The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tips to help connect with your heritage
As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend, we are reminded about our ancestry.
Our people were both largely from Ireland. We had the delight of visiting the homeland of our ancestors a few years ago. We felt the magic of the people, the breathtaking land, the soulful music and the ancient history. As we walked on the clay of our lineage, we were viscerally in touch with times gone by.
Humans long for connection. They want to know who their forefathers were and where they came from. There is a deepseated, inexplicable desire to respect the mark of our predecessors and to leave our own legacy. This connection, though mainly invisible, can be palpably felt as you hear old stories of your kin. You appreciate the struggles of those who came before you and how they paved the way for you. Would you like to connect more deeply with your heritage? Here are a few strategies to connect with your roots:
■ Talk to the elders in your family. Some people interview family members to capture their history on video or audiotape.
■ Read historical fiction and nonfiction to learn more about your ancestry.
■ Visit the lands of your ancestors. If you can’t travel, watch documentaries and virtual tours.
■ Learn about some of the rituals of your ancestors and incorporate those into your life.
As you learn more about your past, you may find yourself feeling more gratitude for the lives of your family of old and the many generations it took for you to be here. It may also instill in you a deeper desire to expand and improve life for your sake and those who will come after you.