What is your life story or memoir? We all have a story. What is yours? Do not just live your life day by day, instead capture it in different ways to pass on to future generations or your grandchildren. We are all here for a reason. Share your purpose in life with others, because you just may help someone who needs to hear it the most.

As you go throughout your day today, remember each person you pass by has a story. Each story shapes who they are. How do you know if you can relate, if you do not tell your story? How do you know if you can encourage them, if you do not open up and tell them your story? What are you doing with what life has given to you, to help someone else in need?

With changes in technology and living in the fast, internet world, it can be difficult at times to remember to slow down, make a connection with someone, and share your story.

From your first love, first vacation, first success, first time of courage, first pregnancy, to the other countless times you have worked somewhere, failed, tried, and grew as a person in life. Share your story with others. Tell us one of your life stories in the comments below. We love to see photos from our fans to on our social media pages. Visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/theoriginaltimecapsule and share your story.

Your story matters. There is power in sharing your most authentic self to others, let alone your own children or grandchildren. Bless someone else with your stories of good and bad times. We hope to inspire just one person through this blog to go out and share your story, go make an “Any Occasion” DIY Time Capsule to preserve your important life story, to pass on to your children or grandchildren years later when they need to hear it, or when they need to have insight about a specific topic they are facing themselves. Get your own “Any Occasion” DIY Time Capsule to preserve mementos and memorabilia in to help describe your story years later. Get your time capsule here.

 Tips to Share Your Life Story

When working in the counseling field with several children, teenagers, and young adults, I was able to hear many different stories. Telling your story can be so freeing. Also telling your story can make a moment of excitement be even more fun. Your story is important.

Learn more about how to write your life story or memoir here.

1. Think about what to write.

Go through old photo albums and look around your home. What represents who you are? Even your clothes and the colors in your home help describe you and your life story. Gather tangible items that mean a lot to you. Start writing down a few sentences about those memorable treasures around you. Think about everything in your past that has helped shape who you are today. Ask friends and family what words they think best describes you. Put together your own autobiography.

2. Think about milestone moments in your life.

Start writing down one or two words that describe milestone moments in your life. Start writing sentences using these words. Do not worry about being perfect, because that is what makes you, you. You can even write with the intent of writing to your future self and where you want to be in life 10 or 20 years from now. This is a great way to get in the mindset of talking about life lessons, and what you would want to pass on to your children or grandchildren. This is the whole point of the “Message to the Future” letters included with the “Any Occasion” DIY Time Capsule. What a great keepsake gift to treasure for years.

3. Make a list of all your successes and failures in life.

A list can help us make sure we covered our main points in our life story. As you write your paragraphs in your life story, check off the success or failure. Remember we are all human, so it is ok if we made mistakes in or life. Push yourself to use your stories to help better your life, or help someone else now. It will be rewarding in the end. Pay it forward.

So again, tell us one or two sentences that would describe your life story in the comments below.

Making Milestone Moments Count,

– Marcie

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So, why am I writing this blog after Christmas? You need all year to experience different memories, to pick the one you will make an memory ornament for. I want to get you in the Christmas mindset early in the year, in January.

What was Life Like when Your Parents were Younger?

Wouldn’t it be so cool to open up a blog every day that your parent wrote? Can you imagine living your life along with your parent each day? For some of us that sounds great, if you are very close to your parents like myself. For others, like my husband, that  may not be so easy if you do not always get along. For this particular blog I will be thinking about a close family that gets along most of the time. My brother and his wife recently had a baby. It would be so insightful and interesting to have a blog to read each day as it followed the life of my mother or father and what their feelings were as they were raising my brothers and I when they were a young couple. I wonder what Christmas time was like for my parents when they had their first baby? I am sure Christmas shopping was different that year. Can you imagine the average time it took to get out a a car to go shopping (before their baby was born), versus after they had a baby (much longer to get out of the car, unstrap the baby from the car seat, get the stroller, etc.)?

Pictured above is our family memory ornament Christmas tree. We have snowflakes made out of old cd’s, pictures of a whale seen by my brother and his wife on their vacation together, and other homemade ornaments with stories and meaning.

Reminisce with a Memory Ornament Christmas Tree

Every Christmas, my family adds a new ornament to our tree. This is not just any ordinary ornament. It is an ornament from the heart. An ornament that expresses how we felt or what we experiences as a good or bad memory this past year. We call it our memory ornament. We realize it is a different kind of Christmas tree. For us, it is kind of a time capsule tree.

