恢復褪色的記憶

我甚至看過不到20年就嚴重褪色或模糊的彩色照片。幸運的是科技研究已讓我們有能力去挽救並恢復那些顏色。在恢復照片的過程中，我們可以把不褪色色素作成的墨水印在無酸性的紙上，這樣就可以維持幾百年。

在恢復老舊褪色的照片時，不僅是挽救視覺影像，使它們不至消失，我實際是在保存記憶。。然而，保存記憶的重要性不限於攝影，它也可應用在工商專業界。

例如，有時一家公司之所以成功是因為專注於一個清楚的使命、一個特定的市場，或者在它行業中一個特別的位置。然而，經過一段時間後，更高的期待、野心、最後期限、甚至貪心都能使工商界領袖看不到他們成功的基礎。為了追求更大的利潤或擴張市場，他們如何且為何走到現在地位的記憶開始褪色。

這種現象也可能發生在個人身上。人們帶著崇高的目的和想法踏入他們所選擇的職業生涯。然而，當他們的職位漸漸往上升時，那些動機漸漸被遺忘──甚至被丟棄。短期的獲利使他們忘記長期的記憶。

有了這種觀念，同心協力去保護寶貴的企業和專業記憶，並使它們不褪色，是非常有用的。這就是為什麼使命宣言──以及定期的領導會議，非常有價值。因為在那些會議中我們可以問這類的問題：「我們為何在這裡？」「我們要做什麼？」以及「什麼是真正對我們重要的事？」

聖經也談到維持記憶不褪色的重要性。以色列國很容易在和平安樂時期就讓記憶褪色。以下是聖經中談到保存寶貴記憶之重要性的一些原則：

記住過去的勝利。我們可能成天只想著未來，卻忘記過去的成功──以及那些成功是怎麼達成的。「你只要謹慎，殷勤保守你的心靈，免得忘記你親眼所看見的事，又免得你一生、這事離開你的心；總要傳給你的子子孫孫」（申命記4章9節）。

記住你成功的來源。隨著時間的流逝，記憶可能褪色，我們就忘了在達成目前成功階段的路途中接受過誰的幫助。「你要謹慎，免得忘記耶和華─你的　神，不守他的誡命、典章、律例，就是我今日所吩咐你的；恐怕你吃得飽足，建造美好的房屋居住…你就心高氣傲，忘記耶和華─你的　神，就是將你從埃及地為奴之家領出來的」（申命記8章11-14節）。

吉姆．馬提斯在堪薩斯州陸路公園市經營一家照相館。他的專長是商業和影劇界人像。他也經營一所攝影學校。他還寫了一本書「一般民眾的高度攝影表現」，那是一本有關數位攝影的書。他曾是一家咖啡店的經理，也曾是CBMC在堪薩斯州堪薩斯市和密蘇里州堪薩斯市的執行主任。

I am even seeing badly faded or discolored color prints less than 20 years old. Fortunately, research has provided us with the capability to save and restore them. In the photo restoration process we can print on acid-free paper with permanent pigment-based inks that will last for hundreds of years.

In restoring old and faded photographs, I am really involved in preserving memories. It is much more than saving visual images from disappearing out of sight. This emphasis on the preserving of memories is not limited to photography, however. It can apply to the business and professional world as well.

For instance, sometimes a company achieves success by focusing on a clear mission, a specific market or particular niche within its industry. Over time, however, heightened expectations, ambition, deadlines, even greed can cause the business”s leaders to lose sight of the basis for their success. Pursuing bigger profits or an expanded market, memories of how and why they got to where they are begin to fade.

This can happen for individuals as well. People embark on their chosen careers infused with a sense of purpose and armed with noble ideas. These motivations, however, can become forgotten – even cast aside – while ascending the corporate ladder. Short-term gains disable long-term memories.

With this in mind, it can be extremely useful to make a concerted effort to protect valued corporate and professional memories and keep them from fading. That is why mission statements – along with periodic leadership meetings, where we can ask questions such as, “Why are we here?” “What are we about?” and “What is really important to us?” – can yield much value.

The Bible also talks about the importance of keeping memories from fading. The nation of Israel was especially prone to letting memories fade during times of peace and prosperity. Here are some principles from the Scriptures about the importance of saving and preserving cherished memories:

Remember victories of the past. We can become so obsessed with the future that we fail to appreciate the triumphs of our past – and how they came about. “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (Deut. 4:9).

Remember the source of your success. As time passes, memories can fade and we forget the help and resources we received en route to our current levels of success. “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build your fine houses and settle down…then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Deuteronomy 8:11-14).

Jim Mathis owns a photography studio in Overland Park, Kansas, and operates a school of photography. Jim is the author of High Performance Cameras for Ordinary People, a book on digital photography. He formerly was a coffee shop manager, and executive director of CBMC in Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.