Today I learned the word zekar or zekher.
In Hebrew, it means remembrance—a concept that carries both ancient depth and striking modern relevance.
In the Hebrew Bible, zekher often refers to remembering God’s presence, sacred covenants, or the deeds of the past. But it’s not about nostalgia. It’s about active remembrance—holding something in heart and mind in a way that shapes how you live today.
Conscious remembrance of what is meaningful,
Staying aware of one’s divine purpose or covenant,
Recalling values and aligning one’s actions with them.
And that got me thinking…
In our modern lives, remembrance isn’t just about history. It’s mindfulness. It’s purpose. It’s connection.
We remember our purpose so we don’t get lost in distraction.
We remember the past—not to stay stuck there, but to learn, to heal, and to build forward.
We remember others—their stories, contributions, impact—because people are not just names in our contacts; they’re part of our becoming.
In a world that often prioritizes speed, progress, and novelty, zekher invites us to slow down and ask:
- What am I here to remember today?
- Who do I want to honor with my attention?
- What truth have I forgotten that it’s time to bring alive again?
For me, this small word opened a big door:
Mindfulness isn’t just presence—it’s presence with purpose.
What are you remembering today?
#Leadership #Mindfulness #Purpose #SpiritualityAtWork #Zekher #Coaching #LifeDesign #HebrewWisdom #TheneSheehyCoaching
Note: When I learned of this word today, I knew it deserved some deeper thought. Trouble is… I was up with a sick dog for many hours last night and not enough brain cells to write well. So I asked ChatGPT to help me. I used it to research the word meaning in history and present usage and to write a draft of this post which I then tweaked. I do like to give credit where credit is due, and I hope that this does not detract from the value you can gain from my ideas presented here.
