Beliefs and Heroes
Yesterday’s stories; today’s legend; tomorrows myth
If you do not believe in Iron Man or Doctor Strange, you can still enjoy Marvel’s cinematic/comic universe; if you don’t believe that winter is coming or the Kingdom in the North, you can still enjoy the imaginative details of George R. R. Martin’s world; and, if you don’t believe in OWL posts, you can still see glimpses of yourself in the adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione.
Stories Build Societies
Likewise, even if you don’t subscribe to a religion, its stories, lessons, wisdom and magic are still unrestricted. They are available for you to immerse and explore.
There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories. — Ursula K. Leguin
I am an agnostic myself. I believe that religion has a purpose. It is beneficial for the masses to believe collectively. It teaches morals, provides spiritual guidance, and dictates a system of honour among followers and society. I don’t understand enough to question any faith, but that isn’t enough for me to become a believer. I respect them for their stories. I am allowed to choose faith for myself, and I choose stories.
Stories Build Us
We are biologically hardwired to respond to stories. They are the blueprints we use to decode our real world. They are the footsteps in the sand that leads to our destination. They are the trails left behind by the geniuses and the fools who dared to explore an off-beaten path. They are the caution when you are adamant and inspiration when you need it.
Stories tell us about heroes. They expose their struggles and the wisdom that lead them to triumph. They share the reign of the giants and the mistakes that caused their downfall. They tell us these heroes came from among us, and they came from beyond. These heroes have manifested across the spectrum of age — Krishna was born an incarnation, while Siddhartha became Buddha.
Stories Build Immortality
So, even if life keeps revealing itself to us in chapters, we can always find solace in stories. We are never alone in this forward-moving arrow of time; there is a story written about everything. Sometimes they are more encrypted than direct.
Everybody is a hero in their own story if you just look. — Maeve Binchy
Lastly, if you find there isn’t a story that exists for what you are facing, maybe you should find a librarian, or better — go ahead into the unknown, with the wisdom of stories under your belt, marking a trail — for someday, someone will be guiding themselves by your story of an unprecedented adventure.
Bon Voyage!
