"Your past is your story up to now. The future is the story yet to come. The present is where you live with that experience, your hopes and your dreams."

Opening Remarks: What Really Matters

Thank you to all the new subscribers. I hope you enjoy this month’s issue. You are receiving this e-zine because you signed up for it or someone who is subscribed passed it along to you. If a friend DID forward this to you consider subscribing 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: Social Connections Matter

This is a very interesting time we live in. The way the world is wired we can connect with people from all over the globe. In many ways we have truly become a global village. But how meaningful are our social connections? Social connections matter, but perhaps we need to re-investigate what it means to connect with other people.

Real conversations should include the attitude that each person matters. This means that everyone has something to offer and share and we should respect each others' opinions. We should be conscious of what it means to spend time with another. It seems to me that we live in a society that is extremely self-obsessed. We care so much about what we want. We are very concerned about what other people think of us. We lap up news about celebrities, but I think because we want what they have or are fascinated by their lifestyles.

Working in the field of personal history I hear stories from so many different people. We all have our lives and we all have our stories. What we learn from our journey and what we share and pass on can have a powerful effect on the world. But we must be cautious. Not everyone wants to know every little detail. At the same time, if you are so guarded that you won’t let anybody know your true thoughts and dreams you sell yourself short and the world may miss out on discovering the special gifts you have to share.

In the ever-expanding world of social media we see that people are spending more time updating their status and revealing what they are doing. News and stories also go viral. I’m all for this, up to a point. I do like discovering interesting, fascinating and timely information. If it helps me grow as a person and to develop a deeper level of caring and compassion then I’m going to be a better person. At the same time, I don’t want my Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn accounts to be silly and meaningless. Or worse, a bunch of work. I certainly don’t want to feel guilty if I haven’t updated in a while.

We all have lives to live. And we all have something to share. I encourage you to spend real face time with others, especially family and friends. When people are in social situations and yet on their phone, tablet, computer or other device, often busy texting or looking up information, it can be very rude. Have we lost the art of conversation? Do we remember the value of etiquette and real listening?

Part of the problem is the speed at which we live. The timeless advice to slow down and smell the roses is still valid. Go ahead and do your email, blogging and updates, but make time for real time in-person conversations on the couch or porch. Even being with another person and just sitting quietly is a great way to “share”.

How we connect with others is important. We are all in this together and our social connections really do matter.

Read other articles on life-story writing here.

Featured Resource

Last year on October 10 people from all over the world spent time video recording what was happening that day when the calendar read 10/10/10. The event was designed to show one day on earth in all of its diversity. People living and dying, playing and praying, sharing and caring – it was quite an experience. The video was submitted to the One Day on Earth Project and is being developed into a major film documentary.

This project is amazing and you can preview some of the footage at their website. You can also participate this year on November 11. 11/11/11 is another opportunity to show the world that our lives are a story worth sharing.

Closing Information

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