The Record of Life
Alice Cheung
Record-keeping helps us retain human history and cultural heritage. Records could be kept in the forms of writings, audiovisuals, images, and data. Outstanding accomplishments such as the following are very innovative and inspiring: the athletic Olympics, the academic Nobel Prizes, the artistic Oscars, Forbes the financial wizard, etc. Your life is a unique and precious story. If you love life, writing could be a driving force to keep up with the passion of your life. Let writing become a link, a record, and even an innovation for the abundance of your life.
A Record of Hope and Growth
With a pen, you can retain the memories of events, feelings, and ideas. I started keeping my journals when I was young even though my writings could be scribble-scrabbles. So far I have kept 7 journal books reflecting my fulfilled dreams, my accomplished missions, my unveiled mysteries, my resolved conflicts, my enlightened mindset, and the changes in life which result in growth. By writing down my experiences and reflections, I have learned more about myself. Through the quiet moments of writing, you may settle your mind. Your days could be intertwined with joy and bitterness; fear and worry; good and evil. Somehow, lifelong growth will come out of the patience, confidence, love, and courage that emerged from your life experiences. Now my monthly journal will start with reflections and thanksgiving and close with perspectives and prayers.
A Record of Interests & Discipline
Mechanical routines may make you forget your initial intentions. Would you consider using creative post-its? For example, you may use post-its as reminders or records of bible reading, thanksgiving, reflections, new experiences, small discoveries, knowing yourself, making good things happen, etc. Creative discipline would bring you freedom of accomplishment. You will be able to live your life with a clear purpose and cohesiveness, instead of being flooded with trends and information from the media. The Bible says:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)
A Record of God’s Grace
My daughter has designated the wall in our living room as “The Thanksgiving Wall.” Each one of us would voluntarily post a note of thanksgiving on this wall. From time to time, we gather around our dining table to share our blessings from God and to pray together. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) Happiness could come from being grateful, not necessarily the other way around. A simple meal, a good book, a play, a movie, a mountain climb, a recovery from illness, could be enough for you to enjoy or to be grateful. Here’s a Bible verse that deeply moves me: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him..”
In a simple life, you don’t need expensive things to enjoy and bring happiness. One pen, one piece of paper, one passionate heart, one set of curious eyes, one journal book, or one cell phone will be enough to keep a record of a good memory and to tell someone that you miss him.
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