Your story, your life...

Fascinating how stories inspire us to be more.
Take the story of the man who earned a fortune in explosives intended for war and destruction. It was when he read his obituary that was mistakenly published, that he decided he would change the narrative of his life.  This man devoted the remainder of his life and his legacy to supporting peace. Alfred Nobel's estate lives on in the coveted Nobel Peace Prize that encourages positive, non-violent, and inspiring work from all peoples.
Or take Saima Muhammad, a woman living in a poor village in Pakistan.  She and her husband are dirt poor, but Mister takes out his anger and personal frustrations by frequently beating his wife.  Then to add insult to injury, Mister wracks up more debt than he can possibly pay, while his mother points out Saima's uselessness as reason he should take another wife.  (Isn't it sort of odd, even this broke, cowardly man still has options? I digress!)
Well Saima figures out a new wife would only mean less money for her and her children, so I'm guessing she probably put a hand on her hip and said, "This is not how this story will end!" What did she do? Saima took out a micro-loan... you know, one of those tiny, tiny loans aimed at helping poor women start a business.  She used the money to start an embroidery business.  With her talent, Saima grew her business until she was able to pay off the loan, pay for repairs to their home, hire unemployed neighbors,  ensure a rare education for her children, and put to rest the notion of a new wife.
Saima and Alfred are only two people from different ends of the spectrum who decided to create a different story for their life.  Why not you?

Every year, resolutions are made and goals are set, followed by the whispered sigh of failure and invisible drooping shoulders when goals stall and the resolutions break.  

My challenge... no, my question for you is simply this: What is the story of your life? and then, What would you like that story to be?

Yes, I'm serious.  Your resources and your talents may lie be somewhere between those of Saima and Alfred but I believe YOU have the power to create your own narrative. Your new story could be: What is the life you want to live? How will you be remembered?

May I encourage you to grab pen and paper and start writing it down.  Write the story of you as you would like it to be told.  Write your story strong, write your story proud.  It is in that story that you will begin to see your purpose.  I use stories to help people live their best life, and your new story would frame the narrative of your life.  Now, wouldn't that begin a happy New Year!!