How to Save Your Life

I’m here to save your life, ladies and gentlemen. Oh, no, not in the usual sense with health or nutrition advice, but in another very real way. By writing down the stories of your life, you will not be forgotten in a generation or two. Your stories will live on and be a source of wisdom, advice or entertainment so all who come after you may know you as the vital, lively person that you are.

What can you give your family that:
Doesn’t come in a box
They won’t see advertised on TV
Won’t be exchanged for a different size or color
Will last for generations to come
Means more than anything you’ve ever given them before

The answer, of course, is THE GIFT OF YOURSELF.

How much do you know about your grandparents or great-grandparents? About the way they lived and worked? About the choices they made? About the day-to-day details of their lives? Well—don’t you think future generations will be just as curious about YOU?

We can all come up with great excuses NOT to do this story writing. Everyone’s life is unique and is fascinating reading for his or her own descendants. The average daily lives of a few generations ago include the little details that make a historical novel juicy and engrossing reading.

Didn’t you ever wish you had asked your parents more questions? Now it may be too late. Why do we regret missing that opportunity with our parents and grandparents and yet think our own stories aren’t just as important to our kids and grandkids? Don’t wait a day longer to begin your own story.

A memoir can be the story of a day or single incident in your life, a period of time, or an entire lifetime. It doesn’t have to be written in any sort of order. That can come later.

Just find the time and make the committment to leave this precious legacy for your family.

What Happened to Our Life?

These days it’s challenging to go toward the light and not to drift toward the dark side. Uncertainty and fear close in when you least expect them. So many people thought they had life by the tail and could swing it any way they chose. Oh, there were those things we could never claim control over—illness, accidents, other unforeseen events, but retirement? College funds? Extras for a few luxuries? Those were a slam dunk. Nothing to worry about. All planned for and taken care of. We grew complacent, even arrogant about the future, sneering a bit at those in our acquaintance who weren’t prepared. Then there was always our limitless credit to fall back on. High limit credit cards; lots of home equity.

September, it seems, is now a month to be wary of. In 2001, our world changed with the Al Qaeda attack. In 2008, our world was shaken again. With alarming speed, our financial security was threatened, investments wiped out, home values plummeted, jobs were lost. Many of us faced bankruptcy, foreclosure and the real possibility of having to live in a tent city! Our secure world turned into a fragile facade and crumbled with one strong gust of evil wind.

Today’s youthful college and high school graduates have limited jobs opportunities after graduation. The up-and-coming workers are fighting to hold on to their positions, foregoing raises and bonuses that were part of their expected income. They are stressed over the possibility of losing their jobs in the next round of cuts and lay-offs. Workers planning to retire and live on hard-won and well thought out investments are holding off on launching themselves into retirement. And those already retired and living on investment income? They awake fearfully each morning wondering what blow the stock market can rain down on them that day. Rather than leaving a financial legacy for their families, they wonder if they will outlive the resources they have garnered and will have to depend on those children for help or apply for government assistance.

Overnight, it seems we went from beautiful sunlight to feeling our way in the dark. What the heck happened?