Write About Yourself and Share

Family History is just stories of what "NOW" was for your ancestors.  Write about your "NOW" to pass on some of your amazing insights.

By Nathan Shepherd

Family history is personal history.  The stories we read about ancestors today were the experiences, feelings, and thoughts they (or their contemporaries) bothered to share or write about at that time.  Every one of us has *incredible* things to share that will bless generations to come. 

The first step is to write those things down, which can feel daunting when we're doing it "for generations to come."  But more important than writing perfectly is to write in the first place, and there's a lot we can share in just a short period of time.

So…my challenge:  in just 15 minutes, I challenge you to write one paragraph about yourself.  Select as a topic one of the following prompts or select something more personal or customized to what you want to share with your kids, your parents, your siblings, or future generations.  But pick something, and write about it!

Prompts:

• What do you believe?  What is the purpose of life?  The hope?  The joy?
• What is your favorite holiday and why?
• How was your grade school experience unique?
• Who was your favorite elementary school teacher and why?
• Who inspired you as a kid to learn and grow?
• What would you say has been your greatest blessing in life?
• What was your experience with and how did you cope with a transition in your life:  marriage, kids, school, work, etc.?
• What books have you read or movies did you watch this year?  Which did you like the most?
• What about the world gives you the most hope and why?
• What advice do you have for your children, your nieces, or your nephews?  Grandchildren?  Great grandchildren?
• What spiritual experiences have you had?
• What experiences fundamentally changed the way you saw the world?  How did they generate new insights?
• How have you celebrated Pi Day in your life?  :-)

There are lots more sources of prompts out there.  If you'd like some more, David Z- in our Ward recently pointed out to me a fabulous resource for writing autobiographies from one of his previous professors.

But pick one thing and take 15 minutes to write about it.  Then share it!  Send an email, post on Facebook, or just talk to someone on the phone or in person.  Get your message out and strengthen one of your connections.