Creating a personal history brings meaning and purpose to your own life and clarity to the lives of those that follow you. Specifically, your children and grandchildren will, one day, begin a search for their own history and your efforts will aid them greatly in this search. You are creating a legacy that will surpass the news events and chronological information available from standard sources to offer a personal perspective and the results of those events as they apply to you and your family.

Most of us would like to leave a personal history full of golden deeds and major successes but reality might be different. If someone is reading your biography many years from now and you have created a “white washed” edition only, they will be rather suspicious of the veracity of your story. If you have the courage, let’s offer some

TRUE CONFESSIONS

What was the first misdeed you committed that you can remember?

Were there any misdeeds that you considered committing but didn’t?

Are you prepared to admit something that you actually got away with – what was it and what were the circumstances?

When did you get caught doing something you knew was wrong?

Are you good at telling lies or do you broadcast your indiscretion for all to see?

Let’s imagine that there is absolutely no chance of being discovered, what would you be tempted to do?

During your school days, did you ever cheat on an exam or help someone else cheat?

OK, more courage required for this one – did you ever cheat on a lover?

Assuming that you have done something wrong at some time in your life – what sort of guilt do you deal with?

“Regrets, I’ve had a few.” How about you, what do you regret?

Perhaps more importantly, what do you regret NOT doing?

Treasures come in all sorts of formats from articles of clothing to articles you published, from expensive toys to old keepsakes, and from money and jewels to memories and friends. Let’s take a look at a few and their value to you.

If a fire broke out in your house in the middle of the night, what 5 things (not counting people) would you grab before escaping? Could you find them fast or should you do a little pre-planning?

What items do you keep that you should probably throw out?

What is the best gift you have ever received and where is it now?

What would you really like to own more than anything else and probably won’t?

Money makes the world go around – or does it?

What is your total income this year?

How much did you make at your first job?

At the time of writing this – how much money do you need to retire?

Would you be considered a saver and if so, how much do you save every week or month and what do you do with it?

How much have you saved to date?

Do you have any vices that take your time and money – what are they and how does it impact the rest of your financial life?

Do you feel happy to pay your bills or do you resent parting with your money?

Have you ever written “thank you” on a bill payment?

How much do you tip at a restaurant?

Do you consider yourself a generous person or “careful” with your money?

What do you think of people who tip extravagantly?

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being all the time) how much of your time is spent being concerned about having enough money?

If money was no object, what is the one thing you would want to do most with the rest of your life?

We are close to completing the formal part of our personal history, just a few more templates to go. You cannot put a price on the value this will have to people in the future so please consider sharing this series with others who can add to the wonderful history of life in our time. Just email it to a friend or loved one or share this blog on social media and do others a favor too.