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| This picture reflects good times and good people. The smiles represent many shared adventures, people, and places. We can't forget the good times and good people in our life. |
As I organize a host of household items, old pictures of good times keep popping up. It's important to have albums that include images, certificates, old letters, and other representations of the good times in your life. To look through books of these momentos is to remember who you are and who you most want to be.
Yesterday as I read through past journal entries, letters, and report cards, I realized that I haven't changed much throughout my life. Even when I read the comments Mrs. Foley wrote on my second grade report card about 55 years ago, I realized that I am mainly the same person. The only changes may be that my disposition is challenged a bit more as an adult and my handwriting did indeed become better.
Even my goals have mostly remained the same including the goals of working hard in meaningful pursuits, living simply, nurturing good relationships, and enjoying good times. Is it true that most of us generally remain the same throughout life, or do most of us change a lot?
Life's events do impact who you are. As a young child, I was mostly happy, but when I reached the teen years and realized that in too many ways I didn't measure up to the social expectations at the time, I did change with regard to happiness and confidence. I was less confidenct and less happy during those years, yet I was surrounded by good friends and a loving family so that kept me strong and focused. I was also super busy with school, work, and a number of activities so I didn't have a lot of time to give in to the struggle--like many teens, I persisted.
Honestly, it wasn't until I was married with children that I felt once again to be part of the mainstream in life. It's not easy when you don't measure up to the social expectations of your surroundings or dominant culture. You have to fight more to be heard, seen, and get ahead.
The dominant culture that surrounded me saw women mainly as objects of work and pleasure--that's what was valued more than any other trait, interest, or skill. That made it difficult for those of us whose interests lie in different areas, and those that didn't measure up to the popular definitions of beauty at the time. Thankfully there's been some change with regard to expectations for women, and hopefully those changes will continue to occur in ways that embrace women's great diversity, ability, interest, impact, and happiness. There's still lots of worldwide work to do.
It is good to have a box or book that tells the story of your life including the good times, the struggles, the pursuits, the wins, and the losses. It's good to know your story as that gives you strength and insight as you craft your next chapters.
Today, I'll organize a number of those story boxes for my loved ones--people for whom I have collections of valuable momentos over time. In time, I'll make books for those loved ones--books that they can refer back to as they think about their life, share their life stories, and make decisions about the future.
Don't forget the good times, and also don't forget the struggles, strengths, wins, and losses too. Know your story, and use that story to empower your future. Onward.