Memories

Journal Prompt #12: What memory brings a smile to your face?

There is something special about memories- there is a way that they make you feel that can always bring them back to your mind.

There can be memories that make us feel sad, or bring our body back to a sense of fear, dread, shame, or any other feeling. Sometimes there tend to be people who feel stronger emotions tied to memories as well.

If you have a negative association with a memory and you think of it often, try to see what that memory is trying to remind you. If it is something you need to heal, to be more kind to yourself about, or to find more joy in that memory.

The journal prompt for today is what memory brings a smile to your face? To be honest I have quite a few. One memory that will always bring me a little joy is once when my brother ran away as a child, into the backyard. My sister and I brought him hot dogs, and other little snacks for dinner. It was the dead of winter so we made a little igloo and made sure he was warm and safe. I cannot remember if he came in later that night and slept in his room or if he stayed out all night. That was not what mattered though, it was about my sister and I wanting to spend time with my brother and help make sure that he was safe, had what he needed and for him to know he was not alone.

Another memory that brings a smile to my face is being in La Crosse, WI. That is where I went to school and a view that I do not think I could ever get over. Once going up to the bluffs for the first time, I knew that it would be like home to me. The marsh lands, being able to walk around and experience the something that felt like the place I grew up. Everything about that city, that area is home to me. It brought me a lot of great people, memories and to where I am today. I am thankful for everything that has gotten me here to where I am today.

Memories have a lot of power over us because they remind us on where we have been, who we have been, what important parts of our lives are, and how to keep going. Do not let your memories control you, they are in the past. Release the hold that they have on you and remind yourself that you are where you are today for a reason. Trust the process, remember you are safe, you are free from your past and the best things are yet to come.