Rewriting Your Story: The Power of Changing Your Past Perception
Rewriting Your Story: The Power of Changing Your Past Perception
Introduction
Hello, wonderful souls! It’s Megan Bunnell from "Becoming Tantalum," back with a new perspective that could radically alter your life's trajectory. Today, let's dive deep into the concept I explored in my latest podcast episode, "Changing The Past: Harnessing the Power of Perception." We're not talking about rewriting history, but rather reshaping how we perceive it, and in turn, how we let it define us.
The Power of Perception
It all starts with understanding that while our past is unchangeable, our view of it is not. Our past experiences, tinted by the lenses of our current beliefs and emotions, can either imprison or empower us. By altering these lenses, we shift from being passive recipients of our history to active interpreters, redefining our experiences in ways that fuel our growth. I’d like to make a clarification here. You may be thinking that I want you to change your perception to one that isn’t full of the truth you are currently telling. That is not at all the truth. I do want to offer that there is more than one truth to every story. You have the option of changing your perception of the past to one that is also true AND serves you. If the story you are telling yourself is holding you back, forcing you to define yourself in a way that is not allowing you to be the best version of yourself, or make the choices in life you’d like to make - it is not serving you. Is there a different lens you can use to view your past? Can a different lens allow you to tell yourself a different story? Give yourself a minute to think about this possibility and what opportunities that provide you now and in your future.
Reframing Our Stories
Many of us are trapped in narratives where we are victims of our past. But what if we could transform these stories? Imagine rewriting your history not to erase it but to view it through a lens of empowerment. This shift begins by questioning our ingrained stories and assessing if they serve our highest good. A lot of people feel resistance in letting go of the victim story they are telling themselves. If that is you - I have a few questions for you. Is that serving you? Are you being held prisoner as a victim? Allowing that to define who you are and what you are capable of? If so, I’d like to offer that changing your perception can remove your victim mindset and instead allow your past experiences to empower you to move forward in your life and create a life you love. I am not downplaying anything you experiences, not asking you to forgive and forget, but rather to reframe your experiences in ways that serve you. There is power in what you have learned, skills in what you have endured, and that power can be used to motivate you, those skills to move your life forward. You can ask yourself “Is the story I am telling myself allowing me to live as the best version of myself in creating the life I want?” If the answer is no - perhaps a bit of reframing will help you to not only overcome your past experiences, but to use them in ways that DO serve you. Allow yourself to be empowered.
Selective Memory and Focus
Our memory is selective, often reflecting our current emotional state. This is where our power lies - in choosing which parts of our past to focus on. Do we dwell on the pain, or do we spotlight the moments of resilience and growth? This choice significantly shapes our well-being and our journey forward. The full memory of your past is still within you and often we can access different aspects of our memory, and focus on different facets of our experiences, when we choose the emotion we want to feel about it. Do you want to feel broken? Do you want to feel cheated? Or do you want to feel strong? Empowered? Resilient? Try to look at your past experiences with those emotions (or others) and see if you can find evidence for those within your past experiences. I guarantee they are there. Did you overcome something? Did you survive a difficult situation? Did you learn lessons you can apply in your future? All of those are amazing - and you have the choice to focus on that instead of choosing to focus on what made us feel broken, cheated, stuck, or a failure. It is all in what you choose to focus on. Would you be willing to change your focus if that meant you could change your future?
Creating Our Future
Our past perceptions are tools for building our future. By changing our narrative, we free ourselves from being ensnared by history, opening a realm of possibilities. This doesn’t mean ignoring the pain but rather choosing to see past experiences as lessons for empowerment. Changing the story you tell yourself is incredibly powerful. You hear the story you tell others, and, in fact, your brain is telling you that story on repeat. The best way we can allow our past to serve us is to ensure the story we tell ourselves (and others) is full of strength, power, growth and more. What is your story saying about you? If it isn’t laced with impressive betterment, survival, and power - consider rewriting your narrative. This will change how you think, feel, and ultimately the choices you make that will determine your future. Give it a try. If you were to rewrite the story you are telling to SERVE you - what would your story say?
Personal Application: My Journey
Let me share a bit of my story. As a child, I endured abuse, which unknowingly shaped my relationships and self-perception. For years, I saw myself as a victim, someone who needed to please others. But once I shifted my focus, I saw my past differently - not as a series of traumas but as experiences that forged my resilience and strength. This shift in focus didn’t erase the past; it transformed its role in my life. To learn more - check out the podcast “Becoming Tantalum” Episode 9. I provide details of my experiences and how I changed my story to serve my life, help me move forward, and create exactly what I wanted to experience in this life.
Practical Steps to Change Your Past Perception
Acknowledge and Accept Your Past: Recognize your history without arguing with it. It happened, and it shaped you.
Identify Limiting Beliefs: What stories from your past are holding you back? Are they really true, or are they just familiar?
Reframe Your Narrative: Actively rewrite your story. Focus on strengths gained, lessons learned, and gratitude for the resilience you’ve developed.
Visualize a Positive Future: Use your redefined past as a foundation for visualizing and creating the future you desire.
Conclusion
Changing how we perceive our past is an act of radical self-love and empowerment. It’s about releasing the chains of our old narratives and embracing a future where our past experiences are not weights but wings. Remember, you have the power to change your story, and in doing so, unlock the potential to craft a future that is authentically and uniquely yours.
Next week, we’ll explore "Creating Results" and how you can take control of your life to manifest your dreams and goals. Stay tuned, and remember, your past doesn’t define you - it prepares you.
Join the Tantalum Tribe for more in-depth exploration and personal application of these transformative concepts. Let’s journey together towards rewriting our stories and shaping a future filled with hope and empowerment.
Remember, you’ve got this, and I’m right here cheering you on!
Megan Bunnell
