{"id":4067,"date":"2017-06-18T09:00:05","date_gmt":"2017-06-18T14:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=4067"},"modified":"2017-06-09T23:01:30","modified_gmt":"2017-06-10T04:01:30","slug":"choose-not-to-forget-those-whove-touched-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=4067","title":{"rendered":"Choose Not to Forget Those Who’ve Touched Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

One More Year of Choices<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A few years ago I read an interesting book titled Unfinished Business: One Man\u2019s Extraordinary Year of Trying to Do the Right Things. <\/em>I think about it from time to time, when the busyness of the world causes me to forget others.<\/p>\n

The author Lee Kravitz was laid off from his job as editor of Parade<\/em> magazine, so he decided to reassess his life. Although just fifty-four, this self-professed workaholic discovered he had become disconnected from people in his life that really mattered to him. These thoughts were triggered while looking through a box of mementos, reflecting on the things he should have done but didn\u2019t. With his wife\u2019s blessing, Kravitz decided to devote the next year to completing unfinished business, which resulted in his book.<\/p>\n

Kravitz traveled the world seeking out those he felt he needed to see. He visited an old friend who was now a monk, repaid a $600 loan to another, forgave a high school bully, reconnected with a mentally ill aunt, fulfilled a promise to an underprivileged boy, said thank you to a teacher who mentored him, and the list goes on. Along the way he met some fascinating people who opened doors for more personal and spiritual growth. In a Reader’s Digest<\/em> interview Kravitz said, \u201cEvery experience was just so much richer than I could have imagined. I rediscovered the parts of myself that were compassionate, sensitive, and adventurous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kravitz must have had a hefty severance or an advance on his book in order to be able to afford to take a year for this mission. Most of us don\u2019t have that kind of time or money, but this book is a reminder not to neglect those who are most important to us. We don\u2019t need lots of money to make a phone call, write a note of appreciation, send a sympathy card, email a friend, repay a kindness, or just say the words \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d or \u201cthank you.\u201d Those kindnesses mean a lot to others \u2013 and to us.<\/p>\n

Consider this\u2026 The great apostle Paul was not above being appreciative. In a letter to the Romans, Paul took the time to openly thank those who held a special place in his heart. (Romans 16:1-16) This is not just a list of names. Paul takes the time to mention why these people are special to him. Phoebe had been a help to many people including him. Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for him. Andronicus and Junia were in prison with him. Rufus was like a mother to him.<\/p>\n

Not only was he appreciative of what they had done for him, but also for what they had done for the church. Epaenetus, Urband, Stachys, and Apelles were fellow workers approved by Christ. And he was not above giving praise to women during a historical time when women were more to be seen than heard. Mary, Persius, Tryphena, Tryphosa (maybe they were twins?), and so on \u2013 all worked hard in the Lord.<\/p>\n

How many of us have been touched by the lives of others, but neglected to let them know? We shouldn\u2019t wait and wait before we do something. Soon years go by. We get busy. We forget. Maybe they will never know. We need to do it now!<\/p>\n

Some ideas might be writing a note of appreciation, visiting a sick friend, sending a card of encouragement, repaying a debt, forgiving an oversight, making amends, reconnecting, or just telling someone you love them. We might not get a book deal out of it and make lots of money, but our lives and the lives of others will be richer for the effort.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

When a past memory of a dear friend pops into your mind, write a quick note. It doesn\u2019t have to be long and drawn out. You can start by saying, \u201cI was just thinking about you and how my life is better because you\u2019ve been a part of it. Remember the time we\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t assume loved ones know you love them. Say, \u201cI love you,\u201d and say it often.<\/p>\n

When someone close to you is suffering, send a note of encouragement. Something simple like, \u201cI\u2019m thinking about you and praying for you today\u201d can mean a lot.<\/p>\n

Do you have any elderly people who have influenced your life? Take them out for ice cream and listen to their stories. Let them know they are special to you.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget to thank God all the time. How will He know you\u2019re thankful if you don\u2019t tell Him?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One More Year of Choices By Barbara Dahlgren A few years ago I read an interesting book titled Unfinished Business: One Man\u2019s Extraordinary Year of Trying to Do the Right Things. I think about it from time to time, when … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4067"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4067"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4067\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}