The benefits of telling a life story

A call from a journalist last week got me thinking about the benefits of telling a life story.

Over the years, I have found there are many benefits when people record their stories -

1. It values, honors, and validates the teller - both during the process and after it.

2. It establishes a link with future generations - helping to bring wisdom; and a sense of identity, belonging and value to those generations.

3. It grants the teller the gift of completeness in their lives and allows them to counsel, entertain or explain events to those who follow.

4. It fosters communication and understanding between the teller and their family and friends; difficult topics are often broached and even resolved.

5. The process often becomes a pleasurable occupation and hobby for those concerned, giving a sense of excitement, purpose and mission and pride in the result.

6. For people with Alzheimer's and like conditions, the story can become a kind of external hard drive for the teller and those close.

Can you think of some others?

I know some people just feel unburdened and relieved when they record their life story video with Your Story Here. Recording you life story - in one way or another - on most people's list isn't it? If you would like to look at some case studies and samples of folks who have successfully preserved their stories to video, then visit Your Story Here Life Story Video.

One more thing. Never take no for an answer if you are considering recording a life story video. Sadly, over the course of many years, I have seen many occasions where the family was preparing to interview an older member of their family only to be derailed by the tragic death of the subject. As I wrote in an article recently: Life Story Video - Never Take No For an Answer. Read more!

New glasses helped Jerry see the Invisible

A slight change for this week's blog: Jerry McFarland writes about his Christmas 1959.

Two weeks before Christmas in 1959, when I was eight years old, I was told I had poor vision. Surprised. I thought I could see just fine. Then came eye glasses, and my world changed forever.

That day would be like no other, for now all within my sight was alive. Like opening a chest of polished stones, wet after a new spring rain, light sparkled and danced on edges cut fine with detail. Trees had leaves, form and texture! Intricate lines and shading appeared where none were before.

The writing in my school books no longer appeared to be black abstract forms. I could even see the wrinkles in Mrs. Robinson’s face. I never knew she looked so old! Nothing was opaque or non-descript. Atoms and molecules, electric with vibration, mixed with colors of turquoise and blue and jumped off the glossy National Geographic page. A book of images taken by Ansel Adams, given me by grandma, was foreboding and strange; yet the eerie shadows fascinated and intrigued me. The desert rocks, arched canyons and streams were beautiful. It seemed as if I could touch and feel these objects with my new eyes. I had never known such a visual feast!

Then for a moment, I became sad as I reflected on all that had previously escaped my sight. How much was there that I had not seen, and what had I missed?

Joy soon replaced sadness, for now I had my new eyes. I had new purpose. I would never shut my eyes, I thought. And I wondered, how many other things do we believe are non-existent simply because our eyes do not see them? And in that crystalline moment, I felt certain there must be so many things human eyes cannot see that are real.

I pondered God’s miracles; what of angels, Jesus, and the devil? Maybe even Santa Claus and the elves were there, but just beyond my sight! It was no longer what I could see, but that which I could not! I was certain that most of what could not be seen, was good stuff: like Jesus and Santa!

I gave thanks to God for my new glasses. I was certain this was to be the best Christmas ever!

Jerry McFarland is a gifted musician, songwriter and recording artist who also turns his talents to writing. Songs from his latest CD, "Voices from the Attic" can be heard on Jerry's MySpace page and purchased on iTunes.

Life stories and family history can be preserved in all kinds of ways: Personal History Biography: Audio, Written or Video Memoir? Read more!

"Every child deserves a great future..."

At a time when most small businesses are cutting back and watching their pennies, we have decided to make the biggest gift in our history! We are donating a full-length, custom produced, personal history documentary to be auctioned live at the Thirteenth Annual Gala Teddy Bear Ball to be held on Monday December 7, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

Actually, the decision to donate was easy. The Help Group serves children with special needs related to autism, Asperger's disorder, learning disabilities, ADHD, mental retardation, abuse and emotional problems. It is the largest nonprofit organization of its kind in the United States.

The Help Group's motto is: 'Because every child deserves a great future…'

We specialize in producing custom personal and family history films. All the stories we record represent the successful futures that the subjects managed to achieve. For kids with special needs, there may not be any successful futures - without the help of organizations like The Help Group.

Does a donation of this magnitude - in these tough times - sting just a little bit? Not even a little. Despite these dismal economic times, we are finishing our busiest year on record. It seems that people are turning to the important things in life. Like family, and honoring and remembering loved ones. Spending money on something that will be a treasure for generations does not seem to be an issue for our clients.

I wrote a blog article about this return to core values that I am seeing in our business. It is called "It's not about the toys".

Your Story Here has now recorded more than 60 personal history documentaries, including the sprawling story of a successful Italian American family - the Giacchinos. Michael Giacchino, Hollywood composer for movies like the Incredibles, Ratatouille and Cloverfield was pretty happy with the result: "They did a great job on a pretty complicated family history. The finished product was awesome."


The Giacchino documentary (snippet above) starts with Michael's older brother John in the kitchen with their father. They are cooking home-made pasta together and arguing the merits of bottled garlic.

The importance of recording personal and family history was recognized by Robert De Niro in Esquire magazine in December 2002. In an article titled "What I've learned" he noted that when a parent died, it was the end. He said "I always wanted to chronicle the family history with my mother. She was always interested in that. I wanted some researchers I'd worked with to talk to my mother, but my mother was a little antsy about it. I know she would've gotten into it... But I wasn't forceful, and I didn't make it happen. That's one regret I have. I didn't get as much of the family history as I could have for the kids." Read more.

For those attending The Help Group Teddy Bear Gala this coming Monday, they should have no cause for the regret Robert De Niro feels. All they need to do is outbid the guy at the other table and take home a custom produced personal history documentary from Your Story Here! Read more!