YOUR STORY, YOUR LIFE, YOUR LEGACY

Your legacy. Your gift. Do you know that you have great value to pass on to your on to your children, grandchildren, and your community? I’m talking about the non-financial assets of wisdom, experience, values and character.  Creating legacy may be one of the most revealing and fulfilling activities of your life.

Why Create Legacy -- “Generativity”

Some years ago Erik Erikson, human development scholar, known for his work on life development stages, coined the term “generativity”. Generativity is a concern that emerges in the later stages of life for nurturing and guiding the next generation.  Focusing on legacy is a direct expression of this kind of generativity.

There are many competing reasons for creating legacy:

It is the gift of your life that lives beyond your lifetime.

There is nothing as powerful as your personal story, and younger generations want and need to know your story. To know how you have become who you have become, your joys and challenges, your accomplishments, and struggles. It is your unique opportunity to pass on values, beliefs and wisdom based on your life experience.

Sharing your lived experiences can positively influence the beliefs, values, behavior and hopes of others in your family and community. For young people struggling with the challenges of life your story can be a source of courage and fortitude.

Creating Legacy Enriches Your Life Right Now

The process of creating legacy leads you to a time of self reflection and self discovery.  It is a valuable opportunity for personal life review.  It can deepen your appreciation of your life’s journey and who you are today.  For some this can be a deeply spiritual and contemplative experience.

Rosemary, a participant in one of earlier workshops contacted me recently to say that focusing on her legacy was one of the most exciting, challenging and profound ventures that she had every undertaken. “I would not have missed it for the world.”

The process can also foster a new sense of significance as a loving, giving creator of a legacy that can enrich the lives of others. 

Creating Legacy with Ease

This undertaking need not be laborious.  It fact it can be a pleasurable activity for you and those who are involved with you in this endeavor.  Fortunately there are many ways of capturing thoughts, memories and experiences.  There is the written word, as through writings, letters, journals, diaries.  There are also workbooks and templates that help you look at the details of the various stages of your life.  Audio and video recordings are also options. 

Your Living Legacy

You can share your legacy now.  Look for opportunities, from one-to-one conversations to family gatherings to share your life experiences, values, and life lessons with those in your circle of love and influence.  Today’s media offerings such as Skype, Zoom, Twitter, Instagram, email and text messaging, also support right now communication.These are some ideas and you may know or think of others. What’s important is being the process

Your Life as a Treasure

You have lived long years.  You have done much, seen much, accomplished much, met challenges, celebrated victories and gained wisdom.  Because of these experiences your life is a treasure that can bless others for generations.

©Sheila Stevens, 2018