Monday Musing: Nostalgia

I experienced my first real bout of nostalgia the other day. It was so unexpected and eye-opening, and it took me by surprise.

I was ripping music from my CD's onto the computer so that I would be able to put them on my iPod or listen to them in random with all my other music. I came across a CD that I hadn't seen since before I was pregnant with my daughter, from back in grade 10. It was from a band that was made up of friends of mine from that year; they had made their own CD and sold it in the high school. I started listening to it, and memories of high school came rushing back to me.

This made me think. Nostalgia is typically something that you experience many years after the instance or time in your life, or so I thought. It always seemed to me that people became nostalgic of things that were over 20 years past, things they could never return to. Maybe my impression of nostalgia was incorrect, but it had worked for me so far.

Is nostalgia just wishing for what is past? Can a child experience genuine nostalgia? These are questions that have populated my mind. So I looked it up!

According to Dictionary.com, nostalgia is: a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time.

Based on this definition, surely everyone can experience nostalgia, whether it is for something 50 years past or only one.

Memories are surely a very important thing in life, and they keep us looking forward and back at the same time. Nostalgia can be a negative thing, as much as any form of remembering the past. The key is to not let it take over. Remembering the past can keep you from repeating past mistakes, and help to warn you when there is something unsettling around. But they can’t be allowed to take over the primary part of the brain, because then nothing will move forwards.

Allow yourself to remember things that have passed, and think of them fondly. Remember the good times, and the bad times, and use these memories to move forward in life.

Have you ever experienced nostalgia? Did you feel that it affected you positively or negatively?
 
Peace and serenity,
 
Laura

Monday Musing: Gifts

What does Christmas mean to you? That is what today's musing is all about. I confess, I do celebrate Christian holidays. It's the way I was raised, and my family is centred about them. I believe most of them are Christian, though I'm not sure that they actually go to church... anyways, I digress.

Christmas, to me, is about family. It's about spending time with loved ones and sharing a meal. Full of meaningful discussion, yes. Occasional personal attacks that were not intentioned to be hurtful, absolutely. That is only part of what makes my family so exceptional.

There is one thing that I don't agree with them on, at least as it relates to the Christmas-gift-giving-ness. That is, children under 18 get gifts no matter what. Teens/adults/etc above 18 get something if something happens to catch someone's eye.

Why do I not agree with this? Kids get enough crap. That's why. Children and tweens and teens almost always get more crap/stuff/junk/paraphernalia than they will ever have use for. Most of which is fad-based or advertisement-based.

I will let you in on a secret... I didn't buy any of my younger cousins any gifts this year. I bought a little something for each adult though. Why? Because they are just as important as their children, and yet they are left out year after year in lieu of garbage gifts for their children. (Disclaimer: if any of my family members reads this, not all of the gifts are garbage... but some of them are)

When kids get everything they ask for, and other assorted advertised big name junk... they expect it next time. They don't respect the meaning behind the gifts, or the thought that goes into them.

Now, I may be making my cousins sound like spoiled little brats. They aren't, at least not all the time. Every kid acts like a brat sometimes, and I was no exception. But feeding that attitude will only make it worse. So when you're buying for younger children, you don't have to skimp or give them gifts they won't enjoy just because they're 'eco-friendly'.

But buy something that they will enjoy, something that will force them to want to use their brain but keep them interested at the same time. If you're not sure what that is, talk to them. Ask them what they like. Then ask why they like it, or what kinds of games they can play with it. If it's a doll, ask them how they see that doll and what kinds of scenes can they imagine the doll in.

Dig deeper and you will provide more meaningful gifts.

Handmade cards with thoughtful words in them always help. Cards just get chucked the week after Christmas by most people anyways, put some thought into them and at least the thought will be remembered.

Peace and serenity

Simply Me

Enjoy the Monday Musing series? Here's the rest of the posts:
Gardens
Happy thoughts
Automatic negative reactions
Thanksgiving
Sustainable eating
Contentment
Crutch or reason?
Work

Monday Musing: Work

Having worked in a variety of fields, I can say with some meaning that having to work for a living doing something that is not fulfilling kind of sucks. It doesn't make you feel better, especially when you work in an industry that is knowingly poisoning the population, either by the food being served, or the ideas being portrayed. Where I currently work is a bit like that, it feels like every meeting and event I go to, I'm being told how wonderful this company is. But when I look around and see the corruption and the sadness that is all around, it really makes me think.

It makes me think about why money is so important. Who decided that the world was to revolve around money? All money is worth is what the corporations and the government leaders say it's worth. A piece of paper that is worth five dollars doesn't mean anything. Five dollars can't even get you a nutritious meal nowadays. Why not put value in something valuable, like commodities?

