Life in Circulation

"It's surprising how much of memory is built around things unnoticed at the time." Barbara Kingsolver

When I first brainstormed a list of catching days ideas, I borrowed a suggestion from Patti Digh: Save a grocery list. Something this simple and ordinary, when saved and almost forgotten, becomes extraordinary as it reminds us how things once were. We are transported to our past…our awareness multiplying exponentially that we have indeed grown, changed, survived, transformed. And then, of course, I got to thinking. We often pull out the camera to take pictures of our family, friends, even ourselves when something is happening. But, as the quote implies, our memories are often extracted from moments not always "camera worthy."

Just last month, as I cleaned out a drawer, I came across an unmarked CD. I popped it in my computer…and an entire roll of black and whites from years ago filled my screen. Pictures I had taken but completely forgot about. The feelings from that moment in our lives came back to me, intact and precise, like I were there living it again. My soul rejoiced in leaps and bounds with each "new" image." It was a delicious discovery!

Find a box. Create a space for it. Let it have prominence so you are reminded of its purpose. Wake up tomorrow morning, camera in hand, and let the day unfold organically. Channel the photographer within and capture a day of your life through a camera lens. Copy your images to a CD…or…print the pictures out. Add your "day" to the box. Make this an inspired tradition. As you do, your box will fill with diaphanous moments and, in the years to come, you will be riveted by your very beautiful life.

While you're at it, add a grocery list or two...