A Light in the Dark
Barbara Lieberman recently wrote a blog about perspective and framing our memories and moments, how we choose to remember it. As she puts it, “Framing my perspective my way allows me joy in the journey and happiness in spite of pain.”
This also ties to a favorite quote of mine by Howard Zinn: “The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now, as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.” The same can be said for how we view the past. And, also what we choose to treasure.
In one of my many works in progress, the short story for the dragon anthology coming out in July 2016, the protagonist, a young and curious dragon, collects a variety of treasure while on an adventure where he seeks a place he belongs. However, the treasure he collects is not the usual gold and jewels expected to be found in a dragon’s horde.
His desire to pick up these objects is not the result of greed or jealousy. Instead, each item is a memento, represents a special moment, a special meaning, or a special person. It’s the light in the darkness, the happiness and the hope. As Barbara Lieberman said in her blog, “It’s not denying the awful. It’s seeing the gift in it.”
It’s why a bottle cap has more meaning than a diamond necklace. It can be seen as why one of the treasures is a scar, because they have lessons in and of themselves and can teach us, even if it’s only the complete opposite of what has actually occurred. And, it is also why some of the other characters treasure the dragon, as well.
What we choose to treasure, and ultimately remember, and how we choose to view it, is what makes it as valuable as it is. It’s like those old Mastercard commercials. My most prized possession, those priceless treasures, include family heirlooms and meaningful mementos from my childhood. My great grandmother’s china doll. My lovey, a stuffed tiger. The ring my mother gave me that marks my passage into womanhood I never take off with the exception of showers, swimming pools, and the ocean.
What are some of your treasures? How do you define treasure?
This also ties to a favorite quote of mine by Howard Zinn: “The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now, as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.” The same can be said for how we view the past. And, also what we choose to treasure.
In one of my many works in progress, the short story for the dragon anthology coming out in July 2016, the protagonist, a young and curious dragon, collects a variety of treasure while on an adventure where he seeks a place he belongs. However, the treasure he collects is not the usual gold and jewels expected to be found in a dragon’s horde.
His desire to pick up these objects is not the result of greed or jealousy. Instead, each item is a memento, represents a special moment, a special meaning, or a special person. It’s the light in the darkness, the happiness and the hope. As Barbara Lieberman said in her blog, “It’s not denying the awful. It’s seeing the gift in it.”
It’s why a bottle cap has more meaning than a diamond necklace. It can be seen as why one of the treasures is a scar, because they have lessons in and of themselves and can teach us, even if it’s only the complete opposite of what has actually occurred. And, it is also why some of the other characters treasure the dragon, as well.
What we choose to treasure, and ultimately remember, and how we choose to view it, is what makes it as valuable as it is. It’s like those old Mastercard commercials. My most prized possession, those priceless treasures, include family heirlooms and meaningful mementos from my childhood. My great grandmother’s china doll. My lovey, a stuffed tiger. The ring my mother gave me that marks my passage into womanhood I never take off with the exception of showers, swimming pools, and the ocean.
What are some of your treasures? How do you define treasure?
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Barbara
(last edited Oct 20, 2015 01:05PM)
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Oct 20, 2015 01:05PM
Some of my treasures are the same as yours, our family heirlooms. Most are memories... But the most important are you and your brother, and those two I cherish above all else. <3
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