Beyond the Map: Exploring How Narratives Shape the World We See

We each inherit narrative maps—stories passed down that tell us who we are, where we belong, and which way is forward. These narrative maps help us make sense of our terrain. They can make one way forward look natural, even inevitable, while obscuring other routes or making them appear risky. When we hold too tightly to a single narrative map, we assume our way is the only way to get where we want to go. When we step back and examine our narrative maps, we can begin to ask: Where did my map come from? Who drew it? What did they have in mind? What did they leave off? And what assumptions do I make when I follow it?