The Blessing of Memories

British poet William Wordsworth once wrote of encountering a beautiful field of daffodils while he was wandering the countryside, and being enthralled as he enjoyed the wonder of the sight. He ends the poem with this reflection:

I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

I feel the same of many of my precious memoriess, similar to Wordsworth's experience. This photo of me was taken seven and a half years ago by my friend Wade Meier. I remember the day vividly. It was July 24 and a group of friends were enjoying one of the prettiest days ever on Mt. Timpanogos. The colors were brilliant; the smell was divine. I can recall the buzz of the happily polinating bees in the field. When this photo was taken I was creeping along, trying to get the perfect angle for a photo with flowers in front and mountains behind.

I often draw on memories like this ones; the more vivid the sensory experience (sight, sound, smell, taste) the better the memory and the easier it is to recreate the feeling experienced in the past.

I #GiveThanks for the ability to create vivid memories in life - and then to be blessed by them again and again!