While not all metamorphoses are as dramatic as that of Scrooge, there is evidence all around us of transformational change. (Image: Shutterstock)
As someone who helps to tell the stories of those in our industry, creating coherence, understanding and inspiration through narratives is always on my mind.
Is there anything more powerful than a well-told story? They not only stick with us, but help form our reality and shape the way we understand our lives. Aesop's Fables, Moby Dick, Frankenstein, the works of Shakespeare… some tales are so embedded into our culture that we may not even realize how much they impact our daily lives.
Recommended For You
Related: Sell stories, not products
One story that continues to stand the test of time is Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The famous account of redemption has been retold countless times, by classically trained actors, aspiring elementary school thespians, and even The Muppets.
It's no wonder Scrooge's transformation from a selfish and misanthropic miser, "solitary as an oyster" to "another man from what he was" continues to resonate. As the year draws to a close, it's natural to reflect on our lives and to look ahead to something better.
BenefitsPRO editor-in-chief Paul Wilson reflects on his role as a storyteller for the benefits industry. And while not all metamorphoses are as dramatic as that of Scrooge, there is evidence all around us of transformational change. Our industry is full of tales that deserve to be written down and shared. In this month's Face of Change (page 8), Tom DiLiegro describes deciding to become an advisor after witnessing a broker who put his own interests before those of the client (Can you say, "Bah humbug"?) This uncharitable act helped shape one of DiLiegro's guiding philosophies: "People should be the focus in any part of society, not just in business."
Look back through the pages of this magazine over the past year and you'll find dozens of examples of people who are striving to help others, transform our health care system and to "be more present for what is good and let go of what is not life-giving," as Rachel Druckenmiller puts it (page 36).
Stories help sustain us and provide guideposts we can return to throughout our lives. If you happen to find a quiet moment this holiday season, I suggest spending it catching up with Dickens' classic. Jacob Marley's words of regret about a life misspent are as poignant now as the day they were written: "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!"
No matter where you are in life, it's worth remembering that it's never too late to change.
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson is the editor-in-chief of BenefitsPRO Magazine and BenefitsPRO.com. He has covered the insurance industry for more than a decade, including stints at Retirement Advisor Magazine and ProducersWeb.
