Writing your own narrative
Sometimes I see the fragility of the life we have. That everyday is like a layering of pieces of tissue paper that can float away on a breeze. One big gust of wind and they will all blow away.
What will be left of us? Who will remember our story? Where will they find it?
Am I one of the many masses of human species that exists at this point in time and the only thing left will be cached websites, Instagram posts and a birth/marriage certificate that some descendant interested in genealogy will find on the Internet one day. There will likely be photos (way more than when we go looking at our ancestors) and hopefully writing and creations. But impact? Legacy?
On slow nourishing days I know and feel deeply that my “work” and legacy is to raise my children to be good humans and good ancestors and to live a beautiful nourished life (in whatever form that takes day to day) and that is enough. But, on other days I want something more.
Instead of layers of tissue paper it’s layers of thick cartridge paper with deeply inked calligraphy that never fades.
Hildegard of Bingen was a Saint born in 1098 and died in 1179. She was (and still is) a famous theologian, writer, musician, composer, philosopher, visionary and medical writer during the High Middle Ages - a time of great danger for anyone speaking differently or out about religion, the role of females and medicine. She even created her own language. The more I read about her the more I am astounded by her commitment, confidence in her voice and how much work she created in her life. Many of her works have survived and many have not. Notably a 15kg 40cm x 35cm giant collection of works called the Riesencodex. Look it up, it’s massive and so detailed. And still exists 800 years later. Hildegard’s life works, visions, writings and thoughts are still poured over by feminist, religious, historical and musical scholars. Her work continues to impact others in their lives.
She is one of many females I have come across in my history readings that still stand out in the epicness of time and existence. I encourage you to find women who inspire you who’s impact was shaped by them intentionally. And in my mind the handful of notables across the centuries were held up by the everyday women doing everyday actions and they in turn illuminated the lives and stories of the women who’s narratives were destroyed, disowned, or deemed unimportant.
And that’s where the intentional creation of your narrative comes in. What narrative are you writing right now? What’s your story going to be? What will you remember and be remembered for in your crone years? Near the end.
It’s up to you to decide what the story will look like and how it will unfold. And how you will respond and react to the ever changing world we live in.
Why is it important? Because if you start to see your life as a story one that you are leading then that will affect the decisions you make, the energy you show up with and how you “write each chapter”. You are the narrator and the lead character. And the creator of the pick a path.
But, you get to choose through your decision making, dreams, values, actions and character how the story goes.
What are you choosing to do with this “one wild precious life” (from Mary Oliver’s poem ‘The Summer Day’)? What is important.
Being great in the smallness of it all. Or being small in the greatness of it all.
It’s okay to write your story on tissue paper, or vellum or thick card or in a book or by hand with crafted notations, plant dyes or with stitch and fibre. But choose.
Choose to actually write your own narrative and start today.
Choose what you will do every single day.