Developed trail
Storytelling
Stories help people see Proxima more clearly, understand what matters to us, and respond when something connects.
Stage 1 of 7
Purpose
We share Stories to deepen relationship, helping people understand Proxima, see what matters, and honoring the people whose stories we tell.
Stage 2 of 7
Message
Every Story has one clear idea and one natural invitation.
To choose that invitation, we consider:
| What helps us choose the invitation? | |
|---|---|
| What the Story is really about | When the setting adds meaning |
If it connects, what might someone want to do?
| Invitation | What it makes possible |
|---|---|
| Let us know it mattered | This mattered to me. |
| Share a thought | A question, reflection, or personal response |
| Ask to know more | A natural next conversation |
| Stay connected | Future Stories from Proxima |
| Take part | Pray, attend, volunteer, register, or participate |
| Give | Support Proxima financially |
| Ask for care or help | Personal attention or support |
| Simply receive | Let the Story stand on its own |
More on this topic — One quiet invitation when another Story genuinely continues the subject.
Stage 3 of 7
People
We ask who this Story is especially relevant to now.
We consider Story preference, connection to the subject, expressed interest, and whether the Topic may matter.
Who is this Story most likely to matter to?
These signals help us decide who is most likely to care about the Story.
Stage 4 of 7
Delivery
We send the Story when it fits the people receiving it and we are ready for whatever response it may invite.
The right Story, for the right people, with a response we are prepared to honor.
Stage 5 of 7
Reaction
After the Story is shared, we listen in two different ways.
What people tell us shows what they are choosing.
| What happens | What we understand |
|---|---|
| Quiet acknowledgement | The Story mattered |
| Personal reply | They chose to engage directly |
| Explicit interest | They want to know more |
| Stay-connected request | They want future Stories |
| Participation | They chose to take part |
| Gift | They chose to give |
| Care or help request | Personal attention is needed |
How people engage helps us notice what may be becoming meaningful.
| What happens | What we learn |
|---|---|
| Meaningful read | The Story held their attention |
| Completed read | They stayed with the Story |
| Return visit | They came back later |
| Related Story click | They continued exploring the Topic |
What someone tells us can call for a response.
What someone reads helps us notice what may matter over time.
Stage 6 of 7
Next Action
We respond according to what the person actually did.
The question is:
What does this response ask of us now?
Some responses simply need to be remembered. Some change what the person wants from us. Some call for personal attention. Others belong to another PROS trail.
| What happened | What happens next |
|---|---|
| Quiet acknowledgement | Remember it |
| Personal reply | Right person responds |
| Explicit interest | Follow the interest path |
| Stay-connected request | Update what they receive |
| Participation | Hand off to the appropriate trail |
| Gift | Hand off to Gift Acknowledgment |
| Care or help request | Right person follows up |
| Passive engagement only | Carry forward for learning |
Personal requests get prompt follow-through from the right person.
When another trail owns the response, we hand the relationship forward rather than recreating it here.
A Task is used only when someone needs accountable human follow-through.
Stage 7 of 7
Learn
We watch: what people read • what they finish • what they return to • which Topics connect • what people tell us
When the same kinds of Stories keep mattering to someone, it can help us understand what they care about and make future communication more relevant.
Relational Takeaway
Stories help people see Proxima more clearly, understand what matters to us, and respond when something connects.