A Log on Life

Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal. October's cool temperatures have allowed me to sit in my office with the windows open. And in flows the cool air and the sweet and distinctive chirping of cardinals, a real October treat.

“Memory is the mother of all wisdom.” — Aeschylus

Action: Treat yourself to five minutes each day to reflect and record the events of your day that provide significant life insight and wisdom.

Have you ever looked back over the course of a month and wondered where it went? Last night while having dinner, Russell and I agreed that neither of us has a memory of October. Even though October is one of my favorite months, I can't remember when it began, nor can I really recall what I did. That really bugs me!

What also bugs me are my recent memory lapses. For example, on Monday mornings I am often asked if I had a good weekend. While I know I had a good weekend, I have a difficult time remembering specifically what I did.

Nothing “bad” must have happened during October because I definitely would've remembered if so. October must have been filled with my usual appointments and my regular routine. But did I do anything special? anything extraordinary? I don't know! I can't remember!!

I am not exactly sure why I am having a difficult time remembering obvious facts and events, but I know I am not satisfied with my condition. If I can't remember (outside of the norm) what I am filling my days with, how will I be able to reflect, share, laugh or cry over life experiences? If I have no memory, where is the evidence that I am living my life according to my goals? How can I compare and contrast last year to this year or yesterday to today if my days and months run together?

My lack of memory could be a result of many things: brain overload, too few sudoku puzzles, my diet, my age, an imbalance of sleep or exercise, hormones, an imbalance of vitamins, or even the effects of my “evil Blackberry”. My guess is that my inability to remember is a combination of all of these. But as I write this journal, and stop long enough to think about October, October's events are slowly coming back. I CAN remember!

I remember the fabulous fall temperatures and lot's of rain.

I remember an awesome Mamma Jamma ride with Amy and the bittersweet feeling as I rode past the house my mom grew up in.

I remember chasing after three high school boys who ran off with my pumpkins. And I remember I didn't get those pumpkins back.

I remember there were butterflies everywhere!!!

I remember celebrating iGnite's third birthday.

I remember starting Sundown and Sunday yoga.

I remember getting soaked while iGniting at Pease Park. And I remember that same morning my car battery died.

And I remember my niece dressed up as Cinderella, but with green hair due to a failure of the hair dye. And I remember she didn't care; she loved it!

Life is busy—filled with routine and mundane events. But life is also sweet—filled with extraordinary, strange, comic and educational events and opportunities that are too good to forget. From daily exercise, going to work, dinner or the movies, to sharing a great laugh or cry with your family, these events are all noteworthy and provide significant life insight.

If you are like me and have a difficult time remembering daily data, I invite you stop five minutes each day to reflect. Write it down. Start a “log on life”. November will be filled with more fabulous temperatures and holiday memories. At the end of November, you might get caught saying “Where did the time go?”, but don't get caught saying “What did I do?!”

Even Nemo knows short term memory loss isn't funny. And he knows funny...he's a clownfish!

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