You've probably heard that the stories we tell about ourselves are important, whether we’re telling them to ourselves or others. Our narratives, as they're called, help us define for ourselves who we are and what we're capable of. Negative or inaccurate narratives can limit us; positive, accurate narratives can inspire us when times are hard.
Stories about who we are extend beyond our lifetimes, in both directions. We might hear stories about our ancestors that affect us. And if we write down our own stories, our descendants will benefit from them. On my father's side of the family, we had literal trail blazers, and my grandmother's uncle was a successful businessman who made baseball bats. Their stories, as well as stories of my architect grandfather, have affected how I see what's possible in my life. I hope that my story will positively affect how my kids see themselves and what's possible for them.
A memoir is when someone literally writes down their stories. It can be an effective form of rethinking, the process of going back over what we think we know and correcting errors, but it's also a way to communicate the wisdom you've accumulated to others. I think everyone should write their memoirs, if only for their family. If you don't want to put pen to paper, ask someone to write down your stories as you tell them, or record them and have a service like Rev transcribe them for you.
Don’t wait until the end of your life. Write your stories as they happen, then rewrite them when they take on new meaning. We're all works in progress; dare to look at the life you're writing every day.
