When you ask people what they might use to reminisce about the past, most will point to pictures they might have stashed away in their attic or garage. But I think music and movies can also serve to take us back in time, both of which are pretty easy to retrieve nowadays via the internet. Whenever I watch movies or listen to songs from my childhood, it transports me back to the time they were originally released. I ask myself questions like: How old was I when this song or movie was out? Did I watch the movie in the theater? Was I with my parents? With friends? Where would the song be played? On the radio? At school dances? Who else around me liked it? I realize some people might regard those details as minutiae, especially those who couldn't care less about the past or for one reason or another wish to put it behind them.  Another reason why I am so fond of music and movies from those years? I find them to be superior to the ones of today.  It seems the cont...

Lately I find myself reminiscing a lot about the past. I have been combing the internet for radio clips transmitted and recorded by my favorite radio station over 15 years ago. I have also reflected upon old friendships and memorable occasions (birthday parties, graduations, etc.) that have left an indelible imprint on my life. You're probably wondering why in the world I would be searching for those radio clips. Well, one of the great things about music is that, like pictures, it takes you down memory lane and allows you to reflect upon what your life was like at the time -- who your friends were, which restaurants and movie theaters you frequented (and whether those venues are still in business today), how you dressed, and what your interests were. Going back to the title of this post, reflecting is healthful so long as it is done in moderation and not through rose-colored glasses. Nostalgia makes us think of happier moments in the past, but we tend to block out the less plea...