The Ancestor Effect

Why Your Stories Matter

“So even if we don’t perceive to like our ancestors, thinking about them still leads to a mental state that boosts intellectual performance and decision-making.”

Apparently, just thinking about our ancestors — ancient to the not so distant — helps us be better problem solvers and live better lives. I just read this most fascinating article about the value of knowing our family’s narrative.

“Recently, a clinical study reported that thinking positively about our family roots boosts emotional confidence and even intelligence.”

Are you a good ancestor? Have you started to record your stories?

“…keep your ancestors close at hand. Every day, think about the people who are responsible for putting you on the planet. Consider their hard work throughout the ages, their resilience in tough times, and their ingenuity.”

Alas, the full article by “Amy Bruckner & The Dream Tribe” is no longer alive on the web.  All the same, consider being a good ancestor by recording and sharing a story from your own family’s history!

As always, I’d be pleased and honored to help, be it in a course I teach or by interviewing you or your loved ones to create an heirloom gift for today, and to pass on to your future generations.

StoryCatcher® for iPhone makes it easy to get started making short video stories if you’re interested in a full “do it yourself” experience. Your loved ones will cherish these stories all time. Plus, you’ll be helping them become smarter and more effective in the process! You can download the app on the Apple App Store.

Blog Post Author:

April Bell is a Professional Personal Historian and founder at Tree of Life Legacies. She has been operating her Personal History Film business in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the United States since 2008. April utilizes her innate skills as an active listener to connect with others and draw out their stories and authentic, heartfelt values to be preserved and shared for generations to come. Her clients include individuals, families and organizations who value the power of story. In an effort to provide the gift of video storytelling to the world at large via a simple, fun and easy to use tool she and her business partner, iPhone app coder Urs Brauchli, released StoryCatcher® for iPhone on The Apple App Store.