I watched a documentary recently about a family. As I watched the show, I noticed that family members were following a narrative of what they thought life should be, yet as I watched, I wondered if the narrative was true to who the people were and what they desired. I wondered if they had adopted a narrative of "good living" that didn't truly fit who they were or what they wanted.
The fact that they appeared to follow a narrative of good living was not the object of the documentary, but I found that somewhat subtle aspect interesting and it left me with the question, 'What narratives of good living do you hold on to for yourself and for others?"
Sometimes do we face problems with family/friend life because the narratives we embrace to be true and good are actually harmful for good living instead. For example, do you plan the holidays in ways that match popular culture or long held traditions when in fact those holiday practices are not truly enjoyable or positive for you or your family. Or do you put your energy and time into family activities that you believe to be right and good when in fact those activities don't fit your family style or values? Do you take time to reflect and think together with those you spend time with to identify what truly works for good living rather than what you think you should be doing?
As I embrace a new chapter of life, I am thinking about the narratives that ring true for me and for those I love. Many old time traditions and practices are not positive and many new ways of living and communing are actually a lot better. How will I shift the way I live to match new and better ways of living at this new stage, and how will I support changing narratives in our culture that are not healthy or positive when it comes to good living.
Many of the practices we hold on to related to work, family life, school, health care, and recreation are ready for an update, the kind of update that allows people to live lives that bring out the best of who they are and what they do. Many popular mindsets or behaviors are not positive and simply the result of marketing, propaganda, not enough thought, and even bigotry or oppression.
One source of potential good living changes are the youth in your life--they often more readily embrace positive changes. Another source are the elders who have weathered multiple changes in life--they've learned how to see value over what may be popular, but not necessarily positive. It's important to consider the narratives you are adhering to in life and to analyze whether those narratives are positive or not for you and those you want to or need to spend time with. This kind of analysis will help you to live a better and more true life. Onward.