If you could be reborn as absolutely anyone, any historical figure, any famous personality, any one at all, who would it be?

What is it about that person that you want to be known for?

Alright, let’s suppose you are reading this from the hereafter. You have the opportunity to revisit this little corner of the universe and say anything you want to anyone you want.

Who do you want to say something to?

Why do you want to say it to them?

What is it that you want to say?

Can you distill your personal life philosophy or essence down to 3 sentences – try it here.

FINALLY:

We all have various things that we are grateful for in our lives. Name 10 things that you are most grateful for:

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Today, there are many many ways to physically or digitally create a personal memoir and we will discuss a few ideas and some cautions.

You could simply print off the templates found here and using a pen, fill in the blanks as best you can and maybe add a few pieces of paper where necessary to expand some areas. Messy, not very professional and hard to read would be the words that first come to mind with this approach.

You might take a different step and create a Word document on your computer, retype the questions presented in the templates and enter your answers, creating additional space where necessary. This would allow you to import other documents, photos, drawings and anything else that adds to your story. You could save the document on your computer and additionally, save it on the cloud.

You might be more comfortable creating a video and using the templates as a guideline to speak your answers and also add photos, song downloads and other videos. You could make it as involved or simple as you like. There is lots of software available through Microsoft, Google and many others to help you create this work. Once again, save it onto a memory stick, your hard drive or the cloud.

There are lots of book creation websites available where you could create one copy or a hundred copies, as you see fit. They have the capability of adding photos, etc. and are a “hard copy” of your Legacy Bio to share as you see fit.

You might prefer to create a scrapbook that incorporates your answers to the template questions along with hard copies of photos, documents, awards, newspaper clippings and so much more. This would entail a lot more work than simply “filling in the blanks” but it would be an incredible treasure for your family.

You could keep it very simple by using a 3 ring binder to capture your Word document and any additional information you care to add and put it in a cardboard file box along with any other mementos you wish to share for future generations.

Here’s the important caution: remember 8 tracks, vinyl records, home movie cameras, MySpace, daisy wheel printers, and the Jetsons? None of us has any idea what the communications landscape will look like 50 years from now. Consequently, I would strongly recommend that whatever you decide to do, make a hard copy of what you want to share. Writings have survived for thousands of years on everything from cave walls to dead sea scrolls. Even though language is a constantly evolving art form, it will always be able to be understood. Cloud saving, memory sticks and the like may not be usable a generation from now. After all, how would you play your original Elvis 45’s today? “Ain’t Nothin’ but a Hound Dog” indeed.

Perhaps you think that your personal history is not very important in this world of information – you could not be more wrong. Many people think that in a world of Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagam and all the other social sharing platforms that there is too much personal information out there already. But think about that for a minute. All of that information tends to be a mile wide and an inch deep, including our own. Spending the time to create your personal history offers an in-depth view of a person who cares about the legacy they are leaving to others. The time spent in this endeavor will enrich the lives of your family and friends in so many more ways than a few posts of vacation pictures and embarrassing moments. By completing your Legacy Biography, you are revealing yourself to be the person you really are – take the plunge for your own benefit, if not the benefit of others.

Do you remember the first time that you experienced the death of someone you knew? Who was it and how did you feel about it?

Do you believe in an after life? What happens after someone dies? Heaven, hell, reincarnation, nothing, something else?

Do you want to be buried, cremated or something else? If you were cremated, what would you want done with your ashes?

How do you want people to remember you?

If you could write 5 sentences of your eulogy, what would they be?

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What is the most unique, strangest or weirdest thing about yourself that no one else knows about?

When you look at the world or universe around you, what is the most awe-inspiring thing about it?

If there was one rule or law that you could add to humanity, what would it be?

If you could cancel one common practice in society, what would you eliminate?

What is your biggest fear?

If you could wave your magic wand and eliminate that fear, what would you replace it with?

In what ways are you courageous?

Did you ever get involved in something that you were sorry for, or are you sorry that you did not get more involved?

If you could create your ideal “15 minutes of fame” without any repercussions or conditions (talent, money, experience, knowledge, etc.) what would you do?

If you could add a tag line to your name, what would it be?

Do you have any unfinished business with anyone? What needs to be said or done to complete this situation?

What is the most important or unpleasant task that you habitually put off or avoid?

What are the least important tasks that you fill your time with?

What scares you the most about dying?

What brings you the most joy about living?

Would you like to know some of these answers about your own parents or other family members? Do you see the value in sharing this information with them? If so, then offer to help them prepare their own personal history or story. At the very least, share this program with people who would find value and a sense of completion by working on their Legacy Bio.

Creating your own biography as a legacy for others is inspiring but there may be people in your life that you would like to see do the same thing. If so, then please share this on your Facebook or other social media platforms. I will be making a complete PDF available in the not too distant future and then a book and possibly a video series but help others get started on their personal history by clicking the share buttons on this page.

THE INNER JOURNEY

A chronicle of our life journey would not be complete without mentioning the many changes that have occurred to us on the trip. According to some sources, every cell in our body is replaced in a 7 year period, so it should not surprise anyone that we have often made significant changes in our lives. If we have been open to what has been happening in our world, then we may have changed our viewpoints, attitudes, outlook, opinions, politics, spirituality, ideas … or not. Either way, it is a significant clue to who you are.

Name 3 (or more) core values that define your life and your philosophy. What are the personal beliefs that you live by?

What has been the best day of your life to date and why?

Projecting into the future, what could become the best day of your life?

We talk about living a “balanced” life – how well do you balance work with the rest of your life?

How well do you balance self evaluation with outside criticism?

Do you have a balance between the needs of others and your own needs – illustrate?

If you had no considerations around money, obligations, family, work or anything else – where would you live?

Given the previous lack of conditions, who or what kind of person, would you choose to live with?

What would you do with your time?

Fill in the blanks:

I should stop:

I would be better off without:

I need more:

I need less:

I should spend more time with:

It’s about time I:

I need to give myself:

What 5 things do you absolutely want to experience before you die?

What is the major thing that you could do when you were younger that you would like to be able to do now?

If a movie was created about your life, what would the title be?

Is there one over-powering thing or experience that you wish you had done in you life?

If you could change one decision in your past, what would it be?

What is the best decision you ever made?

I hope the experience of working on your life journal has been revealing, insightful and satisfying. There a few more chapters in this series as we bring alive the story of your life. If you have any suggestions for improving this series, I would welcome your thoughts.