Remember when..

Remember when we used to laugh till our bellies hurt? Remember when an evening stroll to get ice cream or permission to stay an hour after bedtime could instill happiness within us? Remember when this happiness actually sustained for the rest of the night and you went to bed smiling and content with the day? Remember when the only competition that mattered was who could chug a glass of milk among siblings and friends the fastest? Remember the feel of triumph when you actually won? Remember when you weren’t afraid to fail and try again if you did? Remember the transition from the simple pencil to a pen in school which changed our perception that we could erase our mistakes and start over? Remember the pure joy when the landline phone rang? And it was your best friend with some gossip? Remember the candies we used to enjoy for 50 paise? Remember playing Mario on multiplayer with your siblings or parents? Losing a life meant the never ending wait till the other player loses a life! Frustrating wasn’t it? Remember when Tom and Jerry had us in splits? Remember when we had a half day at school and we would come back home to hot food and our favorite cartoons? Remember dancing to Michael Jackson hits? Swooning to the Backstreet boys? Remember when you were tired of your curfews and restrictions? Remember when you couldn’t wait to grow up? Remember when you just wanted to move out of home so that you can have your own privacy? Well here I am, all grown up. And guess what? You have no idea what I wouldn’t give to go back a stage and relive them all!

We are all so eager to move ahead, planning for the days to come, that we forget to live in the moment. Stop for a while. Live today. Be aware of your every breath. Take time out for the things that actually bring you joy. Follow your passion. Take that holiday you have been planning. Tell that person you love them. Take risks. Take time to see your parents. Meet your old friends. Seize the moment. Its these memories that stay with us and keep us going.