Happy Mondays: A trip down memory lane is a valuable one

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Classic telephone from the 60s

To some it may sound like “do you recall when you had woolly mammoths grazing on the back lawn?”

such are its prehistoric connotations. Our big black Bakelite monster complete with thick, cloth-covered umbilical chord and metal dial was the first in our street in the 1960s.Such status!

Neighbours came to see it and there was a special place made for its honour.

Under the stairs in the hall a state-of-the-art seat-cum- table was installed: somewhere to sit privately and comfortably while making a short but essential call.

A small shelf held a directory and a tiny money box on top where neighbours would come and discreetly pay two old pennies for the use of this lifeline – no more trips to chilly, foul-smelling public phone boxes half a mile away.

We soon become the pivotal communications point for locals and the cry “I’ll get it” was a common family chorus.

It’s almost inconceivable now in an age of effortless communication where minute portable hand-held devices offer instant access to the world.

Part of me still marvels at this ease of international connection where there is no need for wires or the requirement to book a costly international call via the operator.

Hard to explain the dismaying inconvenience of having to routinely affix plugs to electrical goods to a generation hard-wired to wireless contraptions.

Healthy forays into nostalgia can be like vitamins for the psyche, say the researchers behind the Nostalgia Project at the University of Southampton.

Carole Ann Rice

It is good to have a shuffle down memory lane and get lost in the reverie of times past when things seemed simple and halo-ed in a haze of wonderment.

Now the men in white coats say it is positively essential to one’s happiness and well-being to treasure memories of the past and take a tonic of nostalgia from time to time.

Healthy forays into nostalgia can be like vitamins for the psyche, say the researchers behind the Nostalgia Project at the University of Southampton.

Though seeing the past through rose-tinted spectacles was considered the refuge of modern-day refuseniks nostalgia is really something we can draw strength from when the contemporary life seems harsh.

Old copies of the Argos catalogue are now collectable and once described by comedian Bill Bailey as “laminated books of dreams” they provide wormholes into sentimentality via consumable objects.

There are golden memories among the outdated games consuls, the must-have then but now cheerily obsolete kitchen gadgets and hair-stylers.

Even that smoothie maker, smart phone or those ceramic-plated hair straighteners bought this Christmas are the stuff of wistful longings of years to come. Treasure them now.

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Fear is all in the mind

One of the most obstructive  thoughts we can have when  considering a new goal is  “what if I fail?”  

Failure is almost  inevitable in most  things we try. Success  isn’t guaranteed so accept there is risk in  new ventures and  investments.  

The question we  should ask is: “ If I do  fail what will I do  next?” and herein lies  the key to your success.

At this time of year we choose (goodness  knows why) to embark  on new fitness regimes,  hobbies, abstinences  and habits.

Yet deep  down we battle with  the deadbeat voice  of doubt.  But if you know come what may  that you will be tenacious, not give  up, do whatever it takes, rethink,  take stock and have another go  then the fear of self defeat lessens.

I prefer to use “want to” power over  willpower to get things done. For  example – “I choose/  want to go for a run  today” as opposed to  “I should do some  exercise” which has a  hint of resistance and punishment in it.

You can develop  your willpower in  small stages. Have  water rather than fizzy  sweet drinks, always  leave your kitchen  clean and tidy before going to bed, avoid swearing, limit your social networking to an  hour a day or make a  point of taking the  stairs rather than the  lift or escalator.

In fact it is small incremental  changes that go to train the brain  with an “I can do” mentality and  sets you up for a success mindset.  Because you did, you will.

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