Cherish Every Moment

We all need a past - that's where our sense of identity comes from.

Penelope Lively


Getting to know someone else involves curiosity about where they have come from, who they are.

Penelope Lively

I believe in asking questions. Some may say that I'm overly inquisitive. Some may say that I'm excessively observant. But to me, it's all part of making people a part of my life. If I truly care, then I want to remember everything. It's part of cherishing every moment of my life, of my time with individuals. Because I never know when the day will come, that I won't be near you. And for as long as I can, I want to be able to remember how you get up in the morning, or how you walk, or how you put on your shoes, or how you smile when you step outside into the sunlight, and how you expressed your love for me in even the simplest of ways.

I've never been good at getting to know new people during social outings because the trouble is that I simply don't care. Which probably sounds bad, but I'm not actually curious about where they have travelled, or what experiences that have had in life. I feel hollow when I do ask, so I refrain from asking so as to remain true to myself. Which probably gives people the impression that I am either stand off-ish, conceited, or shy. But I also believe the opinions of others only matter when we let them influence our opinions of ourselves.

I'll never understand people trying to forget where they've been, or who they've been with. I understand that sometimes we have to distance ourselves from some memories in order to heal or change... But I hope never to forget any person I've loved, or any experience that helped me be who I am now. And I don't believe anyone should. We can only be ashamed of our past if we did not learn something from it that made us better today.

And I believe that we should be willing to answer any question to an inquirer that is truly asking because they are curious about who we are. Because we should allow others the opportunity to cherish every moment with us, just as we are holding onto our memories of them.

Live every moment--every relationship in the here and now. Never hold on to anything that inhibits you from progressing.