Weekly Newsletter: Repetition

A friend once told me she couldn’t memorize things the way I can. I was surprised to hear her statement, because I’ve never considered myself skilled at memorization. I’ve tried to memorize speeches in the past, but I usually fail miserably. If there is any secret to my ability to memorize, it is simple repetition.
 
I started memorizing Bible Scriptures years ago. I’d write them out and repeat them over and over until they stuck with me. Nowadays I memorize bits and pieces from other spiritual material I find meaningful. Some of my favorites are from the book, A Course in Miracles. Other things cross my path and I’ve discovered that memorizing them allows me the ability to recall them in times of need. Occasionally I memorize writings that come from traditions outside of my birth religion.
 
I don’t consider myself a natural when it comes to memorization, so I practice more because it doesn’t come easy. Sometimes in order to unlearn something it helps if I replace it with something more compatible with my chosen path. By the simple act of repetition, I slowly move forward. We memorize things in life without knowing it. Our route to work and our daily routine for getting dressed become so ingrained we can do them without thinking. Complex procedures like driving a car or work procedures are memorized by the majority of people. Nearly anything you want to retain can be memorized by simple repetition. We just want to be certain that what it is we’re memorizing is worth our time.