Everyone has a Heritage
What does it mean to be a “Smith,” a “Brown,” a “Johnson,” or a “Jones?” What does your family name mean to you or to your children? What does their name mean in relation to who they are and how they live their lives? What does it mean to be American, Canadian, Asian, Latin or European?Perhaps more significantly, what does it mean to be a human being? Heritage through story answers these questions. Writing and reading that story is what gives heritage “roots” and the writers and readers a “compass” for living.
We spend our lives creating and living from the context of our heritage. Heritage is the basis of our culture.
Further, heritage is the collective traditions, beliefs, and values of an individual, family, community or nation. Heritage is the celebration of the heroes and events in our lives and the continuance of the values that created them. Heritage is the well from which we draw our values.Heritage is the greatest legacy we receive and leave to our posterity. But it cannot be transferred by title, will or contract. We acquire our heritage in living deposits over a lifetime.
Heritage is what makes us different and yet the same. It is the roots that strengthen our stands for principle and priority.Heritage is sacred history. It is the powerful principles and processes with which we stabilize the present. It is the framework upon which we build our confidence in a better future.
When heritage fades we lose stability and the future becomes uncertain. The strength of a nation is tied to its heritage. The foundation of national heritage is formed and perpetuated by individuals and families.The values and traditions of a family’s and a nation’s heritage both separate and unite them. Universal values create overlapping culture and community that transcend fences and boundaries.
Life is so short and its memories too precious to let them fade and forever be lost to future generations. Resolve today to become your family’s Heritage Maker! Take a stand to stop the fading of memories over time by preserving the past.
We are often asked the question, “How is Heritage Makers different from other online publishing groups?” The answer is simple. “The mission of Heritage Makers was created on the premise of STORY.”Usually a second question follows, “What is so special about story?” Again, the answer is simple yet emotional. “Story touches hearts because everyone has a story. There is no end to the power of story.”
Stories are unforgettable and stand the test of time through multiple re-telling. They add magic to our lives by inspiring us, entertaining us, giving us heroes, and uniting us for generations.Stories are the heartbeat of families because they animate our heritage across many generations. Through the collection and sharing of our family stories, we can develop a sharper vision for ourselves and our families and understand our place in the universe.
Many classic stories begin with “Once upon a time….” The endings may vary, but nothing ever changes the magic of a story. Stories weave together the journeys of lives so that they can be told and retold, read and reread throughout all generations. This is the reason that today we have memories.Since the beginning of time, memories were transferred from one person to another through story. A story is never forgotten. We might
forget a name, and date, or a location, but if we add these details to story, these fragments are likely to be remembered. Story has that rare ability to bring fragments of life together.
These stories of old never lose their appeal. Today, as we create our own memories, enlightened with the magic of story, they will challenge the test of time.
What is your story? If all we tell are the facts, the story is likely to be pretty dull. It would not have much impact on the thinking, opinions and actions of the reader. Nor would the reader be likely to want to read the story again, or to recommend it to others. The inspiration and value are lost.These text-type storybooks may be rich in details, but are weak in story. Histories have their place to chronicle the events as a record of the happening.
But the “real” story can be captured by adding descriptive details, dialogue, emotions and extra touches in explaining the events. Heritage Makers can help you write the “real” story with its theme-based Story Starters.
To view Story Starters and more ideas for your storybooks, go to www.PagesofaLifetime.com
Filed under: birthday, children, classes, contest, creating storybooks, digi scrap, digital design, digital elements, digital scrapbooking, Digital Scrapping, family, family storybooks, father's day, Heritage Makers, Oprah, party, Photos, presrving family stories, publish, publishing, scan party, School, story, storybook, success, Thank you, Workshops, writing | Leave a Comment »
