We started our journey along the “prayer labyrinth” with the path of silence. The second path in our spiritual walk along the prayer labyrinth is the path of memory.
As I walk down memory lane, my mind is filled with songs from my childhood. Memories from school and memories from my past. Some are great memories, and some not so good.
The path of memory is a place where we learn and grow. It’s a path of stories and songs and conversations we’ve had with our friends and family over the years. For some it’s a path of pictures and images in full-color. For me, it’s a path if images in texture, sound, and memories of being in a physical place and time. The path of memory is also a path of dreams. Dreams of what I wanted to be in the future, dreams from my subconscious mind, and daydreams about what I want to write or daydreams when I get lost in a piece of instrumental music.
This past week, I found one of the numerous songs I remember from cassette tapes of music I received from the pastor’s wife at a church I attended as a child. I’ve also relived other music memories when I used to listen to the radio on a daily basis during my childhood and sometimes as an adult. I also remember the stories and books I used to read and listen to as I grew up. Most of these are fond memories, but sadly, not all memories from the early years of my life are fond ones.
Life is but a whirlwind of memories. There are those we hold dear and those we’d rather forget. Hold on to the precious ones and let the rest spin away into the abyss. Sometimes, I will admit it’s difficult to let go of the painful memories of my past. I try not to hold onto them, yet there are lessons I can learn from these painful memories.
I think about the times when I’ve lost loved ones like my grandparents with whom I had a close relationship. There are also memories of struggles I’ve faced in my life, some of which I still struggle with. I try to hold onto the find memories I shared with loved ones I’ve lost in my life, but the stressful memories of struggles I’ve faced in my younger years come back time and again.
As you journal the path of memory, ask God to remind you of the memories that make you smile, when negative memories try to bubble to the surface of your mind. I will do the same. Let’s pray for one another as we walk this path, whether physically, or in our journals.
Now it’s your turn. Take a walk down the path of memory in your journal. What lessons do you learn as you revisit your memories. You can comment below, or you can write your own blogpost and pingback to this post. I’d love to read your reflections about the path of memory as part of your spiritual prayer labyrinth.