“We can’t change the past, but we can change what it means.”
Remembering your most adorable childhood memories can be an awesome way to alter your emotional state. It can also tell you something about your personal flair and core beliefs. Memories also have a way of changing throughout time for various reasons so it may be a good idea to get into the habit of recording them. Here are a few of mine for tickles and laughs:
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1. Grade 5 teacher reading novels to us between classes.
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2. Climbing ‘Spectacle Head’ in Cupids, NL with my sister.
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3. Cutting and gathering spruce for Bonfire Night.
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4. Running a Terry Fox run along the old Canal Road in Deer Lake.
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5. My sweetheart Crystal singing ‘Come out and play with me’ over the phone.
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6. Sun tanning along the brook in Irish Town with my girlfriends.
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7. Mother chasing me around the house threatening to kiss me.
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8. Visiting relatives and telling stories to the kids.
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9. Cruising the trails on my motor cycle with my buddy Terry on the back.
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10. Downhill sliding during blizzards with school chums Rob and Carry.
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11. Watching our Canadian Flag rise during ceremonial events.
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We can’t change the past, but we can change what it means. Even the daggers of betrayal can be removed if we choose to turn the negative into the positive by realizing that people make poor judgements and/or decisions. Most of my memories remain dormant in my subconscious and even if they do emerge it’s up to me to keep them in perspective. Whereas those who rigidly hold to ugly thoughts about the past have their own baggage to carry, and it would be a fool’s errand to help carry their sh-t for them. “Memory recalls the torments of fear, and foresight anticipates them. It is only the present that makes no one wretched.” (Seneca, Epistles 5.9) Life is short so let’s keep it good, beautiful and real.
Philosopher Muse 
Great post, Jason, thanks. The last sentence is a wise message for all of us.⚘🤗
Thank you, Sally, I appreciate your candour.
I agree, your beautiful, wise words shine with wisdom Jason. I especially laughed at number 7 in your list! How wonderful to be chased for a kiss by your mother! Love and light, Deborah.
Your moon lit words are twilight bright
They make my heart feel good and right.
What a lovely bouquet of memories, Jason. The older we get, the most remote ones will pop up and surprise us with all kinds of gratitude. Mostly that we’ve survived so far. As for spinning the negative into the positive, that probably depends on the level of gaslighting associated with them. But once we refuse to carry that garbage around, and pick out the blessings of Light that carried us through, that freedom is sweet release.
“So long as we draw breath, so long as we live among humans, let us cherish humanity. Let us not cause fear to anyone, nor danger; let us rise above losses, outrages, conflicts, and taunts; let us bear our short-lived ills with magnanimity.” – Seneca