Today I am grateful for a family memory tree to help put up each year. It is like opening a family time capsule every Christmas, to reflect upon, as the next New Year begins. There are a flood of all kinds of stories, memories, and emotions on that sentimental tree. 

We only have one life. Make your life last with a time capsule. Pass on your own memory ornaments and stories about your family and past heritage in a time capsule.

How to Make a Memory Ornament

At The Original Time Capsule company, our goal is to create, inspire, educate, and help you decorate your home and life with meaningful, keepsake gifts. With this blog we want to offer you several videos to help you create your own memory ornament. Keep in mind a memory ornament is personal. It can be something that gives significance to your past year or a memory from growing up. As you can see from our own family memory ornament tree, there are several odd looking ornaments. For my family, it is not always about making the tree look good. Instead, it is important to us to make a tree with meaning. It is fun each year putting each ornament on, reminiscing about each memorable, funny, or inspiring story of growth.

What you will need:

• stencils
• glass or plastic clear decorations
• markers, paint, stickers, or scrapbooking crafts
• cardboard
• clay
• paper
• popsicle sticks
• glue gun
• rhinestones
• construction paper
• photo paper
• ribbon
• scissors
• glue
• printer
• camera
• anything you can think of extra to make your unique ornament

Personalized Christmas Ornament Steps:

1. Think of something that happened this year or in years past, that has impacted you the most.

2. Think about how you would make an ornament representing this memory. You can use a pre-created glass or plastic decoration you buy and fill with items yourself. You can also print out a photo of your memory and frame it in a decorative or other creative way. You can also capture your memory in a memory ornament made completely from scratch using the materials listed above or anything else you find in your home or at a store. The sky’s the limit, as far as your creativity. That is what truly makes your ornament personalized. Be creative.

3. Place stickers on ornament, put items inside of your ornament, decorate your ornament. Don’t forget to take a picture of it to write about the story behind the ornament. Save this photo and story in a photo album, so no one in the family will ever forget the full story behind your memory ornament.

Examples of Memory Ornaments

Check out the following videos to help you get started with your memory ornament. Save your own memory ornament in a Family Christmas Time Capsule to open each year when you set up the tree. What a fun way to reminisce and bond closer together, as you relive each story. Get an “Any Occasion” DIY Time Capsule to make your own Christmas time capsule today at www.timecapsule.com. Also check out this cool journal memory ornament you can make with a FREE Printable available to get you started at http://www.boho-weddings.com/2014/12/08/christmas-ornament/. Journal your life throughout the year, and save it in an ornament. What a great way to reflect about several memories over the year, all at once in one ornament. A perfect keepsake to preserve in your time capsule.

Picture Frame Memory Ornament

Clear Ball Memory Ornament Idea

Baby’s First Christmas Ornament

Don’t forget to save all these memory ornaments in your time capsule. So what was your greatest memory of this past year? Comment below.

Making Milestone Moments Count,

– Marcie

The post How to Make a Inexpensive DIY Memory Ornament appeared first on Time Capsule | Personalized Gifts.

Ok, so many of you have been having fun reading the perspective my husband had building up to meeting me for the first time. Now here is my half of the story so far, (written by the better half of course) for those who have been wondering.

It was a time in my life when I realized that I had to look at singleness as a gift. You know, too many of us (especially girls) strive to find “the one” in life. What if we spent our lives concentrating on giving back somewhere, and if someone happened to come along in our journey then it will be all the more special.
I was raised in a strong, close family in which we relied on each other to help with issues like friendship issues, dating, dress tips, work, God’s will, saving money, homework, etc. I was very busy in my life at this time, from working with my parent’s at their own business, going to school full-time, and giving my time and help to our church small groups I was involved in. I did not really have time for meeting a guy. Of course, that is when Murphy (I am sure you all know him) said, it is time to interrupt your life.

