Opening Remarks: Being Grateful

Life has a way of teaching us. Some of the hardest lessons, those we learn during hardship and suffering, can be the most meaningful. As you celebrate Thanksgiving this year find a way to be grateful for all you have. Especially those things we can’t put a price tag on, like family, friends and fellowship.

I heard a great saying once about gratitude. “I’m not entitled to those things I want until I’m grateful for what I already have.” Another way of saying this is, “If you don’t have what you like, like what you have.”

Gratitude is more than a feeling. It’s a state of being and gratitude is expressed in action – the action of love and service.

Thank you for the opportunity to present another ezine issue to you. Feel free to email me with questions and comments. I welcome the feedback.

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While the main focus of this newsletter is to share thoughts, ideas, and insights on life story writing you should know that I offer various services and also mention some products and services that can be helpful. You are under no obligation to purchase anything, but if any of these products or services are helpful and you decide to utilize them then I am most grateful.

Thanks for reading. – Tom

Featured Article: Blink and You Might Miss Something

Check out the chorus: Don't blink / Just like that you're six years old and you're taking naps and you / Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife / Don't blink / You just might miss your babies growing like mine did / Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your better half / Of fifty years is there in bed / And you're praying God takes you instead / Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think / So don't blink

There’s a lot of wisdom in this song. Life keeps moving forward, but we need to live it in the moment. Take the time to really live. Pay attention to what’s going on around you. Be present in your own life. And as you savor your life experiences make a point to preserve them. There are people who can benefit from your life experiences…including you.

You can read other articles on life-story writing here.

Resources You Can Use

The end of this year is rapidly approaching. Have you thought about how you might document the significant events in your family from 2007 and how you could share them with your family and friends?

Your Life is Your Story can write your annual family newsletter. I'll write a fun, entertaining and concise family newsletter suitable for printing or sending by email. You provide the events and information you want included and I'll flesh out the details in a highly readable report of your family's 2007 experiences, all for under $100. Get the details here.

Heritage Cookbooks

HeritageCookbook.com is a website that provides an easy-to-use tool for making family cookbooks with pictures and stories as well as recipes. Individuals or a group of people create the cookbook online and when it is finished it is printed in B&W or color in 10-15 business days. The minimum order is just five books. The holidays are a great time of year to consider preserving some family history together with those cherished family recipes. APH member Susan Love operates the business and you can find out more at HeritageCookbook.com.

MemoryGrabber

Do you want to start writing your story but you’re not sure how to begin. The MemoryGrabber is a great tool full of thoughtful suggestions, memory jogging lists and ideas on how to begin.

Michael Boyter of Family History Products created the MemoryGrabber and I often utilize it to help clients develop their life stories. You can order it and download it immediately at the tremendous bargain price of $12.95. Get the details here.

Closing Information

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time, – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert