Why You Should Add Spins To Your Stories
Do you remember sharing stories in the car or on the school bus?
In my early high school years, I rode a bus every day with a group of some of my closest friends. We would goof off, link up our gameboys (YES SIR!), and tell stories.
Our friend Martin was a great storyteller. The stories he would share were always captivating. But he was even better at finishing someone else’s story for them.
We’ve all had those moments when we’re listening to a story and wondering where it’s going or when it’s going to be over. Martin had a knack for knowing when a story was going downhill or going to be ending without a resolution.
The usual scenario would be someone wrapping up their story while everyone else tried to wake back up. Then, Martin would get real intense, interrupt, and add an epic one-liner or detailed final thought (none of which were ever real).
Example of one finale:
“...and then a BEAR ran into the yard so we scaled the side of a house as we fought off the bear with LEFTOVER FRENCH TOAST then escaped in the HELICOPTER that hovered overhead!”
As funny as it is, I wish the stories of some of my days ended like that! Maybe not exactly like that but with something more memorable than the mundane I often find myself in.
Our stories don’t need out of the box, insane twist endings to make our days more meaningful.
But it probably wouldn’t hurt to add a little twist in here and there.
These little twists are what I like to call: Story Spins. It’s the decision to alter your plans, within reason, to do something unexpected! By the way, I love plans! Spins don’t come natural to me but I’ve found a lot of significance in them.
Story Spins are what I remember being the most spectacular parts of my childhood. They are what my kids have gravitated towards and hold onto as well. These moments can be enthusiasm sparks that yield positive memories daily!
Good stories don’t require big life-altering plot twists every chapter.
But our stories come alive with small moment-altering decisions every page.
Spinning your story does not mean throwing your world into chaos - It’s simply releasing a little control to open yourself up to new memories and opportunities.
Here’s a few ideas on how to add a spin to your story…
Say yes when you’d normally say no.
Take a different way to see something you haven’t before.
Start a conversation with someone you haven’t met yet or talked to in a while.
Ask if there’s anything you can do to help.
Set down or turn off your phone.
Spin your story just a little bit today.
You’ll be glad you did!