Colin Smith Law - August 2020

Colin Smith Law - August 2020

www.ColinSmithLaw.com 972.773.9095

August 2020

The Importance of Writing a Memoir or Journaling And a Few Tips for How to Start

Writing allows people to put pen on paper, or finger to keyboard, and forever record their thoughts, feelings, and ideas, which can then be reread for many years afterward. Doing so gives the writer a chance to tell his life story and allows readers to relive those experiences and pass them on. For older adults, keeping a journal or writing a memoir is especially important and beneficial. I always advise my clients to take the time to record their life experiences. When someone passes away unexpectedly, their loved ones frequently lament that they didn’t get that final chance to ask about things that happened in the past or that they don’t know the entire family tree. When we are no longer here, what we have written will remain, giving our children and grandchildren a chance to read about what we experienced in life and, through our very own words, get to know us. The stories I’ve heard over the years are nothing short of jaw-dropping, and they are never written down. They are survivors, success stories, crime victims, and people who push for progress — and their stories are better than any Hollywood film. One such person grew up as a teenager in Nazi Germany and had challenges avoiding service in the Hitler Youth. From the

same era, another woman was a concentration camp survivor. One is a heavily decorated Vietnam veteran with a history of lifelong struggles as a result of the war. One grew up in Soviet Russia. All of these people have unique experiences, but those experiences shape their respective outlook and values. Written records also allow us to document values, family traditions, and the stories of other family members that would otherwise be lost. Journals and shared experiences create a sense of belonging and strengthen family ties through a common historical thread. For the family of the authors, writing can provide invaluable insight to two questions: Where do we come from, and how did we get here? To add to that, what did the writer value and why? There is an added psychological benefit. For example, a person struggling with anxiety or depression can sort through those challenges,

struggles, and feelings, giving themselves more control over their conditions. In turn, this can reduce the strain these emotions have on the body and mind and improve mental health. Many people don’t realize that some psychiatric and psychological conditions can be hereditary and that understanding themselves and other family members can lend closure to someone suffering from the same. Many people have a difficult time starting to write. They ask, “What can I write about?”My firm has a set of interview questions that we give out with each estate. The details range from trivial —what’s your favorite food? — to the more involved “map out your family tree.”These questions and thoughts can then jog a memory, and hopefully some of those memories make it to paper.

“I always advise my clients to take the time to record their life experiences.”

-Colin Smith

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THE LASTING IMPACT OF THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL LEGAL IMPLICATIONS WE CAN STILL SEE TODAY

the U.S. justice system. However, protecting >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

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