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Have you heard of the concept of an Ethical Will? Would you like one?

Posted by Miriam, Volunteer Mentor @mir123, Mar 11 11:02am

An Ethical Will is a beautiful idea. Instead of an inventory of everything you own on a material level, it is about your values. Take ten minutes and write down all the beliefs, ethics, and experiences that have taught you how to live.
What are your guiding lights? I know my mom would have said "gardening." She raised four children, did a lot of caretaking, worked until she was 84. But the value of gardening was her joy. She could care for nature, and it was rewarding. She had a little attached greenhouse and when I was a kid I'd see her there late at night, re-potting her plants.
Once you'd gotten your ethical will down you can share it with family or friends. And of course you can post it here! What would you like to bequeath to us? As I get older, it is important to me to see what keeps me going on a deep level.
Thanks in advance for sharing--I'm very interested in what you have to say.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Mar 11 12:31pm

@mir123 Miriam, this is a great topic. I will respond later, when I have gotten my list written down, but really looking forward to what other members have to say on this!
Ginger

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Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Mar 11 1:19pm
In reply to @gingerw "@mir123 Miriam, this is a great topic. I will respond later, when I have gotten my..." + (show)
@gingerw

@mir123 Miriam, this is a great topic. I will respond later, when I have gotten my list written down, but really looking forward to what other members have to say on this!
Ginger

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Thank you Ginger! I know you are a fan of self-reflection!

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Scott R L | @scottrl | Mar 11 1:42pm

I think it's a great idea in principle, but my experience is that money brings out the absolute worst in people.
Principles get abandoned pretty quick when it comes to fighting over an inheritance.

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Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Mar 11 2:22pm
In reply to @scottrl "I think it's a great idea in principle, but my experience is that money brings out..." + (show)
@scottrl

I think it's a great idea in principle, but my experience is that money brings out the absolute worst in people.
Principles get abandoned pretty quick when it comes to fighting over an inheritance.

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I was imagining this as totally separate from a legal will with inheritance. I first heard about it as a Jewish tradition, where rabbis left some written wisdom behind. Just a document to keep in your journal, or pass on to family. Or best of all--post here! Give it a whirl?

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scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | Mar 11 3:14pm

I have been really active in the Trevor Project and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Trevor provides text and phone based counseling to mostly LGBTQ+ teens who are often either depressed or contemplating suicide. AFSP works to prevent suicide in the general population. I've been in some really dark places in my life and have had people who helped get me out of them and am honored to be able to do this for others who may not have anyone else. I support both of these groups with my time.

I'm also big on animal welfare and seeing that adoptable pets are given to good homes. I support these kinds of groups financially.

Finally, I was the first in my family to go to college and it has helped me tremendously in life. I know that college isn't for everyone, and there are plenty of valid careers in trades, but for many, college is the ticket out of the lower class and I'd like to leave some money to my alma mater to help finance education for those who can't afford it.

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Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Mar 11 6:30pm
In reply to @scottbeammeup "I have been really active in the Trevor Project and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention..." + (show)
@scottbeammeup

I have been really active in the Trevor Project and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Trevor provides text and phone based counseling to mostly LGBTQ+ teens who are often either depressed or contemplating suicide. AFSP works to prevent suicide in the general population. I've been in some really dark places in my life and have had people who helped get me out of them and am honored to be able to do this for others who may not have anyone else. I support both of these groups with my time.

I'm also big on animal welfare and seeing that adoptable pets are given to good homes. I support these kinds of groups financially.

Finally, I was the first in my family to go to college and it has helped me tremendously in life. I know that college isn't for everyone, and there are plenty of valid careers in trades, but for many, college is the ticket out of the lower class and I'd like to leave some money to my alma mater to help finance education for those who can't afford it.

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This is so strong--thank you for the beautiful post. For me, moving from being a very anxious and overwhelmed cancer patient to being on Connect has been a journey similar what you describe. And thanks for the college shout-out and reminder that education really can be a value (and valuable).

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lindabro | @lindabro | Mar 16 5:43am

Check with the education department of your hospital. That’s where I first heard of an ethical will. Took the workshop and found it interesting.

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Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Mar 16 11:28am
In reply to @lindabro "Check with the education department of your hospital. That’s where I first heard of an ethical..." + (show)
@lindabro

Check with the education department of your hospital. That’s where I first heard of an ethical will. Took the workshop and found it interesting.

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Great suggestion!

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