Make it worth your time to get the things you want. Barter and trade with family and friends. I have a system in my family where we share things. We exchange recipes and we exchange ideas. If anyone needs help putting something together, they call a sibling, aunt, uncle or cousin. There is no money exchange, only time and attention. That is what's worth the most.

Going to work, especially if it's a job you don't like, is ridiculous. How can we ever evolve as a society when all we do is what we're expected? Personally, I'm working towards pursuing my passions in my spare time. Maybe I will be able to make money off of it, and maybe not. I am willing to alter my lifestyle to fit into what I want my life to be. I can't just quit my job off the bat, but I can work towards getting out of it. Every day that I pursue my passions, I work towards finding my future. Not just a future, because the future will come whether I want it to or not. But my future, where I'm content in the work I put into the world.

Where do you want your future to be when the future comes? Do you want to be sitting in an office doing unfulfilling work just to go home and be miserable? Or do you want to do something with your life? Make the change, follow your passion. Live your life to the fullest. You are worth it.

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me

Enjoy the Monday Musing series? Here's the rest of the posts:
Gardens
Happy thoughts
Automatic negative reactions
Thanksgiving
Sustainable eating
Contentment
Crutch or reason?

Monday Musing: Crutch or Reason?

I really appreciate all the input I got for my emotional expression the other day, it's nice to know that there are others out there that experience issues that are beyond their control. I always know that there are others out there with problems coping, but it's nice to actually hear from you (Here's looking at you Denise!)

My thoughts today have to do with sharing your mental instabilities (whatever they may be) with those around you. I find that sometimes when people find out that I have trouble controlling my emotions and keeping them under control and logical, that they tend to start thinking that I'm less of a mature adult, and more someone who needs to be treated like a kid who doesn't know what life is really like.



If I'm not enjoying shopping one day, it might be because my mood is a little bit off centre, or it might be because I'm just tired and don't feel like shopping. Or what we're looking at isn't interesting to me. To say "oh, if you're just going to be moody, then what's the point?" just makes me feel like a complete nincompoop. Not to mention that it's really harsh.

To look at me when I might look sad or depressed, maybe it is a swing in the mood that came up for no reason, or maybe it's because I had a crappy day. Maybe it's even because your general tone of voice is really harsh and hurting my feelings. I have feelings, and I'm proud of it, and I don't like it when people treat me like I'm some kind of zombie just because I tend to have mood swings. It's biased, prejudiced, and effing rude. (Pardon my language)

So when someone you know has trouble coping, or has some mood disorder (whether it's diagnosed or not) or maybe is just having a bad day, try looking at it from their perspective instead of just thinking that they're being an inconvenience. Because when you have compassion for those around you, they are way more likely to believe that you are sincere when you ask them what's wrong, and maybe talking to you will help break them out of whatever funk they're in.

Think globally. Even a simple smile can change someone's day, imagine what a whole tone of voice can do.

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me

Enjoy the Monday Musing series? Here's the rest of the posts:
Gardens
Happy thoughts
Automatic negative reactions
Thanksgiving
Sustainable eating
Contentment

Monday Musing: Contentment

Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you - Lao Tzu

When we are being told all day that we'll be happy if we have MORE, the simple truth is that you won't. You won't be happy when you get that new job, or that big screen HD TV, or a big house, or a fast car, because you're not happy now.

If you can't be happy with what you already have, then you won't be happy.

You have so much right now, and you don't even realize it. Everyday, we take advantage of things that we have. Sights to behold around you that are beautiful, such as the falling leaves of autumn, or the peaceful rain that rejuvenates. Sounds, feelings, scents. Every day we are surrounded by the pure simple majesty of the world, and yet we are constantly reaching for more.

Maybe you don't have the newest greatest shiniest gadget. So what? You've made it so far for years without it, life will continue if you don't own it. All it will do is add to a collection of things that you don't need, and probably don't really want.

Happiness starts from within, so slow down and listen to the world.



Found by Google images here

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me

Enjoy the Monday Musing series? Here are the rest of the posts from this series:
Gardens
Happy thoughts
Automatic negative reactions
Thanksgiving
Sustainable eating
Crutch or reason?

Monday Musing: Sustainable eating

Do you hunt your food, or forage it? Have you ever gone apple or berry picking?

It's hard! It's a lot of work, and a lot of time being put forth for your own sustenance when you have to gather your own.

But at the same time, it's very relaxing, and leaves you with a sense of accomplishment. Buying your food at the grocery store, you eat the food and that's it. But when you've put forward all that thought and energy towards your food, you enjoy it a little bit more. It tastes a little bit better.

