Your Life is Your Story Newsletter August 31, 2005 Issue-023 – When the Levee Breaks

From Tom Gilbert – Editor and Writer, www.your-life-your-story.com

In this Issue:

Opening remarks: Working On Labor Day
Featured Article: When the Levee Breaks
Resources You Can Use: Hurricane Relief, The Elemental Press Highlight Site, and The Five Year Journal

Opening Remarks: Working On Labor Day

This year there will be many people working through Labor Day and their efforts will be part of a massive relief effort to help those devastated by Hurricane Katrina which blasted New Orleans, Biloxi and other communities along the Gulf Coast.

For all our readers who have been affected in one way or another, especially those who might live in the storm battered parts of the U.S., I extend my deepest sympathies. I work in the radio broadcast media and I’ve seen first-hand how people will respond when asked. I hope you will respond by helping in whatever way you can. When trouble strikes some people really rise to the occasion and demonstrate enormous compassion and action. God bless you all.

You are receiving this e-zine it because you signed up for it or someone who is subscribed passed it along to you. It is a special thing to share with you life story writing and personal history tips, resources and thoughts. If you like what you read here, you can pass it along to a friend. If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting our signup page . Also, let me know what you’d like to see more of in this newsletter – simply reply to this email e-zine.

While the main focus of this newsletter is to share thoughts, ideas, and insights on life story writing you should know that I offer various services and also mention some products and services that can be helpful. You are under no obligation to purchase anything, but if any of these products or services are helpful and you decide to utilize them then I am most grateful.

Thanks for reading. – Tom

Featured Article: When the Levee Breaks

If it keeps on rainin’, levee’s goin’ to break,
If it keeps on rainin’, levee’s goin’ to break,
When the levee breaks I’ll have no place to stay.
-- from the song "When the Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin

Like many people I watched the news and prayed that the category 4 storm would not be as bad as predicted. The devastation that Hurricane Katrina inflicted on the Gulf Coast of the United States is difficult to comprehend. News coverage and photographs show lots of destruction, flooding and disheartened people. In New Orleans thousands are homeless. Communities all along a 200-mile stretch of the Gulf Coast have been hit hard. Biloxi, Mississippi resembles a refugee camp. As President Bush said today, it will take years to recover from this killer hurricane.

Nearly everyone will have some hard times in his or her life. When something of this magnitude happens we all feel it, even if we live far away from the natural disaster. Nine months ago the massive tsunami in Asia affected us. Four years ago it was the terrorist attacks of 9-11.

Our lives are our stories. People will have stories from this tragedy. Some of them will be sad and depressing. Others will be triumphs of the human spirit. The opportunity is now. How we act in times of crisis is not just a sign of our character. It is also a demonstration of how we live, day to day.

You can read other articles on life-story writing here.

Resources You Can Use

If you want to help with the relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina there are many worthwhile agencies to turn to. Check with your local Red Cross, churches and media.

Here are a few links to visit:

American Red Cross
Salvation Army
Samaritan’s Purse
Catholic Charities

The Elemental Press – Our Highlight Site

Lissa Ann Forbes is a personal historian and writer. I met her two years ago at a conference of the Association of Personal Historians in Denver. Since then I’ve enjoyed reading her email newsletter and recently I had her create a custom journal for my brother. It came out beautifully, with a picture of my brother and his wife on the cover, and it was nicely bound.

Find out more about Lissa’s offerings (she also hosts workshops and does public speaking). Her website, The Elemental Pressis our current Highlight Site

The Five Year Journal

Another great journal I recommend is Doreene Clement’s 5 Year Journal Many have used it to great effect. Harness the power of journaling using her unique journaling tool – a beautiful hardcover book with place marker ribbon, 272 acid-free pages and over 100 motivational quotes. It includes an easy to follow how-to journal section. There is a special running right now. See more here

That’s it for this month’s issue. Thanks for reading. Be sure to visit our blog regularly, and here’s to telling your story. Do give it some serious consideration because I just know you’ve got a great story to tell! Be sure to see the Get Started section.

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time, – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert