Standing Still as Time Marches On

Let’s take a break and pause. Not for anything dramatic or tragic, but to appreciate, remember, and recognize some things.

Stop and recollect. Allow feelings to emerge while reviewing moments in time that no longer exist. Looking at old pictures, I’ve asked myself questions like, “When did the kids stop playing dress up?”. The answer is years ago, but time moves us along chasing the next milestone and leaves no time to bid those precious moments adieu.

Stop and look forward. Allow time to dream and prepare. Live for now but take the time to plan what’s next. Life is a journey and part of that journey is planning. Plans get wrecked, but there is beauty and comfort that comes with a well laid out plan. Senior year of high school comes to mind here. It’s such a busy year, celebrating everything from prom to graduation and various activities in between. Next thing you know you’re in a job you don’t love or taking college courses toward a major you have no interest in. Time keeps pushing us and we just end up there.

Stop and listen. Allow your mood to change with a song. Believe it or not, 1990s music is considered classic rock! When certain songs come on from that time, I’m back in my 20s with the car windows down and singing at the top of my lungs. It’s almost as if I’ve been transported back in time. Music can instantly impact present feelings.

Stop and reminisce. Allow your thoughts to wander back. I drove past where a building that I worked in for 13 years once stood. The building is gone and with it went the company, the “at the time friendships”, and the feeling I had when I walked into that building (it was such a wonderful company). Never did I mourn the loss of the job and the changes that went along with it because priority was placed on finding a new job and moving on. Driving passed brought back special moments if only for a short time.

Stop and reflect. Allow yourself to look at yourself. When I look in the mirror, I now see my mom’s expressions, my dad’s nose, and my grandmother’s eyes. I used to see just me, but when I stop and look, I see them all.

As life marches on we forget that time stands still. Our memories are moments that no longer exist so we should give ourselves the grace and the space to acknowledge what’s happening in our lives, while it’s happening, whether we like it or not. Otherwise, we wake up one day and everything’s changed.