Paul expressed it this way: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” [Philippians 4:8].
I guess the direction in which one pitches their tent has a bearing on how well they fare. I recently read a quote for the day in Dr. J. Nick Pitts’ Daily Briefing and for whatever ever reason, it continues to be food for thought. He highlighted this quote:
“Tragedy blows through your life like a tornado, uprooting everything…You wait for the dust to settle and then you choose. You can live in the wreckage and pretend it’s still the mansion you remember. Or you can crawl from the rubble and slowly rebuild.” – Veronica Mars.
I had an interesting conversation with a colleague and friend yesterday concerning story branding. How a person or organization chooses to share their story can be impactful. I am not suggesting that I can yarn a story that will capture one’s attention, but I do know a good story when I read it. That is one of the reasons I incorporate Dr. J. Nick Pitts’ Daily Briefing in my morning routine. There is something about the way he writes and the practical applications he makes concerning the news that resonates with me.
He can package a story in a way that vibrates with excitement and thoughtful deliberation. Plus, if you watch his video, he is going 90 mph and the sparkle in his eye and animated use of his hands to convey his message leaves me spellbound. You can’t help clinging to the script he shares and the observations he makes.
Yesterday, my friend who cuts to the chase with his millennial focus on the important persona asked: “Do you know how story branding got started?” I remember Jim Weldon Johnson’s poetic narration of creation that begins with the words: And God stepped out on space, And he looked around and said: I’m lonely–I’ll make me a world”. I quickly inventoried the remainder of the poem in my head and confessed that I had no idea how story branding got started.
My friend threw out a name and in short order the dots connected in my head and it all made perfect sense. The name was Donald Miller. Who would have thought? I knew the name – Donald Miller. I read his book Blue Like Jazz when it was released in 2003. The book was sub-titled “Non Religious Thoughts on Spirituality”. The thing I found fascinating about the book is the stories Miller shared about folks in the midst of struggling to make life work for them. The same was true for him.
Let me perk your interest with the notes from the cover of the book: “I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn’t resolve. I used to not like God because God didn’t resolve. But that was before any of this happened.” ―Donald Miller
In Donald Miller’s early years, he was vaguely familiar with a distant God. But when he came to know Jesus Christ, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal. Within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and once again for from God”. The book chronicles his intimate soul-searching discovery of an infinitely loving God.
I found the book, Blue Like Jazz thought provoking, but I didn’t add it to my list of favorite books. In fact, I loaned my copy to a friend who didn’t return it and I never bothered to pick up another copy.
So, what does any of this have to do with story branding? Hearing the name Donald Miller linked with story branding suddenly made perfect sense. I don’t remember Donald Miller for his thoughts associated to Blue Like Jazz. I remember Donald Miller for the transparency in his book “A Million Miles In A Thousand Years”. It was a book I couldn’t put down. Perhaps the changes Miller identified in his book were also the kinds of changes I needed to make in my own life. I can’t say for certain, but I will tell you this, his book changed my life.
Following the success of Blue Like Jazz, a couple of movie producers from Nashville contacted Miller with their expressed intent to make of movie of his book. They actually took the time to travel to Portland for a week and stayed in Miller’s Home. They wanted to observe first-hand how he lived his life.
Long-story short, what they observed wouldn’t play well on the big screen. How do you handle the news: “Your life is too boring to be made into a movie?” To add insult to injury, they even suggested that if people paid to see the movie, before it was over they’d be tempted to stab other people in the neck with their drinking straws.
The movie producers wanted to tweak Miller’s life and make it play better to the audience. I guess that’s where the concept of story branding began. Interesting, Miller had a better thought. Instead of changing his story, why not change his life? A Million Miles In A Thousand Years – What I Learned While Editing My Life chronicles the changes he made.
If Miller can do it, I can do it and you can too. That leads me back to the thought for the day: “Tragedy blows through your life like a tornado, uprooting everything…You wait for the dust to settle and then you choose. You can live in the wreckage and pretend it’s still the mansion you remember. Or you can crawl from the rubble and slowly rebuild.” – Veronica Mars
All My Best!
Don