Story
Our story is not created from what happens to us; those are moments that move through us. Our story is created out of what we make out of what happens to us, what we share with others (connections), and what we remember (often selective).
How do we begin to tell our stories? We have to uncover them. We carry our stories with us. Stories determine how we will approach situations, how we interact with others, and how we will live our lives. Stories define where we've come from, identify who we are, and shape who we will become.
Polysemy
A person is said to be "polysemous" when he or she displays evidence of many characteristics sharing similar qualities. Therefore, we are all polysemous because we are many variations of ourselves in one physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual representation. This can be referenced by our relationships and the qualities we associate with them.
Being polysemous is not limited to the roles we fit into. It also extends to the relationships we have made and the emotional connections to particular places, people and events in our lives. Each relationship encompasses feelings or circumstances that further define that relationship or connection. For example, I am a mother. I associate this with passion, happiness, blessing and joy. These emotions come from specific moment being a mother and interacting with my children.
Prompt
Think about the roles and relationships you have that define or contribute to who you are. Connect these relationships to an event or memory, then tag that memory with a specific emotion you associate with it. Map these out however you wish. I recommend using post-it notes and some blank wall space to move your ideas around. Pick one to write about. Begin by defining or framing the relationship, then extract the emotions associated with it as you describe the event. Consider how the relationship has affected, defined, or shaped you in some way.
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