Once you begin writing about the funny, poignant, sad, happy moments in your life, you will soon tap into which of your own stories mean the most to you. Actually, it is likely that you will start remembering a lot of important parts of your life--and you will want to share them all. There are, after all, joys to be shared, sadnesses to "get off your chest," and memories from which others can benefit. Is this not why we all share our stories and experiences with one another every day of our lives? It's about connection; it's about immortality; it's about sharing important parts of life that should never be forgotten, sidelined, or minimized.
Here comes the hard part: organizing your memories. Start by coding and filing your "index cards" of experiences and memories. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is simply by placing them in chronological order. By doing this, you might categorize your life and your memories by years, decades, development stages, places where you lived during set periods of time.
Why is this important? It is the first step toward finding your central theme. What is the key message you want to deliver in your writing? If you find that many of the memories you have begun writing are focused on your children, your marriage, your experiences in a war, your childhood years with a single parent--well, then you are tapping into a core issue for YOU.
This is a key to unlocking what is most important in your life. It may lead to your understanding what the central question is or was in your life. Were you really a bad child? (Of course not! But you may have felt that way.) How did the war change your views of your own life? Did you make a mistake that cost you one love, but led to your gaining another love?
Or are there other central questions in your life--questions that you have answered or are ready to answer? If so, you are well on your way to writing a fascinating, focused story. It could be completely factual. Or you may choose to change names and use metaphors to avoid hurting others or revealing deep secrets that could harm someone.
Whatever you choose, just keep writing. Organize your memories chronologically. And ask yourself: What is one dramatic or humorous question that you can answer by sharing your story with the world?
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Magical Moments
Life is filled with magical moments--giving birth, falling in love, uncontrollable laughter, quiet moments of bliss, louder times filled with joy. If we think of our key magical moments in life, we might conclude that love comes into play in one way or another.
Over the next days, commit to writing your thoughts when you first wake up and then again just before you go to bed. During the days between those waking moments and those times when sleep takes over control of your mind, think about this: have you ever saved a life? Has your life ever been saved by someone else?
Sometimes we are not exactly sure if we have saved a life. We might have stopped our cars just as a tricycle rolls into the street. Or perhaps we have performed CPR or another, more obvious, life-saving act. Have you talked with a depressed friend deep into a night? Is that friend still alive? You may have saved him or her. Have you dialed 911 or rushed to help a stranger who has collapsed on a sidewalk? Think seriously about this. You may not have given yourself credit for even possibly saving someone's life. Do you consider it "life-saving" to have helped someone escape an abusive relationship?
In turn, think of those who may have saved your life--having stopped his or her car as you crossed the street in the glare of a bright morning sun; or someone who held your hand as you climbed up to a mountain ledge.
Life is filled with changes and challenges. We experience joy, and we experience grief. Tapping into the love that propels most of us to answer the call to action when someone's life is at risk--well, that is true love.
As you continue writing the moments and stories of your life, remember these simple rules: 1) jotting down an idea or memory is enough; if you wish to write about entire event, do so in the moment when you feel ready to do so; and 2) keep each event on a separate "index card" of your filing system (whether using actual index cards, digital note files, or tear-out sheets of paper from a little notebook). These "index cards" are the basis of your story and/or stories. You may find yourself attracted to writing about one aspect of your life (a struggle with childhood, times spent with a famous relative, your life's true love, or a single incident that changed your life significantly). These are the beginnings of the stories of your life.
Write your life. Start reading what you have written. If you feel ready, starting categorizing what you have written. Begin sculpting a story if you feel you have a start--or just keep writing for now. Your story or stories will evolve. Be humble, be proud. And in the the process, you will see your life from a new perspective: from outside of yourself. Write your life. Read about your life. Then right your life.
Most of all, enjoy! And always, always look for the love--the love that is at the core of sadness, joy, hope, dreams--all the stuff of your life.
Over the next days, commit to writing your thoughts when you first wake up and then again just before you go to bed. During the days between those waking moments and those times when sleep takes over control of your mind, think about this: have you ever saved a life? Has your life ever been saved by someone else?
Sometimes we are not exactly sure if we have saved a life. We might have stopped our cars just as a tricycle rolls into the street. Or perhaps we have performed CPR or another, more obvious, life-saving act. Have you talked with a depressed friend deep into a night? Is that friend still alive? You may have saved him or her. Have you dialed 911 or rushed to help a stranger who has collapsed on a sidewalk? Think seriously about this. You may not have given yourself credit for even possibly saving someone's life. Do you consider it "life-saving" to have helped someone escape an abusive relationship?
In turn, think of those who may have saved your life--having stopped his or her car as you crossed the street in the glare of a bright morning sun; or someone who held your hand as you climbed up to a mountain ledge.
Life is filled with changes and challenges. We experience joy, and we experience grief. Tapping into the love that propels most of us to answer the call to action when someone's life is at risk--well, that is true love.
As you continue writing the moments and stories of your life, remember these simple rules: 1) jotting down an idea or memory is enough; if you wish to write about entire event, do so in the moment when you feel ready to do so; and 2) keep each event on a separate "index card" of your filing system (whether using actual index cards, digital note files, or tear-out sheets of paper from a little notebook). These "index cards" are the basis of your story and/or stories. You may find yourself attracted to writing about one aspect of your life (a struggle with childhood, times spent with a famous relative, your life's true love, or a single incident that changed your life significantly). These are the beginnings of the stories of your life.
Write your life. Start reading what you have written. If you feel ready, starting categorizing what you have written. Begin sculpting a story if you feel you have a start--or just keep writing for now. Your story or stories will evolve. Be humble, be proud. And in the the process, you will see your life from a new perspective: from outside of yourself. Write your life. Read about your life. Then right your life.
Most of all, enjoy! And always, always look for the love--the love that is at the core of sadness, joy, hope, dreams--all the stuff of your life.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Exploring
Keep exploring.
If you remember the most joyful moments in your life, most likely you can tap into what brought you joy. Start getting serious about logging your happiest and saddest moments. Fill those memories with details--either real or imagined.
Try adding other poignant memories to your list.
Track these memories by writing them down--one per index card or one entry on your digital device or notebook. Keep them separated for now. You are beginning the log of your life's many journeys. It may become an autobiography; or you may choose one aspect of your life or a time in your life. Any one or all of these subjects will evolve into stories.
Hesitant about writing about yourself? Don't worry! Intrapersonal intelligence (knowledge of one's true self) is on of the greatest gifts you can share with others. If you want to avoid hurting others, you can always change the names and circumstances of your stories and memories. This is about exploring your own life. What causes distress? What brings joy? The more you understand the answers to those two questions, the more you will follow the path toward a content life.
Explore your life. Write down the stories of your life. Right your life.
If you remember the most joyful moments in your life, most likely you can tap into what brought you joy. Start getting serious about logging your happiest and saddest moments. Fill those memories with details--either real or imagined.
Try adding other poignant memories to your list.
Track these memories by writing them down--one per index card or one entry on your digital device or notebook. Keep them separated for now. You are beginning the log of your life's many journeys. It may become an autobiography; or you may choose one aspect of your life or a time in your life. Any one or all of these subjects will evolve into stories.
Hesitant about writing about yourself? Don't worry! Intrapersonal intelligence (knowledge of one's true self) is on of the greatest gifts you can share with others. If you want to avoid hurting others, you can always change the names and circumstances of your stories and memories. This is about exploring your own life. What causes distress? What brings joy? The more you understand the answers to those two questions, the more you will follow the path toward a content life.
Explore your life. Write down the stories of your life. Right your life.
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