Recall fun times from years ago and regale your children, grandchildren or other young listeners with tales of your youth. You get to relive the adventure and give them a new perspective on life.
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Tag: Memories
Strong Memories
Strong memories can pull you in with great or horrific feelings associated with those moments.
I just pictured an incredibly strong memory of mine when I was about 12. I was playing “rocks” with my cousins at my grandparents place on the path just outside the pool house. Fun and carefree times. It’s like a photograph burned into my mind. Occasionally it’s a short movie.
Strong memories like that feel great and bring a smile to my face.
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Reflect On Key Moments
Wonderful or challenging, it is good to reflect on key moments of your life. It could be something many others share as a memory like Woodstock, LiveAid or 9/11. Or these memories could be something personal to you. Perhaps that time your Mom said something inspiring or your brother moved out of the house and you got his room. Whatever the memories are, it is good to reflect on key moments so you begin to understand their impact on you.
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Those Days Are Gone
Everything that starts will eventually end. Whether it is a game, a job or even breakfast. Those days are gone and not being revisited.
It is such a strange concept how we see things coming in the future. Then we experience something for a brief moment. Then the moment passes us and becomes ever more distant.
For example, we look forward to a birthday, event or holiday for months. Each day that passes can seem to take forever. Our anticipation grows stronger as we inch closer to the moment. Then we want to capture the moment and keep it forever. And we do, but the intensity tends to fade with time. And it becomes diluted by all the other memories we have.
This struck me while going to pick up my daughter from school the other day. She’ll be able to walk to school on her own in September. Mom and Dad will no longer be required. Those little chats we have and seeing her interact with her friends at the school gate will be things of the past.
These days are coming to an end. I recall the sentiment of other parents with older children. Some were elated to no longer have to be there each morning and afternoon. Others were saddened by the end of the era. I presume many were both. I know I will be.
This is simply the way life is. We all pass through stages. Things start and things stop.
Enjoy every moment you can before those days are gone.
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Find Something To Smile About
Depressing thoughts or simply regular, everyday things can send you in the wrong direction. But you can find something to smile about and change the direction of your day!
Think about something that can make you smile. Isolate just that moment in your mind. Transport yourself there and block out all other thoughts. Savour the moment and smile.
For example, I can think of receiving a massive hug from daughter. Other times, I will go back in time to 1979 when the Pittsburgh Pirates won the World Series. As a fan of baseball, Willie Stargell, underdogs and ‘never give up, come from behind’ wins, that memory always gets a smile.
So find a few of these moments in your memory. You may have to do some searching through the past if you don’t have one easily accessible. You can also create a visualisation of a happy time you expect to have in the future. Though be careful not to create an unnecessary expectation versus reality gap that you’ll have to address later if it doesn’t happen.
Once you have those happy memories you can remember, practice accessing them every hour. This will help you develop a happiness habit that could have you smiling numerous times every day. It’s a nice circuit breaker during days that may not have the opportunity to create new smile-worthy memories.
Find something to smile about.
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Finding Old Pictures
Pictures can really sum up a moment. They can pack quite a punch and deliver serious impact. Finding old pictures can be a lot of fun, especially if they evoke fabulous memories.
I was speaking with my Mom a couple of days ago when she mentioned she had found some photos in a drawer. Intrigued, I waited as she started showing them to me over FaceTime. They were fabulous photos of all of us being at our villa in Playacar, Mexico.
Back in February 2011, while Roxane was pregnant with our daughter, we decided to head to Playacar for 3 months of sea, sand, sun, heat and swimwear. As a maternity option, it was more comfortable than winter clothes, jackets and gloves.
Well it was a brilliant 3 months and those photos captured it amazingly well. They brought back strong, wonderful memories of both boys‘ birthdays as they turned 4 and 2. Also of family visiting us and friends too. They highlighted trips we took and other days out. And days in too – making nachos and margaritas while the others played Hungry Hippos and laughed hysterically.
There is something powerful about good pictures. They can transport you back in time, like a time machine. You can hear the laughs, the clinking of the glasses, the sounds of the sea and the delight of life.
Finding old pictures can unleash powerful emotions.
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The Excitement Of A Hot, Sunny Day
Summertime can be so magical with its long, carefree days and myriad opportunities for spontaneous fun. The excitement of a hot, sunny day can be palpable. This is especially true for kids and those who haven’t lost their youthful enthusiasm.
Creating fond memories of water play, tree climbing and friends laughing are all fabulous ways to while away an ambivalent afternoon or a sunny, summer sizzler.
Sometimes it’s too warm to even want to move. Hopefully there is an occasional, light, cooling breeze to break the heat. Or perhaps you can cool off with a chilled drink or a firm favourite of ours: ice cream!
Roam around the park or sit on a blanket, or the cool grass. Swapping stories about anything and nothing is always great for passing time. It is all of these simple pleasures that we long to capture and relive in the short, dark, cold days of deep midwinter.
When taking exercise it is best to do it early, before the heat. I made sure to get up early this morning and set off by 05:54 on a magical run in Richmond Park. Scarcely a soul in sight, save for those of the young deer having a quiet breakfast on the lower lawn.
I know creating marvellous memories depends on who you are, where you are and what is happening in your life at the moment. However, I hope you have some fond memories of summertime already. Either way, may the excitement of a hot, sunny day inspire you to create something special soon.
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Fond Memories Of Childhood Are Worth Rekindling
There are so many things to think about, do and keep up with in adult life. That is why fond memories of childhood are worth rekindling.
As we move through life, we see more of the complexities and nuances. There seems to be so much more to do as well. There is work, possibly children, pets, parents and partner. In addition, there is planning for holidays, signing up to activities, organising finances and everyday admin – which sometimes seems ever present.
So reflecting back on those long summer days in childhood is a nice thing. Remembering riding bicycles with friends, swimming together, sleepovers and solo playing can make you feel like you’ve been on holiday.
Was life simpler then or was it just because life is simpler in childhood? Maybe both?
I have many fantastic memories of childhood. Growing up on a farm often meant being creative. Today I was remembering building complex forts, tunnels and secret rooms with hay bales up in the hayloft. They were fun to build and brilliant to play in.
Fond memories of childhood are worth rekindling. What are some of your fondest memories? Can you pull out some forgotten but brilliant moments from the archive? Take 10 minutes and try to remember the names of your friends and the exciting adventures you had.
Enjoy!
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