Imagine if you knew the stories of your ancestors and had insight into the customs and events of the time. Imagine how the untold stories of our elders might have instructed future generations.
In a recent national survey by Allianz Life Insurance Company, it was found that non-financial items that parents leave behind are 10 times more important to both boomers and their parents than the financial aspects of inheritance. A true legacy captures all facets of an individual’s life – including sharing stories and memories, family traditions, values, and wishes.
The benefits of telling one’s story and creating a legacy are two-fold:
- It is a gift from the heart to your descendants. You have the chance to pass on your family history and a sense of those who came before you. Every story is unique. No matter how ordinary it may seem to you, others will be interested and inspired by your life experiences. If we don’t tell our stories or the stories that we know about our ancestors – no one else will and they will be lost forever.
- We all leave something behind and want to be remembered. A life history project gives you the opportunity to be listened to and articulate what is important to you. You learn a lot about yourself in the process and it helps you to reflect on the experiences that carry great meaning in your life.
When we encourage others to tell their stories we are honoring them by letting them know that we value their memories and their lives.
