What's the value of my story?

Do you have events that you go over and over in your mind? Things at work, school, with your family or friends? Do you tell them again and again to anyone who'll listen?

What is it about those events that makes you retell them? Do they make you feel good and help you move on? Do they make people take notice of you, or feel sympathy for you?

When you tell your stories, does it invite new events, people and possibilities into your life? Or does it focus all your interest, energy and talents on the limitations of your story? Has your story become a justification about why you can't do something?

To clarify what lies behind your stories, ask yourself "What's the value of my story?" and notice what comes to mind. If your stories don't add the value you'd like, just notice it with "hmmm, interesting." Then find something else to talk about. 

If someone you know is telling you the same story again and again, you can choose to listen politely, avoid them, or smile and say "Wow, that's a great story. You really tell it well each time I hear it. Got any others?"