Cup of Inspiration

Today, January 19^th, is Good Memory Day. Today is the day to pull out a photo, or hold a relic from the past, and relish a fond memory.

We should not live in the past. However, we can look in the past to remember lessons learned, relationships formed, and see how far we have come to our present moment. Memories can be painful, but they can also be uplifting. While we miss a loved one, we can take a few precious moments to look at a photograph and smile at a funny moment we shared with that person. We may miss a certain period in our lives. But we can pull out a scrapbook where we keep articles, ribbons, pictures, or anything else from that time. We can relive a moment when a friend told a funny story, or a sibling pulled a funny practical joke. We can laugh when we remember what we wore to a dance or some other special event.

Our memories may also help us keep things in perspective. You may remember a date that went badly. At the time, you felt you would never meet that right person with whom to share your life. Little did you know what would happen just a few months or years later when you would meet the love of your life. You might remember losing a job during a company layoff. You were devastated, not realizing that event would help point you toward starting your own business.

We all have memories we enjoy, and those we wish we could forget. The bad memories can be painful, and there is a time and place to reflect on those, especially when looking at how far you have come.

However, today is the day to enjoy the pleasant memories. Today, find a picture of a fun party, a picture from a delightful wedding, or pull out a scrapbook and find an old newspaper article you saved when you won an award. Hold a trinket you won in a silly contest and remember the good times you had with friends and family that day. Find something linked to a pleasant memory and relive that moment. Smile and enjoy a good memory today.