Have you ever experienced something memorable believing you could never forget, only to discover that the details soon escape you?
And then, eventually the event can only be vaguely recalled.
This has happened to me more than once.
I’ve discovered that the experiences I have written down have power to change not only the life of others, but also my own.
A few years ago, my daughter who was serving a mission for my church asked if I would share with her some of my memories and experiences from my service 30 years before.
How grateful I was I could turn to my journal.
To my surprise there were events and experiences I had not remembered!
They were significant and meaningful, and yet, I had forgotten!
I spent the next period of time typing up 333 pages of my hand-written journal so I could share with my daughter.
It became an exciting journey for me to remember and re-live a period of my life that helped create who I am today.
I don’t know how much those written words changed my daughter, but I do know that reading them changed mine!
As I read I could see how my experiences had influenced me.
I could see how my beliefs, my desires, my ability to love and serve others were shaped by that time and strengthened anew from reading of them again.
The influence of the written word became apparent to me.
Words not written have no power to change lives.
Mary Eyring said,
““Events that are recorded, shared, analyzed, and preserved have the power to change lives; events that pass unremarked – that are not discussed or written down simply do not, no matter how spectacular.”
My experiences 30 years ago were significant and meaningful.
Those experiences, 30 years later, were once again able to influence, because I had written them down.
Do you have experiences that could help others if you would only write them down and share?
Perhaps the words you write today will one day not only help another, but also give your future self the answers and understanding you might be looking for.
Your experience and wisdom are unique to you and when written can have the power to change lives, including your own.
Much love,
