Our lives are sagas told in memories. Some happy ones while others not so much. Most of the time when we look back in nostalgia we find something worth cherishing. Many of us like to write them down. While others are content with carrying them in our hearts. Whichever we choose to do, it’s undeniable that memories are an important part of our lives.
What is the first memory that you can vividly remember?
For me, that would be the birth of my younger cousin sister. I was about three at that time. I remember visiting my aunt in the nursing home. It was the same place where I was also born. My mother actually took me to show the room where she stayed during my birth. I also remember my sister coming home from the hospital. I was at home with my grandmom when she came, waiting eagerly for her.
Today, years later, my sister and I live across continents and mostly get to see each other through video calls. Gone are those days of our carefree childhood. However, whenever I remember that one afternoon when she arrived home swaddled like a bundle, it never fails to put a smile on my face.
That is the power of memories.
They are our looking glasses to the past. Memories are powerful. And many times, they are the most important remnants from a time gone by. They are like talismans, to be kept carefully and cherished from time to time.
But, memories are not always so happy or glorious.
Often, we remember the difficult times more than we do the happy ones. Especially when they remind us of losses. It could be the end of a relationship or the loss of a dear loved one too soon. Memories, then, become the bane instead of the boon.
There are times when we need to heal from difficult life occurrences and memories can make those cases even more painful. It is said that time heals. I believe that time only makes the pain more bearable so that we reach a point where we can look back without feeling that gaping hole in our chests. Memories can hold a lot of pain but if we can bear that we almost always emerge as more powerful and resilient from the ordeal.
Ultimately, the power lies with you.
What we make of our lives depends a lot on the actions that we take. Reliving the happy incidents from our past is always a source of comfort. But it does not do well to only live there and forget about the present. At the same time, avoiding things or actions because they bring back difficult memories is also not advisable and healthy for the long term. It is crucial to strike a balance between our past and present as well between the happy and sad. After all, we tend to learn more from our difficult times than we do from the happy and easy ones.
Let’s learn from our pasts
The entire world is currently going through a very difficult time. Hopefully, in a not so distant future, this will all become a part of our collective memories. I also hope that these challenging times will give rise to memories that will teach us and our future generations some important lessons- like how to not take the simple things in life for granted, the value of an evening walk with a friend or the comfort of close ones or the happiness derived from watching a movie in the theatre. Let these memories serve as reminders of how life can change in an instance.
Till then, stay home, stay safe and stay brave.
Peace.
Do you have any related experience or story to tell? Please share in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.
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