Challenged by Chris Brogan, I decided to take a few moments to evaluate the importance of story in my life. Seeing how I have chronicled my last year or so on this Journal portion of my blog via a series of stories, the element of story is very key to how I express my thoughts about life and how these different experiences have put me where I am today.

So what is my story?

It's not an epic poem or something that would be written as a screenplay to earn millions of dollars at a box office. I wouldn't even go as far as saying it's one long narrative. It's more of a collection of short stories - some more exciting than others - that have each had some impact on the person I am today.

My story isn't a story. It's an anthology.

Each story has shaped who I am today. Whether it has been running up a mountain and encountering a bear in the process, having my first wreck when I was 16, family trips, running victories, dodging gun fire in Chicago or telling my future wife "I love you" for the first time, each little moment has done something to form my views, teach me a lesson and make me the blogger, marketer, runner and person you all know.

The anthology is far from complete and I hope that it's ultimately worthy of a best-seller by the time it's all said and done. It's a constant work-in-progress and there's still a long way to go.

What's your story?