Although my disability is responsible for my writing journey, I am humbled by the fact that I am able to write, in spite of what happened to me.
The Past is Never Dead – 'William Faulkner'
As I write, going through my past, present and future in my mind, are all happening right now. As the American writer and Nobel Prize Laureate, William Faulkner recalled, “the past is never dead, it’s not even past.” And although it is true, when we are able to change the meaning and the narrative of our past, we can change the narrative of our present and future.
Changing the 'narrative'
When we change the narrative of our present and future, those change the meaning or narrative of the past. How the story ends is fundamental to how we see our past and how we change our present. Each of our stories will continually evolve, and change based on the experiences we are having.
In my book: Cerebral Palsy: ‘A Story’ the narrative is based on my understanding of how I got to where I am with my life. My blog The CP Diary, although I talk about life, more than I talk about my own life, is based on that ethos.
We each Choose How Our Story Ends
Even if we’re not a writer, or an author, you can still choose how ‘your story’ ends. The past is based on our experiences, but if we are able to put a positive slant on our experiences, we can see those experiences as positive. That is what my book does.
With 46 years behind me, with mostly negative experiences, there would have been very little to read that would have been both positive and inspiring. My words would have got lost in too much negativity. We cannot change our past, but the story we tell ourselves can change.
Rewriting our Past Narrative
My writing is based on living in the present, dealing with the past and choosing to see those differently. I have chosen to rewrite my past narrative, positively.
If you fancy reading either of my books, you can grab paperback and Kindle copies on Amazon, or through the following link https://www.thecpdiary.com/my-books
"The past is never dead, it's not even the past." This is true, as the past pursues us and we pursue it for clarity. You've been brilliant at articulating that.
Your book is a truthful account of the past, the present and confessions from both. I really enjoyed reading it.
Thanks Tim. Yes, the past is never dead, because we struggle to comprehend it and tend to live and relive our experiences until we're able to let go of those.
Where you say my book is a truthful account of the past, the present and confession from both - it brings understanding to a life lived.
It is important we are truthful. I wouldn't have had it any other way.