If you’re part of the Mega Memory Month carnival I’m hosting during the month of October, I have a message for you:
No guilt.
The last thing I wanted was for participants to feel guilty or discouraged during this month-long challenge!Whatever you’re able to tuck away in your memory bank — no matter how much or how little — is valuable.One of my sisters-in-law told me that she ran a race in Belgium one time, and as she plodded along, it occurred to her that instead of hearing footsteps right behind her, she heard the sound of an engine. She turned around and realized that she was dead last in the race. She was bringing up the rear, with race organizers in a small truck right behind her. When she turned around, they called out encouragement to her to keep going. “Don’t stop now,” they shouted in French. “You’re doing great!”I kept thinking about coming in “last,” because is it ever really “last”? I think about the millions of people who never get out and jog around the block, let alone sign up for a road race! When you think about it that way, her every step was a success, a personal “win”!That’s kind of how I feel about this memory project.We may not meet the goal we set at the beginning of the month, but every word and every phrase we manage to memorize is already success. Just attempting to memorizing anything is more than the rest of the world. If you actually get a phrase or two down, all the better!Now that’s not to say we should stop mid-month and call it quits. I hope everyone keeps plugging away — after all, it’s partly what keeps me going, knowing that 20 or so people are out there doing the same thing.But please be encouraged with every effort, however humble it may be.And keep in mind that MMM will return! If you don’t make it through this month, just wait!In a few months, MMM will return, hosted by yours truly, to invite you to set another lofty goal, or to pick up where you left off.I’m thankful for every participant, and every word that every participant has been able to capture.Every word is progress.May God bless your efforts, friends!
Hi Ann,
Thank you…I think you wrote this post just for me…tee hee!
I have been in the midst of wedding week (not my own but a dear friend) and have been so busy…I know that I will get back at it…in fact, I can’t wait…
What I love about your MMM is that it is like lighting some paper and kindling…hopefully it will ignite each of our own fires to keep at memorizing!
Have a blessed Friday and weekend!
Helen
amen and amen….
I don’t suppose you remember this, but when you ran track, there was one mother in particular (and then I tried to model her actions) who would stand by the side of the track, calling out encouragement to ALL the runners, especially to the ones so far back there was no chance they’d even catch up.
“You keep going, you finish this race,” she’d call out, and I think she got through to some of them–that even if they couldn’t win, just finishing was important.
I think this was also written for me :O) And I am so happy to hear that this won’t be the only “race” ie month that you will be hosting MMM :O) You are right – just participating is enough :O) I am at peace!
and I should add… thank you for your encouragement and your ability to keep the FINAL prize in mind!!! and not be defeated by the steps that need to be taken. I am encouraged too!
Ann, I really needed this post… Things are so hectic around here now, I sometimes feel that I’m hanging on by a thread… and even my regular Bible study is getting derailed. Oh dear!
And to think I just ‘happened’ upon this bit of encouragement. 😀
Thanks again, and have a wonderful weekend!