Origin Stories

In today’s culture, the term ‘origin stories’ often applies to comic book or movie heroes. These ‘back-stories’ provide us with insights into how our heroines acquired their superpowers, faced loss and hardship and why they are motivated to fight for a certain cause. As Valentino Zullo writes in his article The Origins of Our Stories: Superheroes and Mental Health Practice, “The superhero story asks, 'Where have you been?'”

Considering my origin story, it was the year 1972 when a young immigrant family arrived in Miami from a tiny island in the Caribbean. The father had been offered a new position as a university professor at Florida International University which was just opening its doors to students. The young couple with their infant daughter (me) moved into a small apartment and soon found a church nearby which welcomed them. Over the next 50 years the family would settle into the community of South Florida and raise three daughters.

Rediscovering my origin story has been crucial for understanding my motivations, behaviors and my core values. 

As I look into my origin story, I see resilience. I see determination. I see vision. 

Remembering my story in this way links my past with my present. 

As a result, I am feeling better connected to the “great cloud of witnesses” who came before me which encourage me to forge ahead as my story continues to unfold. 

What is your “origin story”? 

Which strengths of your origin story can you identify and lean into this week?