Story Fondling

 
A couple years ago I was at a retreat in a small artists’ community.  Two of the women in our group were locals, and they started talking about their love lives. 

One said she wasn't trying to date, because everyone knew there weren’t any single men in town under 80. 

The second woman told us how she'd met her 30-something new boyfriend a couple months ago, at a nearby bar where they danced under the stars. 

What??  We were all amazed.  How could she have met this great young guy in a town with only octogenarian single men??

Well, of course the lack of single men wasn't the truth.  Both women had heard that.  One just decided she didn’t have to believe what she’d heard.

There’s a term for letting social myths hold us back, and it’s called “Story Fondling”.  How easy is it to get caught up believing in lack?  Especially when it masquerades as a commonly held social truth.  But the real truth is that we all get love.  Your guy is out there, and find-able!

Here’s an example of a story I always loved to fondle, “All the great guys are already taken.” 

Of course this isn't true, but believing it made me feel slightly, temporarily better about my single status.  It wasn't my fault!  So of course I didn't need to put myself out there; I wouldn't find anyone single!

After the initial high of story fondling, though, I always found myself drooping again.  After all, fondling a story gives you no power at all to change your situation.  It leaves you stuck.

Eventually I changed my story.  I started thinking, "Of course there are available single guys out there!  And I'll find mine if I just keep an open mind."

OMG, doesn't that feel better??

Would you like to get unstuck right now?  Pick your favorite story about why you can’t find love. 

Rather than letting this thought bring you to a full stop, try turning it on its head.  Talk back to it.  There are so many other thoughts that may be more true than the original, and open up your path to love.

No more story fondling!  The world is full of opportunities to find your love.  You got this!

xoxo,
Jen   

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