002 | Your Story Is Important
Welcome back!
Today’s Topic: Kobe Bryant. My story. The importance of telling your story.
Sections:
What Is Story?
Kobe Bryant
My Story: School & Work
My Story: Life & Spirituality
Telling Your Story
// 1 WHAT IS STORY?
Definition from the dictionary:
An account of imaginary or real people and events told for entertainment (books, movies, etc.)
An account of past events in someone's life or in the evolution of something (testimonies, recounting events, recounting successes or failures)
The Importance of Telling Our Stories (Huffington Post) by Rachael Freed
"Stories connect the past and present to the future.”
"They can awaken future generations to their potential.”
// 2 Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant and his daughter (along with 7 other individuals) perished in a helicopter accident in Calabasas, CA
Devastating to the LA community and the world
Kobe’s unique “story" includes missteps and legal problems
However, his story is a story of “redemption” and included owning up to his mistakes and working hard to be a better person moving forward
It appeared that his best life lay ahead of him. At the time of his death he was actively pursuing:
Creativity: Won an Oscar in 2018 for his short film Dear Basketball
Family: Spent a lot of time with his family. Took an active role in fathering his 4 daughters. Considered himself a #girldad
Giving Back: Specifically to basketball - coached his daughter, and willing to help other kids learn to respect and appreciate the game
The Mamba Mentality: A term Kobe used to describe his relentless work ethic.
Described in this USA Today article by Mike Jones
a level of intense focus
a relentless approach to preparation
a competitive nature
ability to change the course of a game
a level of athletic consistency
the ability to overcome injury and return to greatness
// 3 MY STORY: SCHOOL & WORK
1st Grade: Hinsdale Junior Academy (Hinsdale, IL)
2nd-7th Grade: One room Christian school (Powell, WY)
8th Grade: Public Middle School (Powell, WY)
High School
Freshman/Sophomore: Hinsdale Junior Academy (Hinsdale, IL)
Junior/Senior: Broadview Academy (La Fox, IL)
College:
Undergraduate Degree: Sociology/Criminal Justice (Andrews University)
Graduate Degree: Master’s Degree in Social Work
Licensure: LCSW in Indiana
Work:
Took State Police exams with eventual goal to work with the FBI
Changed direction and took job at an “orphanage” in Illinois
Then spent a number of years in the mental health field at a variety of places in Indiana: Case Management, individual/family therapy, group therapy, program management, etc.
Changed direction and worked as a Web Director at a couple large churches in Indiana and California
Eventually landed at a design/development firm in California and continue working with freelance web clients
// 4 MY STORY: LIFE, CREATIVITY & SPIRITUALITY
Where I’ve lived:
Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wyoming, Michigan, Indiana and California
Creativity:
I think I was always creative, just didn’t recognize it
Drawing, doodling, poetry, writing, photography, graphic design, web design, etc.
Inspiration:
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
The Portfolio Life Podcast by Jeff Goins
Story Grid Podcast with Tim Grahl and Shawn Coyne
Writing:
Controversy Theory (2001): Unpublished manuscript. Currently reworking with hopes to publish in the future
Conscience-Driven Therapy (Future): Follow up to Controversy Theory. Practical tips and strategies to incorporate CT into a comprehensive life plan to Transcend Human…
Epic Fantasy Trilogy (2012): Inspired to write a three book series on the battle between good and evil in the world. Have much of it plotted out. 4-5 chapters written
Transcend Human Podcast (2020): Show dedicated to the way people respond to the human condition
All projects loosely connected:
Initial writings on the human condition
Controversy Theory
Conscience-Driven Therapy
Transcend Human
Novel Series (Trilogy)
Spirituality:
Simple explanation: My story follows the life trajectory of many people brought up Christian in the 70’s and 80’s:
Mainline, traditional, denominational church
Strict, legalistic Christian upbringing
Typical list of do’s and don’ts
Christian education
Parents that subconsciously reinforced the concept that every mistake you make counts against you so you are constantly trying to be good. Then, when you make mistakes (as every kid does) you beat yourself up and feel unworthy - like you’re not “good enough” to get to heaven
Rebellious period: Ages 17-23
First borns always come back to their parents way of thinking...
Dark Days:
Addictive personality
Loss of a job
Current State:
Living with eyes wide open
View the world as being full of possibilities and opportunities
I should try new things - and stop putting off creative ideas
This thinking led to the development of Transcend Human and this podcast
Hopefully this is the start of many new things to come
// 5 TELLING YOUR STORY
What is your story? Or have you even thought about it?
Maybe your next step is to sit down and do some brain damage on it
Look back and find the big events that have helped shape you
Are you a better person on this end of it? Are you still struggling because of something that happened to you?
What could you do in the next week or month to redeem the life you’ve been given and start on a new path?
And finally: Is there someone that would benefit from hearing your story? If so - don’t be afraid to put it out there
A story can be one of the most useful tools in illustrating what it means to Transcend Human