Create A Legacy of Your Lifetime - Recently Updated Pages

People Who Influenced Your Life

comfymumfy — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 09:00:59 CDT

From the day we are born, many people have an impact on our lives -- our parents, relatives, friends, teachers, spouses, children, work colleagues, and other role models. They affect our lives for the better (or worse) and influence our behavior and choices as we live out each of our days (consciously or unconsciously).

Take time to reflect and answer the question:

Who were the most important people in my life? How have they influenced the way I've chosen to live my day-to-day life?

Undoubtedly, my Dad and Mom have been irreplaceable. No matter how we may have disagreed or misunderstood one another over my lifetime, they remain my staunchest supporters and allies. I am truly blessed that both of them are still alive ~ and they are still married! Over 60 years, even :-) Their best legacy to me has been their faith in God. What started out as rote religion has truly grown into relationship, for all of us. Heartfelt prayers and honest communication have replaced mechanical ritual and unquestioning obedience to authority. They have loved me as best they could through all my changes and foibles, rejoicing with me when things turned out wonderfully -- and sharing my sorrow when life dipped into the troughs. They have provided me with amazing examples of what it means to grow up as a grown up, and to love unconditionally.

Of course, my four daughters have been THE delight of my life. Each one of them is a uniquely precious soul, and I am both humbled and privileged to be their mama. I can't even begin to imagine how my life might have been without them as companions on this journey. Having such close observers and reflectors has been the biggest single factor in helping me grow and learn and change. Their presence has made me want to be a better person, to be a good example, to impart the very best that life and God has given me. Their forgiveness for my shortcomings is precious treasure, and their prayers and encouragement are a balm to my soul. And no matter what is happening in any of our lives, their phone calls, emails and visits are blissful reminders of the best life has to offer.

Your Life Experiences

visitodd — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:18:53 CDT

Throughout our lives, significant moments, events, and incidents occur that have an impact on who we are, affecting our values and beliefs, and influencing the choices we make. By looking back at the "happenings" of our lives, we can see the life lessons these experience contributed to the person we have become.

A great way to review your life is to start by creating a timeline that highlights events and experiences at various stages of your life. Using 7-year segments, recall the historical events, personal moments, and personal events of significance -- then reflect on the meaning these experiences had for the life you have lived.

Take time to reflect and answer these questions:

What were my most important life experiences? How did these experiences shape my life?

What special memories do I have? What were my most cherished moments?

Your Values

visitodd — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:18:01 CDT

Values describe the ways in which we intend to operate in our daily lives with members of our family, friends, co-workers, playmates, and others we meet on our life journey. They are best expressed in our behavior. If we behave as we desire based on our "values", what would observers see us doing?

Take time to reflect and respond to the questions:

What matters most in my life? What do I stand for?

What values do I cherish? Does my behavior truly reflect what I say I value?

Blessing Future Generations

visitodd — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:14:22 CDT

Most people have received "instructions for life" from our families such as: "be responsible", "be nice", "work hard", and "support your family."

While instructions like these communicate one's values, conveying your values as "blessings" delivers a deeper message of love and caring to loved ones. You can offer the wisdom of your life experience by transforming instructions into blessings.

When you say a blessing aloud, it sounds more like a heartfelt gift than an instruction -- personal and honest, not indirect or manipulative. A blessing imparts your values and wisdom in ways that touch the heart -- deeply connecting the person receiving the blessing with your truest hopes for their future.

Take time to reflect on how you want to bless loved ones who survive you:

Part 1:

Write a list of "instructions for living" that have been most important in your life. Narrow the list to what you consider the three most essential instructions. For example: Take time for solitude. Keep learning. Live peacefully.

Part 2:

**For each of your three instructions, write them as a blessing. Begin with opening words such as:**

~ May your life be blessed . . .

~ May you always be blessed . . .

~ May God (or your Creator or Higher Power) bless you with . . .

Example:

INSTRUCTION: Take time for solitude.

BLESSING: May your life be blessed with solitude and silence that nurtures your spirit -- allowing you to hear your
inner voice and speak your truth to others.

Harvesting Your Wisdom

visitodd — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:10:45 CDT

Creating an ethical will "captures" our self-
knowledge on paper (on this wiki!) for us to see for ourselves -- often for the first time. It allows us to "harvest" our life experience, converting it into wisdom that can be shared with loved ones in the present and with everyone who reads our ethical will in the future.

Take time to reflect on the following statements -- exploring the truth of your life experience -- to uncover what you know "for sure" today. If desired, write at length on the most meaningful statements and the wisdom you've harvested from your life.

~ What I have loved most about life is . . .

~ The happiest time of my life was . . .

~ The saddest time of my life . . .

~ I am most proud of . . .

~ The time I was most courageous in my life was . . .

~ What I have regretted most was . . .

~ The things that have given me the greatest pleasure . . .

Seeking & Offering Forgiveness

visitodd — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:06:33 CDT

Everyone has made mistakes in life. Many of us have been hurt, betrayed, neglected or abused by others during our lifetime. And many have harmed others as well as betrayed themselves.

Both seeking and offering forgiveness provides a path to heal our emotional wounds and the wounds of others.

Take to to reflect and respond to the following:

1. Make a list of hurtful things that have been done to you that you have not been able to forgive. Write about ways you might seek emotional resolution with the person(s) involved.

