MEMORY BOOKS
The story of a dentist who built up a successful insurance business
Now, in his seventies, Lalith is reflecting on his life, career, the choices he made, and poised to pass on his wisdom to the younger generations.
memory books
The story of a dentist who built up a successful insurance business
Now, in his seventies, Lalith is reflecting on his life, career, and the choices he made, and looking on to passing his wisdom to the younger generations.
More stories
What legacy will you leave behind for your children?
People in Lalith’s circle look up to him for guidance. Friends. Family. Colleagues. Employees. Anyone who would listen.
At 75, Lalith, the CEO of an insurance franchise, has a lot to offer the world. About life and how to apply daily experiences in business. Nuggets of wisdom he has been jotting down in various places.
When we met in his office, lined with stacks of self-help books with multi-coloured Post-It notes sticking out, he talked about the stories. His stories about childhood, youth, education, life, and the career that took him from war-torn Sri Lanka to the UK and Canada.
Lalith also told me he is mentoring two of his grandchildren apart from new recruits in his insurance distribution business.
Passing on the wisdom
He asked me, ‘’How can I ensure my ideas are passed on?’’
“Have you maintained a journal?”, I asked him.
“Yes. But it’s all over the place. That’s why I called you, to talk about it.”
I explained the concept of memory books. On the process of capturing his stories, his thoughts, his life, his business, his teachings, his voice, and more. And binding it all together to leave behind a legacy in words, etched on paper.
Memories and memory books
When I passed 60 recently I began to look inward. Meditating on my younger self, reflecting on what I could have changed, fantasizing on travelling back in time and correcting its course. To a better outcome.
Don’t we all dwell on the past? And ignore the future? What about the present?
There are many things that I have learnt that I can pass on to someone which will help that person save time, money, and energy. And I have learnt a fair bit in 30-odd years. What do I do with it?
Lalith and I came to the same thought.
“Simply write. Without stopping to think or correct. Carve out a time every morning to write. Start with your daily thoughts, the stories that you remember, the process will connect and dig out stories buried deeper. Write about life, youth, career, friends, family, business…” I also gave him a pocket-sized notebook.
In a month he filled up four notebooks with nuggets from his life. Nuggets he wanted to pass on to his children, grandchildren, younger versions of himself he saw in others in the business he manages.
The memory book took shape. A priceless gift to pass on. A coffee table book, beautifully designed, he believed will be a keepsake for generations.
The digital version speaks about his life, in his own voice. For his children and grandchildren, listening to his voice, he realized, will kindle their memories of him. When a new person is onboarded into his business, parts of this book will be included in the onboarding process, he told me.
Tell your stories. In your words.
When my parents passed away recently I realized I do not have any sound recordings of them. I have now started recording myself. I pushed past the thoughts of having to listen to myself! When I am taking nature walks I record my thoughts, the sounds of the birds, the flowing waters, the whoosh of the winds blowing away the autumn leaves … all heighten the senses to complete the picture.
Start with the voices and sounds that ricochet in your mind. Get it out there on paper, record them on your phone.
I am a storyteller. I dig out stories, give them a voice, write them, design them, and communicate them. Through digital and print mediums.
Image of Lalith [top] and name changed to protect the identity of the person featured.