STORYTELLING IS A USEFUL TOOL FOR SCALING THROUGH HARD TIMES

How familiar are you with the origin or the significance of this five-word sentence: “KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON?”

You ever wonder how those words came to be or how they became so popular?

It is a mantra that is being chanted by both old and young, but it wasn’t so until the World War II era. This five-word sentence was a motivational poster produced to help raise the morale of the British public and to keep them hopeful and calm by the British government (Ministry of Information during the period of 27 June to 6 July 1939), in preparation for World War II.

The poster was mass-produced as part of a series of three “Home Publicity” posters. The others read, “Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory” and “Freedom Is In Peril/ Defend It With All Your Might.”

This five-word sentence, “Keep calm and carry on”, proved incredibly effective enough to “Change the narrative” of the course of history.

Source — Wikipedia.org

After hundreds of research studies, it was revealed that one of the factors that lead to the transformation of lives is the Power of a Productive story.

In other words, “This means that people who tend to have a positive outlook about life without letting the negative events of life encumber their minds live longer and healthier. By not dwelling on the facts of the situation, the story they tell themselves will cause a mind-shift that will see them through tough times.

Dr Carol Dweck wrote, “Small shifts in mindset can trigger a cascade of changes so profound that they test the limits of what seems possible.”

Whenever we are faced with a challenge in life, career, business or marriage, it is one of the single indicators that these are the areas we will have much to share about, than those who haven’t because of the peculiarity of the story.

Therefore, “A good narration of a story can grant safe passage or landing, that will help those who haven’t gone through this events, that when they do — if they ever do, to find safety.”

In an article published on Forbes.com, which was titled: Want to change your life? Change your narrative. It was written that “Stories change brains and behaviours.” The lesson here is this: Practice telling good stories, even just in your head, about your spouse and your boss and your colleagues and your clients. You’ll find that when you change the stories you’re telling them, they will change too.

Here is a catch; these stories could be oral or written, painted or printed, sculpted or carved, or it could be drawn or dramatized even animated, whatever works for you — write your stories — write good stories!

Write or tell your story because if you don’t — nothing changes, neither will narratives change if we leave them to chance. Perchance, luck shines or, a phenomenon that can’t be explained by human wisdom saves the day — with or without a single effort of anyone — suddenly; wham, the narrative changes!

In his blog, David Jeremiah (DavidJeremiah.Blog), wrote that the phrase — “Keep calm and carry on,” reflects scriptural truths. England wasn’t the first nation to face the threat of invasion; invasions were a threat in biblical times too.

When King Ahaz and the nation of Judah were facing invasion by two enemies, the Lord gave this message through the prophet Isaiah: “Be careful, keep calm and be not afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smouldering stubs of firewood. Isaiah 7:4, NIV.

The prevailing narrative that seems to have been culturing the minds of men in the wrong direction is “fear”, and that includes “present and non-existent, visible and invisible kind of fear.”

The worlds’ system thrives on powering the things that put fear in the mind of her citizens where people aren’t able to think independently, flexibly, creatively and logically for themselves. “One can even assume that they don’t give us a chance to think at all.” However, we can empower these minds back to courage, faith, hope and love by changing the narrative through the stories we tell.

In most cases, unless someone intervenes or champions the cause to write or tell a story that will change the narrative; the situation always remains the same. The stories we often tell about people tend to become true about them, and that’s why we have to tell good stories — stories that impact — stories that transform — stories that change.

Truthfully, a simple sentence crafted yet carries so much power is still relevant in our time. This philosophical message that one can assume was written prophetically will be a good reminder, that, “We may be going through tough times, we will come out stronger and better than before”, even though, sadly, we need more than five words to do the trick.

The Significance Of These Words Could Be Seen In Our Day

We live in a world ripened for all manner of stories; good or bad, ugly or beautiful, uplifting or downgrading, and your story could be a grappling hook that will serve as a source of inspiration or a cure to the maladies that some are riddled with, daily.

Imagine, All you need, all you will ever need or, all you could have, would be a five-word sentence, the question will be, how are you going to maximize them?

If I had a five-word sentence, it would read, “Smile. This Too Shall Pass.”

Sometimes, we don’t need to attain the status of literary genius or master to be able to craft out a compelling narrative to change the tide.

I can’t wait to read your beautiful stories. The power of raising families, raising communities and nations lies in each of us playing our part, and one of the ways is to, Tell good stories.

Remember, “A rising tide lifts all boats. Let’s create that tide and let’s rise together.”

Ire Ni O (Yoruba translation for “Blessings on blessings.”)