I have just completed my first Life Review, at the ripe old age of 42. I would encourage everyone to do this. It is an emotionally profound experience that you will not soon forget if done correctly. My intention is to do one every year from now on.
My life review is actually an assignment for the class I’m in now called Mind, Body, Spirit. It is basically a journey into our best selves. It isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. If you’re interested in writing your own life review, find a quiet place where you can contemplate some tough questions. The only rule is that you be authentic.
Give the reader (yourself) a taste of your life so far and ask yourself these questions:
1) What was this life about?
2) What were my greatest achievements?
3) What expectations have not been fulfilled?
4) What were the main themes in my life? ie: what situations came up over and over again?
5) What things have I left undone?
6) What needs to be healed and/or changed in my life?
7) What do I need in order to make changes?
8) What is my legacy?
9) If I got a life extension, what would I do with it? (assuming that today was your last day)
Trust me, it’s harder than it looks. Take a few days to sit with the questions and then do the write-up. This exercise will take you deep into yourself. I wrote things about myself that I didn’t even know were there.
Now, what will I do about it? That’s the true test.
Am I willing to do the work?