Those were the days!
Do you remember where you were when the planes hit the twin towers in New York? If you are older, do you remember where you were when JFK was shot in Dallas? How about the Cubs won the World Series? There are many other monumental happenings in history, when you can remember exactly where you were and what you were doing. What about some other life altering moments in time. Your wedding day how you felt, when you saw your soon to be spouse about to pledge a lifetime of love and devotion to you. When you got your first car, bike or electric train? How did it make you feel, or how did it change your life?
Where were you when you made fun of the pudgy girl in school that caused her years of self-doubt and low self-esteem? Or the day you were embarrassed in front of the whole lunch room, or school assembly? How about when your mom and dad told you they were going to get a divorce?
Things that impact our lives tend to become ingrained in our memories, and no matter how many other memories crowd our lives, those will never leave us. Now that you have more perspective of life, would you go back and change anything you have said or done, that may have hurt another? Would you give anything to have a chance to undo a wrong, or allay the hurt feelings you caused?
How about when your children were born, and you held them in your arms and think how precious and innocent. Did you ever think you would yell at them and tell them they were worthless or use other ugly words of anger? As we look back at our lives, some long, others in their prime, we can think and even still feel monumental times of our lives. Some we see much clearer now that we are older and have gained some understanding about life and the consequences our actions take on. It is never too late to right a wrong, or give an apology for something you said or did. In a perfect world none of us would ever have anything to regret or be sorry for, but, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: and because we are all sinners, we make mistakes. Some are small, some the size of our politicians. We all have 20/20 hindsight, and although some things can never be changed or altered, you and your heart can.
The first thing you must do is to admit you are not perfect. My husband’s favorite song is “Oh lord it is hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way!” But for us mere mortals, we need to be humbled into knowing we make mistakes. It is a true sign of character to acknowledge that fact and be willing to correct it. Some may be simple, like taking credit at work for someone else’s ideas. Others may be more serious, like defiling the marriage bed. Whatever the infraction is, don’t let it go unresolved, seek forgiveness, absolution, or penance, but get it fixed. Life is short and hard, you don’t need to carry around extra baggage with you throughout your life. Begin with a prayer to ask for forgiveness and guidance, then go and seek the injured party. Getting the weight off your shoulders will help you stand straighter and walk taller!
One of my memories is when my father knelt next to me and helped me understand how to become a Christian. To pray and ask Jesus to come into my heart and forgive me for all my sins, and give me grace and eternal life. For all have sinned, I don’t care how good you think you are, ALL means ALL.
As parents we need to teach our children to be sensitive to other people’s feelings, and help them understand that words can cut deeper than any knife. Teach them to treat others like they want to be treated, and they won’t need 20/20 hindsight.
We as authors can take our characters back in time and help them figure out where their life went wrong, and help them fix it. Unfortunately real life isn’t like that so let’s be good examples both in our writings and in our lives, so we can all remember happy days!
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
Deuteronomy 32:7
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
John 15:20
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Isaiah 46:9