Reasons why it's good to reminisce

History is my second favorite subject to read and learn about (after psychology). While I love to delve into such topics as the Founding Fathers and Civil War, I also like looking back on key events and milestones in my own life -- my "life's history," if you will.

I think it's important to take a little time every so often to reflect on your life and ponder the ways in which you've grown as a person over the last 2, 5, even 10 years.

It's hard to believe that this year marks the 10-year anniversary of my wife and I hooking up. As a way to commemorate the milestone, I've been looking at albums that contain pictures taken in 2005, as well as listening to songs on my iPod that came out and were popular at that time.

The early years of our relationship coincided with my final 2 years in college, so Iately I have been having flashes of myself walking to class and studying for exams.

I think we're always more likely to reflect fondly on events and times that were life-changing in some way. Though I am a lot happier with certain aspects of my life now (married and more financially secure), being young and in college is certainly an exciting time in anyone's life. You're full of hopes and dreams, casting an eye toward the future, sheltered (albeit temporarily) from the harsh realities of the real world.

And starting a new relationship is always exhilarating. The first year or two make up the honeymoon phase -- when flaws are nowhere in the picture and passion reigns supreme.

I graduated from college in December 2007, the same month in which the global recession began. Alas, the golden days of college were over. I now found myself thrust into a job market characterized by few employment opportunities and ever-increasing competition.

One layoff and some job hopping later, everything worked out, thankfully. But the saying that your college years will constitute the best time of your life is not just a tired cliché -- it's the truth.

Whenever I feel like mentally escaping the present, I dust off my album, turn on my iPod, and transport myself back to 2005. I relish great memories and, while it's important to stay focused on the present and future, no one says you can't reminisce about bygone days.

Do you do the same? Please share your experiences.

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