I grew up in a time before selfies, cellphones with cameras, and even camcorders. On rare occasions, we would take photographs. But my most treasured memories from my childhood are stored as mental images. So I don’t watch a video of my family decorating the Christmas tree or opening gifts on Christmas morning. However, each time I sit in my darkened living room and stare at my Christmas tree, those images play over and over in my head.
I cannot share them with others or put them on the Internet for the world to see, but these happy memories are priceless treasures to me. They are my connection to loved ones who are also only a part of my past, my memory, and my heart. But they have taught me a fundamental lesson. Don’t focus too much of your treasured time with loved ones trying to capture the moment on video or film. Put down the electronics and be present in the moment and the festivities. Your eyes and ears will record everything that is significant and meaningful in your heart and mind. And it will remain with you forever.
Kathy, this is so very true and a real symptom of not living in the present—too busy taking just the “right photo” to savor the moment you’re in. This is not to say that some photos aren’t needed, necessary or treasured, but like so much in our culture today we “over do.” I’ll bet I’m not the only one now in my 70s who has more photos from the past than they know what to do with and feels guilty for throwing them out but doesn’t have the time to make lasting albums of them because how many albums do you need or want? I hope, in 2020, we can see more clearly that less is more and living in the present is the best gift you can give yourself and others.