The Sound of The Voice...

Even More Precious When It Can't Be

Heard  Any Longer...

Having nothing to do has not been part of my life script this time around.  From making pinecone baskets with twinkle lights to unique tennis apparel, my interests have been varied.  In fact, many actually turned into businesses.

In 1985 when I was preparing for my Master's Degree in Transpersonal Psychology, I designed a major project as an aspect of my studies that involved visiting the Jewish Home for the Aged in Reseda, California and interviewing many of the residents.  It was the foundation for a business I eventually started and called Treasures on Tape.  The elderly were as eager to share their life stories with me, as I was to question them and record their priceless memories on tape.

The tales of an escape from the Auschwitz concentration camp brought awe and inspiration as to the tenacity of the human spirit for freedom.  I felt so privileged to hear their stories.  "Your children must feel such admiration for you after hearing of your travails."  The response was startling, "Hah - they haven't heard them-not like you have.  They're too busy," was what I heard more than once.  I had a genuine interest in human behavior as well as the fascination of how our individual lives unfold.  Some always catching the bronze ring while others struggle for survival. 

Another memorable job was interviewing the teen-age son of a celebrity.  He spoke of feelings he had as the son of a famous mother, as well thoughts about girls, school, his future.  Mom loved the end result and is grateful to have his voice on tape.

Another fun experience was recording the words every mother wants to hear, especially on Mother's Day.  Dad hired me to record the comments of their children pertaining to how much their mother means them.  Each spoke from their heart, as well as Dad, of the love felt for her and of how important she was in their lives.  Birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions were included into my Treasures on Tape archives.  I even recorded the words of a young woman in her twenties who was undergoing a terminal illness.  A portion of the tape, in which she spoke of her values, was played at her memorial.   Quite an amazing endeavor for one who finds the human experience fascinating and miraculous.

After I left graduate school, my business grew until I pursued my doctorate studies when I eventually I turned the "pause" button on my business to the off button.  But not until hundreds of folks had hired me to record their childhood memories, values, stories, pleasures and pains on audio tape.  I always preferred audio to video, so the listener could access their imagination much easier.  Recently a woman was successful at her detective mission and located me on the internet.  She wanted me to know how much it meant to her to have the recordings from 1984 of her late husband.  "I just want you to know how wonderful it was to hear him in his own voice and words talking about his life and the people in it.  I could never have imagined how much it would help me at this very difficult time in my life." 

Another gentleman called me years ago informing me that his mother's "treasure" is kept in the vault with all other important documents.  Indeed it is healing to hear the stories of how life was back in the ole' days.  When our children listened to their grandmother's recording, I recall Danielle, our impressionable adolescent at the time saying, "Gramma only had one dress she wore to all the dances?"  The lessons taught through taking a brief trip through someone's life are remarkable.  And one day her daughters will hear their legacy of their YiaYa and include them as they establish their beliefs and attitudes about life.

Have I peaked your interest?  Is there someone you'd like to record but just don't know how to start?  Is this the time to document your life history and record your legacy for your loved ones?  Well, I'm here to help.  I will be offering a teleseminar that will consist of the nuts and bolts of a project such as this one.  The date is not yet set, so please visit my websites during the next few weeks and you will learn of the details.  

          www.theattitudedoctor.com

          www.abcfeelings.com

In the meantime, be open and allow life to stir up those special memories that are important to keep for posterity- in your life or a loved one.

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About the Author
Alexandra Delis-Abrams, Ph.D., also known as The Attitude Doc., refers to herself as a "stretch," rather than a "shrink."  Her website www.theattitudedoc.com offers ways to improve ones attitude, which determines the quality of ones happiness.  Check out the bargain bundles that effectively and brilliantly support life change.  Visit her other website www.abcfeelings.com, which just recently has been redesigned and learn about her important teaching tools for the 21st century.