When you are going for a trip, people tell you to enjoy. To have a good time. To make the best of it. Many of us take this as a “safe journey” wish, or a “send us photos” request, or as “have fun” words. We never actually, consciously, try to have the best time ever. We just click loads of photos from fancy cameras, and phones. Then, hello to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, etc. etc. etc. Don’t deny this. I’ve had experience.
I know what you are thinking right now. If not click photos, and use social media, and spread the message online, then what? I have a solution, but I also need you to know why I am concerned about this topic, and how it benefits everybody- if they follow.
There surely is an important event, a vacation, a trip, a holiday, a fun thing you have experienced in your life till now. And there surely are at least two or more photos of the same. First, I want you to look at those photos. Just by looking at them, how much of that event can you remember? How much can you feel? Then, I want you to close your eyes, and remember that event in your mind’s eye. Think of everyone that day. What intrigued you, how you felt, what made that event special. Is there a difference between the two times you remembered your event? Or none?
If you found a difference in your thoughts, then you must be living in the moment, such that you can remember events clearly when you think. If not, the it means that you are more worried about your social media life than you are about living life’s best moments.
We all want to be able to revive and relive memories. However, it becomes too late when we realize that our lives are not eternal. The clock will have to stop ticking. The light will have to black out. We can’t stop any of that from happening. But what we can do is make this life worth remembering. Worth filling with memories. Worth telling stories about.
A life without memories is like a sea without waves. Empty. You might not notice that now, but you will, soon. Technology is taking over. And if we are not careful it might take us too. Away with it. Technology does not have feelings like humans. They have no tears to shed after a mess. No laughter to spare after a joke. No memories to look over as time flies, as clocks tick.
Today, social media websites are overflowing with pictures that seem like memories. They are not. They just look like memories. They are an illusion that all of us fall for. The fun, laughs, scenes, are thought to be portrayed in the photos, but they are not real. They are not life.
Life is soaking in the spirit of the moment. Allowing yourself to lose yourself in the seams of the moment. Taking in everything and never allowing yourself to wander off from the present. Making the best of it such that that moment is etched in you. Such that it is within your reach. Such that it never escapes.
How many of us here follow this? Live to this? I am not asking you to believe in my thoughts. I am just asking you to give it a second thought. A harmless thing to do. Moments will come and go. Memories will stay forever. In your heart- never letting go.
I am urging you not to forget this. Make this moment a memory. So it never slips past when you try to grab it. Smiles, happiness, love, these cannot be captured by phones or cameras or pictures. They can only and truly be captured by one in this world and I am extremely sure of it.
You.
Written by
Milomi.