In the Disney film, Mulan, there is a scene where the heroine, Mulan, calls upon her ancestors to guide her to do what is best for her family and her country. The film depicts a scene where her ancestors share their wisdom with Mulan in a vision. She listens to their advice and chooses a path that fits for her. In the end, Mulan, chose what best fit her heart.

Wouldn't be fun to be like Mulan and be able to talk to our ancestors whenever we are faced with difficult decisions?  Much of who we are and what we have become was learned from our parents, grandparents and their parents.

One method of getting to the heart of an issue, like Mulan, is to conduct the following exercise. Ask yourself the following questions and record your responses. Be flexible, think big picture and choose those people who have had an impact on your life. 

1. Write down the names of your ancestors on both sides of your family. If you can, go back three generations. Who were your great-grandparents? Who were your grandparents? Who were your parents? Remember to record both maternal and fraternal ancestors.

2. What single words might describe your ancestors? Write down twenty-five words that describe your childhood.

3. Next, rearrange the words you wrote and place them into phrases that go together in some way. You are the only one that can do this. You may not necessarily use all the words.

4. Finally, take the phrases and attempt to identify them with one of your forefathers. You are attempting to associate the phrases to one of your forefathers whom you believe fits that phrase best for you. In other words, which grandparent or great-grandparent provided the beginnings for these thoughts? Write sentences using the phrases to help you identify who might have helped you feel the way you do.

This is a short poem I wrote to describe the affect of my ancestors in my life.

I am not alone.
I walk this earth with their memories and their strength.
Decisions in life can be lonely when you are alone.
My decisions do not need to be mine alone.
I am not alone.
I walk this earth with their memories and now their memories have become me.

This exercise is designed to help you gain insight about what your heart really believes. Many of these thoughts have become your beliefs and values that can guide you throughout your life.

You, like Mulan, cannot walk alone when decisions need to be made in your life. You too can learn to call upon your ancestors to gain clarity about what it is you want in your life. Our ancestors help us be true to our hearts and follow our own path to greatness.
 

Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on parenting and grandparenting. He is the author of The New Face of Grandparenting…Why Parents Need Their Own Parents and founder of The Grandkidsandme Foundation and Grandparent Camps. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. He is the father to three sons and nine grandchildren. Contact Don@grandkidsandme.com