Fond memories.

Just another hard working week in the life. Good things happened, like getting to see my cousins I haven't seen awhile, and bad things happened, like having to owe about 2k on taxes... especially where this is the first time me and my wife have owed together. That one kinda sucked. But what can you do? In terms of the most interesting adventures for me this week, honestly the most interesting one was reviving a computer that truly seemed dead but wasn't... and that's pretty much the whole story right there- though it took all Saturday to do. But I did have a different interesting experience this week. I enjoy watching movies that have an element of mystery to them, and as such, I enjoy some horror movies and series. Some, I say- and while that sounds like I'm about to describe the following one as one I didn't enjoy, I actually am interested in the plot and find it good enough so far to keep watching. With that said, I expect I'm not the only one who, after watching one of these, can sometimes be left with a rather dark, scared or depressed spirit- even if only a little.

As this was the case for me a couple of nights ago, I found myself trying to counter it by watching some funny gems I've saved to my collection- and sure enough, these funny videos helped a little- but they only really had the same effect sugar has on someone trying to stay awake- it worked for a moment, but then the issue returned. And then I pulled up an old video I had saved on my collection which, as I describe it, will probably sound a little odd, and wouldn't really make sense without context- a video of some random motorist riding from one place in the Philippines to another. Now, let me explain why I have this video, and what its effect was.

Having spent a couple of years in the Philippines about a decade ago, I became quite intriged- both while I was there, and after I returned home- about exploring some more remote places. After returning home, I was doing some internet exploring to see if anyone had any video footage of some of these places I wished to see, and while I didn't quite find that, I did find someone- this random motorist- following a route over a mountain that I and my friend had both traversed many times, but had fond memories of.

When I pulled up this video, immediately I began looking at the roads, and recognizing familiar places and landmarks. For the entire roughly ten minutes of footage, I was constantly spotting these places and landmarks, and the flood of memories began pouring in! After that video, I then was trying to remember if something was where I thought it was, so I went to Google Maps and began about an hour of exploration there, and many, many more fond memories came rolling back. Some memories were bad, and some were good, but all were very fond memories! And before I knew it, I had not completely replaced, but greatly dimished the darkness in my mind, and all with just the simple light of my memories!

I usually go on harping about how it's more important to look ahead than to look back- and I still mostly think it is; but that night taught me that we have memories for a very good reason, and although we should be careful not to try and live in them, they can be a very powerful source of light in dark times!

So, if you happen to experience emotional or spiritual darkness, and just can't seem to rid yourself of it, try thinking back to a fond memory- not with the purpose of hoping to return to that time and place, but that you may remember the wonderful and terrific things that you have seen and experienced in your life so far, and that the great adventure of life goes on. Bonus points to those who have an even broader view and see that the light goes far beyond the end of this life!

So there's a thought this week. Hopefully, it helps you in some way. Until next time, see ya! the past and future light

Fond memories.

Adminisk8or

02/26/2023