Dear Ms. Spiritual Matters,
I am organized. I know where everything I own is. And, everything is in its place. I travel the world for my business, so I have many souvenirs around my apartment.
But, my sister complains that I never remember her birthday. She says if I can put the wooden giraffe in the same spot on the shelf all the time, why do I not have the knack for putting important dates in my mind. She says something key is missing in me.
What can I do?
Ken
Dear Ken,
The giraffe probably has a lot of recent memories attached to it. You traveled far and met new and interesting people when you acquired it. You run matchless memories through your mind each time you set it in its place. The giraffe is one of a kind.
Some dates, such as birthdays, are more plentiful. There are so many possibilities…365. But, you can improve your organization so you remember the people who count on you to celebrate their special date with them.
At the first of each year, place a list of all the people whose birthdays or anniversaries you want to remember in the calendar section of one of your electronic devices. Or, if you prefer, write them in your Yoga Cats calendar. Keep a listing of occasions, adding and deleting as you wish. Then you will be able to refresh your reminder system quickly each year. The joy of all this improved organization is that you can focus on other important things in life knowing you will be mindful of celebratory times and never hurt someone’s feelings by forgetting a day special to them.
To improve your organization, you may want to set your electronic device to alert you to the birthday one week ahead of time. This gives you opportunity to select a card or gift and make a plan to surprise the birthday person with your ability to focus on what—for many—is an important event, their birthday!
Good wishes,
Susan Shoenbeck
Susan Schoenbeck holds Baccalaureate and Master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is an experienced educator and teaches nursing students at Walla Walla University — Portland, Oregon campus. She is an oblate of a Benedictine Monastery where she learned centering and contemplative meditation practices. She is author of the book, Zen and the Art of Nursing, Good Grief: Daily Meditations, and Near-Death Experiences: Visits to the Other Side.