Nostalgia

Nostalgia is a seductive liar. - George W Ball

How true is that aphorism? When an event marks our minds, we have a tendency to hold on to the positive memories and conveniently release the distasteful ones. As a result, we walk around this planet remembering only the moments that took our breath away, feelings which pulled on our hearts, and memories forever haunting us. Yet we rarely acknowledge the difficulties and pain that occurred in those same events or moments. How convenient? (Church Lady)

A few weeks back, I had an exchange with a friend who was experiencing her own sense of nostalgia, looking back at choices she made and how those same choices affected her current state in life. Very hard to think back to days gone by and remember some of the challenges we faced with a friend, a lover, or a family member. Nostalgia “is a seductive liar”. Perhaps, if we choose to play this game, we should consider keeping journal entries of the good, the bad and the evil to help the ever-forgiving mind to remember the truth.

On a personal level, I seem to be having ongoing nostalgic moments. In some cases, my journals have proven to be quite handy, while in other situations, I find myself looking back with glossy eyes and dreamy states, grappling with “what ifs”…
I came across this piece of music, not so long ago. I was never a fan of Yanni. However, there is an instrument that sits center stage. It’s the duduk, an old Armenian musical instrument. It has a haunting sound which seems to resonate well with that good old sense of nostalgia…
Happy listening to all you, drowning in NOSTALGIA!

Games people play...

....If one were to describe pain...the song below would be it!

I thought that by the time my forties would kick in, life would start making sense, folks around me would stop playing mind games, people's words would have weight, truth and meaning....most importantly, the drama would be kept to a minimum, so as to enjoy the short gift of life we have on this planet. Instead, I find myself encountering folks who seem to think life is all about twisted moments, stolen adventures, this constant game of cat and mouse and searching for that next high....

I have had the pleasures of wild chases in life and the comfort of warmth, safety and dependability...perhaps I am too mature for my own good...but I would choose a drama free zone more often than this perpetual state of dis-ease.

Random thoughts

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
-- Mark Twain

Often times I am told by close friends and family members that I am too bold for my own good. My standard line back to each and every one of them is the following:
I can't deal with regrets, should haves and could haves. When I am faced with any situation in life, I make it a point "to leave no stone unturned"; this way, deep inside my heart, I know I tried my best and went boldly after it. If I succeeded then all the better for all my efforts and if I failed...then so be it. My motto: No regrets.

Interestingly enough, through an outsider's eyes, my actions are seen as a lack of pride or self-concept or belief in my self-worth. Here's the thing, ultimately one day, we all die. Would you prefer lying in that casket with all your pride intact and your stubborn beliefs about your worth nestled in that listless heart of yours or would you rather see your soul smile, knowing it tried, expressed and pursued all your wants and wishes?

Just my two cents...