Live Your Imagination

Memory is a double-edged sword.

Memories can be warm and empowering.

That's good.

But memory is more than nostalgia.

Technically, a memory is a retained mental impression. It's something I carry – often subconsciously – deep inside my mind and heart.

My memories aren't only those images that come to mind as I try to recall my kindergarten years. Memories are my experiences. They are the highs and lows of my life, and form the web through which I view the world.

They are my history, and history is a guide to the future.

But it’s not always a good thing.

Memories create patterns in my mind (self-image, expectations etc), and patterns can be stifling.

My past sometimes hands me a script for my future, and that behavioral rhythm often limits my choices for self-expression and self-betterment.

In the words of an old friend: "if you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting".

So I'd like to choose my behaviors based on a vision of the future, not in obedience to my past.

I don't want to live my memories.

I want to live my imagination.

I want to imagine who I can be and live that way, irrespective of the mistakes I've made.

But there's one memory I'd like to live: G-d's

Now, what is that? Does G-d have a memory?

When we pray to G-d, asking the Divine to remember us and our ancestors, are we really trying to jog G-d's memory? Do we believe in a G-d who forgets?

No.

Here's the idea:

G-d has a deep 'mental impression' of me and you. It's a profound, beautiful image; a sublime projection of our potential - as individuals and as part of history's march toward a better world.

It's G-d’s ‘mental picture’ of our goal, and our destiny.

So we ask G-d to 'remember', to call that 'deep mental impression' to the fore, for us to embrace.

Embracing that image is at once intimidating (we have a long road toward realizing our potential) and empowering (think who we can be!).

It’s an image that resonates deep inside your soul, since the day you were born.

So accept your Higher Image.

And start living.