Remember The Memories

Have you ever looked around your room, your office, your kitchen, and actually thought about the STUFF that is sitting on your counters, your desk, your nightstand. We all collect books, knick knacks, photos or hand made gifts. We store them away or proudly place them out in the open so people can see and touch the possessions that make up who you are.

I was sitting in front of my computer the other day and after spending two hours looking at a computer screen, my brain felt like mush. I looked up and noticed the picture frames sitting on a shelf. Those picture frames have probably been on that shelf for ten years or more, but I didn't feel like I noticed them until that moment. I got up and walked over to my shelf filled with picture frames of my family. I spent ten minutes picking up every frame and looking at the picture, remembering when it was taken and the memories attached to them. There are pictures from my wedding day, from my daughters taking their first steps and pictures of me in my younger years playing tennis. I have seen all of these pictures thousands of times, but I felt like I had fresh eyes, seeing all of them for the first time.

We often get so used to our surroundings that we forget the details. We forget that memories, happiness and love is encompassing us. The pictures sitting in my office are filled with memories that are precious and priceless, but I have gotten so used to them being there that I forgot that THEY WERE THERE. I forgot the memories attached to them. I forgot when I put them up. I forgot their purpose. I needed to be reminded.

I think this happens often and happens to almost everyone. You put chairs in a room, books on shelves and picture frames on your desk. They become part of the room, part of the furniture and you forget why they are there. Life moves fast and sometimes we get so caught up in the tiny details that we forget about the bigger picture. We forget that life is not about waking up on time or making millions of dollars. Life is about the people surrounding you and the memories you make.

I think we all need to be aware of our surroundings a little more. Remember our memories a little more frequently. Sometimes you forget that important, treasurable items are all around you.