Birthdays have an effect on us, in one way or another. Some look forward to their birthday and some not so much. It can be a time to “take stock,” or assess your situation in life and rewire your personality for further growth. Quieting the mind with reflection helps our personality part that “runs things” to take a needed break (this part is called ego by some, but you can name it anything you want). When we stop our nearly constant mind chat, even for a brief time, we can encounter inner peace.
When such mindfulness happens, we may allow snippets of our personalities we may have pushed away–or exiled from awareness—to show us emotions, thoughts, and sensations that need airing. We can ask ourselves questions that take us to a Plan B, Plan C, or even a Plan Z. Taking time to listen, really listen, to our taking-stock times is healing. New wisdom can develop from old memories. It is possible to restring or rewire old thoughts that have weighed heavily on our minds.
Traumatic memories often hold burdens, both our own and sometimes the burdens we carry for relatives or others. This reminds me of the cone-shaped “burden basket” found in the caves of the Anasazi Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. The tightly coiled basket was worn like a backpack with an additional strap to wrap across one’s forehead to steady a heavy load. I wonder how often the carriers of such burden baskets had headaches. Internal burden-carrying can bring on psychic headaches.
Today is my mother’s 99th birthday. I asked her if she was carrying any burdens from long ago. Mom told me that her father had admonished her to NOT marry my father, but she said to her dad that was exactly what she was going to do! She is happy with her marriage decision, however disagreeing with elders was burdensome. In one of her many pearls of wisdom today, Mom emphasized the importance of questioning. She focused on the word, quest. A song she has referenced for many years has a line with “glorious quest” in it. If you are curious, check out The Impossible Dream lyrics.
Pearls of Peace (PoP) Quiz
6. Even if today is not your birthday, “take stock” of your personality.
7. Are there any burdensome thoughts and emotions lurking in stories you hold onto?
Pearls of Peace: A Family Psychologist’s Circle-of-Life Blog 
Jan,
Thank you for this! I love your mother’s wisdom.
And this part has particular resonance, as I deal with my daughter on some troublesome issues: New wisdom can develop from old memories. It is possible to restring or rewire old thoughts that have weighed heavily on our minds.
Gratefully, Kathy
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Beautiful! Invites us into a kind of transformation that takes us to an inner place of peace, healing and comfort.
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Thank you so much for this! I am sending your mother a card right now! Also, it is Mal and Darren’s anniversary so I am sharing this post with them. I awant you to know that Alyson and I both enjoyed our visit immensely! It was just the right amount of talking, sharing, and exercise! We have both started following a Silver Sneakers beginner exercise program on zoom at least every other day! So thanks! Love, Carol
On Mon, Aug 16, 2021 at 10:37 PM Pearls of Peace: A Family Psychologist’s Circle-of-Life Blog wrote:
> Janis Johnston posted: ” Mindful Reflection Birthdays have an effect on > us, in one way or another. Some look forward to their birthday and some not > so much. It can be a time to “take stock,” or assess your situation in life > and rewire your personality for further growth. Qu” >
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