As I was going through my school, work, church weekly routine, I did realize I was not getting any younger. My story started a couple of weeks before Mark (my husband) received “the checklist,” which you can read about at http://www.timecapsule.com/milestone-moments/milestone-moment-the-checklist-to-meeting-someone-online/

I had a couple of friends in my college class who I started to get to know well. How can you not, considering you were studying for your Psychology tests together, and doing sample case studies of clients which brought up important issues in life. One friend, Nikki said, “do you want to go out with my brother sometime?” I was like, “what???” How do you break it to your friend (based on how she has already described her brother in the past), that her brother is not really your type. Well, I was honest with her and basically said he does not sound like someone I would hang out with as a friend, let alone boyfriend.



How Oprah Taught Me About Online Dating – The Relationship Profile

After much hounding from my friends, who sincerely thought I was a “great girl” and needed to be with someone, they suggested filling out a profile online. Ha. Boy did I laugh. I would never do that. That is not me at all, I was thinking. I said to Nikki, “fine, if I do this though it has to be very descriptive because I do not want some axe-murderer finding me.” I decided when I filled out this profile, that I was going to use it as a teaching or ministry moment. I was tired of meeting so many guys who thought and said, “there are no more ‘great girls’ out there,” with morals, faith, standards, and intelligence. At that time, I was also very involved as a leader in our church youth group. So I figured, if anything maybe there are other church youth group leaders out there who can share group lesson ideas, games, etc with me. For tips from Oprah about how to fill out the best online profile, check out http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Online-Dating-Tips-How-To-Write-Your-Best-Profile_1

The Ministry

So, I began to fill in the profile as a ministry to teach guys how to find a great girl, a Proverbs 31 woman if you will. Now, do not get me wrong I am by no means perfect. However, I do constantly strive to live my life with purpose and give back to others by instilling inspiration, encouraging, or helping educate in areas I have experienced or learned. I still have my online profile saved on paper in our wedding time capsule. It will be a fun memory to read this again on our 25th anniversary, when we open our decorative wedding time capsule. Get this beautiful Wedding Time Capsule from http://www.timecapsule.com/product/weddingtimecapsule/.

So how would you use an online profile to teach or reach out to help someone in the world? Again, looking at singleness as a gift, is one of the best gifts you can give or teach others. It affects your daily, social functioning and those around you. If you want to know what was on the “checklist,” stay tuned to next week’s blog.

Where did you first meet your future husband? Comment below.

Making Milestone Moments Count,

www.timecapsule.com

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]]> https://timecapsule.com/a-letter-from-daughter-to-father/ Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:13:01 +0000 http://www.timecapsule.com/?p=3243 A Letter from Daughter to Father So many times we hear about father’s writing letters to their daughters. This is a blog about the opposite. It amazes me how much we really do not know we have, until it is gone. I have always been close to my father, but after I moved out and [...]

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So many times we hear about father’s writing letters to their daughters. This is a blog about the opposite. It amazes me how much we really do not know we have, until it is gone. I have always been close to my father, but after I moved out and on with my life, we became even closer, if that is possible.

How do you Say Thanks to your Dad?

Whether biological, adopted, or a great male mentor in your life, we all have a father who has influenced us. What would you say to your father if you took the time to send him a letter saying thank you? This letter will be a great keepsake for your dad to treasure forever. What would be included in a letter from daughter to father?

Ideas for Questions to Answer to Start your Memorable Letter

1. What is your favorite memory with your father?

2. What is your most embarrassing story about your dad?

3. What life lesson has helped you the most, which your dad taught you?

4. Several reasons I love you (my father) are?

5. My favorite activity to do with you is?



6. My favorite vacation with you is?

7. The funniest story you ever told me was?

8. The best gift you have ever given me was?

9. Any past apologies I want to express to my father are? (for example, regrets of taking your father’s work for granted)

10. What I loved most about my daily routing with dad, when living with him is?

Example of a “Message to the Future” or Letter to your Dad:

For a cute example of how to write this letter, check out http://www.chicagonow.com/being-catholic-really/2012/06/a-letter-from-a-daughter-to-her-father-on-fathers-day/ or review this letter at http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/parenting/child-rearing-and-development/fathering/daughters-letter-father

Speak from your heart. Make it real and make it matter. You and your father will be grateful, years in the future, that you took the time to make this priceless gift you can treasure forever.

Making Milestone Moments Count,

www.timecapsule.com

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]]> https://timecapsule.com/20-key-benefits-of-a-time-capsule/ Wed, 04 Jun 2014 21:00:21 +0000 http://www.timecapsule.com/?p=3222 20 Key Benefits of a Time Capsule She was scared to take baths as a three year old. Until, one day her aunt showed her how the doggy takes baths too. When you make things more fun, children are more likely to listen and imitate. My niece and I gave the dog a bath after [...]

