What might a person’s first memories as a human being represent about their future?
Take a moment to ponder what your first memory as a child was.
How old were you?
Describe the situation.
Identify what aspect of the memory makes significant enough to be your very first memory.
In my own case, not just the very first memory, but rather my first three memories tell the full tale.
The first memory is from the age of one year and perhaps a few months. We lived in Walnut Creek, CA. My mother was doing yard work, while I was sitting in the grass in my diapers. She quite innocently left her white can out in the middle of the yard, and turned her back to me. That can became huge in my young mind. After I took my first sip, I liked it, so I had some more. When she saw me at first she shrieked, then quickly went for the camera. As it turns out, my first beer was a Hamm’s.
Not too long after that my parents hosted a dinner party. They had a low table. Mom once again left her drink, this time a dark red liquid in a round glass, within my reach. There was only time for one quick sip before she had that glass out of my hand. Still, I acutely recall the impact upon the guests at their bearing witness to the moment, as even in 1971, the image of a toddler grasping a fine wine glass would have a significant level of shock value. But what a shame that she snatched that glass from my hands, because I really liked that Napa vintage.
Soon approaching the age of two, my parents hosted another dinner party. Similar to before, her glass was within my grasp. This time she calmly allowed me to take a sip of that light green liquid. The glass was willingly handed back to her, as I didn’t like that one so much. At least this time the guests had a good laugh.
The theme is clear to see. My alcoholism does appear to be among the most pressing issues, or hurdles, for which I reincarnated into this life to overcome. Unfortunately, I must confess, it is a battle in which I have come out too often on the losing end. Especially so in terms of my actions and behaviors while drunk. I have done regrettable things, to myself and to others. For this I ask forgiveness of these trespasses, specifically from those with whom I carry these karmic debts.
Though the struggle is ongoing, with the current lesson being to learn how to manage and moderate. Prior to arriving to Mexico, I was able to maintain sobriety for five years. But staying dry there is an extremely difficult proposition, as it can be interpreted as an insult to not share a drink when invited in many social occasions. This is colloquially known as “la conbebencia”, and for a foreigner, it carries extra social pressure.
As explained in the readings of Edgar Cayce, such Soul-level weaknesses are carried across various lifetimes. As such, one of the important reasons that we choose to reincarnate is to provide ourselves the opportunity to confront and overcome such pitfalls and negative behaviors. If we are successful in overcoming our failings, ultimately what we accomplish is to shape who and/or what we will be in the next life, should we make the decision to reincarnate again.
It provides me great incentive to control my alcoholism and embrace temperance knowing that my daily decisions will have an effect upon the direction which my soul will choose in what comes after death.
Honestly, I was proud of my abstinence while it lasted. Perhaps I’ll try it again one day. Cheers to that!