Remembering to Reach Out: Tips for Keeping Others in Mind

Wisdom of the Wounded

I did it again! I just hate it when I forget to do important things.

This time I forgot to call my niece on her birthday. She had been feeling alone lately, so it was especially important that I connect with her. But the day came and went, and I just forgot.

Do you forget to do important things? We often have good intentions to send that birthday card, make that phone call, or write that note, but we forget. It’s crucial to remember that these small gestures can brighten another person’s life. So, how can we ensure that we remember to do these things?

Here are some suggestions that might help:

• Before you get out of bed, ask yourself, “Whose day can I brighten today? What will I do?”
• Ask for a divine reminder. Take a moment to pray or reflect and ask for guidance in remembering to reach out to others.
• Put a big red “?” mark on your washing machine, desk, mirror, or any place where you will see it frequently. Let it serve as a visual cue to remind you of the important tasks you need to do.
• Light a candle and use it as a symbol. Every time you see the candle let it remind you to make that important phone call, write that note, or say a prayer for someone.
• Write reminders on post-it notes and place them in various locations around your home or workspace.
• Utilize reminders on your phone. Set up recurring alarms or notifications that will keep reminding you until you cancel them.
• Put reminders on your computer. Use digital sticky notes or calendar reminders to prompt you to take action.
• Take some time to visit a card shop and purchase birthday cards for all the individuals you want to remember on their birthdays. Address them, add stamps, and arrange them in a file or booklet with individual slots for each month. At the beginning of each month, set out the cards for that month and perhaps add a post-it note indicating the day they should be mailed.
• Remember the wisdom of my grandmother, who used to say, “Tie a knot around one finger so you don’t forget.” My version of her advice is to simply draw a small dot with a pen on a finger. Hopefully, when I see it, I will remember to perform that important gesture of caring.
• And when you do forget, remember that it’s better to be late with a phone call, card, or caring gesture than not to do it at all! As my grandma also used to say, “Better late than never!”

It’s frustrating when I forget events in my friends’ and family’s lives. I’ve found these reminders to be helpful. And let us all remember—even if we falter at times, it’s never too late to make someone’s day a little brighter.

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