The "Your Life is Your Story" Blog Archives

Read about quality family history and life story news, views, methods, products, links, services

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December, 2005

December 12, 2005

I've been a fan of the acclaimed television show, "Lost", since episode one. If you are not familiar with the show which airs Wednesday nights on the ABC Network you can visit their website (here).

The basis of the show is that an airplane full of passengers flying from Australia to America got caught in a big storm, blown off course and crashed. The survivors are stranded on an island where lots of strange things happen. But the greatest thing about the show is the back stories of the passengers. Many episodes have introduced us to the characters stories and what has been going on in their lives prior to the plane crash. It is fascinating and an adventure and reinforces that everyone indeed has a story.

I applaud quality TV like this show with intriguing story lines and good writing. I admit I'm hooked on the show and it has given me lots of food for thought.

December 8, 2005

Twenty five years ago this night I was working at a rock radio station when the news came down that John Lennon was murdered in New York City. My heart lodged in my throat and it was not easy to open the microphone and announce to the audience that one of the most influential musicians and voice of a generation had been murdered. After I got off the air that night I went home and listened to Beatles and Lennon music for a several hours. I was alone and sad yet I felt connected to the grieving that others felt.

The next day I spent a couple of hours in a production room putting together a musical tribute to the late Beatle. It was cathartic. Do you remember where you were when you heard the news? And do you remember how you felt afterwards? When tragedy like that strikes - regardless of a famous person or a personal friend - we all get a glimpse at our mortality. Live life to the fullest, because you never know how much time you have.

I know that there are many things that compete for your attention each day. That's even more true during the Holiday Season. However, I hope you do take time to seriously consider what it would mean to invest in you and your family through personal history preservation.

It does not have to be a full-blown book, although that is often the most rewarding option. You can do a short video piece, oral history or smaller project, like a tribute book for a wedding, anniversary or graduation.

Telling a life story is a gift that truly keeps on giving. I created this site not just as an opportunity for me to create writing opportunities, but to introduce and educate others on the value of your story. Please feel free to contact me or visit the Get Started section for more information.

December 5, 2005

December already! This time of year seems to rush by, but it is the time when I really want to have it slow down so I can savor the season. Our society does tend to make it all too busy and commercialized. Remember, it is not what you buy, but how you give.

I'm excited to finally have the finished book in my hands that I've been working on most of the year. Jeannette's Story is the life story of Jeannette L. Morris as told to me and we've worked together on this autobiography for many months. During this time we've grown close and shared a lot. The process is rewarding, but the end product is the important thing to share with others. Jeannette wanted to do her story for years, but it took working with a personal historian to make it a reality.

Everybody has a story to tell!
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