Stories that lift us
- hbsingh
- May 31
- 4 min read
“Stories are the communal currency of humanity.” – Tahir Shah
Welcome to part five of the storytelling series, with links to earlier stories below. Today we are talking about stories that help lift us to our higher selves.
This weekend, many Sikhs commemorate the sacrifice of Guru Arjan Dev Ji one of the Sikh Gurus. His story - a powerful tale of courage and selflessness - echoes strongly with themes familiar to to the crucifixion of Christ. Yet, such profound stories of sacrifice rarely find their way into our daily conversations these days.
Why do we need uplifting stories?
Stories that lift us help remind us of our highest potential. They urge us to resist the temptation to indulge ourselves, neglect others, and instead encourage us to think both longer term and with a great circle of concern.
Sacrifice sits at the heart of many virtues we admire: charity, generosity, community, honesty, courage, integrity, compassion, humility, patience and forgiveness.
These virtues get overshadowed by the firehose of messaging urging self-indulgence. We are daily encouraged to see others as threats or burdens and to hoard while we still can. Our society regularly promotes messages like "you deserve it" or "treat yourself," subtly discouraging the practice of empathy and sacrifice.
How do we choose stories?
British pride of Empire has faded, but our reverence for bravery shown during World War II has grown. These are choices. The idea of the European man civilising his uncivilised subjects is uncomfortable, but the sacrifice of soldiers to fight a formidable and morally reprehensible Nazi regime is one that everyone could get behind. We have chosen not to focus on desertion, corruption and the choice of some to collaborate with the Germans, which also happened during that period.
History fades with the passing of each of those who lived through it. With fewer survivors to remind us first-hand of those terrible times, our fear of violent disruption - so vivid to previous generations - is slipping away. We are now almost completely disconnected from the reality of hardships endured by past generations. This is when we are most vulnerable to repeating historical mistakes.
The importance of religious or cultural stories
Parables, and prayers are more enduring as they live on in our places of worship and cultural festivals. They provide us with great examples of virtue from the past. They help us remember what can be achieved when we resist giving in to selfishness, fear, or short-term gains. Whilst many are put off by the supernatural beliefs and ritual, there is a growing concession that religion has an important place as means of cultural continuity and moral backbone of a society.
In moments of disruption, these stories anchor us. They give us clarity and perspective about the type of people we aspire to become. What are our red lines in conflict, and who we consider enemies, requires a moral compass. Consider stories that have endured:
The Good Samaritan reminds us of kindness and mercy.
World War II veterans teach us about unity, resilience, and the cost of achieving peace.
Nelson Mandela’s struggle inspires resilience and forgiveness.
The story of Guru Tegh Bahadur highlights bravery and selflessness.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy encourages courage and justice.
Our junk diet of stories today
Today’s stories are more like Cheerios than porridge. They obsess about sexual attractiveness, individual success, wealth, and personal achievement. These narratives are competitive instead of co-operative. Profit is more important than generosity, and comfort over sacrifice. Success is frequently measured by monetary gain instead of by contribution to community and society. The result is more an individual race than a relay.
How are you managing your "story diet"?
The stories we are fed on shape the people we become. They reinforce values, guide our decisions, and determine what we see as important. If we fail to recount stories of generosity, bravery, and sacrifice, we risk forgetting these essential values altogether. As the frequency and prominence of these stories diminish, so too can our collective aspiration towards higher ideals. I recently stopped using X (formerly Twitter) as I felt like it was mobbish and nasty. Whilst memes and hot takes are entertaining, that sort of base storytelling left a residue. It was not "free" entertainment.
A call to action
We must tell and listen to stories of those we admire regardless of the "likes". We must remind ourselves of our highest virtues - especially when our culture increasingly pushes us in other directions. We can shape the world through our stories and deliberate storytelling is a conscious act of cultural preservation.
Where can we go for wholesome stories?
Remembrance Day services annually reinforce our appreciation for peace and sacrifice.
Community volunteering groups frequently highlight stories of generosity and communal spirit.
Charitable events and initiatives, such as fundraising marathons, regularly remind us of collective responsibility and compassion.
Religious ceremonies across faiths regularly remind participants of sacrifice, humility, and compassion.
Educational programs often recount historical figures whose lives exemplified selflessness and moral courage.
So What?
Stories that lift us remind us life isn't just about taking, but also giving.
Without regularly revisiting powerful cultural stories, we risk losing important values.
Choosing to recount stories of higher virtues helps build stronger, more compassionate communities.
Regularly telling these stories equips us to better resist societal pressures towards selfishness and self-indulgence.
Reinforcing collective memory through storytelling helps maintain social cohesion and a shared sense of purpose.
Next week I will explore "Humour and storytelling". Until then, please sign up to receive the blog directly to your email at Blog | Deciders.
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