Perhaps one of the quieter forms of growth is learning that you don’t have to be indispensable to be deeply loved.

People can manage without you, and still want you there. They can solve their own problems, and still value your presence. They can need you less without loving you less.

Sometimes, that’s a difficult thing to learn. And sometimes, it’s a very freeing one.

Whether it’s a child listening wide-eyed to a bedtime tale, a team inspired by a leader’s vision, or you reflecting on your own journey, stories are more than words. They’re bridges between minds.

So the next time you’re moved by a book, a movie, or even a personal anecdote, remember: it’s not just imagination. Your brain is telling you, “This matters. Pay attention. Learn from this.”

In the end, we don’t just love stories. We are stories - living, unfolding, and always in the making.