Viewpoints

Why this story is important

When you write about your viewpoints, you’re not just expressing opinions — you’re exploring why you hold them. This reflection deepens self-awareness and often reveals how your experiences, education, and values shaped your perspective. Writing your viewpoint transforms belief into understanding.

Your viewpoints reflect the issues, challenges, and hopes of your generation. They become a historical snapshot — a first-hand account of what mattered, what felt right or wrong, and how the world looked through your eyes. One person’s viewpoint becomes another’s history lesson. Your viewpoints give future generations more than memories — they give insight into your mind and heart. They reveal what you believed about truth, justice, compassion, and the human condition — the essence of what made you you. When people know how you saw the world, they better understand who you were.

Preparation checklist

Gather your thoughts and materials. Review your journals and notes that might help you remember details.
Browse your photo albums to stimulate memories and choose the photos you might want to use in the story.
Decide who you’ll share the finished story with. Just yourself? Family? Friends? Public post? Thinking about your audience in advance will help guide what memories and details to include and which ones to leave out.

How to use the Times of My Life App to capture your story:

A) Virtual Biographer Interview

Open the app > search My Views.
Tap “Virtual biographer” to start guided questions.*
Speak or type answers; the app drafts your story.
Review, edit, or tap rewrite to craft a different version.

Start in the App

B) Write It Yourself (in the App)

Open the app > search My Views.
Tap “Write myself”. Paste in notes; upload docs or PDFs.
Polish the draft. Ask the VB to edit it or rewrite it in a different style.
Write in the first person or third person. Narrate the story in your voice.

Use the Web App

*The Virtual Biographer has instant access to similar stories written and shared by millions of other people. It knows what questions to ask and in what order. It can help you relive events, thoughts and feelings. It can help illuminate the essence of your experience and then craft a story that is uniquely yours. If a question doesn’t seem relevant to your experience, just skip it. Answer at least five questions. Tap “Next” and tap “Additional Details” to speak or type from memory.

Add media, save and publish as a printed piece, audiocast, and/or video

Insert photos and video clips wherever you want them to appear in the story narrative. Add voice narration and background music if you want to create an audiocast or video, in addition to a printed piece.

Share and revise as desired

After the story is written by you or your virtual biographer, you can “share” it through he app with friends and loved ones. Their feedback can provide valuable perspective and help you improve your story. After you get their feedback you can go back and edit the story as desired — or ask the Virtual Biographer to rewrite it with the feedback!

Write the Story Yourself: Suggested Outline

🪞 1. Introduction — Framing My Perspective

How would you describe your overall worldview?
Have your experiences, background, or generation influenced how you see things?
Do you consider yourself more idealistic, practical, spiritual, or analytical?
Why do you think it’s important to understand and share your viewpoints?

Example: “I’ve always believed in progress — but progress guided by compassion and accountability.”

✝️ 2. Religious or Spiritual Viewpoints

What are your core beliefs about faith, God, spirituality, or the meaning of life?
Were you raised in a particular religion, or did you find your own spiritual path?
How have your religious or spiritual beliefs evolved over time?
How do these beliefs influence your daily life or moral decisions?
What do you believe happens after death, and how does that belief shape how you live?

Reflection: This section reveals your spiritual lens — not to persuade, but to explain how faith (or its absence) shapes your outlook.

🏛️ 3. Political and Civic Viewpoints

How do you view the role of government and leadership in society?
What principles or issues matter most to you (equality, freedom, security, justice, etc.)?
How did your political views develop — through family, education, life experience, or events?
Have your opinions shifted over time? If so, what caused the change?
What responsibilities do citizens have toward their country, community, and each other?

Tip: Focus on the why behind your views, not the party labels — insight over ideology.

💰 4. Economic Viewpoints

What do you believe about money, work, and fairness in society?
How do you define success and prosperity — individually and collectively?
Do you think economic systems should prioritize opportunity, equality, innovation, or stability?
How have your personal experiences with money or work shaped your perspective?
What role should business, government, and individuals play in creating a fair economy?

Example: “I believe wealth means little unless it’s used to lift others, not just yourself.”

🤝 5. Social and Cultural Viewpoints

What are your thoughts about how people should treat one another across lines of race, gender, class, or background?
How do you view social progress — what changes have you seen or hope to see?
What do you think builds strong communities or societies?
How do you balance tradition and change in a rapidly evolving world?
What social issues do you feel most passionate about, and why?

Reflection: This section captures your perspective on humanity — compassion, justice, equality, and coexistence.

🔄 6. Growth, Change, and Understanding

Have any of your viewpoints changed over time — or even reversed completely?
What experiences, conversations, or world events led to that shift?
How do you handle disagreement or opposing views with empathy and respect?
What have you learned about listening, tolerance, or conviction?

Example: “Life taught me that conviction matters — but humility matters more.”

🕊️ 7. Closing Reflections — The Lens I Leave Behind

How would you summarize your worldview today?
What do you hope future generations understand about how you saw the world?
If your children or readers remembered one guiding idea from you, what would it be?
What advice would you offer others about thinking independently and compassionately?

Closing Thought: “My views may evolve, but my hope remains constant — that people will learn to see one another as equally human.”

📜 Optional Additions

Include favorite quotes, scripture, or excerpts that capture your perspective.
Add stories or pivotal moments that influenced your viewpoints (e.g., a protest, sermon, debate, or world event).
Record a short audio reflection describing how your outlook has changed over the years.

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Best Viewpoints Quote

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
— Wayne Dyer