Today as I was rummaging through a bunch of old notes and junk, I found a thin strip of paper with just a few words printed on it:
Marshall Jones Mid-Term Grade: 101 A+
I hadn’t seen that in about three years. I remember that class. It was an intro to Philosophy class, one of my all-time favorites. And I did really well in it.
Seeing that reminder brightened my whole day.
- Sometimes, I think that’s why I journal. I like to be encouraged by thoughts from the past. I’ll flip through old pages, reading a few quotes I’d jotted down or whatever.
- Sometimes, I think that’s why I blog here too. I like to revisit some of the things I’ve written about in the past. I’ll scan through my own archives and surprise myself with things I don’t remember writing.
- Sometimes, I think that’s why I like letters so much. They’re a fixed conversation form. I can continue to reread them as long as I have them around.
- Sometimes, I think that’s why I enjoy rereading books. I get that chance for a new perspective on an old thought. It’s especially cool if I find some old notes scribbled in the margins too.
- Sometimes, I think that’s why I like digging through old Facebook statuses and comments, @mentions on Twitter, and articles online that I’ve bookmarked.
I like reminding myself. Maybe that’s why it seems like such a good idea to me to remind the people I care about too.
Hey Marshall,
I read most all of your posts over the past few months. This one I wanted to respond to because it hit home for me. Not feeling well tonight so I’ll be brief — also using this as an excuse in case my comment becomes incoherent! What speaks the loudest to me here is the ‘need’ to write ones thoughts and the nurturing, enlightening aspect of reading your own history. We are re-filled in some way by our discoveries and when time has passed they become special blessings, don’t you think? A plus, is when they are shared. Thanks. : )
Oh, one more thing… I had a similar experience when I found my old bible that got lost somehow. In it were notes I had scribbled in the margins, special passages underined, or highlighted. These notes came from my early walk after I was baptised. So awesome to rediscover myself from those early days of grace. ~ blessings to you.
Yes, it seems like there’s always a tension between achievement and appreciation. This is definitely on the side of appreciation. And as you said, it’s much easier to reflect on our own thoughts, I think, when we write them down, especially once we put a little time between the writing and the re-reading.
Glad to know you share the enthusiasm. I’m not the only one. :>)
-Marshall Jones Jr.