A Friendly Reminder reflection from QLC
by Della Stanley-Green
I need reminders. With all the data, information, opinions, suggestions, ads, and other input that I see in a day, I need reminders about what is important and what I need to do. I need assistance, not because my brain is faulty, but because it was designed with limits (whether I like them or not.)
Our brains are not designed to be a huge trunk to carry around limitless amounts of data. They are designed to be more like a playground or workspace where it can be creative, analytical, engaged and connecting.
Just like you, I use tools to help me remember: I use a calendar to note the times I need to be in certain places and do certain things. I use the alarms on my phone to remind me to get up and move and not stay sitting at my desk for too long. My contacts in my phone and my Facebook friends list remind me of the people who matter to me. This led me to thinking about what spiritual reminders we have and need as we seek to live the sacrament of daily life as Friends.
I take pictures of flowers nearly every day. Whenever I see their color, I am drawn to them. Sometimes I just take a quick snapshot of a flowerbed. Other times, I take my time and take a close-up of an individual flower. Through the flowers with their gloriousness of color, size, shape and variety, I am reminded of the testimony of creation which brings joy.
Most of us have companions: family, friends, pets, neighbors, attenders/members at our Meeting, club or group members. The ways in which we interact with one another matters. These relationships are our daily practice in living what we say is important. It is the living laboratory of faith. No one ever promised that having companions would be easy. Yet we were designed to live in connection with one another. Accompanying one another in daily life is a reminder of our need for one another.
Have you ever been at the inception of a great idea?
Being in a room with others when an idea is sparked is energizing. The unleashing of collaborative creativity is amazing. Some people experience this through participating in team sports, theater clubs, and musical groups.
Some of us, including me, have even experienced this in a committee meeting. (GASP!) Yes, it is possible. Our collaboration with one another and God can unleash possibilities. Now I grant that we may not experience this level of excitement every day but think about the last time you had a workday at your Meetinghouse. The joy of doing things together -the laundry at home, having a potluck/carry-in/covered dish meal, Meeting for Worship, bible study, or gathering to protest an injustice – can all be reminders of how doing things together lightens the load.
As Samuel Johnson said, “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” We put that quote at the top of each of our Friendly Reminders to nudge us all to pay attention. We do need reminders, even of the things that we already know. Creation, companions, and collaboration are three of my reminders.
May we remind one another of how to live the sacrament of daily life. What reminders help you live the sacrament of daily life? I’d love to hear about your reminders and share them in a future: [email protected]