Do you remember that scene in the movie? Superman (Christopher Reeve’s) where he goes to the North Pole to spend some time alone? He brings with him a bag of crystals that he throws into the snow and they are arranged in the ultimate snow cave. He then places the master crystal, I think the green one, on his newly erected icy console, and lo and behold, his (long-dead) father begins talking to him and imparting life lessons.

Released in 1978, Superman continues to be the maximum representation of an ethical will in all of video cinema (although My life also worth seeing as an example of the ethical will in a modern narrative film). It was through the magic of those crystals that Clark Kent was able to learn that he is more than just the adopted son of those kind but limited aging Midwestern farmers. And he is able to learn what his responsibilities will be living among us, poor ignorant humanity.

In the real world, an ethic isn’t too different from the one Supe’s dad set up for her (just as Krypton exploded). But instead of those crystals, we have, of course, the video camera and the DVDs.

So what is an ethical will?

An ethical will is a message to future generations about values, beliefs and life lessons. It can also cover more business matters, such as wishes for your funeral, recipients of small gifts, or even instructions in the event of a medical emergency (“health care representatives”). Sometimes called “spiritual wills” or “legacy letters,” the idea is to pass on the intangibles of a life well lived. HAS testamentary will transfer your possessions; year ethical will he conveys his thoughts and beliefs and can impart life lessons or bestow deep and personal blessings on others.

Hard economic times seem to have contributed to the growing popularity of ethical wills. With so many personal savings accounts crushed by the Great Financial Crisis, people are realizing that treasure may be lost, but values ​​are eternal. Therefore, creating an ethical will (on paper or on video) has never been more important.

Whether you plan to create an ethical will on video or in writing (or in Powerpoint, on a scrapbook, or on audiotape), the process is basically the same.

Step 1: Who is the beneficiary?

First, you must decide who will be the beneficiary of your spirit card. As in any communication, knowing your audience will help determine the topics you cover and your words. And the ethical will intended to be heard by adult children will probably be a little different than an ethical will intended for their grandchildren to see. It may be that you choose to address different people with different parts of the legacy chart.

Of course, you should keep in mind that no matter what your intentions are, ultimately you will not be able to control the audience by your ethical will.

Step 2: Decide what to include

Next, write down a list of topics you’d like to cover. Could you include a life event and the lesson you get from it? More than one person has lived to regret taking shortcuts in his education and using his ethical will to instruct his grandchildren in another way. Is it to tell the children that, despite everything, you are proud and happy with them and happy with their choices in life? As parents, we can judge too much and the spiritual will be an opportunity to set things straight once and for all.

Perhaps you feel the need to explain a decision you made or the direction you took. Are there values ​​you want your descendants to follow? Do you want to record family history? Maybe you just want to say “thanks for all the love and support.”

Step 3: Which form should you use?

Third, decide how you want to record your ethical will. Pen and blank paper is the fastest. Or, you can choose to get a book that walks you through the process and gives you a guided space to write (“The Wealth of Your Life” by Susan Turnbull is one such book). For a more personal approach, you can audio record your voice.

However, as I always recommend, you may decide to talk about your life on video. Video is a form of immortality, if you think about it. And the words spoken on camera have an immediacy and emotional impact that is truly unmatched. Up there in the ice and snow, Superman actually heard his father’s voice, not just read a letter (hurriedly scribbled in Kryptonian).

Step 4: Things to keep in mind

Fourth, you must get down to business. Start with an outline created from your themes, and then build. If your ethical will is going to be written, then there may be a series of drafts. If you are planning to create a written spiritual chart, then all you will need is your notes. If the ethical will is going to be reflected in a video in an interview format, then the interviewer will have their themes and will be able to prompt their answers.

There are a few things to keep in mind when drafting your legacy letter:

Do not use your ethical will to settle scores or have the last word. Don’t say anything you can imagine you will regret.

Be careful singing to a person for praise or special thanks. Inevitably, you will cast others into the shade, which may not be your intention.

Don’t delay. Time speeds up as you get older, and as a result, it gets harder and harder to get things done.

Don’t worry about your appearance. Future generations are interested in who you were and what was important to you.

Try to be uplifting. In her book, Susan Turnbull gives this example of a couple addressing their young children:

“We hope that you will always look outside yourselves and consider the perspective of others… We hope that you are aware of what is happening in your community and how events are affecting people there…”