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She was scared to take baths as a three year old. Until, one day her aunt showed her how the doggy takes baths too. When you make things more fun, children are more likely to listen and imitate. My niece and I gave the dog a bath after playing fetch with the hose and the dog. Cinnamon, our dog, is a Chocolate Lab and Australian Shepherd mix. She is full of energy and a great life lesson teacher. After playing in the water, Cinnamon shook, which splattered all her water onto my niece and I. My niece, Skylar, laughed and realized taking a bath could be fun. Then a few hours later, Skylar gladly took her own bath, had fun, and shook herself when she was done. I laughed so much at her. I was happy she had fun, changed her perspective about a daily skill, and she and I had a great bonding moment to last for years to come.

What special milestone moments would you like to relive again?

There are many different benefits of a time capsule. A time capsule has the ability to transport both you and your loved one to a different place and time. It can be an activity to break up your daily worries or activities in life. Most people enjoy hearing stories behind mementos. So why not start making your time capsule today? It will be a legacy keepsake for your future generations to enjoy.

Benefits of a Time Capsule

1. It is a great bonding activity to do with other family members or friends.

2. It is a great way to get others communicating about their thoughts and feelings (can be very therapeutic).

3. It can be a form of meditation, as you are reflecting back on your life or where you want to be in the future. We all need to have goals in life.

4. It can be a way for you to bury your past (so-to-speak), and start a new life of freedom. This would be a time capsule I do not know if I would want to reopen in the future though, unless you completely feel healthy and want to see how far you have grown spiritually, mentally, emotionally, or physically. For example put a picture of how you look now in the time capsule, then lose weight, and see how far you have come years later.

5. Creating a time capsule can be a fun, rewarding hobby, like scrapbooking.



6. Similar to a classic movie or song bringing back great memories, creating a time capsule can do the same. This is especially important for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It is like reminiscence therapy. What is a classic movie you have not seen for a while? A time capsule improves memory and creates a family heirloom.

7. A time capsule would be a great, unique centerpiece for a Wedding or Baby Shower. Make a game out of it, and have guests bring things to put in it for the future couple or baby to see or read years later. What are your predictions of where the couple or baby will be in life, in the future?

8. A time capsule can make you use all of your senses to create and preserve your nostalgic moments.

9. It can help close the gap of generations. For example, explain how to use technological things like the latest cell phone (if we even have cell phones in the future).

10. It can help military families (especially those who are gone when their child is born), not forget any moments or memories (as you can write each day what is happening in a journal). Memories can fade easily, so help preserve those smaller, and seemingly less significant events that happened during your separation, while one of you is in the military.

11. Your family history is important, so include small notes on each item in the time capsule. Decades from now, your descendants can learn all about what life was like when you were born or alive. A time capsule is the best tangible history book around.

12. For an adopted child or someone in foster care, a time capsule can be like their beginning “life story,” so he or she feels some attachment to their biological family and has a sense of belonging.

13. A time capsule can be like a memorial, to help with grief and bereavement of a past loved one.

14. A time capsule helps preserve your favorite memories, in a safe place.

15. It can be a creative way to share wisdom, from adults or grandparents to children or grandchildren.

16. It helps you prioritize and organized which favorite baby items to keep or give away.

17. It is a tangible scrapbook, for those things that do not fit in a scrapbook.

18. It protects your items better than a scrapbook (if you do not bury it).

19. A time capsule can be a great classroom activity to unify students for a single, positive purpose.

20. A time capsule can help restore marriages, by opening the Wedding Time Capsule, when you have an argument together in the future, to remind you why you got married.

If you want to read more information or research on the benefits of a time capsule or memory box, check out http://commons.emich.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1363&context=honors St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital even understands the benefits of creating a time capsule or scrapbook. Check out why at http://www.memorychestmemorials.com/Blogs/Memory-Chest-Memorials/February-2013/Therapeutic-Scrapbooking-A-Technique-to-Promote-Po

I am sure there are many other benefits of creating a time capsule. What benefits can you think of? Comment below.

Making Milestone Moments Count,

www.timecapsule.com

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