Why Writing Your Own Story Is Important

Your Voice Matters

Photo by Alexas Fotos from Pexels

Until the lion learns how to write every story will glorify the hunter.

~ African Proverb

I was recently scrolling through my FB posts when I came across this familiar African Proverb. I’ve often seen it displayed on people's timelines. I suppose it’s posted as an encouragement for people to understand the importance of telling their own stories.

Every time I see it, I pause. I take time to stop and read it again as a way of giving humble reverence to the wisdom nuggets I believe are shared in the words of this old African proverb. Nuggets such as:

1. The only one who can honestly write the lions’ story is the lion. (In other words. It is important for you to use your voice and tell your own story)
2. It’s never in the best interest of the lion to trust the hunter will, (or even has the intention or ability to) communicate an honest portrayal of the experience between them. (In other words, if the only view shared is one-sided then automatically the story is one-sided and slanted in the direction of the one who is writing the story.)
3. The story can only be considered complete when all sides of the story are shared. It is only from this space of shared stories that we can truly begin to grasp a full…