Sometimes knowing is not enough and mere force is not sustaining. Many times we must find that spark of inspiration, some inner desire that motivates us to change toward the better. And this is where the power of stories once again becomes our friend.
To be sure, it’s hard to change when we don’t know what we need to do differently. But insight alone doesn’t always motivate us to take that first step. And certainly, there are many times in which we must simply do what needs to be done even without insight or inspiration. But this tends not to be a lasting change when our heart is not also in it.
Ideally, our head, hands, and heart are all aligned to make the needed changes in our life. But the heart has its own pace and wisdom, and cannot be forced into compliance. When we know this is something we need to do, and we have the ability to do it, we must then find inspiration to bring our heart on the journey and sustain us along the way.
Stories, fiction and otherwise, speak the language of the heart. They don’t give us mere facts or tell us directly what we need to do. They invite us to journey with others – giving us a glimpse into their lives and the adventure they lived: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
And when it’s a compelling story, our hearts can’t help but to find those points that resonate deep within our own soul as well – perhaps the good when we want to emulate or the tragedy we hope to avoid. Either way, we’re left changed – our heart being transformed toward something new. And provided we still know what to do and how to do it, change now becomes a much smoother process.
We frustrate ourselves and risk giving up in despair when our heart is not involved in the change we seek.
Add to your knowledge and willing hands a heart that’s also inspired to change. And feast on meaningful stories when you need help finding this inspiration.
Photo by Ariel Castillo on Pexels
