Posted: Wednesday, May 4, 2016 9:52 am
Psychologist William James, in his 1890 text Principles of Psychology, wrote that as we age, time seems to speed up because adulthood is accompanied by fewer and fewer memorable events. When the passage of time is measured by “firsts” (first kiss, first day of school, first family vacation), the lack of new experiences in adulthood, James morosely argues, causes “the days and weeks [to] smooth themselves out…and the years grow hollow and collapse.”
Well, I do not agree with the years growing hollow and collapsing, our lives can be enriched as we grow older, after all, we are older and wiser, right? I will agree with the supposition that time does seem to fly by as we grow older. I am looking forward to attending my 40th high school reunion this summer on July 30 at Bristol’s Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Honestly, I cannot tell you where all the time has gone.
New friendships have emerged over the years but it is important and healthy to reflect on the friendships you have enjoyed in the past. What did you learn from these friends, the ones that knew you when you were immature, loud, self-centered or just plain out of touch? Better yet what impression did you leave on those friends? How do they remember you? Perhaps reunions are a time to go back and thank someone for how they influenced your life, or on the other hand, you may need to apologize to them for something you did or did not do. Setting wrongs right is good for the heart and soul.
Friendships both the past and present are important and valuable to your wellness. Reconnecting with friends from our past is a great way to recollect your youth, reflecting on the people that made a difference in your life and helped you to become the person you are today. Let’s look at some ways friends influence our wellbeing.
Friends both past and present serve an important role in our development as individuals. We learn from each other and share many of life’s special moments. Having friends to share your happiness and sorrow with is crucial for well-being. I truly believe God made us to have relationships that help us navigate through life. God placing certain people in our path for different seasons of life is a true gift.
Friends help us be well holistically which means being well in many dimensions of your life. Being super fit and in tip top physical condition means very little if you do not have anyone to cheer you on, share your passions, or help along the way. Emotionally, spiritually, or socially, you may be empty. Friends are pieces of fabric that make a big beautiful quilt someday. They help us stay well in many areas.
Friends help us create memories which are powerful reminders of days gone by. They help us grow, perhaps make better choices, make us smile or even make us cry, but memories shared with friends are priceless.
Friends help us create habit that can help determine our behavior because they are part of your daily environment. Habits are behavioral patterns we repeat most often and they are literally etched into our brains. Habits are hard to create and hard to break. As we tell our children to choose your friends wisely because you can become what they are or are not!
Meeting up with old friends brings an air of youth with it. Memories come rushing to our minds like a waterfall. With the memories come the emotions that were present in days gone by. So you see you never really lose your friends they are forever in your hearts even if you do not see them anymore.
So VHS Class of 1976 if you have not signed up for the reunion, please do so, I would love to see you as I am sure many of your classmates would as well. If you know someone that was a 1976 graduate of Virginia High School please pass this along.
See you in the gym!
