Old Loves, New Joy

Have you ever found an old book you used to love and opened it to find the magic still there, waiting for you?

It's like running into an old friend and discovering that not only do you still click, but somehow the connection is even richer than before.

I was reminded of this recently when I watched a woman rediscover her childhood roller skates in her parents' garage. "I probably can't anymore," she said, but tried them on anyway. Twenty minutes later, she was gliding down the driveway, muscle memory kicking in, face glowing with that unique joy of remembering something your body never forgot.

That's the thing about rediscovery – it's not just about finding something old, it's about meeting it with your new self.

"You can't step in the same river twice," Heraclitus said. But he missed something wonderful: when you step in that river again, you bring all your new experiences to the splash.

Three types of joyful rediscovery:

1. The Muscle Memory Magic: When your body remembers what your mind forgot

2. The Fresh Eyes Finding: When old passions reveal new depths

3. The Time Travel Treasure: When past joy meets present wisdom

I know someone who keeps what she calls a "Joy Archive" – a list of things she used to love doing. "Every few months, I pick one thing from the list to revisit," she says. "Sometimes it's just a nice memory. But sometimes? Sometimes it's like finding a piece of myself I forgot I was missing."

That's the magic of rediscovery – it's both a reunion and a fresh start.

Signs you've truly rediscovered something:

1. It feels both familiar and completely new.

2. Your enthusiasm has a depth it didn't have before.

3. You find yourself wondering why you ever stopped.

4. The joy feels richer for the time apart.

Here's what nobody tells you about rediscovery: it's not about recreating the past – it's about bringing old loves into your present.

Ways to invite rediscovery:

1. Practice "Memory Mining" – actively recall activities that used to light you up.

2. Create "Rediscovery Dates" – schedule time to revisit old interests.

3. Master the art of the "Beginner's Return" – approach old skills with fresh curiosity.

Because here's the truth: sometimes the best new things in life are actually old things seen through new eyes.

Remember, rediscovery can happen with:

- Childhood hobbies

- Forgotten skills

- Old favorite songs

- Previous passions

- Former traditions

- Past pleasures

Some practical ways to rediscover joy:

1. Keep a "Used to Love" list – document things that once brought you joy.

2. Create "Memory Triggers" – surround yourself with reminders of past passions.

3. Build "Rediscovery Rituals" – regular times to explore old interests.

4. Practice "Joy Archaeology" – dig through your past for buried treasures.

And remember, when you rediscover something you used to love, you get to experience it:

With more wisdom

With deeper appreciation

With richer understanding

With greater perspective

With renewed wonder

So dust off that instrument.

Open that old sketchbook.

Put on those dance shoes.

Climb that tree.

Write that story.

Play that game.

Because in a world that's always pushing us toward the next new thing, rediscovering an old love isn't just joyful – it's revolutionary.

And here's the most beautiful part: when you rediscover something you used to love, you often find that it didn't just wait for you – it grew alongside you, ready to meet you in new ways with old joy.

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." - T.S. Eliot

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Email me here.