Behavior, Art, and Story Telling
In every person, in every corner of the globe, there is a story waiting to be told, nurtured and discovered. Stories are the essence of human connection. Across cultures, stories are passed down from generation to generation. We carry the DNA of our ancestors; their tales are stitched into the very fabric of who we are. Our existence, from the earliest days of civilization, is itself a continuous story.
Stories are told in many different ways in many different mediums. Art often tells stories. Sometimes by looking carefully at a single work of art, we can find many elements of a great story: the characters, the setting, the plot, the dialogue, and the resolution( Saint Louis Art Museum).
Our lives also tell a story; they reflect the characters, the setting, and the unfolding plot of our past, present, and future. Just as a painting depends on the artist to examine himself or herself and lay down reflective representations on a blank canvas, we too become a reflection of our innermost pain and long-held trauma, shaped by memory, choice, and the quiet ways we heal or not.
A painting that you see may introduce you to the many abstract emotions an individual was experiencing, all laid out on a canvas, sometimes unintentionally. We as humans also reveal an enigma of abstract feelings without meaning to, through our choices, gestures, and behavior. A painter works through the process, adding and removing strokes, blending and layering color until the composition finally tells the story that most closely represents the artist’s thoughts and feelings.
Every painting has a purpose and is edged with deep attachment to something. In short, it was placed there, deliberately, by the storyteller, carrying intention and meaning.
Behavior works the same way. It is carried out with deep attachment, guided by purpose, and infused with clear intention and meaningful significance as well.
Here are 5 powerful takeaways:
1. Every human being is a living story
No matter where we come from, we carry narratives shaped by culture, ancestry, and experience. Our lives are not random—they are continuations of stories that began long before us.
2. Stories are the foundation of human connection
Across generations and cultures, storytelling is how we understand each other. It bridges gaps, preserves history, and gives meaning to our shared human experience.
3. Art and life mirror one another
Just like a painting contains characters, emotion, and structure, our lives unfold with similar elements—setting, conflict, growth, and resolution. We are both the artist and the artwork.
4. Behavior is a form of storytelling
Our actions, choices, and even subtle gestures communicate deeper emotions and internal states. Just like brushstrokes on a canvas, behavior reveals meaning—often without words.
5. Everything we express carries intention and meaning
Whether in art or behavior, nothing is truly accidental. Each expression—each stroke, each action—is connected to purpose, history, and emotional significance.
If this spoke to you, take a moment today to reflect on your story…
And if you're nearby, come experience mine in person at the Veterans Memorial Library in Saint Cloud (March 16 – April 30).
Let the art speak.
You might just hear something within yourself.
Best Life Forward,
Tony
