The Three Stories of Our Time

Living through wild times with our hearts intact.

May 13, 2024

A thought

Here we are, 2024, in a weird limbo well beyond the old normal, on the precipice of grief and possibility. Last week I discovered a new podcast series We Are The Great Turning, where Jess Serrante is in conversation with legendary eco-spiritual teacher Joanna Macy (who is now 95).

My favourite episode so far is The Three Stories of Our Time. The stories tell us, in short form, about what is happening, why it is happening, and how we can make a difference.

The first story we call Business as Usual. It is the story of a clever industrial-growth society where abundant choices are available if you can afford them. Marked by endless consumption and convenience. It has been the dominant story about how the world works. Much of our lives still exist in this story and many of us are in denial of the tide of change that is headed our way. In the quiet moments, I think most of us wonder if there are cracks in this story. The growing inequity, ecological destruction and climate chaos sows seeds of doubt. What if it all comes crashing down?

The second story is The Great Unravelling, this narrative is dominated by the fall and failure of everything we took for granted. This story is driven by heartbreak, grief, fear and loss. I think that as we learn about our world and the reality of what is going on, many of us traverse a dark night of the soul in this story. I find myself revisiting this story often.

The third story, The Great Turning, calls for a future where possibility reigns. It’s a story about choosing to dream and imagine despite evidence suggesting otherwise. A story where we are audacious enough to imagine a better future.

In Jess’s words:

“The story of the Great Turning is a paradigm shift. A global movement that is building a more just and life sustaining way of living together. It's about clean air to breathe and water to drink. Safe food to eat and enough for everyone. Energy that is clean and abundant. Soil that gets richer year to year and ample space for wild nature. Fair wages and good work for all who need it. Strong communities where everyone is welcome and free to express themselves. Where we care for children, the poor, the sick and the elders. The name The Great Unravelling suggests that there was something that was once whole that is coming undone. The Great Turning is our best effort to come back into that wholeness. The Great Turning is happening all around us and it's brimming with possibility for restoring beauty and love to our world. People all over the world are working together to protect what is sacred, to build just ways of living and to learn how to think and act more cooperatively and compassionately. They're choosing simpler lives with less consumption and more community. They're starting organizations, writing books and singing songs about it too, and you're invited.”

If you are anything like me, you co-habit with these three stories on a daily basis. I pay the bills and fill up the car - Business As Usual. I read of species extinction and Gaza - The Great Unravelling. I nourish the flame of possibility with plans for a veggie garden and L’il Bean - The Great Turning.

Tiny action

Now that I have names for these stories of being, I am finding it useful to identify which story I am in. When gloom and doom feel oppressive, I can remind myself that I can choose a different story, the aim being to spend more and more time in the story of The Great Turning.

Glimmers and sparks*

My glimmers for today are:

Glossy black cockatoos swooping.
Yummy lemon pound cake my son cooked.
Reading your glimmers!

Li’l bean is your reminder to pause and ask: What are your glimmers for today?

From your friend and your small, steadfast companion,

*Drawing Li’l Bean helped me navigate out of a period of depression in 2023. A good friend 13, 595km away, helped, too, through a ritual of swapping daily glimmers via text.

A glimmer is a tiny spark of hope, enthusiasm or joy that lifts your heart. By helping me find three glimmers each day, she gently helped me see the joy and beauty already around me.

I’d like to share this practice with you and invite you to reflect on your glimmers for the day when you read this. Think of Li’l Bean as a reminder to notice the glimmers and sparks in your life. We’d love it if you would like to share your glimmers in the comments or by hitting reply to this email if you prefer not to comment publicly.