A Good Experience or a Good Story?

HEADS UP FOR WRITERS

Every experience can be categorized in our brains in a binary way as good or bad. However, rather than shunting an event into the “bad” file, a self-respecting writer would use the experience as grist for the writing mill.

While binary works for decision-making to simplify and narrow, non-binary thinking tickles the imagination, shoots shiny objects across our vision, makes us nuts, and creates pocket-sized computers, electric cars, and space flights. Failure is the good story that feeds the next experience, turns a heroine into a villain, or keeps an unbalanced world more off-balance. Why is that good?

Being off-balance forces us into the present. But also it demands that we pay attention to what’s coming next. Walking along a well-lit street on a sunny day doesn’t fill our creative juices as much as running through rain puddles during a sudden storm in darkening, trash-can-lined alleys.

Another case in point: What are some of the best memories your family has of vacations? Yup. “Remember when the electricity went off, Mom?” OR “There was a huge fire and we had to go a completely different place. Remember, Dad? It was awesome.”

Good experience. Good story. It’s all good.