I still can’t see for all the love hearts in my eyes since my wonderful daughter got married…
No, I’m not going to talk about the wedding; I’m going to ask you to reflect back on a time when you’ve been in an utter state of bliss. Think of any occasion, when by you smiled widely: a toothy lasting grin; be it meeting up with old friends’ or at a similar glorious event.
By simply recalling your time of pure happiness, you might notice some of the following: your eyes cresting, and glistening, your cheeks flushing, or those delightful popping -candy like tingles in your tummy… isn’t it a pleasant uplifting sensation; and when you’re solely focused on a happy memory, it acts as a repellent against negative thoughts.
We need to daydream lots, and it’s never a waste of time: it’s soul-investment.
It’s a personal form of indulgent mindfulness, and reflecting on happy times is entirely free, yet extremely soul-nourishing.
You could browse through some old holiday snaps, and instantly the fun you enjoyed, and the memories you made, – will come flooding back to you, as though you’re basking under your own rays of warming sun: a joy rehydration, much the same as we preserve lush fruit, and other produce.
Oddly, you may think, at such occasions, I seldom take photos, and of course, I knew at the wedding that there’d be professionals’ and friends’ doing so. But I choose not to, because I’m busying myself by soaking up the atmosphere: first hand, and by using all my human senses to record every delightful moment. I have been doing so since I was a child, and maybe due to the cerebral palsy, where my body is hindered, I might have an advantage point: yet I’m sure that we can all use our senses to capture the full day, if we simply know how to record it fully.
Whenever I wish to revisit what feels like the best day of my life, I simply “press” the play button, in my minds eye. I “videoed” the entire day, noting much detail, and by not hiding behind a lens, all my senses were free to capture incredible detail. A bird has no hands in which to hold a camera; they sit up high on a branch simply absorbing, and gazing…
Setting aside the obvious visual memories, I can tell you what the fragrant scents were: perfume, and lavender, the smell of Pimm’s and the delicious aroma of the food. I can replay the sound of laughter, the church bells, the memory-evoking hymns and songs. The melodic array of seasonal birdsong.
I can recall the flavours and textures of the festive foods, and there was indeed, a surprise blackberry sorbet which had actual popping candy in it. When I tasted it, I aligned the sensation to that of the similar one, which glorifies itself in my tummy, – when I “watch” the video back.
In so, I have created a shortcut to my memories, every time I have sorbet, I’ll instantly be back on the top table.
I remember the textures of the lush petals, from the flowers adorning the space, and the silkiness of the fabric on my daughter’s wedding dress.
On top of all this, my eyes recorded a wealth of happy faces, sporting a rainbow of colourful dresses and suits; the soft summer lighting accentuated the vibrancy of the day…
So, next time you attend an event, that you’re really looking forward to, try to capture as much detail by utilising all your senses too.
Because, when you do, you create a fine tapestry of memories of far richer quality than if you simply rely on your eyes.
Additionally, one prompt leads to another, when you capitalise on all your senses; you’ll find latent conversations, or jokes that will spring to mind. I have a sprig of lavender, and when I cup it in my hands, I’m instantly back at the wedding!
With not much practice, you too can start to enjoy fuller memories, by simply remembering to use all your senses, the next time you are part of a happy event.
Try it today, by looking through some old photographs, see what senses you can remember from your happy occasions!
I hope this is helpful.
SUNNY wishes
Emma x