Merle R. Saferstein begins her book with a bold statement. She says, How you live your life becomes your legacy. She asks the reader to ponder these questions: What gives your life meaning? Are you living your life the way you want to be remembered? What is important in your life that you would like to pass along?
Here we are at the beginning of a new year. 2024 holds a lot of opportunity, so why not begin with a personal exploration of meaningful inquiries?
Merle is an educator, speaker, author, and a pioneer in the field of legacy journaling. She’s been journaling for almost 50 years, and has amassed a collection of 380 journals, the majority of which are the basis for her legacy journal “Living and Leaving My Legacy Vols. 1 & 2.”
“One of the things I do in my classes,” explains Merle, “is ask people to write a list of things that bring them joy. Then I ask, when was the last time this was part of your life? Is this something you do alone or with other people?
Is this something you can be doing in five years? For me the question is what speaks to your soul and brings you joy? If a month has passed,” she continues, “and you aren’t doing what you love to do, that’s when you want to make some changes.”
In April 2020, Merle began a journaling circle with people who did not journal. Through developing a practice of weekly journaling (it’s been 164 weeks), these people are now journaling on their own. In her book, “Living and Leaving My Legacy,” she offers a variety of prompts to help people get started. “Journaling,” Merle says, “is cathartic. It’s a great way to process, to record what’s in your life, and to explore thoughts and feelings.”
The forward of her book is written by Sheryl Sandberg, Founder of LeanIn.org and OptionB.org. She writes, “When I lost my husband Dave in 2015, it was Merle who encouraged me to start journaling. I’m deeply grateful that she did. After a lifetime of not being able to keep a journal, words poured out of me. Writing my thoughts down helped me process my overwhelming feelings, make sense of the past, and rebuild my self-confidence to navigate the future. I found that turning my feelings into words gave me more power over them. After I started journaling, I used many of my entries to write ‘Option B.’ Now Merle has done the same, turning her journals into this inspiring book.” Sheryl concludes the forward with these words. “We each have our own stories and unique perspectives.
And we can all have the chance to share what we’ve learned. As Merle so beautifully illustrates in this book, legacy journaling can enrich not only your life but also the lives of generations to come.”
HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE BECOMES YOUR LEGACY
MERLE R. SAFERSTEIN
In “Living and Leaving My Legacy, Vol. I,” there are chapters on marriage, parenting, career, spirituality and more. The journal excerpts in this volume are from 359 of Merle’s journals, written over a span of 42 years. Some of the chapters are on relationships, the Holocaust and Holocaust survivor experiences, end-of-life issues, travel, and world events. At the end of each chapter are journal prompts and reflections on the subject.
Through the years, Merle has been privileged to work with remarkable people who have taught her many life lessons. As the Director of Educational Outreach at the Holocaust Documentation and Education Center, she learned about the resilience of the human spirit from hundreds of Holocaust survivors, and helped them pass along their legacy of remembrance. Later as a hospice volunteer, she saw how individuals reflected on their lives, as they faced their final days. Most important to all of them was to be remembered, and know that their lives mattered.
Today, Merle is a legacy educator. She offers classes, including Living and Leaving Your Legacy®. She shares the life lessons she has gained and the many ways we can leave our legacy. Beginning in January 2024, she is facilitating a six-week online class for meaningful conversation. Her books and legacy insights are on her website. Learn more here: MerleRSaferstein.com I asked Merle, as we were wrapping up, what would be your prescription to live a better life? She gathered her thoughts before responding, so I knew she was taking the time to consider her answer. It was not a soundbite, nor something she has rehearsed. I could feel she was feeling into her own soul.
She replied by saying, “To live a better life means to honor who you are, to do the things that speak to your soul, to know when to say yes and when to say no, to live a life of gratitude, and for me, it’s to take the negative issues that come up and work through them, so I learn from it and see it from a positive point of view. It’s the things that are difficult that can teach us the most.”
She topped it off with this reminder. “If you want to be remembered a certain way, you better be living that way, or it’s not going to happen.”
Here’s to 2024 – May You Live Your Best Life Every Day!
With Love, Liz
www.AskLiz.com
Liz Sterling is a writer, coach, teacher, broadcaster, advice columnist and inspirational public speaker. Meet her at: AskLiz.com
