Every Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Love Notes | Vol. 3

Have you ever observed how the more challenging or painful events in our lives often hold a more prominent place in our recollection than beautiful, cherished moments? It strikes me as similar to an injury that leaves an enduring scar, a persistent reminder of what transpired. It seems the mind, too, is susceptible to this, often allowing the negative pictures to have valuable air time in our heads.

This week’s Love Note entry is a result of a podcast I was listening to while driving. While images may speak volumes, each day we curate the mental snapshots that ultimately define our existence. Much like carefully chosen photographs gracing our walls, we possess the power to select which moments in our lives to illuminate and which to allow to recede. Life unfolds as a collection of these snapshots, each capturing a significant point in our personal narrative. From our first breath to our last, every experience contributes a new chapter, and the individuals we encounter become instrumental figures, their voices adding depth to our story.

Years ago, I came across this quote that really moved me. It was definitely, as Oprah would say, and “aha moment.” And it is something I remind myself of to this day: “holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

I recall the impact these words had upon me: why would we concede mental space to the negativity of others? Yet, it’s a common human experience. With the passage of time and the acquisition of wisdom, my tolerance for a lack of compassion, empathy, and mutual respect has diminished significantly. I have observed adult women with deeply rooted self-esteem issues attempting to diminish others in a misguided effort to elevate themselves. While such behavior might offer a fleeting sense of power on a narcisistic level, the underlying envy will inevitably consume them, perpetuating a cycle of seeking new targets, much like a wolf’s relentless hunt.

These are people you should walk away from. For they will always want to pull others down around them. And I am betting, as you read this, that at least one person in your life has popped into your head who fits this bill. Because they will do everything in their power to rob you of precious, coveted memories, to only be replaced by moments of sadness, hurt or pain. We possess the power to allow the thoughts that linger in our minds, the snapshots from the day’s events, to play in our mind like a trailer on Netflix.

Memories lend meaning to our lives, defying the constraints of time and transcending the years. Yet, they can be elusive, selective, and at times, fallible. Some memories offer solace and healing, while others themselves require healing. Memories can also act as unseen barriers, hindering us from the lives we aspire to lead. Often, the forgotten may wield a greater influence than the memories we consciously recall.

Imagine your mind as a photograph, capturing a single moment in time. Would you deliberately choose to photograph and frame a memory steeped in negativity? If your answer is no, then it is time to liberate yourself from the past. Release the pain, the hurt, the despair, the anger, or the bitterness, and allow the universe to take its weight from you. Life presents us with enough to carry; clinging to that which causes injury, harm, or sorrow only adds to the burden.

I choose to direct my focus towards the positive moments that reward my life. While hardships, struggles, and even absolute failures have served as important guides, illuminating my journey, the photographic memories of those times no longer serve my well-being. And with a spirit of gratitude, I now choose to look forward with hope, leaving the rearview mirror where it belongs – in my past.

So the message in this week’s love note is this: choose your mind’s photographs carefully, And when a not so great one flashes in your mind, and it will for whatever reason, choose to replace it with something positive, cherished and loved. For you have the power to choose the photographs that display on your mental wall. Because there are too many beautiful, lovely moments for which we should allow front and center, emerging from the spotlight like the morning sun over the horizon.

Photography transcends being simply an image; it is a remarkable time machine, untouched by the flow of time, a place card that secures precious memories for generations to come. We are often remembered for a particular quality or moment. How we present ourselves in life is important because, for many, the image they hold of us is fleeting—a brief snapshot of our being. By living with intention, we cultivate a life that merits remembrance, in a healthy and positive way.

With each new day, we are granted another opportunity to live in this world with truthfulness, positivity and grace. Choose this.