Remembering - Feb. 15, 2006
Ecc 12:12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
Ok, I remembered the first part of that verse and wanted to include it as the introduction to my post today but then there is the second part which could lead me to an entirely different post. Not today, not today. So forgive me as I quote the verse in part.
In Ecclesiastes, it says that the writing of many books is endless. Oh, isnt it so? And the writing of books about writing . Endless. Behind me, there is a STACK of books devoted to the art of writing. I am constantly flipping through, reading, writing snippets from exercises in the books. I love finding a new books about writing.
Today's post is from a new book, not necessarily about writing but I am using it as prompts. Whats Your Story: An Interactive Guide to Building Authentic Relationships by Toben and Joanne Heim.
From the back cover:
Do your friends know what REALLY matters to you? Do you know what REALLY matters to them? Or is it the same old boring routine? Ask a simple question, get a simple answer, and never really get to know the person. How do you build authentic relationships? Real, personal, intimate relationships? From discussing your favorite things to sharing fears, WHATS YOUR STORY? Is an interactive guide to bring people together into deeper, more meaningful connections. Join authors Toben and Joanne Heim and others as they converse about their stories their past, present, future, values and opinions, and faith. Follow their stories through essays, or record your own story on the journal pages. Break out of the traditional mode of conversation at parties or gatherings and get to deeper issues. Deepen your relationships as you talk about and listen to the things that really matter.
Here is the first of my posts in Whats My Story, as I turn around and face the past as it must be included in the story of my life.
What would life be like if we could wake up one day and our memories could be gone, erased, cleared away. All the agony of mistakes, broken hearts and failures wouldnt exist. But gone too would be the joy of smiles, long conversations, the first kiss. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind lays out this scenario and its temptation and its consequences. Unfortunately, there are elements of the movie that echo in my own life. I have tried to blot out the past with its mistakes that are too painful to remember. The childhood was lonely, bland, hopeless. But in my efforts, I have blocked out wonderful memories. I want to remember. I want to know who I was then and what my heritage is. I want to write my story. But to remember the good, I will also have to remember the bad and the ugly.
Even in my most recent past, my inclination is to try to forget my faults, my shortcomings, my poor choices. It is tempting to stay focused on today and ignore the time when I was younger and more foolish. However, as I take up the broom to clear my mind of those unpleasant thoughts, the sweet memories are swept out the door also.
My ability to remember is starting to fade with my age. I dont want to lose myself. Forgetting who I was denies the process that made me, is making me, who I am. I dont want to let my children lose themselves. Their minds should be brimming with recollections. Our time should be spent making memories for the future and recalling the memories of the past.
Though it is tempting to clean things up a bit, to rewrite history and try to recreate what has happened in the past, I cannot. It would be like altering a masterpiece in the making. A finished product does not exist but is still being formed. I cannot erase what is already there and I cannot cover it up either. The beauty of the cracks and flaws needs to be allowed to define me.
God must know our tendency to try to forget, to hide, to wash away the past. He must know how easy it is to forget even the wonderful things, the deliverance, the miracles. Many times, God tells the Israelites to remember and we are told to remember.
Therefore, remember, I must.
The journey into the past illuminates the present and takes part in creating the future.
Immersed in the Mystery,
Cynthia
Cynthia
Comments
Feb. 27, 2006 - Hey Cynthia!!!!
Posted by Belinda
I have missed you!
So thrilled to see you posting again. Can't wait to see all you have to share!!
May God continue to bless you and Chris and the children as you each walk with Him, hand in hand, down this path to fulfill all your lives' purposes!
Love in Jesus,
Belinda
Mar. 3, 2006 - beautiful blog
Posted by Jimmie
Just popping over here from the SL Refugees .....Your blog is beautiful -- both the words and images. I love your writing! I'm making you a friend so I can read more. Please blog again.
