Bedtime Stories
As children, we were told bedtime stories.
Older folks opened books and conjured up tales for us. They kept our attention, sure, and they helped us fall asleep. But they also reinforced important values. Bedtime stories showed us what quality character looked like: Forgiveness. Courage. Sharing. Acceptance. Kindness. They seeped into our heads and hearts as we slept.
As adults, we are told bedtime stories, too—every single night.
We curl up on the couch with a show. We crawl into bed with our phones. We scroll on social media. We’re also listening to bedtime stories that reinforce certain values. They tell us all manner of things. That we aren’t pretty enough. That we aren’t successful enough. That we need to cut corners and hurt people to get ahead. That we need to spend money to feel whole. They seep into our heads and hearts, even if we aren’t aware of it.
We know two fascinating things about the human brain. First, we know it’s physically moldable via a phenomenon called “neuroplasticity.”The thought patterns we most commonly engage in literally dig physical trenches in our minds to make those thoughts quicker and easier. The second thing we know about the brain is that it is wired to remember stories. Stories produce dopamine in our brains, which is the chemical responsible for motivation and learning.
This brings pertinent questions to mind when we think about bedtime stories.
What bedtime stories are you listening to? Who is telling those stories? Does the storytelling medium bring peace or anxiety? Are the bedtime stories true? Are the bedtime stories serving you?
Nighty-night, sleep tight.
This idea for bedtime stories was inspired by a metaphor Jason Min used in this sermon.
