More Than a Story: How a Shift in Perspective Changed Everything for a Struggling Young Man.

In the times of the ancients, many thousands of years ago, there lived a young man that was struggling in life. He felt that everything was hard. He didn't feel he belonged.

He felt like an outcast despite appearing to be normal to others. His thoughts were always in turmoil. He was always overthinking. He was always worrying about what other people thought of him.

He felt powerless and depressed a lot of the time. He felt trapped and vulnerable. He never felt safe.

Now, it was dangerous times in those days. You had to have your wits about you. There were dangerous people and animals everywhere.

If you were not aware of your surroundings, then you could be killed at any moment. One morning, early, he joined a few of his friends and family to go hunting.

It was going to be a long trip and he was looking forward to it. He loved to get away from the hustle and bustle of life which really just overloaded his brain.

Going into the wild was his happy place. He felt he had a deeper connection with nature than with people. He felt less judged an on edge.

But on this morning, he was a little sad. He was hungry and there wasn't enough food to take with him. There was nothing worse than being hungry.

It made him feel worthless. Like he didn’t even deserve food. It was in these moments that his depression really kicked in. he would feel powerless and upset. Still, he just had to get on with it.

There was no time in this world to feel sorry for yourself otherwise you really would stave or become someone else's dinner.

Big cats where always lurking with intent. Hoping to be able to snatch a meal. They weren't fussy if that was a human or an animal.

Huddled together on this cold morning, the group checked their spears and knives before they headed off. They had a few other weapons as well, but only the young man's father would use this.

It was a type of sling shot which hurled a small stone at great speed. It was difficult to learn how to use and be both accurate and powerful. However, once mastered, it was a very effective weapon.

The young man had always wanted to master this but he had never managed to and no one would teach him. This just added to his frustration and lack of self worth.

There was ten of them in the hunting party and they were soon on their way. Setting a fast tempo to get to an area they knew would be ideal for hunting.

Being hungry, the young man found it hard to keep up and he started to lag behind. He felt weak and left out. The sense of powerlessness really robbed him of his energy and motivation.

He considered turning back but it was probably more dangerous to do that. He would just have to try and keep up with the others. They hadn't even noticed him dropping off the back.

Sometimes, despite having family and friends, the young man felt that life was all about everyone for themselves. No one cared about others.

He spiraled into self pity and became more miserable as he followed the others. Finally they all stopped. They could see a herd of deer up ahead.

There was excited chatter as they planned the attack. The young man's father, barely noticing the misery of his son, told him to creep all the way round and drive the herd towards them.

Once again, he felt alone. He felt like he was the expendable one. He crept through the forest, silent and deliberate. When he had made it round the back of all of them, he snapped a twig.

It made a loud crack and startled the deer who leapt away from him and straight towards the hunting party. They managed to kill two of them which would feed all of them for a few days.

Despite all of this, the young man felt like he had failed. He hadn't managed to kill any and so he felt he had let everyone down. Still, they would eat soon and he knew that he would feel better.

On the way back, one of his friends noticed how glum he looked and asked what was wrong. The young man mentioned how he felt he had let everyone down because he hadn't killed a deer.

He had been sent off by himself to scare the deer into a trap. His friend was silent for a few moments. Do you know why we sent you off by yourself he asked. The young man shook his head, still feeling sorry for himself.

His friend replied, "it is because you are the best at stalking quietly without being seen or heard. None of us can walk as silently as you can through the jungle.

Without you, we can't hunt effectively. If you weren't with us, we would probably have to chase the deer for days trying to kill one. You are probably the most valuable person in this hunting party."

The young man was shocked at to what his friend had said to him. He had never considered this for moment.

SUDDENLY, WHAT HIS FRIEND SAID TO HIM, CHANGED HIS WHOLE PERSPECTIVE ON THE SITUATION.

He realised that he had been making up a story in his head that was negative and robbed him of his energy. It made him feel weak and powerless and yet, the story was completely false.

It was all made up. His friend made him realise that there was often a different perspective to consider. He was not worthless. In fact, the total opposite.

He was vital to the success of the hunt. His friend told him to be more aware of the stories that he made up in his head, for often they were not true and dis-empowered him.

You are as useful as you choose to be, he’d told him. You are worthy, unique and gifted. Above all, you are needed. The young man couldn't stop smiling to himself.

He felt embarrassed that he had got it all wrong. From then on, he vowed to have better awareness of the stories he was making up in his head that would physically effect him.

He could control those thoughts and how he felt. He wasn't powerless or weak. It was just a story he made up.

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