Memories Now
Living in the past can be seductive. The passage of time transforms memories into TV highlight reels. We remember the big moments and forget the mundane. We remember the good times with joy, the embarrassments with humor, and the traumas with wisdom
Living in the past is seductive because it’s not really living at all. Life is far from a highlight reel. It’s work. Reminiscing is passive; living is active.
But the hard work of living is what creates those big moments. Often the big moments hit us when we least expect it. One of my most joyous moments was the first time I witnessed a smile from my first child. What was I doing at the time? Changing his diaper! And after toughing out a little league season as one of the weakest performers in my league, I won our team’s championship by getting a game-winning double down the right field line. It was only my second hit of the season. When I think of all the years I struggled to learn baseball, that’s the moment that comes to mind first. The hundreds of strikeouts are just fodder for laughs.
This highlight reel of memories struck me as valuable some years ago when I was down on my luck, out of a job, and nearly out of money. I figured that it was worth putting this phenomenon to use at that moment, rather than waiting for my future to provide me with a bright past. As long as I was putting in the hard work of living, the highlights would come. True to form, they came when I least expected them. After sending out over 200 resumes and interviewing with over 20 companies, a job offer fell in my lap out of left field. The job had no direct connection with any of my efforts. But my actions and focus brought the opportunity to me indirectly.
What we focus on and act on creates our lives. When I fall into the trap of lamenting or complaining, I get more problems. When I have goals that excite me and I take action on them, good things come my way.
So go out and create your highlight reel. Put in the work to make your memories now.
Living in the past is seductive because it’s not really living at all. Life is far from a highlight reel. It’s work. Reminiscing is passive; living is active.
But the hard work of living is what creates those big moments. Often the big moments hit us when we least expect it. One of my most joyous moments was the first time I witnessed a smile from my first child. What was I doing at the time? Changing his diaper! And after toughing out a little league season as one of the weakest performers in my league, I won our team’s championship by getting a game-winning double down the right field line. It was only my second hit of the season. When I think of all the years I struggled to learn baseball, that’s the moment that comes to mind first. The hundreds of strikeouts are just fodder for laughs.
This highlight reel of memories struck me as valuable some years ago when I was down on my luck, out of a job, and nearly out of money. I figured that it was worth putting this phenomenon to use at that moment, rather than waiting for my future to provide me with a bright past. As long as I was putting in the hard work of living, the highlights would come. True to form, they came when I least expected them. After sending out over 200 resumes and interviewing with over 20 companies, a job offer fell in my lap out of left field. The job had no direct connection with any of my efforts. But my actions and focus brought the opportunity to me indirectly.
What we focus on and act on creates our lives. When I fall into the trap of lamenting or complaining, I get more problems. When I have goals that excite me and I take action on them, good things come my way.
So go out and create your highlight reel. Put in the work to make your memories now.
posted by Colin Maduzia at
11:18 AM
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