The way we were
The lyrics are so simple yet so deep. So easy yet so complete. I really like this and it’s a good contemplative space to be. Because everything passes and becomes just a memory. Be it good or bad, just a memory. When the chance passes, then all we have, if we have, are the memories. Don’t create the memories you don’t want later today. Everyday you create new memories. Every minute you create new memories. Create the best.
All will end. Some end just faster… You will end and I will end…
Tsem Rinpoche
Please listen to this incredibly haunting song by Barbara Streisand and I’ve included the lyrics for you…
Mmm. Mmm.
Memories, light the corners of my mind
Misty watercolor memories of the way we were.
Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we give to one another
For the way we were.
Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line?
If we had the chance to do it all again
Tell me would we? Could we?
Memories, may be beautiful and yet
What’s too painful to remember
We simply choose to forget
So it’s the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember
The way we were.
A very sad and haunting song. What is left is just memories. Can we actually rewrite history? We grief for the past, leave for the present and dream about the future. In the end, all is left memories. If we remember the way we were, and make it better. I suppose we can actually make our memories better.
I don’t think this song is sad. It is just the way things are. Good and bad things happen to us and what is left is what we make out of it. As we grow, we go through a lot of experiences and those “bad” events that had occurred may be “bad” because it was tough on you. BUT when we look back at that same event a few years later, it may not be “bad ” at all and it has made us grow as a person. The saying “forgive and forget” may not apply here. When we choose to really forgive, then we have really chosen to let go and have no attachment to it. And it is ok to not forget the event as it has made you a better person.
It is never too late to have a happy childhood as we can have to power to choose how we feel on events that occur in our life.
By the way, I love this song!
This song really talks about the way we are. We will avoid looking at the parts of us that do not work and lie to ourselves with delusion that all is ok. When we truly look at what we have created in our life, it all but a ZERO game. We came with nothing except our Karma and we will die with nothing except our Karma. Will forgetting what is bad and painful really help us? No, but rectifying what is not working will.
Memories are only beautiful if we remember all our mistakes, faults and do our best to change and with that we will truly have good memories full of laughter.
I have used “we” not because I am pointing fingers but rather, it is sad that this is the way we are in samsara. With me, big time, included.
Very touching song. Indeed we can have good, bad and neutral memories of events which we will leave behind when we leave this life. What is more important is to leave behind a legacy that future generations can follow. This was exactly that Lord Buddha and many Holy Beings did. We only have to follow their footsteps.
most of us live in the past and worries about the future…never living in the present, thus missing life itself entirely.
Yes, “memories full of laughter” are always beautiful to remember, but what’s to painful, we simply choose to forget! Be it good or bad its just a memory, everything certainly passes, except our Karma. For that our Guru has cautioned: “Don’t create the memories you don’t want later today. Everyday you create new memories. Every minute you create new memories; – create the Best”. Like our beloved mother Teresa said, “At the end of the day of our lives, we will be not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by, ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, Iwas homeless and you took me in.” OM MANI PADME HUM.
My Dearest mother listen to this great song for 2 days now and she likes it very much since a very long time… And she asks me to translate it for her. Now i can Dearest Rinpoche !! <3<3<3
And i asked Kechara to do some Pujas for both of us !! So it sounds very good. Barbara is great !!!
How can you know ? Sometimes it is hard to doubt some things.
Please be well forever Dearest Rinpoche. You are the best. Period.
With love from our hearts.
Dearest Rinpoche. This is simply my Dearest mother’s favourite song she listens for 2 days now… And she asked me to translate it to her. That i just did. How do you know ? All thanks to you Dearest Rinpoche. I know you think of us even in these troubled times and protect us forever… <3<3<3
I asked Kechara House to do some Pujas for both my Dearest Mom and me. With GREAT and BEAUTIFUL Barbara Streisand singing, it sounds and looks very good.
You are very real.
Thank you from the heart forever !!
Please stay with us forever no less cause you are the best. Period.
Arnaud and Georgette your friends.
“The Way We Were”, a song of contemplation and nostalgia. We often wonder if our lives would have been different if we had taken a different route, what if… Well, let’s embrace the good memories and don’t dwell but lessons learnt from the bad ones…
Yes, a lovely song from the past with haunting lyrics.
It’s true that the mind tends to select only the happy memories from the past and refuse to remember the painful ones. Every minute of each day, we continue to react without mindfulness to situations and people and create mostly unhappy memories out of these experiences.We need to be more mindful of our actions and reactions so that we will not be creating sad and unpleasant memories.
Yes it is a very meaningful and haunting song, yes we can choose what we want to remember only the sweet memories. We will simply forget those very painful, that is how our mind function. The song is so touch like it talking to me. However, it it left only memories.
No i will not choose to forget my painful memories. if i do it would mean that i forget my lessons and get into painful situations once more…it would be denial to forget about them and just embrace the happy times. I embrace both equally…its bittersweet but at least it contains the blueprint for my future happiness…learning from my mistakes and avoiding what hurts myself and others…
i choose to remember. not forget