Reaching Tomorrow ... Today!
It is possible by writing an Ethical Will!
When is the best time to write an ethical will
- Ethical Wills are written by people facing many different situations in life (marriage, birth of a baby) and when challenging events in life occur (illness, surgery, divorce, loss of employment).
- It is often easier to write a legal will of inheritance or Advance Healthcare Directive/living will after an ethical will has been written.
- An ethical will can help to clarify financial goals that are important to the writer which can then be used as a foundation for estate planning.
- At retirement
- At the end of life - when it can create a transcendent dimension even when life is short
Who benefits from writing an ethical will
- Engaged and Committed Couples - can establish a common base of values
- Expectant and New Parents - providing a frame work for child-rearing
- Growing Families - can teach important values to children
- Individuals facing surgery or being diagnosed with a serious illness
- Parents at the time their children leave home
- Individuals experiencing a major loss (such as losing a job, divorce or the death of a loved one)
- When parents experience a significant event such as the marriage of a child/grandchild or the birth of a grandchild.
- "Seasoned Seniors" - When converting life experiences into wisdom which can be passed on to future generations
Some common threads that run through many ethical wills are:
- The expression of love, appreciation and gratitude for family
- The sharing of spiritual truth as perceived by the writer
- An expression of regrets over choice's made in life
- Hopes for the future for family and friends
- The giving of blessings to family and friends
- The giving of meaningful advice to family and friends
- The sharing of lessons learned through living life
- The sharing of creative writings which have been inspiring
- A request for forgiveness
- An offer of forgiveness
- Love for family, friends, life and community
"I bring my own life to throw what light it may on how children
can be brought up so that parents and children, together,
can weather the roughest seas."
Margaret Mead (1901-1978), Blackberry Winter
A particularly wonderful time to begin to draft an ethical will is at the birth of a grandchild. It is at this time when love of family can take on a new and profound meaning. The hopes, wishes and dreams for grandchildren become very real.
Passing along stories and histories to the next generation
forms a bridge, not only to the past, but a bridge to the future as well. For we need to know where we have come from, in order to know who we are and who we might become.
What would you like to be remembered for?
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