I would love to have a garden. Even a few plants would be nice. Grow my own seasonal fruits and veggies. Put forward my energy for something more, my health, my family's health.

Those of you who read this, who don't have a garden or food plants, do you wish you did?
I dream of the day when I have a little house with a nice big yard, and I have a full garden and a few fruit trees. I am working to make my dream a reality.

What are you doing to reach and acheive your dreams? Have you started taking steps towards them? Why not start now?

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me

Enjoy the Monday Musing series? Here are the rest of the posts from this series:
Gardens
Happy thoughts
Automatic negative reactions
Thanksgiving
Contentment
Crutch or reason?

Monday Musing: Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time of year to celebrate family and togetherness. Or is it?

Thanksgiving (in Canada) actually started because of a settler/explorer being thankful for making the long journey across the ocean. It eventually developed into, as the settler population grew, to be a day to be thankful for that season's harvest.

I enjoy Thanksgiving. I get together with my family, we have a big ol' meal and talk. It's one of those days that my family uses to get together and (hypothetically) enjoy each others company.

What do you do for Thanksgiving? Do you think it's a sham? Or a wasted holiday? Or do you enjoy it, and spend time with family, friends, or other loved ones?

Thankfulness and gluttony galore!

Simply Me


Enjoy the Monday Musing series? Here are the rest of the posts from this series:
Gardens
Happy thoughts
Automatic negative reactions
Sustainable eating
Contentment
Crutch or reason?

Monday Musing: Automatic negative reactions

Changes in perspective are a necessary part of growing up and maturing. Understanding your own reaction to other people's comments and attitudes is essential.

I don't like being wrong. I hate it when someone points out something I've either done wrong or forgotten. It makes me feel inadequate, inferior, and useless. But I have no reason to take out my anger and denial on those I love. My wife was getting the anger because I didn't want to admit that my behaviour may have been wrong.

Now that I have acknowledged and validated that thought process within myself, I can stop myself when I feel it happening. I can notice it and stop myself to pay attention to what is causing this reaction.

Paying attention to negative reactions within yourself can save you future headaches and stress.

What is there that triggers you into a defensive position, and what do you do to keep yourself from taking out your anger/frustration/fear on those around you?

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me


Enjoy the Monday Musing series? Here are the rest of the posts from this series:
Gardens
Happy thoughts
Thanksgiving
Sustainable eating
Contentment
Crutch or reason?

Monday Musing: Happy thoughts

Sometime this past weekend, the issue of labeling others as "gay-haters" (in this particular incident) simply because they did not do what was wanted of them came across to me as it's own form of discrimination. How can people of a minority (gays, coloured people, blind/deaf, etc) base the opinions of others on something so small? How can one say that they don't treat everyone like that, and the person of minority is assuming that it's simply with them that there is a problem?

Discrimination takes many forms, you need to think positively to affect positive change. If you automatically assume that whoever has done you a wrong is discriminating against you, then you are discriminating against yourself, because it means that you feel that something about you is worthy of being treated as less.

Take charge, tell yourself that there is nothing wrong with you. Because there isn't. You are all beautiful, wonderful, perfectly unique people. And people are not all the same. So rejoice in your differences, for they make you, you.

Peace and love,

Simply Me

Enjoy my Monday Musing series? Here is a list of the other posts from this series:
Gardens
Automatic negative reactions
Thanksgiving
Sustainable eating
Contentment
Crutch or Reason?

Monday Musing: Gardens

So I'm sitting here, this drab humid blah Monday morning, and I'm feeling envy.

Mel and I went up to Kemptville yesterday to meet her uncle and his partner, and they have a garden. In which they grow various foodstuff, including lettuce (which tastes like leaf lettuce, with better texture) radishes (not my thing, but cool) corn, potatoes, tomatoes, etc.

It just makes me wish that I could have one, but my apartment is facing the north, so we get like 2 hours of sunlight (if that) in the morning on our little balcony, and that's it!

If life wasn't so hectic, I would put more effort into planting my mom's vegetable garden back up, but I don't have time to go over there every day or so to pull weeds and whatever else you have to do in a garden. Plus, it's halfway through July, so it seems kinda pointless.

Just makes me sad, I can't wait to have a house with a yard so I can have my garden and learn all the in's and out's of growing food.

Peace and serenity,

Simply Me

Enjoy my Monday Musing series? Here is the list of the other posts from this series:
Happy thoughts
Automatic negative reactions
Thanksgiving
Sustainable eating
Contentment
Crutch or Reason?