As the nights stretch longer and the air grows colder, it’s the perfect time to cozy up at home, wrapped in the warmth of blankets and stories. The darkening days usher in the holiday season—with American Thanksgiving on the horizon and the twinkling lights of Christmas not far behind. This season invites us to pause, reflect, and ask: What stories from your past are you running from? And what would happen if you turned and ran towards them instead?
Pause and Reflect
What stories from your past do you keep hidden? What memories do you instinctively avoid?
What if, instead of avoiding these tales, you embraced them fully?
Every one of us is shaped by stories—some are our own, while others are inherited from our families. Generational stories are complex; they often come with hidden truths, whispered secrets, and powerful, unspoken influences.
Our Stories, Our Strengths
The stories of those who raised you are the foundation of who you are. The narratives they ran from shape their actions, their decisions, and, ultimately, how they raised you. These stories leave imprints—whether we acknowledge them or not—that influence how we live and love.
You have a choice: keep running or turn towards these stories or face them, and heal. When you face them, you transform them from burdens to sources of strength. You gain clarity on your own patterns, your strengths, and your vulnerabilities.
The Power of Fiction and Myth
Reading stories—especially those steeped in mythology—can be a powerful tool for facing our truths. Tales like Norse mythology, with their dark, strange plots, remind us that beneath every mysterious and shadowy tale lies warmth and light. These stories echo the complexity within us all: the odd and murky parts that conceal a resilient heart.
Consider the legend of The Wild Hunt. In one version, Odin rides through the sky on a spectral sleigh pulled by wolves or horses, collecting the souls of those who glimpse him. This harrowing tale unfolds on the longest night of the year, Yule, or the winter solstice.
What can we learn from such a story? Perhaps it’s a reminder that even in our darkest moments, when everything feels hopeless, the warmth of community, home, and heart can carry us through. The sun always rises again.
Food for Thought
As we enter this holiday season, consider:
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What stories in your life or family are you avoiding?
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How do these stories shape your thoughts, behaviors, and dreams?
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What might change if you approached these stories with compassion and curiosity instead of fear?
And remember, when holiday gatherings bring you face-to-face with family members whose stories intersect with yours—often in challenging ways—consider what narratives they might be carrying, too. Are their stories clashing with yours? Can you hold space for both?
Give yourself the grace to acknowledge your stories and extend that same grace to others. Our stories make us who we are, but embracing them is what sets us free.
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