I’ve often said, “I forgot to remember.” Years ago, remembering wasn’t a problem, but with damage to one minuscule nerve, simultaneously being able to process all the things I want isn’t as easy as it used to be. So, instead of saying, “I forgot,” I say, “I forgot to remember.” It’s kinder and gentler.

There are so many things we “forget to remember.”

We “forget to remember” to slow down.
We  “forget to remember” our intrinsic worth.
We “forget to remember” that, not everything can be “fixed” or neatly filed away, and that’s okay.
We “forget to remember” that others will change as they evolve, based on their needs and desires.
We “forget to remember” that we can choose to be who we want, whether eighteen or eighty.
We “forget to remember, “when we’re young and parenting, that our children will grow up—in the blink of an eye.
We “forget to remember” to truly see what’s right before us instead of seeking the next best thing.
We “forget to remember” that beating ourselves up does not change yesterday; it simply gives more power to the past.
We “forget to remember” that, in our growing up years, we might have learned to say one thing (or say nothing) to keep the peace, keep someone happy, keep a storm from erupting—but felt something very different.

Sometimes we need to “remember to forget,” which is even tougher because it requires the work of being fully at peace with yesterdays  to be fully at peace with today. “Remembering to forget” does not make that situation, experience, or feeling cease to exist. It simply empowers you to not let it rule your life.

Sometimes we need to “remember to forget,” which can be incredibly challenging because it requires the work of being fully at peace with all our yesterdays to be fully at peace with today. “Remembering to forget” does not make that situation, experience, or feeling cease to exist. It simply empowers you not to let it rule your life.

What if you “remember to forget” that you were once angry, sad, or lonely and live in the moment?

What if you”remember to forget” your hurt because you know that focusing on that doesn’t change the outcome?

What if you “remember to forget” past mistakes and then never “forget to remember” how not to make them again?

Many years ago, after church one Sunday, we sat on the deck with my husband’s sister, brother-in-law, their two children, and my two grandchildren, who are now high schoolers (years pass much too quickly). My grandson, Ethan, wanted to show his aunt how high his plane could fly. This wasn’t a state-of-the-art, high-tech, remote-controlled plane—it was a simple, old-fashioned one made out of balsa. It flew beautifully and promptly landed in a very high tree! What took place next was so cool—all four children attempted various ways to get the plane out of the tree, like shooting foam arrows at it and spraying the hose at full force, all to no avail. It went on for a while until they decided that the plane would eventually have to simply fall out of the tree.

We often “forget to remember” the simple joys of life—toys that don’t have batteries or chargers, creatively figuring out how to solve a problem, and sitting at a table on a beautiful Sunday afternoon with people we care about.

We frequently, too, “forget to remember” that there are times when you just have to let whatever you’re worried about fall when it’s ready, and yes, I know that’s much easier said than done.

Who you are is a tapestry woven from all your days before this moment. You are a breathtaking spirit made up of all your experiences with immeasurable possibilities.

What will you do in the next 24 hours?
Being aware of your limited time, what will you “remember to forget“?
More importantly, what will you vow to never “forget to remember“?

With Love,
Kay

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