Life as a scrapbook

Posted by carriew2012 in Uncategorized

What are we choosing to remember?

One of my “nesting” projects when I'm spring cleaning, about to give birth or moving is usually centered around photos, scrapbooks and memories.

I first became diligent about photos and scrapbooks when we adopted my older 2 children in 1998. We wanted to document every moment for them so that they would be “connected and surrounded” by positive family thoughts. (This is important for all kids, but especially for kids with broken pasts and a history of neglect or abuse).

To this day, their favorite thing is to look at our family scrapbooks. It’s been great fun for me to watch them do this with our youngest two as well…they are retelling family history because they’ve seen and heard it so much!

What I have realized is this – we CHOOSE what we scrapbook! We take pictures of what we want to remember!! Yes, I’ve also documented things like tonsil surgery, accidents and stitches…but in a very factual and upbeat way. So, when we read the scrapbooks of our lives – we remember that there were bumps – but focus on the positive rather than dwelling on the negative!

I’ve decided to treat my days like scrapbooks. I’m going to CHOOSE what moments to focus on…where to direct my energy and thoughts. I cannot be oblivious to trials, pain and inconvenience…but overall – I can be conscious about embracing what is RIGHT about today and what I want to remember about yesterday!