Some people I talk with are hesitant to start exploring and recording their life stories because they are afraid they’ll remember something painful. They resist intentionally going into those dark, murky places.
If there is a memory like this lurking in the background of your life, it might show up when you start creating your Legacy – in fact, it’s likely. One thing to consider before deciding Legacy Giving isn’t worth the risk is this fact: memories like this can show up at any time in your life, and many of them arrive at the right time.
With that in mind, I ask this question: why not welcome these faded memories into your life and Legacy?
Several years ago, a terrible memory arrived in my life uninvited. As I grieved the incident, lots of things suddenly made sense. I understood feelings and fears that had puzzled me before. Anger that I thought had no reason, was completely reasonable. Questions without answers led to a stunning victory for me – I was able to forgive those who had hurt me. The secret chains from these memories fell away, and I was free.
There are two-sides to self-discovery that comes from remembering:
If a Legacy Giver lets fear hold the memories back, it rules his or her life, and Legacy using the chains of pain and shame.
When you find the courage to explore and record the hardest times of your life, your Legacy Receivers may find their own courage and healing.
The Bonus: Legacy Givers willing to write through the bad times to freedom, find themselves listening to the stories of others with a new compassion. Your Legacy story can transform your life, and touch at least one more, and then so can his or hers. Who knows? You might start a compassion virus so contagious, lives far beyond yours are changed.
Sometimes the stories you’ve lived are about you, but are meant for someone else.
Joy
Joy DeKok, author, speaker, author coach, and social media manager.
Learn more about Joy’s books at www.booksbyjoy.com
Your life is worth exploring and recording.
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About Joy Dekok
