There is a lot of chatter amongst today's writers, PR gurus, and marketing experts about how the Web - particularly social media - is changing the way we communicate. And from a writer's standpoint, I can tell you that the "school of thought" on writing that I graduated from 15 years ago is no longer in session. Everything has changed.
 
I could write several pages on how the technicalities of writing are being redefined, or largely ignored, by our most prolific and talented communicators today --- for better or for worse, depending upon your view. But I won't.

What's most interesting to me is how the content has changed. Young people today have a very different definition of "private" than their parents and grandparents. Facebook and Twitter aside, those of us raised in the '60s and beyond have been encouraged to "share" and "open up" since grammar school. 

And nowadays, with the social media taking hold, "sharing" has been taken to an entirely new level. We talk about our struggles, our fears, our loves, and our hopes with an audience of online friends, family, and yes - even strangers. 

It's not just about where we're going on vacation, it's about what we're feeling and thinking. It's the photo of the empty apartment after a break-up and a simple post, "Another chapter closes …." that an acquaintance of mine recently posted on Facebook.

So how does this apply to personal history? Today's youth appears at ease revealing the more intimate details of their lives on a public stage. With the birth of online communications, we're sharing more things with more people than ever before.

A lot has changed since 1910. For those born in the earlier part of the last century, the lines between material fit for "polite dinner-table conversation" versus "a diary entry" are a little more clearly defined. There were certain things that you just didn't talk about …. especially in mixed company.

So the elders in your life may not think to initiate conversation about certain sentimental subjects, but it doesn't mean that they aren't willing to share. 

The personal-history interview brings these topics to the forefront. It provides a comfortable stage for both asking and answering these seemingly awkward questions that we avoid -- even though we'd love to hear the answers. I've found that the elusive "privacy line" that we all dance around with the elders in our lives seems to soften dramatically when there is a genuine interest in what lies on the other side. The life-story interview seems to demonstrate just that.

July is the most popular month of the year for families to gather and share their unique family history, whether it's a backyard barbecue or a lakeside party. 

It's true that some families are more committed to these annual celebrations than others. And in every family, there is always a ringleader or two who leads the charge in making sure that the festivities go on year after year. 

Months ahead of time, these dedicated few will begin sending out friendly reminders to make sure that the big event makes its way onto everyone's calendars. But no matter how hard they might try, they will never succeed in convincing every  aunt, uncle, or cousin that this annual event is worth the hassle to attend. 

I'll admit that I've missed my fair share of reunions over the years.

But here's the thing - our presence at these family affairs may mean more to our elderly relatives than we realize. They may look forward to this event all year long, cherishing the opportunity to gather with cousins, siblings, nieces, and nephews to share stories and rehash old tales of well-loved people and places. 

Just looking around and seeing the younger generations of their family continuing the tradition and making time for each other is a gift beyond measure. It reassures them that the family they've helped knit together will stay together as the years roll on. 

And the reunion experience is just as powerful for the newest members of our extended clans - grandchildren and great-grandchildren - though for markedly different reasons. Their grandparents and great-grandparents grew up in a "familial cocoon," of sorts, made up of a vast network of family members who also lived and worked in their community. 

But the youngest generation of our families is living in a world where the day-to-day "family experience" is limited to mothers, fathers, siblings, and grandparents, at best. So it's a powerful experience for these young people to feel the power of family history - to listen to the stories of great aunts and uncles and understand their place in the magnificent web of their family heritage.

So if you're thinking of skipping out on the reunion festivities this year, you may want to reconsider. There is more to gain - for both you and your loved ones - than you may have thought.

Objects that we carry around with us on a daily basis help shape (and tell) the story of our lives. That's the premise of Pocketology, or the study of pockets - an autobiographical approach to relational art devised by Rachel Ellison, a 25-year-old art student in Toronto.

In her blog, "Stories You Haven't Heard," she explains how seemingly random items that we stash away in backpacks, handbags, and wallets all provide a great starting-point for storytelling.

I find this idea very intriguing. As I read through some of the Pocket Stories on her website, it was interesting to see how "pocket items," even as seemingly mundane as a crumbled Kleenex or a container of floss, all kickstart a story. 

Where and how did you get it? Why did you decide to keep it? What does it remind you of? What past memories related to this object come to mind?

A game of "What's in your pocket?" really would be an interesting alternative to the often go-nowhere, "So how was your day?" 

Although not everyone will embrace the idea of revealing their hidden treasures, the concept of using things in our life to jumpstart meaningful conversation and sharing of our thoughts and experiences is a good one. 

So, what's in your pocket, anyway?

Tell your story using social media. Snipisode is a storytelling application for Facebook that enables you to type or paste in a whole story and then easily "snip up" the story into episodes. 

You can schedule when you'd like for the "snips" of your story to post - daily, weekly, monthly, etc. and display as status updates on your page. Very interesting! 

To learn more, visit the application designer's site ....