Reflection: On First-person

A Cheerful Heart

By Raquel Lynne
QuailBellMagazine.com

I’ve been asked, “Why do you write about the memories from your past”?  My response: “We need to reflect on the past for our overall well-being." You see, I believe that when we look back over the flicks of our lives, it brings to us a clearer understanding of who we are, and how we’ve arrived at this juncture in our lives. 

Merriam-Webster defines memory as "a: the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained especially through associative mechanisms;  b:  the store of things learned and retained from an organism's activity or experience as evidenced by modification of structure or behavior or by recall and recognition."

My evolution as a writer began with short stories focused on characters that used their memory to help them cope with the world around them. In my story, “Memories are Forever,” the character Helen used memory to reconcile her abuse as a child.  In “Life as We Knew It,” the main character Isaac used his young daughter's memories to rebuild the past he had forgotten due to a tragic accident. 

Today my use of memory has broadened into a series of essays to capture past events and to settle my restless mind. These memories have helped me to re-instill sets of personal values, re-establish broken relationships, and to teach others about differences. 

My cheerful disposition is often questioned with, “Are you always this happy”?  and “Do you ever get upset?” or “Don’t you get tired of smiling”? To answer the last question, I reflect upon my father. He was a constant hummer; he whistled, he sang and he smiled. My father’s spirit was always upbeat; he lived each day with an appreciative heart. When he experienced a bad day, he would be quiet, as if to go inward, possibly to recollect a memory, to solve the issue, but it was never for very long. I knew when everything was alright because his singing and humming returned. So why is my disposition always so cheerful?  I learned to be joyful and grateful in all circumstances; I learned the fine art of humming and singing, and the act of inward reflection.

My hope is that when I share my reflections, that it too brings you a sense of peace. Perhaps these pieces will help you to reminisce about your past, and that you are encouraged to share your flicks with others. We are here to teach and share with one another, and for that I am so grateful.

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