I’ve been thinking about memories and the impressions we make on others.
Family health issues, and being a part-time caregiver for as long as we can handle the stress that comes with it, has caused me to think about memory. As memory slips away from some people, I’ve been pondering about the impression we leave of ourselves on others’ memories.
I had a very discouraging day recently, and I was rather rude to a store clerk. It’s not the way I always am nor do I want to be thought of that way, so when I got home I called the shop and apologized to that lady. She didn’t ask for my attitude, nor did she deserve it. One bad day, one bad mood, is not how I want to be remembered.
So, what DO I want people thinking when I come to mind?
Am I patient, kind, pleasant to be around? Or am I moody, snappy, seeming to have a dark cloud hanging over my head?
Am I cheerful, helpful, loving? Or am I angry, irritable, sullen?
Do I handle disappointment with grace or do I let it take me into a sour mood?
What impression am I making as my path crosses someone else’s today?Are they glad of the encounter, or do they wish they had not met me? Did I make them feel blessed or did I leave them with an ugly hole in their heart?
Attitude is very important, and I have discovered that it really affects everything. I am working on mine.
How about you? Have you ever thought about the memories you are leaving of yourself? How do YOU want to be remembered?
Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂
Polilla Writes 
I agree with your Lynn, we should stop and think about what we want to be remembered for. I can’t imagine you being rude to a clerk, but I guess sometimes we have our days. Not all days can be sunshine and roses. All we can do is to try and make the most of it. I hope you’re feeling better. I can understand why you’d have off days.
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Yes, those off days are the ones that take the most effort to stay above the “me” that I can be. I’m still a ‘work in progress’.
Thanks for stopping in and for your kind thoughts, Laura.
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It’s good to keep yourself in check sometimes, but we’re all human. We all do things we regret and probably always will. Take care x
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You are so right, Catherine. I try to not have things to regret but some things just come too easily.
Blessings.
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A very thought provoking post! It really gave me pause in my day and forced me to reflect. In today’s era of instant communication/access and activity you pull us out of the self-gratification that seems to consume us and force us to reflect on the true meaning of our existence. We are not here to be served, but serve others. I hope that at the end of the day others know us for who we guided along the way and not for what we took from them. Apologizing to the lady speaks volumes of your character, many would have forgotten about the encounter; you illustrated to her that we are not perfect, but we can make choices to illustrate that life is a learning experience…a never-ending learning experience. 🙂
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You know, Jennifer, you hit on something that has become very large in my understanding this month, something that I have to give more attention to as I live each day. We are here to be a blessing, and serving others is a big part of that. Not just doing something nice or being kind to someone, but actually serving them in some way.
Thank you for your comment. 🙂
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I know whereof you speak, Polilla! I want to be remembered as a kind and caring person, but sometimes “I” get in the way. You are such a strong person to have called and given an apology.
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Hi Sue, I certainly understand about “I” getting in the way. I am my own worst enemy sometimes. What I have been thinking about is that Jesus came to serve – therefore shouldn’t we also serve others in whatever way we feel led of God to do so?
Thank you for your comment. Blessings. 🙂
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