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.

Ancestry is an important element of our personal history but we sometimes forget that we are ancestors to our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Life is a never ending circle of events, people, circumstances, good decisions, bad decisions, big ideas, small steps, dreams and disappointments. Your part in this dance of life is important to those that follow. If you haven’t started already, scroll back to part 1 and begin your own life journal because history is much more than just a series of dates and events, it is about you and your relationship to your world. In keeping with your world, let’s see what happened while you inhabited the planet.

During your lifetime to date, what are the five most dramatic events that occurred in the world (9/11, Berlin Wall, WWII, Vietnam, Woodstock, Aids, Internet, casual Fridays, landing on the moon, assassinations, civil wars, climate change)?

Describe how you were influenced by these events. Did they change your thoughts, feelings, actions or life in any way?

Are there any other historical events that have had an influence on you and the people around you?

Who is the current leader of your country?

What are the important domestic issues facing your country right now?

What international political events are unfolding as you write this journal?

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge facing humanity as you create this life journal?

Is technology an important part of your daily life? Describe how technology influences your daily activities (remember, this will all sound so quaint and archaic in a few decades).

What is your biggest pet peeve as you observe the world and people around you?

If you ruled the planet, what is the first change you would make?

Name five of the biggest entertainment names in the news right now.

What is your favorite sport and who are the major names in it?

Describe the largest public (sporting, political, entertainment, etc) event that you have ever attended.

Did you ever participate in some sort of leadership position in a significant public event, what was it and what was your role?

What are the most common sources of information today?

Where did you find information when you were a child and where do you expect future generations to find their information?

What is the population of the planet at this time and what was it when you were born?

What is the biggest influence on your happiness?

We are nearing the end of your personal history templates and so I encourage you to get started or at the very least, return to the first one and print each segment.  I will be creating a public program in the new year for which I will charge, so the free edition will cease in the near future. I would appreciate any feedback on your experience in creating a personal memoir or Legacy Biography. Is there something I should delete or add to make it better? I really do value the comments that you have made so far and I hope that this series is giving you a project that brings meaning and purpose to your life.