We cannot rebuild society without first rebuilding ourselves. True wholeness requires living within four expanding containers of meaning: my story, our story, other stories, and the story. Too often, we become stuck in “my story,” centering life on our personal experiences, opinions, and desires. While self-awareness matters, it is incomplete. “Our story” grounds us in community, shaping our values and connections. Yet, many stop there, clinging to group identity for security. We must move further—acknowledging “other stories” to embrace difference and cultivate empathy. Finally, “the story” invites us into the universal pattern that holds all life together. The whole/healed/saintly person lives happily inside of all of them. Healthy spirituality integrates these layers, freeing us from isolation and tribalism. Only then can we become whole people working toward a healed world.
May we live fully within every layer of meaning,
becoming whole people who help heal the world.
(inspired by Richard Rohr, The Wisdom Pattern)
