“One year ago today… Look back at September 17, 2022.”
My phone flashed a cheerful message as it does almost every day, inviting me to view photos from a year (or more!) ago. It’s an invitation I usually ignore but for some reason, on September 17th I accepted. My reward was a video of wind-driven waves on Lake Winnipesaukee and a still image of a long line of vivid white Adirondack chairs, memories from last year’s women’s retreat in New Hampshire.
My orientation to the future comes in handy for meeting deadlines and for staying on top of details—important things like preparing for this year’s retreat in New Hampshire! However, perpetual forward motion forfeits the gift that comes with a backward glance at blessings.
In a world in which we can measure time down to the zeptosecond, I wonder… is there a way to pin time down so that we can live fully in the present moment?
Perpetual forward motion forfeits the gift that comes with a backward glance at blessings.
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There’s no question that Parkinson’s Disease is continually in the business of taking. Even so, in slowing me down, in forcing me to think about activities that used to be automatic, it leaves behind the gift of simply being, balancing, and breathing. So I stand on one foot every morning and at the same time, I’m paying attention to the arrival of the light outside my kitchen window. I lie on the floor to stretch and strengthen, and all the while my heart and lungs oxygenate my blood without my having to lift a finger!
The Mindful Practice of Remembering
No fewer than twelve times in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses peppers his farewell sermon with admonitions to remember. For example:
And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.”
Deuteronomy 8:2
Taking a cue from Moses (and my phone), I’m trying to make time to remember, to give in to the practice of taking a backward glance. At the end of the day, one sentence in my journal beginning with the word Remember prompts me to review the events of the day and increases the probability that that particular day will not pass by unexamined.
What have I learned?
What have I noticed?
What meaningful words have I heard or read?
I’m new at this, but here are a few gleanings so far that are beginning to sound almost like a collection of aphorisms:
- Remember that flexibility is a valued trait.
- Remember that the pears looked great once they had gone through the canning process.
- Remember that a full and noisy house is a good thing.
- Remember to cry out to the Lord when you are in the pit. (Can you tell I was reading Jeremiah?)
- Remember “God meets us where we are—not where we pretend to be.” (A Larry Crabb quote)
What other mindful practices can we employ to harvest the goodness of a day before it slides past like a bead on a string?
What’s helping you to slow down, to remember, and to simply be as you measure time in meaningful moments—not in zeptoseconds!
Holding You in the Light,
When we can measure time down to the zeptosecond, is there a way to pin time down so that we can live in the present moment? What mindful practices help you harvest the goodness of a day before it slides past like a bead on a string?
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Living Our Days 
Every Sunday, I carve out a few minutes to read your blog. I don’t do this with any other blogs, and it’s become a sacred time of the week for me, my friend. I’m soaking in these words today. Thank you for reminding me . . .
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What a gift to connect with you over words about God. He’s our most important commonality, and I am grateful for your fellowship in the gospel.
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Michele, we seem to be writing around a similar theme this week…as your following statement caught my attention;
“There’s no question that Parkinson’s Disease is continually in the business of taking. Even so, in slowing me down, in forcing me to think about activities that used to be automatic, it leaves behind the gift of simply being, balancing, and breathing.”
Visiting from Anita’s today where we’re sitting together.
Blessings my friend, Jennifer
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I noticed the harmony! Sing on, friend!
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Remembering is such a beautiful and nourishing practice, Michele. I’m sorry that Parkinsons’ is such a taker. 😦 I appreciate you sharing the lessons you are learning along this journey.
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I’m trusting that God will use the story to encourage others who are experiencing loss.
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My word for this year is “remember,” so this post really resonated with me. My younger daughter often shares her one-year-ago photos with us … fills my heart to know that she takes joy in remembering too.
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What a sweet gift! A point of connection to cherish.
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This is beautiful, Michele. There is growth in looking back as you continue to move forward. I can’t imagine how Parkinson’s wreaks havoc on what you are able to do. I love how you are facing it and caring for yourself in the process.
I’m on a retreat currently so that is helping me to slow down. Thank you for the Larry Crabb quote- “God meets us where we are—not where we pretend to be.”
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That quote really hit me, because I often teach on topics where I’m probably one of the slowest learners in the room! There’s goodness in admitting where we REALLY ARE!
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This is lovely, Michelle. Intentional gratitude helps me to get present, too.
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That’s so good to hear. We have to make a point of it, don’t we, because life is just moving so fast!
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A few years ago, the saying was going around something like, “Don’t look back: you’re not going that way.” And every time I heard it, I’d think, “But . . . but . . . there are some things we’re *supposed* to look back on.” My Facebook memories bring back fond happenings, at least the ones recorded there. I tried a five-year one-sentence journal for a while, but I didn’t like the way it was set up. I might have to set up your reminder on my phone as well! Remembering how God has led and provided in the past is a great encouragement to trust Him for the future.
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I agree. And even though it isn’t my default, I think it’s important for me to be mindful of the lessons of the past so I don’t repeat the same mistakes or fail to appreciate the blessings that came.
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Michele, I am encouraged and challenged by how intentional you are in how you live your days. I suspect Parkinson’s has leveled up the intentionality. As our boys launched, I found myself remembering them at different stages of their lives under our roof. I begin most of my quiet times by jotting down things I’m grateful for. Often those items come from things that occurred in the last day or so. I enjoy remembering where God has shown up in my days.
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What a sacred practice of remembrance, Jeanne! That must be a real source of joy and encouragement to you!
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I love that our devices can bring up past photos. I am so sorry that Parkinson’s is a taker. Praying the Lord, who is a giver, slows down the progression and gives you time, and health, and continued mobility.
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That’s exactly what we are praying, and
I am grateful for every yes from the Lord!
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These are great questions to ponder, Michele, “What have I learned? What have I noticed? What meaningful words have I heard or read?” The view outside my window (blue sky, white fluffy clouds, birds, trees, etc.) helps me to pause and ponder the Creator who knows when I rise up and when I sit down…and knows my every thought. He is so good to us, Michele!
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I want to be more intentional about finding his abundance and goodness in my everyday walk.
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This is lovely Michele. I’m intentional in my day to day noticing and reflecting at the end of the day. Looking back used to be painful but now I’ve realized there’s importance in doing so. Sometimes those painful places “remind” me of just how far Jesus has brought me. And I anticipate seeing where he takes me.
Visiting today from Joanne’s
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Great point, Paula—God meets us in the pain of looking back!
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Ps: Thank you so much for sharing this with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend.
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