I just adore the printed word. I have always loved reading. Books are sacred objects to me and are visibly abundant in almost every room I live or work in. It’s like being in the presence of a wise teacher who is comforting and reassuring. Books are also intriguing in that they hint at secrets to be shared and mysteries to unravel. They provide keys to the big questions in life like who are we, why are we here and what is the meaning of life? The wisdom of the Universe is available to all seekers.

A new book that recently caught my interest is one titled Storycatcher. Now, I thought this book was about people who like to weave a good yarn, tell stories that are interesting, exciting and compelling. My head began connecting the dots to all the good storytellers I particularly admire. Heading the list are writer Anne Lamott, the wonderful verbal storyteller Clarissa Pinkola Estes and one of my favorite teachers Dr. Jean Houston. Dr. Houston has the capacity to delight all your joy and laughter centers while she spins colorful stories that contain strong heart-connected messages of personal growth and enlightenment.

Yes, that’s what I anticipated from the title of this particular book. However, what I discovered was something quite different. After settling into the text, I realized it was more personal, it was about us. As the author Christina Baldwin notes in the preface, “Every person is born into life as a blank page – and every person leaves life as a full book. Our lives are our story, and our story is our life... We are the storytellers, the ones who put life into words.”

Our lives are a series of events and our interpretation of those events is what makes up our story. We just came through another holiday season. If you asked the people you spent time with to recall a certain event that took place, everyone would tell a different story. Each one of us sees things through our own unique lens so although we’ve all experienced the same event, our stories will vary.

One of the more interesting points the book explores is, “What we preserve in larger human story determines what we believe is possible in the world.” In other words, the stories we pass on, the stories we tell and re-tell to others hold the seeds of a magnificent future in them. So, it behooves us to relate only the best, to tell stories of hope, of joy, to share our triumphs, to recall the strength of the human spirit to rise to any occasion. Let us tell stories of the bonding and unconditional love we’ve witnessed and shared with each other in times of great adversity. This can be the greatest legacy we preserve and give to future generations.

And the wonder of it all is we don’t have to seek out these stories. They are happening every day right under our noses. All we need to do is pay attention to the dance of others in our midst. Good things are going on all the time.

I would like to propose an experiment. This would be a good exercise for anyone. Take a week to journal and write down all the good things you see each day in your environment. Take note only of the blessings and the exchanges of love and joy you witness. You’ll notice things starting to change. Your writing style may begin to wax poetic or you may start walking with more bounce in your step. I believe there will be a perceptible shift in your vibration because something transformative will be in the air. Just give it a week. There’s nothing to lose and potentially so much to gain from this simple exercise.

A new year typically represents new beginnings. The possibilities are limitless. You’re beginning a new chapter in your continuing life story. The pen is ready to scribe whatever you desire the future to look like. The blank page awaits your brilliance.