Your Life story is worth recording. Capturing the significant events, for you to remember the path you have taken, sharing it with those you love and using it to help others avoid your mistakes and learn how you brought about your successes. Your life’s journey to this point has painted a tapestry which shows the story of what you’ve been, done or had, don’t let it be forgotten.
Your story can have a massive impact on people, just like the Bayeux Tapestry which tells the story of the Battle of Hastings; why William of Orange felt he had to invade, the preparations made for the crossing and the battle itself. The story it tells was to have a huge impact on Medieval England, while your story can do the same during the time you live and afterwards.
I truly believe a life worth living is one worth recording and then sharing it with others. Do we not owe it to our loved ones particularly our newest generations to write down for prosperity everything meaningful that has occurred during our lifetime. Secondly our lives will undoubtedly have much that we could teach others. Showing them how to overcome the challenges we have had which they may be confronted with the same or demonstrate to them how we brought about our victories so to give them the necessary steps to do the same for themselves. I also believe the opportunity for each of us to revisit our life, rekindle those memories, reminiscing of happy times , recalling our victories, remembering the people who have had an impact, is a very special empowering way to spend some time. Then concluding it with the lessons you believe you’ve learnt that can be shared with the world.
On the other hand what if thinking of your life story makes you miserable with where life finds you right now. Maybe this exercise can bring clarity to answer the questions:
Where have things gone wrong for me?
What can I now do to bring about change to create major improvements?
By going back over your life’s journey you will be able to see what went wrong and now it’s time to find an understanding of why it did. But the important thing is to use this journey to help you write a new chapter and I have come to see that this is only possible by:
- Determine exactly where you are right now
- See clearly the path you have taken to get to this point
- Decide where you now want life to go
- Map out your future journey
The shelves in book stores are crammed full of biographies of the rich, famous and notorious. Isn’t it time for you to write yours and demonstrate what a significant life you’ve lived.
Two people accounting their life stories had a significant influence over me. One was an elderly gentleman living in a nursing home. I met him when I was 14. As part of a community service project I was to go to this nursing home twice a week and 4 hours a day make myself useful. I admit it didn’t fill me with enthusiasm. The first couple of days I felt like a vicar at an orgy I just didn’t fit in. But then this elderly gentleman called me over sat me down and decided to find out about me. What was to tell. I loved sport and watching my beloved Arsenal. He got me to admit some of my bad ways and began sharing with me his life story. From the poverty of his up bringing to the running with the wrong crowd to the joining the army and his employment in a variety of battles through World War 2. Then his days working in a factory going from a as he called skivy to a manager and then director. I was riveted and couldn’t wait to go visit him and hear more of the story.
Then there was my dad sharing his journey particularly including the starting up and building of Pearl and Dean. Again stories that captivated me. Both also demonstrated so much to me teaching me things that I would use throughout my life which proved invaluable.
The necessity and rewards brought by writing our life story were brought home to me on the day of my Mother’s funeral. We were all back at the house, and I admit to having been very down. My aunt then began to reminisce, sharing stories of my mother and her, many from the time when they were both young. I heard things about my mum that I never knew and was captivated, wanting to hear more. I knew so little about my mum or her life’s journey and find this something to be very regretful about. I think we should all write our autobiographies, memoires even if it’s just for the sake of our newer generations so one day they can read about our life story.
Share your story and perhaps you’ll also change someone’s life maybe even your own.
If you want help remembering or writing your life story then connect with me and let me help you.
photo credit: France-000719 – Tapestry – 50 via photopin (license)
