The Truth We Tell (And Retell)

(This is part two. If you didn't read the prior post "Accidental History Detective", read it first.)

I kept coming back to that one sentence: "Ezra Baker Jr. died in an almshouse." It was written as fact, repeated across genealogy reports, and accepted without question. But it wasn't true.


We do this in our own lives, too. A single mistake or misinterpretation can get repeated until it becomes the story we tell about ourselves. "I’ve never been good at public speaking." "I’m not the kind of person who takes risks." "I always mess things up." Sound familiar?


Ezra’s story reminded me to challenge assumptions. The first recorded version isn’t always the right one. If I had accepted the almshouse story, I wouldn’t have found his connection to Lincoln, his political appointment, the crazy story of scandal and intrigue, or his last years practicing medicine in Philadelphia. The real story was more complicated—but also more interesting.


Maybe it’s time to look at your own narrative. What’s a belief you’ve carried about yourself that might not be the full truth?

You don’t have to keep retelling the same story if it no longer serves you. If you’re ready to explore new possibilities, coaching can help you rewrite your own history.

Clearly Gen. U.S Grant was not having any nefarious illegal trade with the enemy