This evokes a poignant memory for  me.  Just over a year ago we had abundant rain.   The entrance to our property was verdant and lovely.   We also had two dogs.

Good Morning!  A productive and meaningful week ahead for all!

We all have memories.   We have celebrations of stuff but what was swirling in my mind this morning was this……   How quickly we can make our memories into rituals.    One example of general thoughts we can consider for a moment. Birthdays.   Are they meant to be all about parties, presents?    Who comes?   Who visits etc or are they to remember with gratitude the life of the person.   Same with Christmas…….long ago a child was born.   The whole purpose of the celebration was to give thanks for the birth of this child.  How many in our secular world would not even know it was the remembrance of a child’s birth?  Things done in churches…….if they become just done.  It’s what we always DO.  Then where is the memory of why ?    It’s been overtaken by the ritual.    Holy celebrations if in the hearts of people, the remembrance is not clearly felt and acknowledged it becomes a ‘done’ thing and not the beautiful and evocative emotion remembering is supposed to engender.   Have you met folk driven to do something because they have to?  It’s what we’ve always done.   Why?  Oh I don’t know…..Our family always does this?   It is their  memory of why which should be more important than…we do this!    Thanksgiving Day overseas and in many nations.   People travel vast distances to meet with family and consume a lot of food then travel hundreds of miles back again.   Many find the whole thing exhausting and depleting.   Why?    Is it not supposed to be a time of GIVING THANKS  …what would happen if everyone just stopped and did that. Honestly stopped and looked upwards and gave thanks?  The beginning of Lent this year for churches which celebrate.   I saw a few not ‘at peace’ people worried about what they should or should not be doing.     Remembrance should come  before, I believe, any of the doing.   Heart remembrance is POWERFUL……..No one can take it away from you.      What you hold in your heart is your private treasure.

Like my picture above……it was put on the blog to illustrate a point but truly that photo is filed away and we do not stop at the bottom of the hill and remember what was only a short time ago………. when viewed from a whole of life perspective..

No.   Memories are a treasure we hold dear but every day holds the PROMISE of a different day and a different journey.

Make a new week.    Forge some great memories for your future.

LIVE TRIUMPHANTLY!