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The Power of Storytelling
We are a storytelling species. From the earliest ‘Caveman Campfires’ to the following companies and their commitment to storytelling: Disney. Pixar. Warner Bros. ABC. CBS. NBC. FOX. CNN. Harper Collins. Simon & Schuster. 102.7 KIIS FM., the list goes on and on…humans love stories!
The above list includes movies, TV shows, top book publishers and even a top radio station (that’s right song lyrics can be considered a story). In short, stories are very important and VERY impactful for many, many people. This is also very true in the field of Peer Recovery Specialists.
The essence of working as a PRS is sharing the story of our lived experience. These experiences have shaped who we are and why we do the work we do. It through the power of story that the peers we serve can catch a glimpse of hope for their future.
The story arc of redemption usually goes like this:
=> Outside problem(s) cause inner struggle(s) for the main character of the story (i.e. you/me)
=> Soul-searching/gut-wrenching/emotionally-challenging discoveries are made about goals that need to be obtained, truths formerly denied, and problems that need to be resolved, both internal and external
=> Victory over the problem(s) and arrival to a new place of inner strength and satisfaction. Wait for it…
IN MOVIE SEQUELS:
=> Passing on of life lessons and strength gained to those coming behind the one who has gotten to the next level (i.e. PRS to another peer).
So, we have work to do, our goal is clear and our mission defined…destroy the Death Star! Wait. Wrong article. But sometimes life can feel like flying a spaceship down that impossibly long pipeline inside a big floating globe in the middle of space with an epic evil enemy inside.
But we have the “Force”, so to speak. The Force of love. The Force of compassion. The Force of empathy, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and a non-judgmental listening ear.
Sometimes telling our story, however, can be difficult. Roadblocks like shame/guilt/fear/worry/repeat, repeat, repeat and keep us from full transparency. We often have to live in our own story and all it’s implications before we can share it with others. But make no mistake, stories, even yours are powerful and impactful in ways you could never imagine.
Let me encourage you: your story is important. It can save lives. It can change lives for the better for generations to come by helping to break chains of addiction, destroying the stigmas around mental health challenges and defying the dominant narratives that says broken people can’t provide value in this world. Your power as a PRS is your story. Wield it in all its hills and valleys, all its positives and seemingly negative parts to help free the peer reaching out to you from their inner prison cell. You’ll be glad you did. They will be ecstatic because ‘identification with other’ leads to deep healing and the power of a new story is born!
~ Chris Newcomb
