Isn’t it funny how memories can pop into our minds? Almost anything can initiate them – photos, notes, documents, objects.
Just yesterday a customer came into the shop whom I recognized. Usually once I’ve helped a repeat customer a few minutes something will jolt my memory about them. Perhaps I’ll recall what they have purchased in the past or something they have shared with me.
After helping this lady for a little while and still not recalling anything specific, I asked her name. “I know we know each, I’m afraid I just can’t remember your name!” I confided. She was so nice and understanding and happily shared her name. We went on to have a lovely visit and she shared a bit about her story.
After she left, I looked up her name in our list of customers to see if I could further recall our past meeting. I found her and as I read which items she had purchased, I began to remember her. As I thought about the story she had shared just today and compared it to the memory I had of her from several months back it gave an added depth to her lovely story.
Incredible, I could help but think. Without the promptings of those notes, I had no recollection of meeting her in the past except to know that I had. And then by reading several short comments a vivid memory of having met her in the past was remembered.
Memories are Special to Me
I’ve always enjoyed looking at photo albums – they always bring back precious memories. They are pieces of time, moments, that if I hadn’t seen the photo I may have forgotten entirely.
I’m all about making progress and pursuing goals, but I also believe a bit of reflection and remembering is important too. It is good for looking how far you’ve come and seeing who has been there for you along the way.
Journaling also gives you this information. Whether you write elaborate entries or just the facts, looking back on this treasure trove of information will bring back all sorts of memories. Pieces of the past that you probably wouldn’t have thought of without the prompting of your journal.
Next time you don’t want to take the time to snap a picture or write about a special moment, remember that your future self will thank you for taking the time and making the effort. You can never have too many precious memories.
Be Intentional with Creating Memories
Precious memories sometimes need a bit of intentional help. What do I mean by this? You get to choose what you remember. And you also get to choose how you write about your life and how you create your memories.
Life is certainly not all sunshine and roses, but we do get to choose what we focus on. Focus on the beauty, the lovely things. The annoyances, the hardships – don’t bother to write them down (unless of course you are able to give them a positive spin about how much you learned from them).
Just like it says in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”
Not only should we guard our thoughts in such ways as listed above – honorable, right, pure, lovely, etc – but we should also guard what we tell others, make notes on, and read. Intentionally making this choice will quite literally change your life!
Memories Make Themselves
When you make the shift to think about, record (via photos or journaling), or remember only lovely things precious memories will make themselves. What once might have been just a plain old memory to you will become a precious story and friend. One that you will want to revisit and share with others.
God writes a beautiful story for each of His people. None are better than another, but you must be willing to see the beauty of it in order to begin to fully appreciate it! And when you look for beauty and wonder, you will find them in everyday moments.
Delight in your life! God created it just for you. Purposefully and specifically. It might not be what you expected or had planned, but rest easy knowing that it is quite actually perfect for you. He makes no mistakes!
I pray that these words inspire and encourage you! Now it’s your turn to go and encourage someone else! Precious memories are just waiting to be made!
Until Next Time!
Hope.
PS. Fully appreciating the life we live is a lot about constantly renewing your mind. Choose beautiful, life-giving thoughts intentionally in order to create beautiful memories! Read more here: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2017/07/19/what-you-remember/