“How we remember, what we remember and why we remember form the most personal map of our individuality.”
- Christina Baldwin

I’m back in DC this week, the city where I grew up, and the city where I spent the first 10 years of my adult life. We’re visiting friends and family, hopping from one house to the next, toasting and hugging, packing and unpacking. It’s got me thinking about who we were before we moved to New York, and who we are now, and how the people in our lives shape us… what we carry with us, and what we leave behind – from books and china dishes to attitudes, activities, beliefs.

I’m remembering details my memory hasn’t shared with me in years, like the first time Jordan showed me his childhood bedroom. I imagine my memory bank as a printer press, shooting out fragments – or as a pond full of lily pads, each one containing a different vignette.

My therapist once noted that I spend a lot of time focused on the here and now, and not much time looking back. On the surface, that might sound pretty enlightened — living in the present moment. But when we don’t look back, we don’t always take the time to recognize how far we’ve come.

This is definitely a week of looking back. As I feel the warmth of old friendships, my mind jumps to the image of our new Brooklyn apartment, freshly inhabited, our art on the walls, waiting for our return. How we bridge the past, present and the future is the fabric of our character in so many ways. What do we bring with us, and what do we leave behind? How do we carry our memories? Where do we cast our gaze?

How about you? How do you divide your attention between past, present and future? Is your attention out of balance? If you find yourself thinking constantly about past events, can you do more to bring your attention to the gifts of the present moment? If you’re overly focused on “what next,” can you shift some of your attention to honor and recognize what came before?

For now, I’m off to enjoy the pancakes my father in law is making from scratch… a family tradition, sending up tantalizing aromas right here, right now.

Photo by Flickr user Garrett Crawford

Get Your Cute Fix – Baby animal alert! The Prospect Park Zoo is currently the proud home to two brand-new baboon babies. If you’re anything like me, the sight of tiny, adorable animals will make your troubles seem miles away. While you’re at it, suggest names for the little tykes (submissions are due by September 21).

Immerse Yourself in Nature – The New York Botanical Garden offers the following invitation: “Stroll the cool and refreshing paths of the 50-acre Forest along the scenic Bronx River, stop and smell the roses in the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, experience the serenity of the Rock Garden waterfall, and enjoy summer refreshments and lunch at one of our Cafes.” Okay! Sign me up. Details on planning your visit here.

Simplify – Find one thing in your life to simplify. For example, I noticed people seemed to like “3 ways to relax…” (which I pioneered last week, when I was crunched for time because of my move) just as much the “5 ways…” I typically  posted – so why spend my time putting together a longer list? Step back and reflect on whether there’s any aspect of your life on auto-pilot, and whether you might be able to find a simpler way to do an ongoing activity or task. Let me know what you come up with.

Have a great week!

My dog Cosmo, relieved that the move is over

I moved into a new apartment this week, in Brooklyn, and am feeling pretty blissful about it. From the glorious silence, to the fancy-pants shower heads (brand new, with excellent water pressure!), to the deep window sills I’ve filled with plants, everything’s coming up Amanda. I’m feeling pretty grateful. Here, a list of ten things that have especially inspired my gratitude:

1. Our movers, Arthur Werner Moving and Storage, who were consummate professionals at every step of the process, and friendly, to boot
2. Cosmo, who was a real trooper as we schlepped him from the old apartment to the new and back again, with a stay at a hotel in between
3. Jordan, for lifting all the heavy stuff, and for sending me flowers to thank me for unpacking (awww)
4. Meditation, for helping me rise above sheer physical exhaustion and find a brighter outlook
5. The local shop owner who saw me about to drop a crate full of groceries and offered to help
6. Eco-friendly plastic moving crates, so much nicer to deal with than cardboard boxes – no time spent building and breaking down, plus they make the unpacking process much less messy
7. All of our friends and family, who cheered us on via Facebook
8. Keisy Oriental Nature Center on E. 9th, for massaging my poor beleaguered body for the low low price of 45 for 60 minutes
9. The one block radius around our new digs, for not smelling like pee (a welcome change from the East Village)
10. And, last but not least: The margaritas at Pacifico, for providing the perfect celebratory cap to a week of moving

How about you? What inspired your gratitude this week?