Writing a Legacy of Values

When writing a legacy of values, first identify your audience (self, friends, community etc.) and reasons for writing (Honor your loved one? To gain insight? Find resolution? Let go? Heal something specific? Or?). Then:

1. Make a list of the five most important values imparted to you by your loved one.
2. Make a list of the five most important beliefs imparted to you by your loved one.
3. Optional: now write a short sentence on each value or belief and how you apply it in your life etc.
4. Optional: take two – five minutes and make a list titled: “I have learned …”.

Writing a legacy of values can take several forms:

• Letter – an open letter is a simple way of imparting to others what you have learned from your loved one
• Statement or essay
• Short story
• Poem
• Combination/other – whatever from or words feel right to you

Guidelines for writing your first draft in the form you chose:

1. Devote a paragraph to each belief or value and how this belief or value was instilled in you. 
2. Devote a paragraph to each belief or value and how it has impacted your life and/or various facets of your life (home life, professional life, marriage, relationships with friends, relationship with spouse, relationship with children etc.)
3. Do not worry about punctuation, spelling or grammar – just write using a stream of consciousness style (no editing as you go but rather just allowing your writing to flow). 
4. Then, use your first draft as the jumping-off point to write the story of the impact your loved one had on your life.