There is a common philosophy that if you write your own obituary it will inspire you to accomplish the things in life that are important to you. Gwen Morgan agrees with that belief. But she takes it a step further and says if you compile a comprehensive guide to your entire life—the way you live it now---you can give the “Gift of Preparedness” to your family and friends, providing a sense of freedom for yourself.

“And then you can live life more fully,” Gwen says.

What she’s referring to is the “What if…Workbook”, a manual she created that serves as a central repository for pertinent information from finances, personal contacts, to your final wishes. And, your legacy: What you have learned and what you want to be remembered for.

Gwen has been involved with the elderly and hospice care for a number of years. Through this experience she has seen the importance of being organized about personal affairs. And, even in her own family she has experienced the positive and negative effects of good or bad planning. Gwen is also a trained facilitator for the CircleXChange, a wellness lifestyle program that brings people together to discuss and share life events dealing with healthy maintenance of the mind, body and spirit, stress management, and life balance. The motto of the organization is “living life with clarity, passion, and purpose” and Gwen takes this motto to heart---living her life with mindfulness and purpose, while helping others do the same through her workbook, workshops, and personal relationships.

The workbook, available as a hardcopy manual, CD, or e-book, is straight forward and easy to do. But for it to be effective, it must be filled out and then someone must be told about it!  The point is to make things easier for family and friends in the event that something happens to you.

Of course, none of us want to think about that, however, Gwen stresses that this is not meant to be a morbid exercise. Rather, this is a way to make good decisions while of sound mind and body in order to make sure people know where important information is and ensuring your final wishes are acted upon. Is there a special necklace you wanted to give your niece? Do you want a burial at sea with an acoustic guitarist playing on the deck of the boat? Well, who knows all of that?

It also serves as a way to tell your story. If you never wrote that autobiography, the What If…Workbook can become that--- as well as a tool for reflection.

“It makes you think about life,” Gwen says. And, as a result, we get a bigger sense of what we have accomplished and why we are here. “We can’t trudge through days,” she adds. And, if you haven’t realized that yet, the workbook will help.

For more information on Gwen and the What If…Workbook visit: www.whatifworkbook.com.

By Stephanie Neil

Stephanie Neil is a journalist. Her business, technology, and human interest stories have appeared in a variety of print and online newspapers and magazines including eWeek, Managing Automation, The Harvard Alumni Bulletin, Huggies Baby Network, South Shore Woman, and The Boston Globe.  She lives on the South Shore with her two kids, two cats, and a dog. Contact info: stephanieneil@comcast.net  or 781-378-1652. Follow her on Twitter @StephanieNeil

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