my son sat down for coffee. Bob said, “I’m really in love with her, but I’m tied to my job, and she shows no sign of wanting to move.  I don’t know what to do.”

My son shared advice from “Catching a Feather,” a chapter in one of my People Tools books, (further explored in my blog of August 5, 2014). For many of us this is one of the most difficult People Tools — simply to wait.  You cannot “catch a feather” by chasing it, and patience is often essential to achieve a dream in your life.

Last week my son received a wedding announcement from Bob and his fiancé. A hand-written note mentioned that “Catching a Feather” had worked, and he and his fiancé were now living together.

I was delighted at this tangible example that advice from my book had helped a couple achieve their dream.

I’ll tell you another story.

One day last week I left my office and was walking to my car when I noticed a girl or petite woman walking ahead of me.  Because she was turned the other way I never saw her face, but I could see that her right hand dangled awkwardly from her wrist as if she’d been injured.

As I watched, she pried open a trash container behind another building and began to search for food.

I couldn’t help but wonder what her story was. Where did come from? Did she have a place to live? Were there people who cared for her? The image of her rummaging through the trash pulling out half empty food containers stayed with me all night. Even now, I find myself thinking about her.

At the heart of our lives are the stories which connect us with each other.

Please share your stories.

Alan