We are often provided motivations to ponder life and its many facets that cause us to take time to ‘mull’ over what our years of life have taught us.
Recently, scanning through Facebook in a rather relaxed manner, I noted a quote on a small key chain. Obviously, the keychain was intended to encourage the viewer to purchase it for graduates of 2024, whether those graduates are at any level of education. The anonymous quotation provides these words – “Behind you, all your memories. Before you, all your dreams. Around you, all who love you. Within you, all you need.” Though the quote was obviously earmarked for graduates, the words definitely are fitting for anyone of any age. Pondering those words should perhaps also serve as a reminder of what can be accomplished when we consider our past, present, future, and inner selves.
Clearly, what resides behind us includes all those memories of life’s myriad events – accomplishments, goals, sadnesses, joys, and regrets. One of the most memorable events in someone’s life typically centers on his or her achievements at any level of education. Obviously, those triumphs vary with the abilities of the one looking back upon past events in his or her life. One of the proudest moments of my life occurred at Austin Peay State University, probably about 1970 when I transferred from Hopkinsville Community College and ‘dodged’ a swimming class and opted for an advanced physical education class at AP. The instructor of that class, Ms. Lynn Dunn, later became head coach at Purdue University prior to her coaching in the WNBA. One requirement of the ‘young ones’ in her advanced physical ed class was the student had to stand on his or her head. Those who can accomplish that feat will smile as they reflect upon the skills used to master that skill. Thankfully, I was able to achieve that goal once I learned the key to its success. Yes, what lies behind us serves to remind us of what we can achieve in later years.
As the quote also emphasizes, we have before us all of our dreams, and it is clearly up to us to decide on future aspirations we may possess. Those future goals may be simple ones, or they may, on the other hand, be ones requiring some effort on our part to accomplish. As a member of the ‘older’ generation, I still have goals that I hope to accomplish. One of those goals is to remain as active and independent as possible as the years continue to pass. In order to accomplish that goal, staying active is a must, and those who see me ‘hitting the pavement’ might better understand the goal is to improve my mobility and hopefully allow me to maintain improved health. I chatted with a young man earlier today who stated heart problems appear quite often in his family, and I suspect the young man may consider a future ‘dream’ of his to bypass the health issues that apparently run in his family. Yes, what is before us includes our dreams for our futures.
That young man whose family is inundated with heart problems stated he was with his father yesterday in a Bowling Green hospital. His father, a man in his 50’s, is already battling heart issues. Thankfully, those who love that gentleman are providing the support he needs. We also might be encouraged to provide more love for those in our lives. Being a support for another is a goal we all can adopt. Even if we cannot be there physically, we can provide the emotional and spiritual support that person needs through texts, phone calls, prayers, cards, and other avenues to share our love for him or her. One of the kindest gestures we can make is to offer words of encouragement to those battling stresses of life. As we also need to realize, we, too, can be on the ‘needing’ encouragement side as well. Acts of love do not cost huge amounts; to the contrary, some of the most beneficial acts of love are easily provided without cost.
The last area the quote causes us to ponder includes the elements that reside within us. We all realize some of those elements are ones we need to push aside. However, many of those traits we can hone more include our determination, our talents, and our unique personalities that can become the inspiration someone else might need. We can all think of individuals whose talents cause us to smile – those whose voices that are comparable to many famous vocal artists or those whose talents include art and other talents that bring smiles our way. Obviously, others are so talented with their abilities to speak or write and inspire us with their words. One artist who immediately surfaces is Terri R. Tilghman-Douglas, a former student who serves as an inspiration as she raises money to battle multiple sclerosis, a disease that TR battles personally. Yearly, TR uses her talents to create original pieces of art that serve to motivate us to achieve even more, even when we sometimes think a goal is impossible. If you would like to assist TR in her mission to raise $10,000 for the MS Society via Terri’s Fundraiser for Walk MS: Nashville 2024, you can contribute at this link – https://www.facebook.com/donate/1442313379760204/10231319165591237/.
Yes, the writer who penned the keychain quote deserves a huge thanks as he or she has provided opportunities for us to ponder all that encompasses our lives – our memories, our dreams, our support teams, and our inner strength. Those all-encompassing words – ones that stand the test of time – are words that hopefully will motivate us on a daily basis!
~ Article by Carolyn L. Wells
