People remember.
We remember people who have made meaningful contributions to our lives. Some of those contributions have taught us deep truths. Some have given us great joy or satisfaction; some have caused us intense pain or suffering. We believe we remember specific days or moments. We think we remember where we were when important events took place.
The memories stored in our brains can confuse or deceive us. We may be confident we remember clearly, but we can be mistaken. Our memories are affected by our perspective. What we may remember from our childhoods has been filtered through how we experienced them. No one remembers everything accurately.
We begin to lose our memories as soon as they are created. Some people lose significant parts of their memories as they grow older. Some of us struggle to hold onto our memories, while others struggle to forget theirs.
Some of us want people to remember us when we are no longer with them. They wonder how they will be remembered, and whether they will be.
We may put a great deal of energy into understanding what we remember. In my experience, the “back of our minds” processes memories. The time we spend reflecting allows memories to fit themselves together.
We often allow our memories to shape our fears and expectations. As we open our minds to possibilities, we become more free to experience life in new, deeper ways. The dim, unclear images running in our minds have less power to control our responses.
As we focus on our memories more intentionally, we may see them in new light.
Our memories have power to shape the way we receive the present and future.
What do you remember most often?
How do your memories shape the person you are today?
[Image by martinak15]
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In