What Stories Have Shaped You?

What stories do we carry with us?What has informed us for generations?

What do we carry through our lineage and ancestry?What makes us who we are and fills us with all that is good?

This question sparked something new for me… and that’s why I’m sharing it with you.

One of the stories I carry within myself is the Ramayana. 

Often thought of as a story of the triumph of good over evil.

Over the last 3 weeks, we’ve been watching the first few episodes with our kids. 

And what we’re realizing is that it’s so much more than that.

This is a story we watched as kids.Our parents watched it.Our grandparents watched it.

There’s something deeply shared about it across generations.

My wife and I started this thinking we were just introducing our kids to an important part of our culture. 

But very quickly, we realized that we were not just sharing a story, but the values within it. 

Not just from a religious lens, but from a cultural and moral lens for living. 

And in the process… we’re learning just as much ourselves.

Things we didn’t fully see or appreciate before. 

The value of culture and rituals.The recognition of a higher power in life.The difference between courage and cooperation.Between compulsion and duty.Between restlessness and even-mindedness. 

The idea that you can be both strong and loving — at the same time.

And honestly… so much more. 

We’re watching the original 1987 version, and the Hindi is quite pure. 

So we pause every few minutes to reflect, and talk through what we’re seeing 

and how it applies to life today.

It’s been a really meaningful experience.

We’re doing one episode every Sunday. 

There are 79 episodes total, 

so this will take us about 79 weeks. 

If we stay consistent, 

We'll finish around Diwali 2027.

It’s intentionally slow.

And that’s part of what’s making it special.

I’m not sharing this to convince you to watch the Ramayana. 

But rather inviting you to reconnect with the stories that are meaningful to you. 

What stories have shaped your family over generations?What do you carry with you from your lineage and ancestry?What makes you who you are and fills you with all that is good?

And maybe most importantly…

What stories and values do you want to pass on to the next generation?

What stories and values can you bring into your work and leadership?

- Nitin