Recently I received a message from a friend that her mom had died. It was very traumatic that such a vibrant, loving person was no longer. My friend and her mother shared almost everything. They lived very close to each other and to my knowledge shared a lot. They spent a lot of time together and loved each other a lot.

It was surprising when my friend mentioned she had seen a side to her mom that she had not seen before when her mom was dying. During those final days her mom showed a vulnerability that my friend had not seen previously. This seemed like a beautiful gift to leave her daughter. At the same time, I wondered how much was left unsaid and unknown. How many stories were left untold, and what gaps in her legacy would be lost forever? Sharing life stories is a treasure.

In many traditional cultures, storytelling is practiced as an honored, sacred art. Sharing meaningful stories from one generation to the next is a way to pass on ancient wisdom, strengthen family bonds, and leave a lasting legacy. Especially now, your story is important given all the crap in the media, especially social media. You are the only person that can tell your unique story, so it is highly recommended that you do share your story.

A few areas to share are:

• An event surrounding your birth or early childhood.
• An event around a person who most influenced your life.
• Your most joyful memory.
• An event centered around your first day at school or work, your first love, or your first child.
• One day when you realized who you really were.
• An event about a powerful life lesson you learned.

When you share your life around one of these topics, you will find that it brings connection, a sense of supportive community, and new opportunities for personal growth. I highly recommend trying it out and seeing what growth will come. Your action will have the power to not only inspire others but also unearth profound wisdom and open up meaningful opportunities in your own life.

The Power of Forgiveness

Research on the impact of forgiveness is profound. Forgiveness can lead to a reduction in negative emotions such as anger, resentment, and stress, contributing to improved mental health with lower rates of depression and anxiety. Engaging in forgiveness may also have positive effects on physical health, manifesting in lower blood pressure, reduced heart rate, and improved immune function.

An example of forgiveness is a friend’s mother asking her and her sister to go to her father’s grave. Her mother was not going because it would create tension with the father’s family. The mother said not to interact with the father’s relatives since they never approved the marriage because the mother came from a lower-class family. When the sisters arrived at the father’s tomb, the aunt attacked them by calling them monkeys. My friend was angered but rose above it and did not say anything. This rejection by the father’s family was the motivator that inspired my friend to excel in the teaching profession and, years later, forgive her father’s family. There are so many instances in life where we experience rejections, failures, misfortunes, or humiliations. These experiences can either destroy us or cause us to grow, forgive, shine, and rise above.

Like my friend’s story, sharing a piece of our life connects us with others. It builds empathy and reminds us that we are not alone. There is also a real sense of value and release when we share.

Your voice matters; what better way to “add life to years”?