Wouldn’t it turn the world upside down if everyone put their life on hold long enough to answer the question, "How do I want to be remembered?" As any life well lived deserves notice, the treasure chest that makes up your life needs to be documented by you for posterity purposes and perhaps, for your own peace of mind. In this third article of the "Memoir Writing" series, you are going to explore the path to your legacy. Because your life experiences are important to you and others, something within you will spell out your living legacy.

Legacy is what you are remembered for or what you leave behind. However, legacy seems to be the elusive something that is always off in a distance. It is elusive because it is uncharted territory. It is off in the distance because the subject lies deep in the human psyche. Your goal is to piece together all the interconnected events into your living legacy.

Your life consists of thousands of people, places and events that all add up to your legacy. These are collectively your life experiences. As you contemplate all of these experiences, you will experience a flood of memories and revelations. Your legacy includes a group of key elements – people, jobs, education, achievements and physical attribute - over the course of your lifetime. Rely on your personal reflections as you review the following key elements of your life:

• Family and friends

• Education and finances

• Military and career

• Awards and achievements

• Mind, body and spirit

Consider each element in relation to the impact on your life and impact to your legacy. Although each element may have contributed to your life, some element or elements may have impacted your legacy. Sometimes a single event can define your legacy. For example you may have been thrown into the limelight and known forever for that one event. This happened to Rudolph (Rudy) Giuliani.

Rudy Giuliani, Mayor of New York City, was thrown into an unwanted role in history after the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center. He was only months away from the end of his two terms as Mayor. Born in New York borough of Brooklyn as the only child of Italian immigrants, Giuliani became a lawyer, businessman and politician. Before 9/11, he was best known for his clean-up of a city ravage by crime. After 9/11 Giuliani gained international attention and was well regarded for his leadership during the 9/11 crisis.

It is time to consider the impact of the people, places, things and events that define your legacy. Again, rely on your personal reflections as you review the following for an event that defines your legacy:

1. Impact of personal relationships

2. Impact of education, career or finances

3. Impact of an achievement or personal triumph

4. Impact of emotional or physical well-being

5. Impact of status, fame, wealth or power

Consider each carefully to get a clearer sense of what’s important to your life and your legacy. Looking back over the span of your lifetime, did any of these play a pivotal role that had an impact on your legacy? Or, was there a life lesson that came to mind? One of the following may help you get started writing your legacy statement:

 My life was (description) because (description).

 I always wanted to (description) and I accomplished this by (description).

 My teacher (parent, friend) changed my life when (description).

 When I changed careers, I (description).

 I never thought that (description) would lead to (description).

 I had no idea that I wanted to (description) but it changed my life

 I was in the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time when I (description) but it changed my life by (description).

You are now ready to write your legacy statement, "How do I want to be remembered?"

Your legacy statement will serve as a guide as you document your life. Refer to your destiny and legacy statements often as you write your memoir. You may learn from your journey that you had much to discover about your destiny and legacy; equally, you had much to discover about yourself and your life.