“Invisible threads are the strongest ties.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Yesterday, so many memories were lost forever.
I was walking down the stairs to my basement when I saw the water rushing across the floor.
Long, hard rains had dazzled me the night before. I had watched with total fascination as the water fell from the sky in torrents, lit by tiny lightning flashes.
But now, that water had flooded my basement.
And as I surveyed the damage, I saw the cardboard boxes that held so many memories, now brutally dark with water and coming apart.
I am a sentimental saver. Yes, I made that term up, but it fits.
I take after my Dad, Bart, who is a sentimental saver too.
He is the guy who retains the fortune cookie after a family dinner at Ho Wah Restaurant, documenting in impeccable handwriting on the back: “Great Family Dinner Tonight! 8/1/95.”
As a newly-divorced father of two young kids, I made it my personal quest from to save EVERYTHING that had to do with the kids’ growing up.
That meant:
Photos from first baseball games, ballet recitals, proms, and graduations
First grade report cards, teacher notes, gold stickers for being a “real mensch”
Cards that read, “I love you” and “Thank you for being my Dad”
Now, here they all were.
Waterlogged, stuck together, ink running from one item to to next.
Ruined.
With urgency, I piled them onto the ping pong table.
The weight of the water had eroded parts of my past, and I felt that a piece of me, and the kids, had been washed away.
I sat there, surveying the damage.
And an unexpected clarity began to emerge.
These memories, these physical momentos, as precious as they were, weren’t the true currency of recollection. Yes, they were beautiful reminders, tangible glimpses into the past.
But the real essence, the true memory, was not confined to a piece of paper or an old photograph.
The realization was powerful and immediate: Memory is not just about holding on to relics of the past; it's about living and loving in the present.
With newfound resolve, I reached for my phone. The touch of the screen brought me closer to the two souls who had given these mementos meaning. I called Noah first, and as his voice filled the line, all the memories—the camping trips, the bedtime stories, the scraped knees, and the unwavering love—flooded back, more vivid than any letter could capture.
Next was Teilah, her voice a bubbly melody of warmth and familiarity. We reminisced, laughed.
And in those moments, the importance of those keepsakes in the basement began to fade. For memory wasn’t about things. It was about moments. It was about love, the action of giving love, the profound simplicity of telling someone that you cherish them.
As I sat amidst the damp remnants of the past, I realized that the most enduring memories were not those that could be touched or seen, but those that were felt deep within, reverberating with love, gratitude, and connection.
And in that floodlit epiphany, amidst the wreckage and ruin, I found a truth—the true essence of memory.
This Week’s Scare Your Soul Challenge: Unlock The Memory Vault
Dive deep into your past and pull out one tangible item that holds sentimental value, be it an old letter, a childhood toy, or a photograph.
Spend a moment with it, breathe in the memories, and then, courageously, let it go.
This doesn’t mean you need to discard it—perhaps pass it on, repurpose it, place it in a personal time capsule.
Or set it ablaze.
While items may trigger memories, it's the emotions and relationships they represent that truly matter.
Share your experience and feelings about this release with the community by posting about your experience and tagging @scareyoursoul
Reflection & Selection
Find some mementos, keepsakes, or objects that you’ve saved.
Reflect upon each item, considering its significance in your life and the emotions it evokes.
Choose one item that you feel ready and courageous enough to part with, understanding the deeper purpose of this challenge: recognizing the impermanence of physical objects versus the lasting impact of the emotions and memories they represent.
Passing it On
Think of creative ways to repurpose the item, transforming it into something new.
Alternatively, consider passing the item on, either to someone you know who would appreciate its value or by donating it.
If parting with it feels like it frees you, light it on fire and let the smoke head to the heavens.
This Month: The August Writing Challenge
Here’s a story submitted by one our Soul-tribe members, King Hill. King is head of Digital Strategy and Business Development for Marcus Thomas Advertising, and has poetry in his soul.
“Thank you for issuing the Scare Your Soul writing challenge.
I have been putting off for years publishing a book of my poetry. I finally finished it, thanks to your nudge.
Obviously, none of us is fearful of actual writing – argh, get that pen away from me! We are mostly afraid of what people will think about our writing. And I am no different in this regard, even though I’ve been a professional writer for more than 30 years.”
You can still participate in the challenge, now through August 31st.