REMINDERS by Harrison Snow

If you have spent any time with the personal growth crowd you may hear about the importance of "…remembering who you are." The expression does not refer to our personal history. Without one or an ego life would be pretty strange. It’s about who we are at the expanded level of our soul. Who our bigger self or our essence really is. If we can remember who we are, we can be who we are. And life is good.

So why do we forget in the first place? Or why do we keep forgetting? There is a different way to help explain this. We are in our wisdom or we are not. It is not so much that we forget, it is all the things around us that can take us out of our wisdom. Hold your breath and pick one: traffic, difficult coworkers, bills, to do lists, family issues or arguments with your spouse. Okay, you can breathe now. When we are in our wisdom we keep things in perspective. We access a greater knowing that leads to the best outcome. Life flows. When we forget life get bumpy. The smallest problems seem overwhelming. We need reminders. One’s that will touch the body, the spirit and the mind.

Thoreau wrote that he wished he was as wise as the day he was born. If you have every been around a newborn you know the incredible sense of oneness and connection they bring with them. If this wisdom is our natural state, our birthright, how do we remember it?

Fortunately, nature has many reminders. Some take just a second, others may need a day or two. Just having enough self-awareness to recognize when we are "losing it" is a huge first step. Knowing what will restore us is the easy part. We lead such busy lives. The challenge is taking the time to give ourselves this gift. Nature is always offering herself. All we need to bring is a receptive attitude. It takes just a minute to step outdoors and look. Pick a tree, a sunset or the stars. Listen with your eyes. Do this without thinking.

Another reminder is the power of a special place. There is a mountain lake that I love to hike to especially during the week when no one else is around. I’ll pitch my tent near the water and watch the reflection of the trees in the surrounding hills. When it gets dark I’ll start a fire and enjoy the quiet satisfaction of keeping it going till I zip up in my sleeping bag. Surrounded by natural beauty inner doors open that I don’t have words to describe. When I hike out the next day I bring with me a greater clarity about whatever has been on my mind. I’ve remembered. What is your reminder?