Stories influence our lives
They influence who we are
We are all told stories
When we are really young
The stories that are parents tell us
The stories we hear on the news
The stories we read
Even the stories we are taught in school
Hold importance in shaping
Just who we are to become
We are all told certain things
Certain things we have become accustomed to accepting
We are told these stories so many times
That we start to believe that these stories are true
Stories about our families
The stories we hear on the news
The stories that people write about us
They all play a role
Sometimes it can be hard to know
Exactly which stories we should
Really be paying attention to
Not all of the things we are taught are always the truth
We have to be able to discern for ourselves
Which stories we should pay attention to
Which stories we should take to heart
Words and stories have power
They have the power to move people
But they also have the power to hurt people
To move people to act out of hate
Justifying people's actions
And giving us the wrong ideas
That can be dangerous
And can cause us to act out of ignorance
Causing us to move
To act off of these stories that we are told
That we are made to believe are true
But there are stories
And words that can uplift people
That can move people to great feats of kindness
That can make you think about something
That you might not have thought of otherwise
That offers those words of encouragement
When you really need it
That allows you to see things
From someone else's view
That even show you things about yourself
That you might not have thought of before
I think it's up to us
To decide what is the truth
And the lessons that we should take along with us
More often than not we repeat the same stories
And the same mistakes
That we are taught when we are younger