It is such a
blessing to be able to look back on the past couple years of my life and
experience joy in just thinking about the people I’ve met and the things I’ve
experienced. I’ve heard you’re supposed to live in the present… but sometimes
the present just isn’t very exciting. This evening I found myself looking back
over my tweets from the past year and reliving many a wonderful day. I know
that judge myself for feeling the urge to tweet whenever I’m having a good day
but the truth is those 140 characters seem to be worth 1,000 words. I’ve done
the whole 1,000 words thing… but it’s pretty unlikely that I’m going to
casually read through all a 1000 word journal entry without being bogged down.
I think I
started writing this because I wanted to try to capture the joy of reminiscing.
On December 10, 2013 as I was saying goodbye to the many
wonderful friends I met in Uganda I remember telling one of my friends that I
was afraid I would forget everything I had experienced and everything I had
learned. Her simple response was this, “you’ll remember what you need to
remember.” She was right. I don’t think about my semester in Uganda every day.
I don’t think about my summers Johnston Canyon everyday. I don’t think about
any one experience I’ve had every day, but every once in awhile I get to suddenly
indulge in a memory.
A smell, a message, a picture, a texture, or 140 characters
can suddenly pull me back to a specific moment in time, and then, for a short
little while I have the incredible joy of reliving that moment. The rush of
emotions plays a trick on me and I am quietly transported to what seems like
another lifetime.
And then, just as quietly, I am transported back to the
present- but I don’t travel back empty handed for a carry with me the reminder
that I have been shaped by my past joys and sorrows and they are a part of
everyday. I will remember what I need to remember, but even what I do not
remember is a part of who I am.
"I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
ReplyDelete- Maya Angelou
This is a lovely sentiment.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
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