Do you blush at the thought of considering yourself wise?  Do you believe that only people with certain degrees or public fame are capable of passing on wisdom to the next generation?  Many individuals would quickly answer “yes” to these questions, particularly if they haven’t been encouraged to share their life story.  So I propose a new set of questions:  What if you took the time to examine what you have learned from the events in your life?  What if there were people who really wanted to hear your story?

Your life is a treasure chest of hidden gems that can be discovered through a writing process.  If messages of “too much work” and “I’m not a writer,” fill your mind, be assured that you can learn fun methods to capture stories within a time frame of your choosing.  There are many options just as there are numerous personalities; the important element is to select what works best for you.  While writing itself is considered a solo practice, it can help to have the sustenance of a group and a trained facilitator.  So let’s begin by reflecting on your support needs.

First, which statements best describe you?
A) I am comfortable with writing and/or have experience with the following: journal keeping, poetry, song/story writing or other written expression
B) I consider myself to be a non-writer and/or have had negative writing experiences

Second, the thought of writing down some of my story is:
A) Exciting/Intriguing
B) Scary/Daunting

Third, the thought of sharing my writing with others is:
A) Affirming
B) Intimidating

If you chose answer A in each of the questions above, you may be ready to just dive right in with the help of some writing prompts and direction.  If your experience has fallen into the B category, you may benefit from the support and encouragement of a group.  In either case, there are numerous resources for inspiration but the most important step is making a commitment to yourself to begin or continue writing.