Oops, just remembered – today’s my turn on the CW blog chain.
Our topic for August is Memory. Mine hasn’t been holding up well lately in some areas. I’ll walk from one room to the next and forget why I was going where I was going. I’ll start a sentence and blank out before I get to the point I was trying to make. I’ll recite a number several times to get it into my head, and by the time I get to the phone to dial or the Excel worksheet to type it in, I’ve forgotten what it was.
I’ll sign up for a blog chain date and then forget I’m doing the blog chain and should be reading other people’s posts and preparing my own.
Yet I can vividly remember dreams I had years ago, or the feel of a boyfriend’s kiss when I haven’t been kissed that way by anyone for over 20 years.
Now, don’t forget…
Memory is like a feather in a hurricane sometimes, while at others it can sit on the mind and heart like a concrete slab. Scientific studies have determined that as we age, short term memory is the first to suffer while long-term memory remains intact for more of our lives.
That’s why I can forget what I was about to do or say, or what I had for breakfast a day ago, while remembering that I used the liner notes of a Men at Work cassette to write my address for my college boyfriend when we first met (that was in the days before everyone had a phone attached to their person and email was something only the Pentagon and major university researchers were using).
These days, lists and calendars and the contact book in my cell phone are my friends. They keep me mindful of the things I need to remember. I had a reminder about today’s post written on the calendar that hangs over my desk; otherwise I would have forgotten to write it.
Some things are worth remembering – the delight of a child at Christmas, the love of friends and family, the feeling of accomplishment when you meet a goal (like publishing your first book). Others should be forgotten – the guilt and shame of past sins (if you have accepted Christ as your Lord), the embarrassment or anger of past failings, the offense of past hurts. Some things need to be left to die and fade away so that we can live the abundant life Jesus promised us.
“Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 3:12-14
Now, that – God’s Word – is something definitely worth remembering and allowing to rest on your heart. It’s no concrete slab; it’s the wings that will allow you to fly above life’s hurricanes.
How about you? What do you remember most easily, and what do you forget too easily?
Speaking of which, I was about to pay an insurance bill when I remembered this; better do it before I forget again…
I think I always remember words more than most other things, which is great when someone said something encouraging, kind or inspiring and not so great when the words are discouraging or cruel. I remember my own words, too, which is a great reminder to be more careful about what I say. I’d hate to be thinking about something stupid or wrong or hurtful that slipped out of my mouth in an unguarded or unwise moment.
Same here, Heather. I can fume or mourn over words (my own and other people’s) for a long time. That’s why that verse from Philippians is so important to me; it reminds me to leave the past in the past.
Lovely Post, Traci. Personally, I need to invest in Post-it notes as they flap on the edges of computers, refrigerators, mirrors–practically everything I own! Not that, with my getting-older eyesight I can read what’s written on them!
Paul’s advice is a marvelous reminder to let go of the past. I think I’ll go search for a jumbo-sized post-it and copy down the scripture in big, bold letters that even I can read.
Thanks Traci.
Glad it blessed you, Carol. I like the idea of the giant Post-It. In fact, 3M makes giant Post-It pads for meetings. We could wallpaper our rooms with them, then write all our reminders on them.
lol… I’m right there with you Traci on the short-term memory thing, it’s sad to admit that I’m loosing it! I sometimes forget too easily the life lessons that I really need to remember, I’m thankful that you’ve reminded me today
Pleased to be of help, Chris.
My mom wonders why I talk out loud to myself – half the time it’s so I can remember things!
haha! I can relate. :0 thank goodness for technology!
Amen to that, Tracy. Although, technology is also at the root of a lot of my forgetfulness – like when I get online to do one thing, and an hour and 14 websites later, I can’t remember why I got online.
Thanks Traci – good post. We put our post-its on the back door so at least we see them (but still may forget them)
Lol – sounds like something I’d do, Bill. Thanks for the comment.
good memory post.
now what was I going to say…
biiiiig hug
Thanks, Jack! A big hug to you too.
I actually read something the reason you forget what you planned on doing when you leave a room.
Our minds are compartmentalized. When our eyes see us leaving a room, it puts it into another compartment. Thus we forget what we meant to do when we leave a room. Interesting, huh?
Definitely interesting, Joe. Thanks for mentioning it. That does explain why I’m often easily distracted.
I admit, I do often forget to reminder those things or life lessons that God has brought me through. I must daily shake myself and recall all that God has done, all He has taught me. God is good! I enjoyed reading your post. Very good. I especially enjoyed the Bible scripture, Philippians 3: 12-14.
Thanks for the comment, Stephanie. I have to shake myself quite often too, especially when I get upset over some perceived slight or offense. I have to remind myself that God is in charge, not me and not the person(s) who have me stewing.
Great post, Traci. I, too, keep a calendar. I’d be lost without it.
And as far as what I retain? Well, I need to let go of more of the bad, keep the good.
Same here, Deborah. I’m working on letting go of the bad and broken and keeping hold of the good and Godly. Thanks for visiting and commenting!