Life Stories
A lesson in overcoming hardships
Quotes to Note
• The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy.
• Martin Luther King, Jr.
Objective
• The Life Story Project gives you a chance to reflect on your own life- the ups
and downs, the good and the bad, and see just how you became the person
you are today. It’s also a chance for you to celebrate and embrace your story,
to be inspired to overcome and keep working to be “above” the challenges
of life (to not let them get the best of you or make you bitter) and for you to
look forward to your future. As leaders, we must ALWAYS take time to
reflect, learn, and grow.
Part 1: Overcoming Challenges
The Way I See It
• “The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain.”
– Dolly Parten
• Write this quote down in your journals and reflect upon it. What does this
mean? How do you perceive its message?
• Write about an example of this in your life.
Dare to Inspire
• Get out a piece of paper and write “hardships” on one side
• Draw a line down the middle and write “How they overcame” on the other
side
• During the following, video jot down any difficulties you see someone facing
and how you see anyone overcoming or resolving that hardship.
• Perspectacles: http://www.houstonkraft.com/perspectacles/
Share Out
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What were things that stood out to you in this video?
What was the turning point?
How did the person overcome the hardship?
What gave the person strength?
Connecting the Dots
-My Life Story Posters• This assignment is a chance to reflect on your own life - its ups and downs
and see how you have become the person you are today. It will also be a
chance to share with others, and learn about their lives. You might realize
that some of the hardships that you go through, others have too! The point
is to celebrate and embrace your story, to be inspired to overcome and keep
working to be “above” the challenges of life (don’t let them get the best of
you or make you bitter) and to look forward to and see hope for your future.
• Remember, EMBRACE the struggles of life.
Brainstorm
• Using the brainstorm and life chapters worksheets, imagine you are going to
write you life story-what titles would you give the chapters?
• We will be sharing these, so be as personal as you feel comfortable being...the
more you share, however, the more you will get out of the project.
Questions to Include:
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Earliest memory
Best life memories and how they made you feel
Worst life memories and how they made you feel
Greatest challenges that I have overcome
Other hardships
Accomplishments/things I am proud of
• Personal growth: how I have changed for the better
• (Example: I do not judge people before I get to know them any more)
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My most important personal beliefs or values that give you strength
Positive characters in my life story:
Negative characters in my life story:
What do I want for my future?
What would your chapters be?
• If you were going to set up "chapters" to write out your life story, what title would
you give each chapter? (it can be in chronological order from early memories to
current events, or you can divide your chapters in any way you choose. Be
sure to look at your answers on the front and include significant information
in each chapter). Have as many chapters as you want.
• -Title: _______________________________________________________
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• -Title: _______________________________________________________
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Included in this chapter:
Included in this chapter:
Poster Examples
Part 2: Life Story Project
The Positivity Approach
A man came across a lady throwing starfish back into the ocean, after a huge storm had tossed them on
shore. As the man surveyed the hopeless situation of hundreds of starfish lying on the beach, he remarked,
“Why are you doing that? It can’t possibly make a difference.”
The lady thought about that statement for a moment, then smiled, and looked at the solitary starfish in her
hand, and proudly said, “To this one it will.”
She tossed the lone starfish back into the sea, and continued in her efforts to save the rest–one by one.
That is how it is with the people we come in contact with every single day. Someone is hurting, someone is
crying, someone is devastated and thinking of ending it all. Will we have eyes to see them? Or will we walk
on by, not wanting to get involved?
Never underestimate the power of one kind word, one compassionate gesture, one smile or hug.
-Author Unknown
Positive Words Have Power.
With positive words, positive actions are birthed
“All I ever wanted was to reach out and touch another human being not just with my
hands but with my heart.”
― Tahereh Mafi
To change this world…it takes one kind
gesture, one sincere smile, one genuine
person…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4
Lki_IeM6bQ
Life Story: World Impact Chapter
In addition to your life story chapters, I want you to add another chapter that
has not happened yet in your life. Consider an aspect of this world that you care
about (society, animal rights, environment, economics, human rights, etc.).
Then, choose an area that you would like to someday help to make a change in
for the better. For example: Animal Rights=preservation of endangered whales.
Pick a title for this chapter too and outline your goals for making a difference in
the future.
Part 3: The Life Story Project
Sharing Our Stories