Children are the future of both our families and our communities. They might not appreciate or understand the importance of their family stories as much now, but they certainly will as they grow towards nurturing families of their own. It's a vital part of their own life experience: knowing who they are by discovering the path from which they came.
As we all learn to adapt to this rapidly changing world, generations continue to drift further and further apart. It's essential to the fabric of our family and our community that we take whatever steps we can afford towards ensuring that the life legacy of our loved one is documented and preserved today. Our children and their children will cherish the discoveries as they reach towards the milestones of their own life journeys.
It's through the discovery of who and where they came from that children find the strength, courage and sense of pride that lies within. It provides them with the means to appreciate how unique and wonderful they truly are - a priceless gift worth giving each and every one of them.
One of the main challenges we face in bridging this increasing gap between our children and our parents is the way in which they each interact with information and technology. Our parents grew up in a far different time and at a far different pace. Life seemed simpler, quieter and less hurried back then. They refer to "the good old days" and reflect fondly on the style and social graces of a bygone era. They experienced much but seem to share very little, preferring to keep many of the intimate stories and feelings of their life experiences to themselves because "that's the way it was done back then." As they've aged and seen their children and grandchildren into this ever-changing world, many of them long to share those experiences but fear they'll fall upon deaf ears. They come from a more humble and modest time and may say things like, "Oh, no one wants to hear about that!" or "You can tell them all about me when I'm gone" or sadly, "I don't remember."
The world has changed rapidly and drastically over the course of the past century. Today's generations, bombarded daily with advertisements, information and entertainment options that would make their grandparents blush, have innumerous sources vying for their diminishing attention spans. They share every waking moment, thought and action with their online "friends". They have everything they want at their fingertips and want to be able to watch and listen to the stories of the world from the comfort of their handheld video screens.
Bridging this gap really starts with you: the loving son or daughter nestled between these two generations. You respect a time and place for modesty and humility but also appreciate the significance of having your parent share their life experiences with your children and the countless benefits that this will provide them as they navigate life's many twists and turns.
By investing in {the Living Experience} today, you will be providing your family with a unique path for learning and discovery; one that will take them from humble beginnings in distant lands to spectacular achievements and personal triumphs. The preservation of this history, their history, will continue to enrich and enliven the experiences of your family for generations of tomorrow's.
As we all learn to adapt to this rapidly changing world, generations continue to drift further and further apart. It's essential to the fabric of our family and our community that we take whatever steps we can afford towards ensuring that the life legacy of our loved one is documented and preserved today. Our children and their children will cherish the discoveries as they reach towards the milestones of their own life journeys.
It's through the discovery of who and where they came from that children find the strength, courage and sense of pride that lies within. It provides them with the means to appreciate how unique and wonderful they truly are - a priceless gift worth giving each and every one of them.
One of the main challenges we face in bridging this increasing gap between our children and our parents is the way in which they each interact with information and technology. Our parents grew up in a far different time and at a far different pace. Life seemed simpler, quieter and less hurried back then. They refer to "the good old days" and reflect fondly on the style and social graces of a bygone era. They experienced much but seem to share very little, preferring to keep many of the intimate stories and feelings of their life experiences to themselves because "that's the way it was done back then." As they've aged and seen their children and grandchildren into this ever-changing world, many of them long to share those experiences but fear they'll fall upon deaf ears. They come from a more humble and modest time and may say things like, "Oh, no one wants to hear about that!" or "You can tell them all about me when I'm gone" or sadly, "I don't remember."
The world has changed rapidly and drastically over the course of the past century. Today's generations, bombarded daily with advertisements, information and entertainment options that would make their grandparents blush, have innumerous sources vying for their diminishing attention spans. They share every waking moment, thought and action with their online "friends". They have everything they want at their fingertips and want to be able to watch and listen to the stories of the world from the comfort of their handheld video screens.
Bridging this gap really starts with you: the loving son or daughter nestled between these two generations. You respect a time and place for modesty and humility but also appreciate the significance of having your parent share their life experiences with your children and the countless benefits that this will provide them as they navigate life's many twists and turns.
By investing in {the Living Experience} today, you will be providing your family with a unique path for learning and discovery; one that will take them from humble beginnings in distant lands to spectacular achievements and personal triumphs. The preservation of this history, their history, will continue to enrich and enliven the experiences of your family for generations of tomorrow's.
In Part One {Beginnings}, we look back at the history of your family, examine your paternal and maternal roots and look back upon the triumphs and trials that make up the fabric of who you are today.
1. My Father's Family
2. My Mother's Family
3. My Mother
4. My Father
5. My Parents
In Part Two {Growing Up}, we are introduced to you. We discover first breaths and first steps as we crawl, walk and eventually strut along beside you from childhood towards life as a teenager in a vastly different world.
1. Vital Statistics
2. The Early Years
3. Adolescence
4. School & Education
In Part Three {Adulthood}, we take an extensive journey with you across the spectrum of adulthood. No stone is left unturned as we follow you from graduation through to retirement.
1. Military Service
2. Career
3. Marriage
4. Children
5. Parenting
6. Friends & Community
7. Hobbies & Leisure
8. Travel & Vacations
9. Religious Beliefs
10. Political Beliefs
11. Historical Events
12. Health & Medical
13. Retirement Years
In Part Four {Experience}, we ask you to share the wisdom of your life experience with us. We bear witness to your individual philosophy so that we can learn, understand and continue to grow from your unique perspective.
1. Stories & Advice
2. Memories & Reflections
3. Philosophy & Perspective
With Part Five {From Here To There}, the fifth and final instalment that makes up {The Living Experience}, we initiate a discussion with you on twelve major issues facing our species in the 21st century. There are no right or wrong answers - only one person's truth as they see it and the examination of how beliefs and opinions continue to change over the course of time.
1. Animal Rights
2. Education
3. The Media
4. Civil Rights
5. The Environment
6. Power
7. Population Growth
8. Values
9. The Age of Information
10. Human Rights
11. War & Peace
12. Love
