5 Good Reasons to Tell & Share Your Life Story

1. Each day of life is truly a gift. It is important to seize the day to write at least a heartfelt letter, or preferably, a more complete life story while you have the chance. Your beliefs, values, and experiences will be invaluable to to present and future generations. This needs to be done whether you are 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90+.

2. You do have something to say and you can say it. Keep it mind that you don’t have to write like your old high school English teacher or Shakespeare to say what you want to say. Short, direct sentences are just fine. Remember the details from the events of your life. Recall what you saw, heard, smelled, tasted, or felt during that moment.

3. See the big picture and learn about you! You have accomplished many things during your time on earth. Life review through a tool like www.lifebio.com helps you recognize the joys and challenges you have experienced at different stages of life. You will gain a new “big picture” perspective on where you’ve come from and where you are going. You might learn some new things about yourself that could affect the way you live the rest of your life. You will also have the opportunity to share history from your own perspective.

4. Your children and grandchildren need (and want) your life story to preserve their legacies. Children (especially grown children) will gain strength from reading your life experiences and memories. They don’t just want your life stories recorded; they need them to be recorded. There is real wisdom that comes from your life experience.

Also, within your story is the story of the men and women that shaped your life. Within your story are your memories of your parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Without your recollections of these important people, the next generations will never know them. That would be a shame.

5. Your life story will share your love. Recording memories is a lasting way to ensure future generations know what was truly important to you. Tell them that you love them—on paper so it will be there for them for years to come. Tell them your hopes for their future. Tell them what you feel is truly important about your family’s beliefs. Tell them what must endure. Help them remember—from your own words. -Beth Sanders