24 June 2011

Where Do You Live?

It's fun to "remember when". Some days I look back at myself and wonder if that's the same person. As much as I refuse to live my life back at my milestones, I'd like to think I've grown, changed, and matured. I am a sum of my experiences, whether it was grade school, high school, my busy days of singleness, a job, or living in my own apartment. I have a lot to learn, but will only improve with time and each experience. At least, that's the plan.

Nostalgia has a way of teaching: good, bad, and yes, sometimes ugly. Homeschooling taught me how to study independently; a skill that I've used throughout my life.

High school taught me that I had a demented sense of humor and was far from the 'in' crowd. Social awkwardness and insecurities in the flesh. Friendships were far and few between, but nonetheless important and life-lasting.

Former jobs, former classmates, former activities...all of which were present to mold me and make what I am today.

As for the ugly? Do I need to explain I went to high school in the 80's? The era was chock full of fashion disasters and silly fads. Again, all of these things make me who I am today. Even my irrational fear of blue eyeshadow and painted on jeans.

AquaNet with banana clips. Hammerpants. Carrying around that boom box.

The biggest downside to nostalgia is believing that any of those days were better than today. I enjoy reminiscing like the next person. I have friends and relationships for years, if not decades. I wouldn't trade these for the world. They make my "now" better. I hope, in kind, I will do the same.

In a nutshell: Learn. Don't forget. Move on. Live in the now. Be the sum of your experiences and work at making your present, the very next best day.

~Bee is listening to Life Is Beautiful by Vega 4

8 comments:

Lil said...

Good one. I had a lot of banana clips. And Aqua Net. Very good advice :)

That Janie Girl said...

What an awesome post, and reminder.

Amen!!

Momo Fali said...

Yes, the present. It is a good place to be.

Shéa MacLeod said...

I'm pretty sure my banana clips make a permanent dent in the back of my skull.

Alay106 said...

This just reminded me to accept change and that growing up is ok.....Thank you.

... Paige said...

I love good gifts and present is a super good one. the wrapping is not always pretty but man when I open that box...

holy snizzle is it super & duper

here's to more breathing {clink}

Globegirl said...

You forgot jelly shoes and jelly bracelets!

Jo Beaufoix said...

I loved that. And what on earth is Aqua Net? Must google. Mwah xx

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"One ought, every day at least, to hear a little song, read a good poem, see a fine picture, and if it were possible, to speak a few reasonable words."

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe