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The
"Your Life is Your Story" Blog Archives
Read about
quality family history and life story news, views, methods, products,
links, services
...and whatever else catches our fancy
October,
2005
current
blog entries
blog archive index
October
27, 2005
Here's another good quote relevant to your personal history story:
"If you've had wonderful family relationships, you will be able to call
yourself a true success in life no matter what else you've achieved."
- Vic Conant
October
25, 2005
Despite what we often think, you don't have to a prestigious and famous
person to help bring about change in the world. One of the catalysts of
the civil rights movement in the South during the 60's was a quiet and
humble woman. But one day she'd had enough of being treated as a second
class citizen. And she refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white
man.
Rosa Parks just believed in doing what was
right, even if it meant trouble, hardship and persecution. Her act of
defiance against segregation turned out to be a defining moment. Martin
Luther King, Jr. rallied around her and so did many others. She is an
important part of American history.
"I had no idea when I refused to give up my seat on that Montgomery bus
that my small action would help put an end to the segregation laws of
the South," she said in her autobiography. "I only knew that I was
tired of being pushed around."
This brave but modest woman with the beaming smile passed away
yesterday at the age of 92. I encourage you to read about her. It shows
what one person can do if they are willing to stand up for what is
right. You can start with this article in the Miami Herald.
October
24, 2005
Doreen Clement is the creator of the 5
Year Journal. You can start a journal any day of
the year, but she has her's laid out on a five year timeline. The
benefit is when you review over time. I find that many of the things I
journal about give me clarity and perspective. Oh, perspective is so
important!
Sometimes the thngs I believe are such a "big deal" at the time really
aren't. When I go back and read what I wrote a year before it's
interesting to see that. Plus, I can also see the progress. This is
valuable stuff.
Doreen wrote in her most recent email newsletter about keeping a
"relationship journal". This can be a great way to enhance and support
your partner and grow your relationship. Her 5 Year Journal
already has a format that is easy to use for this. You and your partner
keep separate journals, but you decide that you will be sharing parts
of it with each other. And you can certainly decide what to keep
private and what to share. But, the perspective gained...there's that
word again...will be beneficial to each of you.
Right now you can order two copies of the 5 Year Journal
at regular price - just $59.90, or $29.95 a piece - and get two
additional copies free! Why not use those as gifts for the upcoming
holiday season. Find out more here.
October
20, 2005
The number of self-published life stories, memoirs, autobiographies and
the like continue to grow at leaps and bounds. This is not just an
American phenomena. A recently published article by the Daily
Yomiuri in Japan states that aproximately 30,000 are being
self-published annually in Japan.
This article also discusses the storage of these books. One man, Susumu
Ito, has dedicated his time as head librarian to a private library in
Nihonbashi, Tokyo. He used to work for a publishing company and has a
keen interest in seeing life stories preserved as history and for
others to view. The library currently houses more than 20,000 works in
a 100-square-meter facility on the third floor of a multi purpose
building. Reservations for viewing the books can be made on the
Internet.
You can view the article here.
October
17, 2005
Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy. But the final closure
before the death experience is something I think just about everyone
wants. It is an emotional time and if there is illness it can restrict
what both the dying and living want to say.
What about spending the time to record your thoughts and messages of
love beforehand? It's being done more and more. You can read this recently published article
from the New York Times (free registration
required) to get a better idea.
October 11, 2005
So my beloved Red Sox got swept by the "other" Sox - the Chicago White
Sox. That team is playing like they are on a mission to get to the
World Series (although they just lost the first game of the American
League Championship Series to the Los Angeles Angels). I still have the
memories of a championship win from last year. And at least the Yankees
aren't going this year (sorry New York fans).
Baseball is a love of mine and my life story is certainly entwined with
it. I've been to lots of games, both major and minor league. I remember
when I was fifteen and my best friend, Paul, who lived across the
street from me in Little Rock, Arkansas, would accompany me to the
Arkansas Travelers games. That team is the AA affiliate for the St.
Louis Cardinals. I think we bought season tickets for $15 that year.
When I was a young lad I dreamed of playing professional baseball. We'd
play for hours in empty lots, the street or any park we could use. It
didn't take me long, though, to realize I wasn't blessed with the
talent to make it. But, it's good to have dreams.
My daughter wants to be a singer. She's seventeen and participates in
drama and choral. She had a performance tonight at her high school and
it was the first in a while that I couldn't personally attend.
Fortunately my 11-year old son, Eric, videotaped it and I enjoyed
watching it. We're lucky we live in an age of such technology. They
closed the performance with their singing of a traditional Irish
blessing. It was quite beautiful.
It's good to encourage the dreams of your children and family members.
Unfortunately we too often are "dream killers". Any thing is possible
with a strong belief and encouragement.
October
5, 2005
Well, my Boston Red Sox managed to get into the playoffs on the last
day of the season, clinching the wild card spot. But they are off to a
rocky start against the Chicago White Sox. They've lost the first two
games and are facing elimination. Hey, remember, this is the team that
was on the brink of losing to the Yankees last year and came back to
win four in a row to get to the World Series! Then they won four
straight over the St. Louis Cardinals. So if any team can come back it
has to be the Bosox.
Yes, I'm trying to convince myself.
October in Albuquerque means the International Balloon Fiesta.
It's the biggest hot air balloon event in the world. You can see all
about it at the official website, www.balloonfiesta.com.
Everybody has a story to tell!
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