The Power In Core Memories
Looking Back In The Past
When I close my eyes I can see pine trees swaying back and forth. Almost like they are purposefully dancing with the clouds above them. The air is warm and scented with pine. Birds chirp and jump from branch to branch. Fried chicken is sizzling on an open burner. The sun peers through the thick pines and gentles rest its rays on the moist ground. I can hear children laughing in the distance and razor scooters being ridden. The wind glides past the trees and creates sounds like a calm and subtle "whoosh." Two dirty golden labs lay under the dense campsite table and pant. They are patiently waiting for a generous individual to gift them with some fried goodness. Bee's buzz around open Coca-cola cans and create a timid fear of swallowing one of these lethal insects. When night falls a cold blanket of clouds falls on the mountain. Looking up through the roof of the tent I can see every star and falling comet. Peace and comfort.
Maturing into adulthood all of us will face unprecedented challenges that will make and break our spirits. As children, we have tender ideas of what the world is like. Once we enter it, all these perceptions change very rapidly. As I age, I learn each year how sweet the last year was. Even with great difficulty, I've realized that every season of life is a gift and designed to teach us unspoken lessons. The greatest piece of advice I have received especially in great hardship is this; cherish the moments of peace. Most of life is hectic and overwhelming with occasional spots of true peace. Value these moments. Stand strong in who you are and hold onto memories of serenity. I believe this is the greatest tool humanity has. Our memory allows us to look back at what was and what will come to pass. When circumstances become crippling and it feels as though everything is crashing down on us, simply look back on good core memories that resonate with peace.
“The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don't celebrate those, they can pass you by” (Alek Wek).
Allowing ourselves to daydream in the past, makes the present more bearable. It reminds us of all the good that has come into our lives. Childhood memories, our parents, friends, place, parks, stores, foods, animals, etc. Our core memories create a space of security to relive what once was. For myself, when the world becomes too unbearable to carry I retreat to camping on a mountain with my family and dogs. At this moment in my life, I was very young and naive, but most of all, I was at peace and without worry. Time and time again I come back to this memory and remind myself of how simplistic life truly is. In today's society, especially western culture many are more worried about the future and how we can control the outcomes. Truth is, the ‘real purpose or key to life' is to enjoy the present so that one day in old age we can look back and enjoy the memory of whatever was occurring.
Reminisce in every moment. The good, bad, ugly, beautiful, amazing, tragic, tear-wrenching, soul-crushing, butterfly stomach, falling in love, etc. The greatest gift we have as concessions, self-aware beings are unlocking our memories for comfort, assurance, truth, and peace. Memories allow us to fall in love again. Memories allow us to see our pasted loved ones. Memories allow us to remember our childhood. Memories are the key to the past and present.
“A picture is worth a thousand words, but a memory is priceless”(Fred R. Barnard)
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Porch Swing Love
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