While these suggestions are meant to help you recall forgotten memories, they will only work if you make an effort to write them down if and when they come back to you. They say that memory is fleeting…and that's even more true with a memory you've already lost once.

One thing I've learned from the countless hours I've spent interviewing memoir clients is that our lives are made up of our choices. Our power is in how we choose to respond and, ultimately, in the decisions we make, but beyond that, it's up to us to let go and trust.

Conversations are meant to be two-sided; however, the listener’s role requires the most awareness and, more often than not, a lot of practice. When it comes to our daily conversations, these are the three most common types of listening and their habitual responses.

Before you get started, make sure you’re clear on why you’re writing a memoir. Writing a memoir is a big commitment. It requires writing consistently, holding yourself accountable, and, most of all, perseverance. But most importantly, don’t get discouraged.

If you’re often told that you need to write a book about your life but are unsure where to start, then a memoir is an excellent option. Taking time to reflect and review will offer clarity and allow you to redefine your values and priorities as you move into your next life phase.

The language we use is habitual, from the stories we tell ourselves to the words we choose. Language forms our identity—it shapes how others receive us and how we see ourselves. By choosing to say when instead of if and will instead of would, you have the power to change how you perceive yourself and how your message is received.

Our family still sends out cards every December. In the years since we started this tradition, I've noticed how much this small gesture means to some of our card recipients. It's easy to get busy and caught up in all the things that make up life, but a thoughtful touchpoint really does go a long way.

Whatever you decide to do with your next year, remember that when we create goals and habits that align with our values, they will be easier to stick to and return to whenever we fall off track. 

For me, "less is more" means trading in my worries about how the house is decorated, for the experience of decorating our home with my daughter, even if that means that some ornaments may be sacrificed in the process.

You might wonder, what can storytelling do for my company? In today's world, where customers demand transparency, it may be time to bring your company's history into the present.

We all have a story to tell. And, if there's a story inside of you that you want to share with your family and friends, or maybe with the world, then this is your sign to start writing it now.

While I absolutely love books—from the smell of the ink to the feel of the paper between my fingers as I flip through the pages—a book isn't the only way to share your family's stories. 

Here are a few unique ways to preserve your family's history and memories, some of which you're probably already doing. 

If you've always wanted to put together a family history book but weren't sure how to get started, then this is the DIY guide for you. However, it’s important to note that making a family history book is an incredible undertaking, and your book project could take many months, or even a year, to complete.

Our daughter is incredibly fortunate that her grandparents are able to spend so much time with her. I never had that with my grandparents, nor did my husband. However, because she’s still so young, I often wonder how much of them she’ll remember when she’s older.

This type of listening is called Empathetic Listening, and it allows us to build trust, resolve conflict, and connect with the person who's speaking. I've always admired the people who can do this. When I think back on my own life, I remember exactly who these people were.

As a young girl, Mother’s Day was only ever about my mom. But, now that I have a family of my own, Mother’s Day has become about all moms. It’s a day to be celebrated and an opportunity to express gratitude to my mom, my mother-in-law, and all mothers.

So much is lost in war. War is about much more than a country's politics; it's about the complete annihilation of a peoples' culture and heritage.

I’ll be honest with you, these past three years, and even now, as I type this (amid so much uncertainty in the world), my husband and I have spent a lot of time grasping for stability and some sense of control over our lives. But (and no surprise here) that hasn’t gotten us very far.

This is something that I say to myself a lot. I don't have enough time to grow my business. I don't have enough time for my family. And most of all, I don't have enough time to take any "free time" for myself.

Every year I start with a list of goals and aspirations. This year, instead of a list of goals (ok, I have some of those too), I've decided to focus on a single word, on an intention, and a feeling: that of connection.