2. Make a list of hurtful things you have done to others that you have not resolved and sought forgiveness for doing. Write about ways you may be able to make amends (i.e., in person, in writing, silently in your heart).

3. Write about ways you have betrayed yourself at times in your life. Consider ways you can forgive yourself so you can move on -- feeling emotionally resolved and at peace with the issue.

Home

visitodd — Sun, 27 May 2007 23:23:02 CDT

Everyone creates a personal legacy during their lifetime, not just a legacy of material assets. Every life is a rich source of stories, life lessons, and wisdom worth sharing with others.

To pass along their personal legacy to future generations of their family, many people are creating "ethical wills" to share with loved ones. An ethical will is a personal expression of your heart. It speaks in your unique voice. And, it is a gift that blesses the next generation and future generations yet to be born.

The purpose of this wiki is to provide a guide to important life legacy questions for you to answer and share with family, friends, and (if you'd like) everyone on the planet who contributes to this site.

We invite you to participate in developing content on this "life legacy" wiki which ultimately will contain the life legacies of hundreds of people living in the year 2007 (and beyond).

Sharing your life legacy will make a difference to the well-being of future generations of people on planet Earth. The life lessons and wisdom you share will help guide decisions and actions of human beings today and in the future.

As you reflect on the questions in the various content sections of this wiki, you will reveal your own answer to:

What personal legacy of my lifetime will I leave my family, friends, and community on my last day on earth?

Ways Life has Blessed You

visitodd — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:14:42 CDT

Everyone has been blessed by experiences in life, by important people in our lives, and by the many gifts life has given us. Even the so-called "negative" experiences in our lives often become a blessing later in life.

Take time to reflect on the ways you have been blessed throughout your life:

~ What experiences have you had in which you have felt blessed?

~ Where are the places that have blessed you with their beauty (name the places in nature, your home, or elsewhere that you've considered sacred)?

~ What special gifts have you been given by life itself and how have these gifts contributed to the meaning of your life?

~ How have you blessed others in your lifetime?

Your Hopes & Dreams for Future Generations

visitodd — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:02:45 CDT

Creating an ethical will offers an opportunity to consider your hopes and dreams for loved ones, your community, and the world. By thinking about the lives of those who will survive us, we can share our best wishes for the life they will live and the world they will inhabit in the future.

Take time to reflect on the hopes and dreams you have for:

~ Your children (you may want to write to each individual) . . .

~ Your grandchildren . . .

~ Your great-grandchildren . . .

~ Other family members . . .

~ Your dear friends . . .

~ Your community (and organizations you value most . . .

~ Your nation . . .

~ The world . . .

~ The universe . . .

Expressing Your Love

visitodd — Wed, 23 May 2007 15:41:48 CDT

Perhaps the most important aspect of an ethical will is the opportunity it provides to express our love in deeply meaningful ways to family members and friends.

We may have said "I love you" countless times to our children and spouses; for others, we may have shown our love through our actions but never said "I love you" directly to the person.

Regardless of what your comfort level has been to saying "I love you" to people in our life, an ethical will offers a heartfelt way to express your love and affection.

Take time to reflect on all the people you've loved during your lifetime, including those who have died.

For each loved one, write a statement that fully expresses your love for them and the difference they've made to your life.

~ Your mother . . .

~ Your father . . .

~ Your grandparents . . .

~ Your marital/life partners . . .

~ Your children (address each individually) . . .

~ Your best friends . . .

~ Others you've loved . . .

Your Spiritual Journey & Beliefs

visitodd — Wed, 16 May 2007 16:11:34 CDT

Spiritual development is an evolving, lifelong journey. Each of us develops beliefs based on our religious training (or lack of), our life experiences, and from people who've influenced our thinking.

You may or may not have found a faith tradition and spiritual community that fits who you are today. Yet, examining your spiritual history will enrich your understanding of your deeply held beliefs.

Take time to reflect on your childhood religious education and experiences:

What were your thoughts about God and God's power?

What were your beliefs about heaven, hell, birth, death, and living a "good life"?

Who were your spiritual teachers and what did they tell you about your "place" in the world?

Did you ever have a "direct" spiritual experience? If so, what meaning did it have for you then . . . and now?

When did you experience you first death and what were you told about death and beyond?

Take time to reflect on your adult experience of religion and religious communities as well as your spiritual journey since childhood:

Have you continued to practice the religion of your childhood? If not, when did you leave your faith tradition and why?

What other communities of faith have you been involved with in your lifetime?

How has your spiritual perspective changed over time?

How have losses you've suffered (deaths, divorce, physical illnesses, job losses,etc.) effected you beliefs about life?

Write about your current beliefs and spiritual practices.

What would you say to future generations about the importance of one's spiritual life and faith? Would you encourage them to participate in a religious community?

Your Family Stories

visitodd — Wed, 16 May 2007 15:45:38 CDT

Family stories provide a link to past generations. By recalling and writing down the stories your parents and grandparents told (oftentimes over-and-over!), you can preserve the legacy of your ancestors for sharing with future generations. Likewise, writing down special stories from your own lifetime will link you to family members of the future.

To "collect" your family stories, begin with elders who are still alive. Interview them with an audio or videotape, then transcribe the tapes onto paper for preservation in your ethical will. Begin by simply asking them . . .

"Tell me the story about . . ."

For your own life stories, think about what you'd like remembered by family members in the future. Then audio or videotape your favorite stories about happenings in your life as well as transcribe them for your ethical will.

Take time to reflect and recall: