The Good Old Days

 

I'm so glad you are here for my first blog post on this first Saturday of the month. I plan to have every "The Art of Positive Living" post on the first Saturday of every month from now on. I will post my blog, "Spirit Photographs," on the third Saturday of each month.

I've been thinking a lot about the subject of my post for today, something that is close to my heart, the good old days, since my newly revised book, "Down Memory Lane,"* is about the good old days!

Although we perhaps romanticize days in the past, there is much we can learn from the positive aspects of those days.

And, here are many of them-

~People were very patriotic.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag...."

~People read books, had hobbies, and played board games.

~School students were generally well-behaved. Those few who weren't, were disciplined. The worst thing that I can remember when I went to school was that one boy had to be sent home because his hair was too long in the back.

~Most people graduated from high school, and many went on to higher education.

~People dressed nicely. Here's an excerpt from a chapter in my book that Greg wrote - "Personal appearance was important. Most people looked neat and well-groomed. Shirt tails were tucked in and shoes were shined....Most people looked fit and trim."

~People were honest. If they found a missing wallet, they'd return it. Also, they kept their word. If they said they were going to do something, they would do it. If they found out they couldn't do it, they'd let it be known.

"Do what you know to be right." -David Icke

~Religion was important to most people.

~In fact, two of my high school graduation gifts were two small gold crosses that two different people gave me. 

~People were generally complimentary to each other. They tried to make people feel good about themselves. Things like this mean a lot to others.

~People helped their friends, relatives, and neighbors when needed.

~One day, Greg and I were at a garage, and a woman who was a receptionist there was so nice. She was pleasant and very efficient. She seemed happy, and she made you feel better by just being around her. 

~Most television shows and movies were G-rated. They were good, decent. quality shows. The characters set a good example. The good guys won. There was a moral to every story.

~People were industrious, hard-working, and ambitious. Most kept the same job or profession their whole lives. My grandfather was a doctor who truly cared about other people, and he charged his patients very little.

~The man was the breadwinner, and his wife stayed home and kept house and cared for their children.

~Families had fun times together, like going on picnics with made-from-scratch dishes like homemade potato salad or fresh green beans.

~Most leaders were honest and respected.

~Music was harmonious.

~In the early days, all food was organic.

How does life today compare to the good old days?

Thankfully, we generally stack up pretty well overall, but, of course, there is plenty of room for improvement. Any areas in which we are lacking can be turned around. Anywhere that we're falling short can be remedied with some positive planning and some work, but it can be done, individually and/or by people working together.

If we do that, then we can then truly say, "The good ol' days are being made right now." -From Blue Bell Ice Cream commercial

Coincidentally, I just recently found out about a really neat festival, the "Good Old Days" street festival in Pacific Grove, California this weekend. There will be a parade, a pie-eating contest, and much more! It sounds like fun!

Appalachian Author Feature: Linda Hudson Hoagland  

FYI: facebook.com/lindahudsonhoagland/

Linda Hoagland lives in Southwest Virginia. She is a talented author who has won several writing awards for her poetry, short stories, and books. Some of her book titles are "Snooping Can Be Dangerous," "The Backwards House." and "The Best Darn Secret." Do these sound intriguing! If so, be sure and check out her work. 

Also, Linda makes beautiful angel afghans that are for sale. If you are interested in these, contact her at lhhoagland@yahoo.com 

*For more information about my book, "Down Memory Lane," please see the widget above. It's available on Amazon in both the paperback and Kindle versions.

Positive thought: "We are all here to 'practice being godlike'-to treat others how we'd like to be treated." -From "Tools for Freedom"

Thanks for visiting! Until Saturday, June 3, 2023, Becky 

The Good Old Days, Nostalgia

Welcome!

I've gotten several emails lately about nostalgia, the good old days.  That prompted me to write a blog post about the subject.

Nostalgia: "Remembrance of things past."
-William Shakespeare

I did some research on quotes about the good old days and nostalgia.  Much to my surprise, most of the quotes were negative!  While I certainly realize that the past was not always ideal, (and we don't want to live in and dwell on the past) much good can be taken from the past and used in the present.

I like and agree with this quote: "I don't think nostalgia has to be negative."
-Van Morrison

Greg and I love the old shows that used to come on TV, so we're gradually collecting them on DVD's-"I Love Lucy," etc.  We get them at Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and online, although a few of these are still on TV.

Cracker Barrel is very popular, because it's whole concept is rooted in the past, and many people like that, as it takes them back to a simpler, less complicated time.  Cracker Barrel carries many other nostalgic items besides DVD's-candies, clothes, etc. that are hard to find anywhere else.  Greg and I love vintage items.  We have a whole house full of them.

Greg and I were recently talking with a couple of people about the Cracker Barrel and another local restaurant that also has country cooking.  We all agreed that that type of food is hard to beat.

Another part of the past that I loved when I was growing up, was our old neighborhood where we knew everyone who lived on our street.  They were more than just neighbors; they were also our friends.  I can still remember walking in the warm sunshine to Sunday school with the other children from across the street.

Another thing I really used to enjoy this time of year, in March, was that my brother, mother, father, and I would go to a large open field down below our house and fly kites.  In winter, on the hill in that same area, my brother and I would go sledding.

Remembering the good things from the past can bring a warm glow to our hearts.  Once, my uncle told me, "Becky, remember the good times."

"There is a lovely warmness about feelings of nostalgia as though one's head is putting on a pair of comfy old slippers and curling up in front of a fire."
-William E. Geist

I don't think incorporating the past with the present is a bad idea.  We can take the things we like best and eliminate the rest.  We can even take a not-so-great past and turn it into a positive present and future.

What good from the past would you like to bring back into your present life?

Positive thought:  Let's make this the good ol' days!
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky