posted May 15, 2012 07:38 PM            

But am I using these memories to keep an outdated self-concept alive? I wonder if I have put too much emphasis, say, on the first kiss, the biggest prize, the kindest words I heard. Maybe they weren't so big after all and I should stop being fixated there.

It's like my identity is frozen in those moments that I am perceiving as peak experiences and making into future goals.

I would like to be more fluid than that. For instance sometimes when I am drifting off to sleep, I will sudden have a vivid recollection of something I have long forgotten, and it's a completely sweet thing to reclaim that ordinary time.

EVERY time now is exactly one of those "ordinary times," so it follows that my lesson is, live here in the present!

Yes, some memories are grand, but they can become outdated, you can invest more emotional energy in them than they are worth. There is a time to let go, modify, reinvent your opinion of your past as creatively as you like.

*Talking to myself in public in case anyone can relate*

posted May 16, 2012 10:44 AM            

First consider you are one of those people who do recognize those moments, many, many people go through life and just dont notice.

I was once sitting in traffic, some crazy bird just flew down and landed ontop of a lady in a Caddy~I wanted to get out of my car and jump and point with glee! "Check that out!!!" But as I looked around, there were those, all of them in their bubbles not noticing this bird, who, by the way stayed on the car as she drove off...

But I did.

In my concious memory bank, there are those moments...they will always be with me...I notice everything, too much, but as we get older, as you mentioned, it just becomes part of every day.

The stopping to smell the rose factor will never leave me. As a matter of fact, when I dont notice it is a gauge of depression setting in for me.

Great post!!!

posted May 16, 2012 06:41 PM            

quote:

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The stopping to smell the rose factor will never leave me. As a matter of fact, when I dont notice it is a gauge of depression setting in for me.

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RIGHT! Good point, me too!

It's like, if I start feeling all stale and old, it's because I forgot that life is right there every second to jump into. I can even clear the countertop and feel great joy if I can just look at all the blessings there are in clearing the countertop. So I'm there in the moment going, "Check this out, I can move freely, I can listen to music, I have all this great stuff, I'm gonna have a beautiful clean countertop soon!"

But seriously!

And it's so funny about you noticing the bird. My Pisces best friend that I mentioned on another thread, she notices everything, too. And is baffled because that ability is so rare...most people go around totally preoccupied.

Thanks for your reply.