Get ready. This is the best Story you’ll ever hear.

It’s full of suspense, romance, conflict, joy, love, adventure and endless surprises. It’s…

Your Story.

It’s an impossible to put down, constantly unfolding narrative where you are the heroine in a story that no-one-else-can-write.

Think about it.

No two stories are alike and never ever will be.  There’s only one of each of us on the planet….no other person will ever have the unique blend of talents, strengths, quirks, experience, style and perspectives that each of us do.

Our stories are a very, very big deal.

They are our legacy and speak of lessons learned, risks taken, failures, success and lives well lived.  They are woven into the fabric of our families and friends where they are told and sometimes retold for generations.

They give hope. They inspire. They teach. They heal.

Stories are how we emotionally connect with one another.

I don’t know about you but for me the best parts of a story are when the unexpected happens. The straight stretch suddenly goes sideways and becomes a curvy, bumpy road or a detour pops up redirecting to a road less traveled. This is where the story becomes real and not the sugar coated, watered down, milk toast version.  Warts, big ugly tails and bulging eyes are exposed.

Now it’s a page turner.

As the author we at first resist and cry, “noooooo” this is not part of the story.

But this is just the place where ‘best sellers’ are crafted.

OK…maybe it doesn’t seem so at the time but in retrospect we can always see how necessary this was to the story arc. Ripped from a comfort zone and thrust into an unfamiliar place, we feel vulnerable and grope unsteadily in the dark. This is an important place – key to the story. Here we’ll receive a vital piece of information or be provided an important lesson.  Maybe we’ll meet someone integral to our story’s development.

The interesting thing about stories is that they are constantly evolving. New chapters and plot twists are being added all the time…. every day.  A story of hardship becomes one of great fulfillment. A story of disappointment and failure becomes one of understanding and growth.  A story of loss becomes one of great love and joy.

The best part of all is that each one of us as the author can, change anything we want…genre…..plot….outcome…. simply by looking at things from a different perspective or choosing a new action. We can make a disempowering story EMPOWERING or vice versa.

So here comes the BIG question.

Are you living the story you want to tell?

If you aren’t you’re likely feeling out of touch with your life’s purpose and wondering is this all there is? If that’s you and your Story is crying for more character and plot development Red Shoe Zone has your back. Here’s 15 questions to bring things into focus and get you back on track to passionate and purposeful living.  You know the greatest part about living today? We’re healthier and living longer.  Life Part 2 used to be considered a chapter of winding down now it’s a time for refocusing and gearing up. God willing you may have the opportunity to write this uniquely fascinating story of yours for another 25 – 40 years. Yahooo!

15 QUESTIONS – ARE YOU’RE LIVING THE STORY YOU WANT TO TELL?

1. What are 5 things about yourself that make you uniquely you? (After you’ve answered the question you might also ask 5 people close to you the same question and compare responses). How are those 5 unique things showcased by the way you live?
2. What are the 2 predominant values that guide your life? How are they reflected day to day?
3. What is the one thing in the world you would do if you knew you couldn’t fail? Do it.
4. What are the things you stop and say, WOW? Seek them out.
5. What are 5 of your talents? How did you discover them? What have you done/are doing to cultivate and share them?
6. What are 5 significant experiences in your life? What effect do they have on you today?
7. If someone gave you $10,000 and said you could not use it for yourself, family or friends what would you do with it?
8. If you were asked to share your best 5 pieces of advice…what would they be? Use these to write a letter to a son, daughter, grandchildren or someone important to you.
9. If you could go back and revisit one part of your life what would it be? Why? What would you do there?
10. What do you stand for? How is that evidenced in day to day life?
11. What was the most meaningful work you’ve experienced in your life? How can you continue to give?
12. If you could go back in time and do things over again, what would you change?
13. Complete this – I am on this planet to…..Then do something about it.
14. What are some of the unexpected twists in your story? Why were they absolutely necessary?
15. What do you most want to be remembered for? What are you doing now to create that legacy?

    there never was and never will be another you

Always, always remember there is only one of you on the entire planet.

There will only ever be one. You are a pure original. The world needs you to keep living passionately and fearlessly and unapologetically sharing your story.

WATCH THIS – If you haven’t seen this powerful TED talk – The Power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown watch it now. It’s one of TED’s watched talks. It’s easy to see why. In it Brene talks about being vulnerable about our imperfections. If we sugar coat our stories we miss out on the sense of  connection with another human being. and with it the opportunity to belong and heal.

PS –  Do you know someone who needs to be reminded of how extraordinary they are and would benefit from the question, “Are you living the story you want to tell?” Please feel free to pass this along. It could be just the thing to prompt them to start living!