Remember To Forget

1… 2… 3… forget!

Husband and I are watching The Sheep Detectives. A gathering of sheep have found their shepherd has been murdered. Unfortunately, he doesn’t get to turn into a cloud like sheep do – ahem – and it’s all just too much. Too much, too big, too deep, too painful… and the decision is made to forget. Forget about the whole situation. One, two, three… forget!

One sheep disagrees. He makes a case for finding out who killed their beloved shepherd. He begs his friends to remember their shepherd’s love and loyalty. Recall his generosity and great bedtime stories, he implores. Yes, there’s pain. Pain in remembering their loss and the injustice. Grief and anger run deep.

What if it’s more a matter of knowing what to forget and what to remember… forgetting their shepherd altogether wasn’t nearly as helpful as remembering his kindness, and allowing their love for him to help them process their deep emotions.

No matter what happens to us, we always get to choose our response.

Viktor Frankl, Holocaust survivor and empowerment advocate, recalled that everything had been taken from him… but his choice in how he would respond to his abusers. He remained empowered and encouraging when he remembered his freedom of choice and forgot to remember his victimization.

I specifically remember forgetting.

Corrie ten Boom, Holocaust survivor and forgiveness advocate, responded to her audience when asked about remembering the evil, the evil doers, and holding onto the pain of her ordeal: “I specifically remember forgetting.” She remembered her humanity and the reality that pain is baked into this human experience, and forgot to hold it all against her oppressors (furthering the oppression, division, and hate.) She chose to remember Love.

Hate does not drive out hate. Only love does that.

M. L. King, Jr advocated for love, forgiveness, compassion, and truth… remembering the past only for the purpose of not repeating it. Wallowing in the shallow end of grudges and victimhood mentality helps no one become stronger, wiser, more powerful. He remembered the power of love.

Let us remember who we are as Love awakening to Itself, as Forgiveness embodied, as Compassion with skin on… for only then will we truly live in freedom. Only then will we risk forgetting and bloom. Anais Nin, poet and advocate for the risky action of forgetting fear and the equally risky action of remembering love, shares this:

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

Brave soul, ya ready? 1… 2… 3… BLOOM!

I love you… ❤