By Sunny Simon
Soon the dismantling will begin. Trees with sparking lights will vanish. Fancy holiday wrappings and greeting cards with lovely sentiments will be relegated to recycle. The last of the Christmas cookies and honey crusted spiraled hams will be consumed and radio stations will return to normal programming. Although the physical evidence of the wondrous holiday season will no longer be evident, we can carry the memories with us in our hearts.
I’m a memory keeper. On Christmas day, relaxing in a cozy setting content after consuming our fill of food and drink I began the process. Tell me your stories I urged my friends. Mentally rewind the year, stopping to pause and reflect on the highlights I coaxed. Then I peppered the group with questions like what was your happiest moment? When during 2014 did you experience your proudest moment, give me a teachable moment. I longed to share in the events of their lives now considered history.
Smiles began to appear all around. Carolyn and John both identified celebrating milestone birthdays with surprise parties thrown by friends in their honor. Barbara and Jim’s happiness quotient peaked the day they purchased a summer getaway in Idyllwild. Michael deferred. He held my gaze explaining he rarely looks back. A highly pragmatic guy, Michael lives life by staying in the moment. Certainly I could not argue with the wisdom of living in day tight compartments and being present wherever you are both physically and mentally. I applaud mindfulness. In my coaching practice I preach it. But, I wasn’t giving up on Michael that easily. Life is about balancing the moment and the memory I countered.
What is the point of making memories if they are never revisited? On a physical level, isn’t the reason we snap a picture to capture the moment? Isn’t the point of the capture to retain a glimpse for posterity? Don’t travelers journalize to document their experiences then share the journey with friends upon their return? My belief is that 2014, or any year, should not to be tossed aside lightly. Granted there are times in life when we are happy to see December 31st arrive so that we can start anew, yet within each twelve month period we all experience joyful moments.
Want to end the year on a high note? Make time to recall the best of 2014. Reviewing those magical moments offers a sense of wellbeing and encourages your inner optimist. Then move on. Embrace the New Year. May 2015 bring you wondrous moments of great joy. Capture them and hold them close to your heart.
Good health and happiness wishes are sent from Sunny Simon, owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com
