Using Eastern Storytelling to Create a Better Country and Life
Does 2020 have you stressed out? Maybe it’s because you’re trying to do too much. Maybe you’re trying to solve every problem in the world in your head. That only leads to frustration. In this episode, Rich shares a lesson learned from his creative partner about the difference between Western and Eastern storytelling. By understanding the difference, you can decide which way to tell your life story.
Last week a friend of mine came over to catch up and check out the new apartment. After a quick tour of the rooftop and the apartment – to which she compared my bedroom to what she imagined a nineteenth century log cabin interior looked like – we talked about life. She’s stressed out. Not only from her job but by 2020. I’ve seen a lot of people like this. I shared with her a philosophy that my creative partner and roommate, Ken Ferguson, taught me two years ago and has fundamentally shifted my paradigm of thinking and action. I’ve restructured my approach to the world, valued my relationships more, and am much more fulfilled and happier.
Low key, Ken is a very deep dude. Since I moved in with him in late August, we’ve had twelve deep philosophical conversations – I’ve been counting. He’s a super talented illustrator and animator. He loves art. He loves consuming and creating art for the world. It’s like we share kind of the same perspective on life, but we’re coming from two totally different angles to get there.
Our living room is a creative studio. We have a big table, eight foot whiteboard, vinyl record player, TV hooked up to Apple TV, and he has his animation station. That’s where he is right now. Hey Ken! He’s probably got his headphones in or watching anime. Cartoons are always on in our place. Our work is play and we’re having so much fun bringing positivity to the world. He learned a lot of his philosophy from anime, Asian cartoons.
Ken knows a lot about storytelling. When he explained to me the difference between Eastern and Western storytelling, it changed my perspective. Western storytelling is based on Homer’s Iliad and the Odyssey. The hero is among many and goes through obstacles and fights and emerges as the last man standing. All to one. Eastern storytelling, starts with one lone character or hero and goes on a journey or quest. He meets friends along the way and they unite and help each other to reach the ultimate goal. It’s one to all. After listening, I determined which way I wanted to tell my own life story. The latter. Seems a lot more fun and gratifying to me.
I used to think I had to do everything myself. I’m just going to put my head down and work really hard. Ken’s lesson came at the perfect time too. My first book came out and I had been completely exhausted. There’s gotta be a better, more fun way to do this.
I feel many Americans are stressed out like my friend. I told her that I thought she’s trying to do too much. How exhausting is it to read the news and think she has to do something about everything. You’re only one person and you’re trying to solve every problem. Of course you’re going to burn yourself out. I think Americans have been so influenced by the Western version of storytelling, that they haven’t considered there may be another way.
Americans think the only way to solve a problem is thinking they’re right and fighting for that. They are the hero and they’re going to be the last one standing. But society is not about you, it’s about us. Culture has become intoxicated with fighting. Americans just want to fight.
What if we listen to others and ask ourselves: how can we do this together? I don’t know much about this, but you do and I bet you can help. Let’s elevate ourselves and world around us.
This podcast is designed with that basic understanding of Eastern storytelling. I don’t want to be the last one standing. That’s lonely. And stressful. I want to go on a journey and I want to meet awesome thoughtful people along the way. I want to listen to them and understand what they can offer the world. Because everyone offers something, whether they know that is yet or not. Let’s create a brighter world together. I don’t care about being right. I care about getting better.
Which version of storytelling would you like your life to reflect?