Do you collect memories . . . objects or memorabilia that enable you to preserve days gone by that were filled with sweet happiness, wonderful people, adventures, or achievements? I am a pack rat when it comes to certain things: Christmas and Birthday Cards, letters, gifts from friends and loved ones, photographs, books, vinyl albums, and an assortment of items that help me to remember important parts of my past. I don't have so much 'stuff' that is overwhelming or messy. My treasures are carefully organized and preserved. My Mother, for instance, loves to give me quilts, music boxes and M&M Statues. All are proudly displayed and I love each one; however, I have asked my family to be selective in giving these lovely, much appreciated, gifts because eventually, one simply runs out of room.
I am also being more selective during my expeditions to gather seashells. I still bring them home but in small handfuls rather than big bags. A friend once told me that it is bad luck to bring seashells indoors. I love my collection - many of which were gathered on beaches in Florida - so I decided to compromise on this particular superstition: I have created small mini-beaches in pretty glass bowls that sit proudly in my sun room. I also intend to create a special place in my outdoor garden for the rest of my shell collection (and future shells that I will undoubtedly gather because I love to walk on the beach and pick up shells, stones and glass polished by the pounding waves).
With all of this in mind, I intend to 'Collect Memories', as part of my I Resolve To . . . Challenge: 365 Resolutions For Health & Happiness. Why not join me? The objective is very simple: Do at least one thing each and every day to promote health and happiness for 'YOU'. Banish the 'Someday, Someday, Someday Syndrome'. Instead, make every day New Year's Day. Make every day count. The list of possibilities is infinite and can be tailored to your own dreams, resolutions and daily goals. If you need some help - a little nudge, a bit of inspiration, tips, advice, and news about the best ways to make resolutions a reality - please use IResolveTo.Com as one of your resources.
A fellow writer, Trish, shared a wonderful gift with me recently. She writes plays and essays - some of which have been published in wonderful series of books edited by Helen Kay Polaski and called the Rocking Chair Reader. These books remind me of the wonderful memories that I collect to preserve my past . . . They are brief essays that provide a glimpse of each author's past via short vignettes. I purchased and am reading two volumes. I am eager to purchase a third that is in print, along with a new volume that Trish tells me is on the way. I have been reading a few essays each night before bed, which is helping me to make good on my resolution to read at least 12 books in 2009, and to end my day with wonderful, heart warming thoughts . . . Here are links to the Rocking Chair Reader on Amazon.Com, as well as Christmas volume published by Adams Media (the Rocking Chair Reader's publisher). I am saving that volume as a special holiday treat in December . . .
- The Rocking Chair Reader - Memories From The Attic
- The Rocking Chair Reader - Family Gatherings: True Stories of Celebration And Reunion
- Classic Christmas - True Stories of Holiday Cheer And Goodwill - Edited By Helen Szymanski
- The Rocking Chair Reader - Coming Home: True Inspirational Tales Of Family And Community
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
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Kim M. Simpson - May 30, 2009
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